Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, finding the right street dirt bike is essential. Especially since dirt bikes aren’t always legal to operate on streets, it’s important that you understand where you can and can’t ride.
How do I know what dirt bike is right for me?
There are plenty of beginner-friendly street dirt bikes on the market, such as the Honda XR150L. This air-cooled, dual-purpose motorcycle is ideal for beginners with a low seat height and smooth, controllable power. It also has a large fuel tank for long rides and can handle some light trail riding as well, making it a great all-around bike.
However, some cities take a dim view of dirt biking and require riders to have a green-stickered vehicle. This requires having a valid title, license plates and passing an inspection to ensure the bike meets road-use requirements. It also means adding headlights, tail lights, a horn, mirrors and street-legal tires.
The tires on a street dirt bike are different from off-road bikes, as they have smaller treads to help the bike grip on pavement. They also have a smooth shape to reduce the number of gaps where dirt could sneak in and cause traction problems. Additionally, most street dirt bikes have spring shocks and hydraulic suspension systems to absorb a rough landing.
In Baltimore, where Young’s B-360 is based, police have launched an aggressive crackdown on illegal dirt biking. She says the city’s efforts have fueled resentment among black riders, who feel lumped in with gangs, violence and drugs. She hopes to build a more positive image for the sport, but it will take a lot of work.