As someone who is new into dirt biking, finding the best trail dirt bikes for beginners, and choosing one can be a daunting task.
Your goal is probably getting a dirt bike to cruise around all the local dirt bike trails. Trail Dirt bikes provide tons of playful fun and enjoyment when riding single-track.

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However,

Having the right type of dirt bike is just like having the right tool for the job.

Dirt biking is meant to be fun and exhilarating however if you purchase the wrong dirt bike to start with it can REALLY ruin your experience. Or worse it can cause you to get hurt.

In this post we will cover:

• Some basic information on trail dirt bikes
• Easy and hard beginner trail dirt bikes to ride
• List of the best trail dirt bikes for beginners for 2023
• List of dirt bikes that are NOT trail bikes
• Trail Bikes, that you SHOULD NOT BUY

Few words about trail dirt bikes

There are ALL sorts of dirt bikes out there, but you are reading this article because you want to know what is best for beginners who want to trail ride.

Trail dirt bikes generally have a softer suspension setup, gearing, and a motor that is set up for riding single-track. Typically these trail dirt bikes are not meant for racing. This means they aren’t fire-breathing dragons. I want to be clear, though, that these “trail dirt bikes” can go fast, jump, and corner well.

What type of engine you choose is up to you. You have the option of a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke motor. Both work great but have different benefits.

All of the dirt bikes below come with a manual clutch. There are models in the list below that are more beginner-friendly than others. A couple of the bikes are full-sized dirt bikes that are built to go faster and jump higher. These bikes take a bit more skill and bravery. That doesn’t mean that you can get one if you are just getting started into dirt biking. I just want to make you aware. Most of the “air-cooled” dirt bikes have the tamest motors.

We will talk about each one so you have a good idea of what dirt bike is best suited for you.

Easiest and harder beginner trail dirt bikes to ride:

Don’t worry, we will talk about each one so you have a good idea of what dirt bike is best suited for you. But for now, here is the shortlist:

Easiest beginner trail dirt bikes to ride

• Honda CRF230F
• Honda CRF250F
• Yamaha TTR230
• Kawasaki KLX230R
• KTM Freeride E-XC

Harder beginner trail dirt bikes to ride

• Honda CRF250X
• Yamaha WR250
• Beta Xtrainer 300
• Beta 200RR
• Kawasaki KLX300R
• KTM Freeride E-XC

In this article, I will make a full list of all the recommended trail dirt bikes for people who are just getting started.

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The Best Trail Dirt Bikes for Beginners for 2023

Below is a list of the VERY best beginner trail dirt bikes on the market for this year:

• Honda CRF230F ($4,349)
• Honda CRF250F ($4,599)
• Honda CRF250X ($8,299)
• Yamaha TTR230 ($4,449)
• Yamaha WR250 ($8,599)
• Beta 200RR ($8,699)
• Beta Xtrainer 300 ($7,699)
• KTM Freeride E-XC ($10,499)
• Kawasaki KLX300R ($5,499)
• Kawasaki KLX230R ($4,399)

Honda CRF230F

The Honda CRF230F is an air-cooled 4 stroke that has been in the Honda lineup for years. It’s a popular model for beginners and teenagers alike. Newer models come with an electric start and no kick starter.

Price $4,349

Honda CRF250F

Great for trail riding the fuel-injected CRF250F is the big brother to the CRF230F. It comes with a telescopic for in the front and a Showa rear shock. The CRF250F is a new model for Honda. This Honda trail bike comes with an electric start. It, however, does not come with a backup kick starter.

Price $4,749

Honda CRF250RX

The Honda CRF250RX is considered an excellent bike. The Honda CRF250RX design is very beautiful and stable.

Hands down the Honda CRF250RX is both fast and powerful with its 250cc engine that can also produce a good user experience for racing bikes lovers and riders who want to buy some bike of this category yet practical enough to use when you are not in biking adventures a lot, very economical and portable. The Honda CRF250RX is manufactured with a lot of advanced technology and a well-balanced structure, making it the most suitable when you want to get adventurous while having fun on a bike ranging from different places.

This bike is powerful, winning in the off-road races. In The Honda CRF250RX, you can feel like a real rider and enjoy the adventure with it!

The CRF250RX is Honda’s flagship 250cc trail dirt bike

Price $8,499

Yamaha TTR230

Like the Honda CRF230F, the TTR230 is a super reliable dirt bike from Yamaha. The TTR is an air-cooled 4 stroke with telescopic forks and full-size offroad rims. It comes with a really nice but broad powerband which is perfect for beginners and teenagers. It has an electric start but no backup kick starter. No headlight.

Price $4,449

Yamaha WR250F

The Yamaha WR250F is the benchmark for high-quality performance trail dirt bikes. The Yamaha WR250F comes with an electric start modern suspension and motor specs. The WR250F has been recently updated and is a modern enduro single-track warrior. Built from the YZ250F platform the WR is one of the very best enduro trail dirt bikes on the market. Yamaha is well known for having the best stock forks in the dirt bike world.

Price $8,799

Beta 200RR

The Beta 200RR is a 2 stroke dirt bike. Beta makes some of the very best offroad dirt bikes in the market. The 200RR motor is a really torquey 2 stroke motor. It comes with an electric start, oil injection, and a headlight. Purpose-built to tackle hard enduro or technical singletrack. If you want an advantage over the 4 strokes in tight technical terrain the Beta 200RR is the bike for the job.

Price $8,999

Beta Xtrainer 300 MY

The Beta Xtrainer 300 MY is a smaller framed dirt bike with a really mellow but torquey 2 stroke motor. The new version of the Beta Xtrainer has all the features and characteristics it needs to cater to a very diverse target demographic and appeal to riders of all genders and ages. Lighter and a smaller seat height the Xtrainer is a perfect starter bike or even a great bike for advanced riders. Beta equips the Xtrainer with a headlight and electric start. The Xtrainer is an oil injection dirt bike which means you do not have to mix gas.

• 2 Stroke Motor
• Oil injection (No mixing your gas)
• Electric start
• Keihin Carb
• Headlight
• 6 Gears
• 35.8″ seat height
• 218.26 lb Dry weight

Price $7,999

Kawasaki KLX300R

The Kawasaki KLX300R is a newer model in the KLX lineup. This is a liquid-cooled 4 stroke motor. Tuned for riding trails the KLX300R will have good power but will not rip your arms off. The KLX300R comes with an electric start and fuel injection.

Price $5,699

Kawasaki KLX230R

Built to compete against the CRF230F and the TTR230 the Kawasaki KLX230R is a reliable trail dirt bike. The KLX230R is a fuel-injected air-cooled 4 stroke motor. It comes with an electric start but no backup kick starter. This is another great option for trail riding and beginners.

Price $4,599

KTM Freeride E-XC

I have included the 2023 KTM Freeride E-XC electric dirt bike on the list of best dirt bikes for beginners. Why? Because electric dirt bikes are best for riding trails when you start as a beginner. This is due to the fact that e-bikes like the Freeride E-XC have different power options that make it really easy to start and ride. It’s quiet and has no clutch. Both of those help beginners.
Also, being able to ride it in places you normally would cause too much noise pollution also helps get seat time in.

Price $11,099

Here is a List of dirt bikes that are NOT trail bikes

** Avoid these bikes if you plan on riding trails and singletrack

• Yamaha YZ450F
• Yamaha YZ250F
• Yamaha YZ250
• Yamaha YZ125
• Honda CRF450R
• Honda CRF250R
• Kawasaki KX450F
• Kawasaki KX250F
• Suzuki RMZ450
• Suzuki RMZ250
• KTM 450SXF
• KTM 350SXF
• KTM 250SXF
• KTM 250SX
• KTM 150SX
• KTM 125SX
• Husqvarna TC125
• Husqvarna TC250
• Husqvarna FC450
• Husqvarna FC350
• Husqvarna FC250

All of the above dirt bikes are considered motocross bikes and not trail bikes.

Trail Bikes, that You SHOULD NOT BUY

Racing out to buy a 450F dirt bike is a mistake if you are a beginner or just getting back into dirt biking.

For example, if you go out and buy a Honda CRF450R that your buddy told you to buy you’re going to struggle with how powerful and stiff the suspension is.

The Honda CRF450R is a motocross bike for racing on tracks. These are really powerful but fun dirt bikes BUT not good for beginners.

Remember this is a process and there is a learning curve.

Conclusion

I hope that I explained to you in detail how to choose the best trail dirt bike for you. I tried to keep my opinion unbiased by consulting fellow dirt bike riders’ bikes on this list. I will keep this post updated each year.
See you on the dirt trail.

Please comment below if you have any questions.