You know you want that dirt or dual sport machine, but either your budget won’t allow you to get the shiniest, newest tech, or maybe you just want to save on depreciation and get in on that used bike action. Whatever the case, you’re in the market for a used motorcycle that can deal with off-road conditions.
We’ve picked ten of the best models you should look at. All these examples have been picked keeping in mind ease of use – if this is going to be your first off-road bike then it shouldn’t be intimidating. Availability of spares should also be high on the list, as should cost of spares. Doesn’t make sense to get a machine that you cannot source parts easily for. It needs to be easy to work on, too, else all the money you save buying used will disappear into your friendly neighborhood mechanic’s pockets. On the wishlist is also good aftermarket support for both stock parts as mentioned before, and upgrades. You need to be able to keep the motorcycle for a while and not get bored with it should your skill outgrow it quickly. Finally, pedigree: if it has won championships or is related to the Dakar rally or just is as unkillable as a co*ckroach, that’s a big bonus.
Related: The Best Dirt-Bikes For Beginners
10 Kawasaki KX65
The Kawasaki KX65 is a kids bike. No, really. It has a seat height of under 27 inches, which should give you an idea of how small it really is. It manages to pack a punch in that pint-sized chassis, though, with that liquid-cooled two-stroke 65cc engine. It maximizes its performance with a six-speed gearbox and a manual clutch. It has disc brakes at both ends, long travel suspension (8.3 inches at the front, 9.4 inches at the rear) with 4 way rebound damping at the front and 3 way at the rear, and a chassis that has helped develop many a national champion. If you’re looking for your child’s first foray into the world of motocross, this can be picked up for fairly cheap and used examples are available fairly easily.
Pros
- Great beginner motorcycle
- Great chassis
- Hasn't skimped on features
Cons
- Not for anyone over four feet tall
- Manual clutch can be a deterrent to learning
- Hasn't changed for a long time
9 Yamaha YZ125
The YZ125 has been around since 1974. In the intervening half century, it has seen updates, but Yamaha has by and large kept updates to a minimum, while major changes came about once or twice every decade. That is great news for those looking for a used example, since spares should be plentiful and reasonably priced. Oh, and there are a ton of aftermarket parts available if you’re not satisfied with what you have. Anything from 2006 on should suffice if you’re looking for something modern, but you can’t go wrong with older models. The 125cc engine has a strong midrange and top end that can be tweaked if you know your way around a carburetor. Just remember to check for spares availability before you put your money down.
Pros
- Great beginner motorcycle for below average sized adults
- Longevity
- Easy to work on
Cons
- Updated once or twice in the last ten years
- 125cc won't work for a heavy rider
- Spares availability can be an issue
Related: Here’s Why Two-Stroke Motorcycles Are Still Relevant
8 Yamaha TW200
The TW200 is the oddball choice in this group. It has been around since 1987, and it had a major update in 2001 where it got an electric start and a front disc brake. The TW (“Trail Way”) is a go-anywhere machine that does what it does really well. When we say ‘go anywhere’, we mean it – this has been ridden to the North Pole! It is almost zen-like in its simplicity: an air cooled, carburetted 196cc single cylinder motor is mated to a five speed gearbox. It’s even got a retro rectangular headlamp, turn indicators with orange lenses, and an all-analog instrument cluster, making it look like it time traveled straight out of the 90s. If you’re looking for an all-rounder you can’t do much better than the TW200.
Pros
- Retro charm
- Best on road ability from this bunch
- Simple to work on
Cons
- Can be a little too retro for some
- Least off-road ability from this bunch
- Highway speeds aren't a strength despite the on road ability
Related: Yamaha TW200 Performance, Price, and Photos
7 Yamaha YZ250F
The YZ250F is essentially the four stroke equivalent of the YZ125. That comes with its positives and negatives. It is heavier, and you can feel that weight higher up. The engine, being a four-stroke motor, is more complex and therefore not as bulletproof as the 125. It won’t be as easy to work on, either. However, it has a broad torque spread that will pull cleanly from low revs, where the 125 struggles a little at the bottom end. It retains all the order good characteristics of the 125, such as good handling, great suspension and impeccable pedigree. If you don’t want to worry about premix or emissions but would like a beginner off-road Yam, the YZ250F is the one to pick.
Pros
- Best beginner off-road Yam
- Heavier than the YZ125
- You don't have to worry about premix
Cons
- Heavier than the YZ125
- Not as reliable as the YZ125
- Motor is more complex to work on than - you guessed it - the YZ125
6 Honda CRF250X
Based on a dirt bike, the Honda CRF250X is an enduro machine for the beginner. It made its debut in 2005, and has been going strong since then. It has more than a few changes that make it less aggressive than an all-out dirt bike, which make it more livable with on a daily basis. Just like the YZ250F, it has been designed to offer something for everyone, and as such it can be a good starter on/off-road motorcycle, or a long-term investment for the hobby trail rider. It also meets emission requirements in all 50 states right out of the box. Interestingly it also has a steering damper as standard. It got its last real changes in 2007, so the models from 2007 to 2017, when it was discontinued, are essentially the same.
Pros
- Great beginner trail bike
- Is emissions legal in 50 states
- Steering damper is standard
Cons
- Not a particularly exciting choice
- No real changes since 2007
- Has been out of production since 2017
Related: 2008 Honda CRF250X
5 Kawasaki KLX300
The KLX300 is an enduro machine that offers 250cc size with 300cc four stroke power. It has been around for nearly three decades, so finding the right used KLX300 for you should not be too difficult. Later models shifted from a cradle frame to a perimeter frame and aluminum swingarm, which will probably make them dearer to purchase. The nearly-300cc motor is mated to a six speed gearbox, and top gear is so tall that you might not be able to redline it in sixth, which means that highway cruising from a driveline perspective should be comfortable, not to mention good gas mileage out on the highway in comparison to its peers. However, mods to make it more dirt-friendly should be really easy given its longevity and fan following. Suspension on later models is fully adjustable, which is another bonus.
Pros
- 250cc size, 300cc power
- Highway cruising in sixth is relatively stress-free
- Fully adjustable suspension
Cons
- Perimeter framed examples will be dearer to purchase
- Top gear is too tall to max the revs out
- Mods can be confusing
4 Suzuki DR-Z400
The DR-Z400 has the quintessential 90s enduro motorcycle looks, although it was launched in 2000. It hasn’t changed much over the years other than to add things like an electric starter and to comply with newer emission norms. This is one of the few smaller capacity motorcycles in this list that allows you a pillion, because of the standard pillion foot pegs. You might have to change the rear shock to deal with the extra weight if you plan to carry a pillion often, though. It is a capable machine that doesn’t do anything particularly well, but is extremely reliable. You can get yourself a DIY service kit that will allow you to do all the regular maintenance from the comfort of your garage. If you’re not going to do serious dirt riding, the DR-Z400 is the do-it-all small capacity bike for you.
Pros
- Extremely reliable
- Has provisions for a pillion
- Retro cool
Cons
- Doesn't do anything particularly well
- Rear shock will have to be changed if carrying pillion often
- Not very exciting
3 Kawasaki KLR650
If you want a full size go-anywhere motorcycle that will not break the bank – or merely won’t break – this is what you’ve been looking for. In fact, you’ve probably been looking for the KLR650 in this list since the beginning! This minimalist motorcycle has three distinct generations. 1987-2007 was the first generation, water cooling was added in 2008, and fuel injection was introduced in 2022. Its unbreakable nature has earned it a cult following and a huge aftermarket. You’re never going to face a shortage of parts or accessories to tailor a KLR650 to your specific requirements. You’ll need to be a tall person to ride one of the pre-2022 versions, though, because of the high seat height. If you want an overlander that can be ridden off-road and will never fail on you, get yourself one of these.
Pros
- Is the Swiss Army Knife of middleweight go-anywhere motorcycles
- Unbreakable
- Parts and accessories are a dime a dozen
Cons
- FI was introduced in 2022
- ABS is an optional extra in 2023
- Need to be really tall to ride this
Related: Why the Kawasaki KLR650 is the Ultimate Dual Sport Motorcycle
2 Honda CR500R
The CR500R was the most powerful dirt bike Honda produced when it launched it in 1984, with over 60 horsepower from its 491cc two-stroke engine. It got water cooling in 1985 which pushed the power output nearer to 70 horsepower than 60, and the gearing was shortened slightly in 1992. The model years 1993-2001 are the ones to opt for, since they had the most refinements and barely any changes during that time. 2001 was the last year of production for the CR500R; it was replaced by the CRF450F. It had quality components like Showa USD forks up front, and Showa Pro-Link suspension at the rear. The CR500R isn’t for the faint-hearted or unskilled; you should only get this one if your skill level has progressed well beyond some of the other motorcycles on this list.
Pros
- Most powerful Honda off-road machine at the time of launch
- Quality suspension
- Still one of the fastest off-road bikes you can have
Cons
- Only for expert level riders
- CRF450F is more available and sensible
- You'll need a lot of premix
1 KTM 300 XC-W
The KTM 300 XC-W is the enduro version of KTM’s two-stroke 300cc off-road offerings. The 300 XC range first went on sale in 1990, and has seen quite a few changes. Target examples from 2004 onward, because they have fewer fueling issues. You can have an electric start from the 2008 model year onward, and six speed transmissions made their debut in 2011. 2017 year model onward are essentially current generation motorcycles. The W in ‘300 XC-W’ stands for ‘wide ratio gearbox’ and it also has other enduro accoutrements like lights and indicators, and an engine with better bottom end torque. The 300 XC range can be all things to all riders: both beginners and experts alike will love the engine’s power delivery and its handling. That is why it is at the top of our list.
Pros
- Best enduro motorcycle on the market
- Both beginners and experts will appreciate the XC
- KTM's off-road rep is still the best
Cons
- Old examples will have fueling issues
- Electric start debuted only in 2008
- Six speeds were introduced only in 2011
