I want an off-road motorcycle, but which one to choose?

It’s your most burning desire! 🔥 You want to buy your first off-road motorcycle or you want to change the one you already own.

How can you make the right choice among all the models available? Buying an off-road motorcycle is a significant investment and most of all, a little affordable luxury that we gift to ourselves. The options are countless: it’s easy to get lost and to be scared to make the wrong purchase.

The current context is particular, which makes the availability of these motorcycles more and more complex.

It certainly is not helping for anyone who wants to get started in this sport and choose a motorcycle, and we most certainly don’t want to regret it.

In this article, I will show you the features to take into account, the points to compare and I’ll give you advice to make a choice. Moreover, in order to make your life easier, I made you a comprehensive list of all 2022 models according to their category and for every manufacturer.

Here is a list of manufacturer:

Common misconception…

Off-road motorcycles are way lighter than road motorcycles. The need to stop is way less frequent than on the road; it is then wrong to believe that you absolutely need to touch the ground with both feet.

Depending on your height, sometimes, the perfectly sized motorcycle may not exist for you, and you might be in an in between situation (either the motorcycle is too small or too big). I can understand that you feel safer on a smaller motorcycle, and thus, have the feeling to be more in control.

But let’s be rational and let’s think on a merely physical point of view. The bigger the motorcycle’s wheels are, the more stability and comfort they offer you to drive over obstacles, holes, roots and bumps… In other words, big wheels – and thus a big motorcycle – make the job easier for off-road: you’ll have more traction, especially in the sand.

A mouse would have more stability balancing on a beach ball compared to an elephant, right?

The famous debate: 2-stroke versus 4-stroke

Once you’ve determined your needs, most of the time, you’ll have to face the debate between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. I will try to explain this. Let’s first see what the characteristics of these two types of engines are.

ADHD behaviour

2-stroke engine

It definitely is an ADHD motorcycle: with its hyperactive behaviour on the ground, it is fast and must not remain still. Spry and quick, the main characteristic of a motorcycle fitted with a 2-stroke engine is its lightness.

Indeed, we’re talking here about around 30 pounds of difference, compared to a similar powered 4-stroke motorcycle of the same size. The weight different is obviously different depending on the height categories of motorcycles.

The 2-stroke motorcycle shows a more responsive behaviour. You need to keep a higher speed to gain speed and performance. Well, let me reassure you: the 2-stroke motorcycle is still suitable for drivers who don’t want to go crazy on turns.

If you talk about competitiveness, the driver needs to be aggressive and active on the engine throttle as much as on the clutch. You can’t expect a quick start with a 2-stroke motorcycle, it is unforgiving. You always need to keep a fluid movement on the right gear to be efficient and fast on a 2-stroke motorcycle. It can quickly become lazy if you’re not on the right gear: you thus need to focus your energy on your left foot.

It is obviously possible to modify this type of motorcycle to calm it down and to make it more accessible, softer and more linear. Some easy modifications can soften the power and the edginess of the engine, which will allow a better traction and a more progressive acceleration.

For example, changing the number of teeth on the front and/or back cog or adding weight to the flywheel. Also, some manufacturers offer models that are enduro, which clutch ratio allows for more torque, freedom, and to maintain the engine on slower speeds.

Simple mechanism, but be careful…

A 2-stroke motorcycle is fitted with a way simpler mechanism that is easy to repair. The engine reparation costs are significantly less expensive than the ones for a 4-stroke engine. However, it requires a closer and more vigilant maintenance.

Just to give you an idea: to repair a 2-stroke engine, it could cost around 500 and $800, compared to over $2,000 for a 4-stroke engine. The simplicity of the 2-stroke engine makes it easy and quick to repair; it does not have many pieces to replace. However, it is a more fragile mechanism which wears out quicker.

Vigilance goes with 2-stroke… why?

The majority of 2-stroke models still have carburetor technology, and require a mix of gas and oil.

Let’s take this opportunity to debunk some myths and explain some important particularities to understand and know better this technology.

The basic principle is simple: the colder it is, the more oil your engine needs not to be damaged. A common misconception is that in this situation, the solution is to add more oil in the gas. Don’t be fooled: the gas-oil mix should always be as indicated in the instruction manual of your motorcycle, most of the time 32:1 or 40:1.

Actually, it is the carburetor jets (jetting) that you need to worry about and to adjust according to the temperature. It can seem complicated, but once you have the right information, it is rather easy to adjust and modify. Once again, everything is written in the instruction manual.

Take the time to read about it and to make the right modifications to your carburetor before driving in cold weather: a 2-stroke engine with not enough gas/oil won’t last long. Note that some manufacturers start to offer models equipped with an injunction technology on 2-stroke engines.

Even if it is recent, this system needs to gain more reliability and efficiency. For now, many people find difficulties with their TPI (Transfer Port Injection) frame.

The beginning of electric motorcycles

Whether you want it or not, even if you love the roaring of engines and the smell of gasoline, the future of off-road motorcycles is electric.

The noise definitely is a harmful element to our sport, it’s hard to keep our trails open and to find places where we can ride. Manufacturers are well aware of the need to transition towards electric, and they all work accordingly. We can already see some electric off-road motorcycles, but the battery life needs to be improved, as well as the weight of the motorcycle.

Now, only KTM offer a full-size model, the Freeride E-XC Enduro. Soon, the Stark Varg will be launched in Québec: the model seems promising, interesting and powerful. So, keep an eye out…

There are also companies that offer motorcycles for children, such as Honda, GasGas, KTM and Husqvarna.

Maintenance rhymes with reliability

Don’t be fooled: an off-road motorcycle is not like a car to which you just need to add gas, change oil from time to time or wait until you’ve reached 50,000 km before thinking about checking the mechanism.

An off-road motorcycle requires a thorough and regular maintenance. These are performance motorcycles. If you neglect the mechanism, then you will have serious breakage and you won’t be able to blame the motorcycle, but the mechanic!

This is precisely why manufacturers do not offer warranty on off-road motorcycles.

They trust their product, but not as much the owners who ignore how to properly use their two-wheel vehicle and how to decently look after it as recommended by manufacturers.

“Lemon” motorcycles do not exist anymore, they are all reliable now. It’s your responsibility to properly follow up! My best advice: please, read the maintenance manual, everything is written inside.

In a nutshell

2-stroke engine: easy mechanics, less expensive but more fragile, requires a specific attention to the carburetor system.

4-stroke engine: complex and expensive mechanics, but more reliable and sustainable.

Motorcycles format: consider your height to make a choice, but don’t forget it’s better to have a motorcycle that is too big rather than too small. I’m 5′10″, I know it’s easy to say for someone like me who can touch the ground with both feet.

But I’d be happy to introduce you to my kids and my friends who found out, and most of all understood, that having one foot on the ground is more than enough for off-road motorcycles.

Now, which off-road motorcycle will you choose?

2-stroke or 4-stroke?

Both these types of engines are good. You just need to be familiar with their particularities and to know how to maintain them well. Do not look over the need to take off-road motorcycle lessons to learn all the basic information to drive your motorcycle safely.

Lastly, I’d advise you to set a budget and to consider the importance of having your suspensions adjusted according to your weight, your age and your size. They will be of great influence on your comfort and safety, and will compensate for your height as well.

I can’t wait to see you on the tracks or on the trails!

Cindy 818