Interesting Facts About Dirt Bikes

Dirt bikes, also known as off-road motorcycles, are incredibly popular with adventurous types. You might love riding your dirt bike, but how much do you know about their history and how they’ve been used? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite pieces of dirt bike trivia so you can learn even more about your trusty off-roading bike.

Where Did Dirt Bikes Come From?

While dirt bikes might seem like an American creation, they actually come from across the pond. The first motocross bikes and off-road motorcycles were constructed in the United Kingdom by the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited (BSA). Once dirt bikes became popular in the UK, they made their way over to the United States to wide acclaim.

When Did Dirt Bike Races Begin?

Competition is a common use for dirt bikes, since they’re powerful and fast. Like their creation, dirt bike races were also started in the UK well over a century ago. In 1909, the first Auto Cycle quarterly trial event took place, although regular yearly races only became more popular during the 1920s. It took another 30 years for dirt bike racing to gain traction here in the United States, and the very first stadium race took place in California in 1972, at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Who Makes the Most Dirt Bikes?

The United Kingdom may have started the dirt bike industry, and the United States may have further developed it, but the true king of dirt bikes is actually Japan. Japanese dirt bike brands have been market leaders since the 1970s, with Suzuki®, Kawasaki®, Honda®, and Yamaha® being the leading Japanese manufacturers.

How Powerful Are the Engines?

Dirt bike engines are actually not as powerful as you might think. Their engine capacities typically fall between 50 and 500cc, because dirt bikes are made for crossing rough terrain at slower speeds, rather than coasting across smooth pavement at 50 miles per hour.

Are Dirt Bikes Good For Fitness?

Yes, actually! Riding your dirt bike encourages your body to make use of several different muscle groups in your core, your legs, and your arms to keep yourself balanced on the bike. You can strengthen your abs, triceps, biceps, and other muscles by regularly riding your dirt bike. Riding a dirt bike can also help you to improve your posture, which further improves your overall fitness.

Ready to buy your own off-road motorcycle and join the fun? Stop by our Franklin, TN, dealership location today to check out our full inventory of new and used dirt bikes for sale. Cool Springs Powersports serves greater Nashville, as well as the cities of Spring Hill and Columbia, TN.