Motocross (MX)
Pure track racing machine
What are motocross bikes?
A motocross (MX) bike is a lightweight, high-powered off-road racing motorcycle built only for closed dirt tracks with jumps; it has no lights or mirrors and is not street-legal.
They have no lights, no mirrors, no kickstand and are not road-legal. Explosive power and super-stiff suspension make them demanding.
- Best for
- Riders who want to race or train on MX tracks.
- Riding position
- Standing on the pegs most of the time
- Typical engines
- 50–450 cc, two- and four-stroke singles — Engines
Pros
- Incredible power-to-weight
- Built to fly and land jumps
- Great for building skills
Cons
- Not street-legal
- Needs a trailer or van
- Very frequent maintenance
Example models
Yamaha YZ250FKTM 450 SX-FHonda CRF450R
Frequently asked questions
Are motocross bikes street-legal?
No. They have no lights, mirrors or registration and are built only for tracks and private land.
What size motocross bike should I get?
Beginners often start on 125 cc two-strokes or 250 cc four-strokes; 450 cc bikes are for experienced riders.
Motocross vs dirt bike — is there a difference?
"Dirt bike" is a general term for off-road motorcycles; motocross bikes are the racing-track type of dirt bike.
