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Which motocross bike suits beginners best?

As a beginner, look out for the following when choosing a motocross bike:

For beginners, a motocross bike with a lot of rotating mass is best – at Honda the F models such as CRF50F, CRF110F, CRF125F and CRF250F, depending on the rider’s height. You can try this out on the motocross taster course.

Two factors are decisive when choosing the right motocross bike: the rider's height and their existing riding ability. Depending on the rider's height there is a different selection of bikes (choose the beginner-bike section below according to height) that suit the riding ability better or worse. In motocross there are basically 2 engineering concepts: motocross bikes for beginners, developed specifically for getting into motocross with lots of rotating mass, similar to an enduro or road bike and therefore easy to ride, and then there are the competition bikes with little rotating mass, very direct on the throttle and built for performance. That is why it is very important to choose the right concept for your riding ability and training. Some manufacturers mark these different concepts, e.g. at Honda these easy-to-ride beginner bikes are marked with an F at the end, which stands for Family (suitable for the whole family). The competition bike is marked with an R at the end (for Racing).

An important point to remember, especially for beginners in motocross: the easier the bike is to ride, the faster and more easily you learn the riding techniques. To learn something new you should always keep the learning environment as simple as possible, and only once you master what you have learned do you start to increase the difficulty of the environment. In motocross that would be increasing the difficulty of the track and the rideability of the bike.

These are the things to look out for:

Riding ability:

The beginner motocross bikes in these tables have a lot of rotating mass and are therefore much more forgiving and easier to ride.

Carburettor/fuel injection:

The carburettor is an old concept that only has disadvantages compared to fuel injection: fuel leaks out when leaning, it is very susceptible to dirt particles and needs adjustment when temperature or humidity changes. Fuel injection regulates this automatically. In addition, injection engines start better at any temperature.

2-stroke/4-stroke:

4-stroke engines designed for beginners are more forgiving and less aggressive on the throttle and therefore better suited to beginners.

Electric start:

Beginners in particular struggle with a kickstarter, so an electric start is a big relief especially for beginners. After all, you want to get tired from riding, not from kick-starting.

Children 100cm to 120cm:

Beginner motocross bike CRF50F
Beginner motocross bike CRF110F, CRF50F, CRF125F

For children an easy-to-ride bike is very important, because with an aggressive engine they can easily get stuck on the throttle, crash and then become very unsettled afterwards.

Riding abilityEngine typeE/starter
Honda CRF50F
Beginner

Carburettor/4-stroke

no electric starter
Yamaha pw50
Beginner

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
KTM SX50
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Husqvarna TC50
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter

Children 120cm to 140cm:

Beginner motocross bike CRF110F
Beginner motocross bikes – group of kids with motocross bikes at training

For children an easy-to-ride bike is very important, because with an aggressive engine they can easily get stuck on the throttle, crash and then become very unsettled afterwards.

Riding abilityEngine typeE/starter
Honda CRF110F
Beginner

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
KTM SX65
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Husqvarna TC65
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Kawasaki KX65
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Yamaha YZ65
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter

Teens & girls 140cm to 170cm:

Beginner motocross bike CRF125F
Beginner motocross bike CRF125F learning to ride women
Riding abilityEngine typeE/starter
Honda CRF125F small wheel
Beginner

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
KTM SX85
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Husqvarna TC85
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Kawasaki KX85
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Honda CRF150R
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/4-stroke

no electric starter
Yamaha YZ85
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter

Adult beginners from 170cm:

Beginner motocross bike CRF250R
Beginner motocross bike CRF250R learning to ride beginners
Riding abilityEngine typeE/starter
Honda CRF125F big wheel
Beginner

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
Honda CRF250F
Beginner

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
Honda CRF250r
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
Yamaha YZ250F
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
KTM SXF250
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
Husqvarna FC250
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

electric starter
Kawasaki KXF250
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

no electric starter
Suzuki RM-Z250
Advanced
Racing

Fuel injection/4-stroke

no electric starter
KTM SX 125
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter
Yamaha YZ 125
Advanced
Racing

Carburettor/2-stroke

no electric starter

Motocross courses for beginners

As a newcomer to motocross it is very important to understand and learn the right riding techniques right from the start.

If you first get used to something wrong, it is much harder to "re-train" it afterwards.

At MX-Academy you therefore complete an approx. 20-minute theory session right before riding motocross for the first time. This way you understand why you have to learn certain techniques first and how to move correctly in each situation.

In motocross, timing and movement are everything.

MX-Academy also has 4 different tracks and different groups, so everyone can be supported specifically without being overwhelmed.

The training facility in Schlatt is listed in the NASAK (federal inventory of significant national sports facilities) of Swiss Olympic

Beginner motocross bike
Beginner motocross bike courses - 4 tracks
MX-Academy in the NASAK federal inventory of Swiss Olympic – motocross for beginners

FAQ: motocross bikes for beginners

01Which motocross bike is best for beginners?+

A motocross bike for beginners has a lot of rotating mass and is forgiving on the throttle – at Honda these are the F models (F for Family): CRF50F, CRF110F, CRF125F and CRF250F.

02What do F and R mean on Honda motocross bikes?+

F stands for Family: easy-to-ride motocross bikes for beginners and the whole family. R stands for Racing: competition bikes with little rotating mass, very direct on the throttle and built for performance.

03Which beginner motocross bike suits which rider height?+

As a guide: 100–120 cm Honda CRF50F, 120–140 cm CRF110F, 140–170 cm CRF125F with small wheels, from 170 cm CRF125F with big wheels or CRF250F.

04Two-stroke or four-stroke – which is better for beginners?+

A four-stroke motocross bike for beginners is more forgiving and less aggressive on the throttle. MX-Academy does not recommend a 125 two-stroke for beginners.

05Carburettor or fuel injection on a beginner motocross bike?+

Fuel injection: the engine starts better at any temperature and does not need readjusting when temperature or humidity changes. A carburettor is more sensitive to dirt and can leak fuel when the bike leans over.

06Does a beginner motocross bike need an electric start?+

An electric start is a big relief for beginners, because many struggle with the kickstarter – you want to get tired from riding, not from kick-starting.

07Can I rent a motocross bike for beginners?+

Yes – MX-Academy rents out beginner models (F) and competition bikes (R): motocross rental costs CHF 200 plus basic course fees (Wednesday CHF 40, Saturday CHF 90), plus protective gear CHF 70 and coaching CHF 50 (non-binding, prices may change at any time).

08How much does getting started with a beginner motocross bike cost?+

As a package with rental bike, protective gear and coaching, a day course costs CHF 360 on Wednesday and CHF 410 on Saturday (non-binding, prices may change at any time).

09How can I try out a motocross bike for beginners?+

On the motocross taster course: 1 hour of track time for CHF 165, all inclusive.

10From what age is there a motocross bike for children?+

From 4 years, for example the Honda CRF50F for children from 100 to 120 cm. More about this at kids motocross.

11How long does a course with a beginner motocross bike last?+

The 1-hour course is best suited to children aged 4 to 6. For teenagers and adults we recommend the day course with 3.5 hours (Wednesday) or 4 hours (Saturday) of track time incl. breaks and instruction.

12Can I come with my own motocross bike?+

Yes, if you can already ride on your own: the course with your own bike costs CHF 150 on Wednesday and CHF 180 on Saturday. Beginners who cannot yet ride on their own add coaching for CHF 50.

13What gear do I need for a beginner motocross bike?+

Helmet, goggles, chest protector, knee guards, boots and gloves. The complete protective gear can be rented for CHF 70.

14How do beginners learn to ride motocross?+

Before riding for the first time there is a theory part of about 20 minutes. After that, training takes place in groups according to riding ability – so everyone is challenged and nobody is overwhelmed.

15Where do I sign up for a course with a beginner motocross bike?+

All dates are in the calendar of events. The courses take place in Schlatt TG and are held in German; on site we translate if needed.