It's hard to catch a glimpse of two-stroke motorcycles nowadays. Unless, of course, you consider dirt bikes, in which case they seem to still hold their numbers. There are plenty of good reasons to be swayed by a dirt bike powered by a two-stroke heart: they're lighter than four-strokes, make a load of power, consequently, love being revved, and overall your maintenance costs will be considerably lower.

UPDATE: 2024/01/15 21:43 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

A dirt bike that's not powered by a high-revving two-stroke engine seems odd to think of, and thankfully, we haven't reached that point yet. Given their popularity, then, we have updated this list to reflect a few more entries of some of the best two-stroke dirt bikes out there currently.

And two-stroke dirt bikes aren't the monopoly of a single motorcycle manufacturer, either. As this list will show, the likes of Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and KTM are in full force, among others too. And they've all made some commendable two-stroke dirt bikes over the years, giving riders plenty of options to choose from. This list, then, brings together some of the best two-stroke dirt bikes, old and new.

How we got our model selections: To compile this list, HotCars scanned the portfolios of some of the most prominent motorcycle manufacturers that have produced two-stroke dirt bikes over the years. While there weren't any specific criteria for narrowing down the list, we included the dirt bikes that have had the most impact, be it in terms of popularity, performance, features, or overall value. It should be noted that this list is a mix of motorcycles currently in production and those that have been discontinued but are readily available in the used market. Lastly, the entries have been organized in increasing order of their current value. Check the HotCars Ranking Methodology to know more about how we rank vehicles.

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10 Honda CR250R

Used Price Range: $1,200-$12,000

Honda CR250R hd wallpaper
Iconic Motorbike Auctions

The Honda CR250R is one of the most celebrated dirt bikes in history. It has a proven victory record in amateur and pro racing. The bike’s production started in 1978 and ended in 2007. During these years, Honda took the CR250R through multiple redesigns, improving its personality in many ways. The 1995 Honda CR250R is the favorite among riders due to its many upgrades during its redesign.

2000 and 2001 models are also quite impressive on the dirt trail. The 2000 model, for instance, was equipped with a second-gen aluminum chassis that reduced its weight significantly and made it incredibly fast.

1995 Honda CR250R Specs

Displacement

250cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

59 hp

Torque

37.6 lb-ft

Dry Weight

212.5 lbs

Specs sourced from Bikez

9 Honda CR500R

Used Price Range: $2,400-$6,800

2000 Honda CR500R front third quarter view
Bring a Trailer

The Honda CR500R is the big brother to the CR250R mentioned above. And while there are many reasons to have it here, the most obvious ones are its power and price. It wasn’t as popular as the Kawasaki KX500. However, the CR500R was arguably the more-powerful 500cc, two-stroke dirt bike of its time.

The bike was produced between 1984 and 2001. Over the years, this bike has proved to be an impressive performer, impressing everyone who has ever thrown a leg over it. The best part about this bike is that it is available at much lower prices since it wasn’t as idolized as other 500cc two-stroke dirt bikes like the KX500.

2001 Honda CR500R Specs

Displacement

491.4cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

56 hp

Torque

53.3 lb-ft

Curb Weight

247 lbs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

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8 Suzuki RM250

Used Price Range: $3,800-$4,500

2003 Suzuki RM250 dirt bike hd wallpaper
Iconic Motorbike Auctions

The Suzuki RM250 is known to be one of the best bikes to tear up off-road trails. Models built from 2003 to 2008 are particularly the best. 2008 was the last model year for the RM250, and Suzuki ensured it was built to perfection.

Being more modern than many bikes in its segment, the RM250 was a renowned giant in Motocross sports during its era. Its springy suspension and powerful two-stroke engine are the primary reasons for its success.

2003 Suzuki RM250 Specs

Displacement

249cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

NA

Torque

NA

Dry Weight

211.6 lbs

Specs sourced from Bikez

7 Suzuki RM85

Starting MSRP: $4,499

2017 Suzuki RM85 Best KIds Dirt Bike
Suzuki

Starting off on your dirt bike journey? The Suzuki RM85 might just be the perfect place to start, and that's not only because it's the smallest displacement motocross machine by the Japanese manufacturer.

There is, of course, the fact that it has a high-revving two-stroke, single-cylinder engine, but what's great is that it reportedly has a very smooth throttle response. The gearbox is also pretty slick, and thanks to its low weight, it's tremendously flickable. This all leads to a dirt bike that's easy to handle, especially for beginners, and definitely one that will allow you to level up your skillset.

2023 Suzuki RM85 Specs

Displacement

84.7cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

N/A

Torque

N/A

Curb Weight

160.9 lbs

Specs sourced from Bikez

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6 Yamaha YZ125

Starting MSRP: $7,099

2023 Yamaha YZ125 taking flight off-roading
Yamaha

Having the smaller brother to the Yamaha YZ250 on this list ensures that all riders are represented, beginners included. The YZ125 has a small, 125cc, liquid-cooled, reed-valve inducted 2-stroke motor. In addition, the YZ125 is built on a lightweight chassis with an overall dry weight of 190 lbs.

The Yamaha YZ125 is known to be indestructible, explaining why it’s the most popular two-stroke dirt bike of all time. And it’s available in the used motorcycle market and showrooms. The best options for a used YZ125 are models built from 2005 onward.

2023 Yamaha YZ125 Specs

Displacement

125cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

N/A

Torque

N/A

Curb Weight

209 lbs

Specs sourced from Bikez

5 Yamaha YZ250

Starting MSRP: $7,999

2024 Yamaha YZ250 off-roading hd wallpaper
Yamaha

The YZ250 is one of the most successful motorcycles in motocross sports. Anyone looking for the explosive off-road experience of a powerful two-stroke bike will particularly love the YZ250. Powering this bike is a 249cc liquid-cooled two-stroke engine with a wide and hard-hitting powerband. For optimum agility, the YZ250 features a lightweight aluminum chassis.

The YZ250 has a 5-speed transmission and a multi-plate clutch that makes shifting fast and smooth. Yamaha fitted the motorcycle’s 48mm forks with a Speed-Sensitive System that separates the air/oil function. This system ensures air doesn’t enter the cartridge, giving the bike more stable damping.

2021 Yamaha YZ250 Specs

Displacement

250cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

49 hp

Torque

32 lb-ft

Curb Weight

227 lbs

Specs sourced from Webbikeworld

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4 Kawasaki KX500

Used Price Range: $8,000-$9,000

1991 Kawasaki KX500
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The Kawasaki KX500 was first introduced in 1992 when there were no 500cc two-strokes for motocross. It was powered by a potent engine that made it quite popular in desert racing. There were better variants in the following years, but older models are perfect vintage options for two-stroke dirt thrashers.

The KX500 has an electrofusion-coated cylinder that hardly feels any pain. Its frame is designed with such potency that it can take any off-road abuse thrown at it. The bike perfectly suits seasoned riders looking for a powerful and aggressive bike to take on the dirt terrain.

1992 Kawasaki KX500 Specs

Displacement

499cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

66 hp

Torque

48.4 lb-ft

Dry Weight

220.5 lbs

Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs

3 GasGas MC250

Starting MSRP: $8,499

2024 GasGas MC250 taking flight
GasGas

The GasGas MC250 has a lot going for it. It features a 249cc two-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and an electronic exhaust system that promises a high power output without interruptions.

Aside from that, the MC250 also features an electric start, two engine maps, an engine management system, and a rollover sensor that cuts off the ignition in the event of a crash. At a starting MSRP of $8,499, it might be slightly more expensive than some of the others here, but GasGas has been producing high-quality motocross machines for a while now, so you can rest assured that you'll be getting your money's worth.

2024 GasGas MC250 Specs

Displacement

249cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

N/A

Torque

N/A

Dry Weight

210.5 lbs

Specs sourced from Bikez

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2 Beta RX 300 2T

Starting MSRP: $9,399

Beta RX 300 2T flying two-stroke bike
Beta Motor

It wouldn't be a surprise if you hadn't ever heard of Beta's motorcycles, but the fact of the matter is that this Italian manufacturer has been pushing out quite a lot of high-quality machines for a while now.

One of them is the RX 300 2T. This particular dirt bike sports a lot of interesting bits, like the fact that the engine features a dual-ring piston, a lightened crankshaft, an adjustable exhaust valve, a short silencer, a hydraulic clutch, and a plated exhaust, among a few others. You're paying a fair chunk of money for it, but they seem to know what they're doing with their dirt bikes.

2024 Beta RX 300 2T Specs

Displacement

293.1cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

N/A

Torque

N/A

Dry Weight

220.4 lbs

Specs sourced from Beta

1 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition

Starting MSRP: $11,349

2024 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition in the dirt hd wallpaper
KTM

There are uncountable reasons why the KTM 125 SX is one of the best 2-stroke motorcycles for Motocross. And the 250SX is even better. It is a heavy-duty, two-stroke, off-road motorcycle that checks all the boxes.

Since its introduction in 2002, the KTM 250SX has been praised worldwide for being one of the most reliable dirt bikes on the market. Although not officially confirmed, the 250SX is believed to be the fastest 250cc two-stroke production dirt bike. It is a powerful motorcycle that’s also quite fun to thrash.

2024 KTM 250 SX-F Factory Edition Specs

Displacement

249.9cc

Engine Type

Single-cylinder

Power

N/A

Torque

N/A

Dry Weight

225.9 lbs

Specs sourced from KTM


  • Source for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs, Bikez, Webbikeworld
  • Source for used prices: Cycle Trader