Dirt biking, or for that matter any kind of motorsports hobby, requires a fair amount of investment. New dirt bikes in the US can carry a price tag upwards of $10,000.e
Add to this a variety of gear, the cost of the parts, and the cost of maintaining a high-performance machine and you could quickly end up with a giant hole in your pocket.
But taking up dirt bike riding doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little research you can save a lot of unnecessary expense and get the most out of your hard-earned money while making a confident purchase to hit the trails..Keep reading about cheap used dirt bike.
Types of Dirt Bikes
- Play bikes are low maintenance while being highly dependable at the same time. This makes them perfect for beginners.Don’t start out with a faster dirt bike if you’ve never ridden a dirt bike before. The simplicity of a play dirt bike will help you focus on learning how to ride and control the bike.
- Trail bikes are a notch above play dirt bikes and apt for riders with some experience riding dirt bikes.
Trial dirt bikes are meant for riding on rough terrain. Even though they are lower in performance compared to an enduro or motocross dirt bike, they are highly rated for reliability.
If you have some experience riding dirt bikes and don't want to buy a play bike, this would be the right choice for you.
- Enduro bikes are more of a cross-breed between a motocross bike and trail bike. The suspension on these bikes is set-up to be a little more pliable for riding and racing on trails.
An Enduro’s engine evens out the power to make it much smoother and more rideable than a motocross dirt bike. It also has a different transmission ratio to provide more space to each gear, so you don’t have to continually change gears.
- Motocross bikes are typically the fastest high-performance dirt bikes available. They come fitted with the hardest suspension to absorb big jumps and tough landings.
The no-frills motocross bike offers the least amount of options as they are built for the sole purpose of racing on a motocross track.
Though motocross racing is very popular, the motocross track with its daunting obstacles and competitive riders is only for those who have loads of off-road riding experience and know-how to handle these mean machines.
Used versus new – which is best?
A used dirt bike comes at a fraction of the price of a new dirt bike, costing anywhere between $500 and $2000.
If you are new to dirt bike riding, it makes more sense to buy a used dirt bike in case you lose interest in the sport or find it’s not your cup of tea after all.
Plus, a play dirt bike or a used dirt bike can be a great way of venturing into off-road riding without spending a ton of money.
The money you save can be used for replacement parts, proper gear, tools, gas, oil, new tires, or upgrades to suit your riding style.
Something else to consider is that the value of any new motor vehicle depreciates as soon as it is driven out of the dealership.
While it’s great to buy used, if you are new to the hobby, try to avoid very old bikes, as they have the potential to have more problems – problems that might be very overwhelming if you are new to the sport.
Where to buy a used dirt bike?
Looking for and buying a used dirt bike can be quite a headache if you’ve never done it before. Your best chances to find a cheap, used dirt bike are online.
To begin with, search online marketplaces for the type of dirt bike you are looking for. Also, take a look at past records and auctions to see what the going price is for the type of bike you want.
Some of the better online marketplaces to buy a cheap used dirt bike are:
- eBay: If you buy from eBay, the seller will likely be willing to ship the dirt bike to you.
- Craigslist: If the seller lives in the vicinity of your location, you can arrange a meeting. If not, the seller will need to ship the bike if you don’t want to drive to their location.
Because Craigslist is primarily designed for in-person pick up, shipping can be expensive.
- CycleTrader: If you are looking for a used dirt bike, CycleTrader is also a good option.
Having shortlisted the type and model of dirt bike you want, compare prices, and have a look around on various websites and in stores before you decide to buy. There is no worse feeling than making an uninformed and hasty decision, only to find the same bike being traded for a much cheaper price later.
What to look for when buying a used dirt bike?
- First, decide on the type of dirt bike you want to buy. This will depend upon the type of riding you do.
Going for a fast and high-performance dirt bike that demands frequent maintenance is not a good choice if it’s your first bike.
- Take into consideration the condition of the used bike, and not just the price alone.
You could end up spending much more money fixing up a cheaper, run-down bike than a more expensive bike in good condition.
Keep in mind there is almost no chance of a refund if a used dirt bike bought on eBay or Craigslist falls apart.
- Your height should be a significant factor when selecting your dirt bike. If the bike is too small, you'll be cramped when sitting on it, which could result in an accident.
On the other hand, if the bike is too big, you won't be able to handle it with ease. A simple rule of thumb says that your height should be double the height of the bike seat.
When you sit on the bike, you should be able to touch the floor only with your toes and the balls of your feet, but not be able to plant your heel on the ground.
- Look at the bike in the light of day, taket a short test ride to make sure everything's working, and look for any warning signs.
- If your state laws ask for titling, check and ensure that the title matches the bike's VIN. Also check that the owner's ID matches the title. Be sure to get the bike registered in your name once you buy it.
How to negotiate a good deal
- Be well informed: Gather as much information as you can on dirt bikes before setting out to purchase a used one. Some topics to learn more about include:
- various categories of dirt bikes
- how much they should cost
- current trends in the used bikes segment and even the motorsport world
Sellers thrive on less-informed buyers. If you come across as a knowledgeable buyer, there is less of a chance that the seller will try to overcharge you.
Being well-informed also enables you to ask more relevant questions about the bike, which in turn, can be helpful in negotiations for a lower price.
- Follow the protocol: If using an online marketplace, for safety reasons, only talk to the seller through the website.
Search and compare online ratings and positive reviews of each seller on the marketplace websites. This provides insight on the ease of doing business with them and reveals if they are trustworthy.
If there are instructions to call or contact the seller through other means, or at a certain time of the day, make sure to follow the instructions explicitly.
- Be calm and relaxed: Don't come across as overly keen or eager to buy if you find a dirt bike you like. There is often room to negotiate. Your calm and confident demeanor can go a long way to swing the deal in your favor.
Being overconfident or cocky on the other hand can have the opposite effect, by putting the seller off.
Keep in mind there’s not much scope to negotiate if you buy a used dirt bike on eBay. But you can try to haggle over the price if purchasing through other channels like Craigslist.
- Start low: Your initial offer should always be lower than what you're ready to pay for the used bike.
Your initial research can help you gauge the market price and the seller’s expectation from the deal. Use that knowledge to make an offer that’s neither offensively low nor higher than the market price.
Remember, the seller is within their rights to try to get the most money they can for their bike, but you should drive a hard bargain.
- Walk away: Like the lyrics to thatKenny Rogers song, “know when to hold them, know when to fold them”.
Never be afraid to let go of the deal if you think it’s not fair. You will have a better chance at clinching a respectable deal if you act like it doesn’t matter to you.
- Blue Book: Refer to the Kelley Blue Book for used dirt bike prices. If the Blue Book price is lower than the asking price, you can show the seller the Blue Book price and ask for a discount.
The seller is much more likely to be persuaded to negotiate the price if the request for a discount is accompanied by a sound and logical reason.
- Cash ready: If you’re buying directly from the seller, there might be instances when you need to pay in cash. Be prepared and withdraw cash in advance, keeping in mind the bike will often cost more than your withdrawal limit from an ATM in a single day.
- Reason to negotiate: Inspect the bike thoroughly and try to come up with a reason to leverage a lower offer than the seller’s demand. It could be something like an old battery, a worn-out rear tire, or the fact that the bike is a less popular model.
- Patience: The market might not have a perfect match in terms of the bike you want or the price you are willing to pay right now. Instead of lowering your expectations, paying more than required, or settling for a lesser bike, be patient.
Keep hunting for a good deal. Patience wins the day.
Some additional tips
- Don’t buy a used dirt bike with a loan. A small loan might seem very alluring when it comes to enabling you to buy the dirt bike of your dreams.
But keep in mind the interest you will pay for that loan, which results in a much higher total price tag.
- You are highly unlikely to find a dirt bike shop that will make a mistake on pricing.
They are professionals and know the prevailing market rates, as well as the demand-supply equation in the market at any given point of time, much better than you do.
If you see a bargain that seems too good to be true, be wary. It could mean the seller has information about the bike which hasn’t been disclosed to you.
It’s always better to buy directly from the person who used the bike personally so you can gather more information about the bike.
- Don’t be brand loyal if price is a concern or you are new to dirt bike riding. There isn’t a huge difference between name brand and off brand dirt bikes. .
Very small variations in the way each brand’s bike is made will not make much of a difference to your performance unless you are a top-of-the-line talented rider looking for specific enhancements.
