Dirt biking is a sport that anyone can enjoy regardless of their gender and weight. Let’s be honest; dirt bikes are basically big beasts that can carry a ton of weight. There are many different types of dirt bikes these days, with various engine types and sizes that can support different weights. But know dirt bike weight limits before riding on any terrain.
Dirt bikes can hold up a ton of weight. Generally, riders that weigh around 320lbs can easily and comfortably cruise around on a dirt bike. However, if you are over the 320lbs weight limit, you should change your bike’s suspension for added support.
The weight limit of your dirt bike will change significantly when you modify its build.
Are you looking for more information on weight limits? Keep on reading our careful analysis of dirt bike weights!
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Why Is Weight Important?
The reason why weight is important is that the weight and a bike’s performance are directly related. So if you get a bike that isn’t best for your weight, you are most likely not going to enjoy it. And we all go dirt biking because we want the thrill and fun of it all, don’t we?
A dirt bike that can not lift up your weight will eventually become slow as you drive it around because it naturally isn’t strong enough to drag your weight. A bike with a more powerful engine and high-quality springs will be able to withstand heavier loads.
If you weigh less than 150 pounds, then buying a 250 cc bike will be a good choice. And if you are heavier than 150 pounds, you can go for a bike with a 250 to 450 cc engine.
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Factors That Influence The Weight Your Dirt Bike Can Support
There are three main types of things that will determine how much weight your dirt bike can carry. It would include the cc (cubic centimeter) of an engine, whether the engine is two or four strokes, and the weight of the dirt bike itself.
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The Cubic Centimeter
For a 2 stroke engine, you will need one cubic centimeter of power for each pound you weigh if you plan on moving around. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. So make sure to leave some room when it comes to the weight your bike can carry.
Choose a dirt bike that offers a minimum of 20% extra cc according to your weight with a 2 stroke engine. For instance, a 200-pound rider will need a dirt bike with a 220 to 250 cc engine.
While a 4 stroke engine will have twice the power a 2 stroke engine will need, so for example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you’ll need a bike that has a 500 cc engine.
Keeping the engine volume in your mind is very important because riding on hills, terrain, and trails will be smoother with the right engine. This way, you can be in control of your dirt bike.
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The 2 Stroke Engine And 4 Stroke Engine Difference
The Two-stroke engine means that the engine completes two full strokes, going up and down. So every time the piston goes up in the cylinder, the spark plugs will ignite, which will produce combustion.
In comparison, the 4 stroke engine’s piston goes through all four strokes to complete the full cycle.
The two-stroke engine works better on looser tracks than the four-stroke engine. In contrast, four-stroke engines are heavier than two-stroke engines and don’t accelerate as fast. So if you are looking for a light and quick accelerating dirt bike, go for the two-stroke engine.
Or, if you are a heavier rider and prefer a bike with a smoother engine, then the four-stroke engine is for you.
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The Weight Of The Bike
To put it into simple words, the heavier the bike is, the more weight it will support. But along with the bike’s weight, the bike’s frame plays a big role in how the bike will support your weight as well. You must find a bike that comes with a strong frame.
Some motocross bikes weigh almost 240 pounds on their own. Usually, bikes are made of two materials, such as aluminum or steel. If you weigh a little more than the average, you should go for the aluminum so you won’t worry too much about the frame causing you any problems.
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How To Adjust Your Bikes Suspension According To Your Weight
The right suspension will come with tons of test runs. And one way to mess around with the suspension is by testing out the bike’s front fork. You will see two letters on the fork, the “H,” which stands for hard, and the letter “S” for soft.
You can adjust the fork towards hard for large bumps on the road or change it for small bumps.
However, the only way to actually distinguish the two is by cruising around your area on the dirt bike. Try both the soft and hard adjustments to see which suits you the best in terms of performance. Or you can just go to a mechanic to consult them about what you need out of your bike.
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The Effects Of Weight On A Riders Performance
Light riders simply are faster while heavier ones are slower comparatively, keeping experience in mind along with the weight. At the same time, heavier riders will cause more strain on the engine.
So as time goes by, you may need to think about changing your wheel shocks or potentially adjusting your bike’s suspension.
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Some Final Words
Dirt bikes are strong enough to withstand crazy terrains; however, everything has its limit. Even though modern dirt bikes are built to be stronger, they come with a certain weight limit.
Heavy dirt bike riders can opt for a 250 cc engine bike or a bigger one, too, if they like. With time technology will evolve more, and you’ll see a dirt bike with much better performance and one that can withstand heavier loads.
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