Choosing a dirt bike can be a difficult process. It can be hard to distinguish between which brands are best and which ones simply look cool. If Yamaha is on your radar, even if it's because your favorite color is blue, you're in the right place.

Yamaha has been one of the earliest innovators in dirt bike technology, pushing the boundaries of extreme sports and passing down their knowledge and products to us casual riders. Racking up 60-plus years of dirt bike experience, Yamaha has gained a reputation of being one of the most top-rated dirt bike brands in the game.

With a large range of dirt bikes to choose from, here's what you need to know before you buy a Yamaha dirt bike.

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The History of Yamaha Dirt Bikes

Yamaha Corporation had begun way back in 1897, initially making pianos as a musical instrument manufacturer. Since then, they have grown to the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world, making drums, guitars, woodwinds, brass instruments, and much much more. The company also has its hands in the audio/visual space, sporting goods, home appliances, industrial robots, and semiconductors.

In 1955, Yamaha Motor Co. separated from Yamaha Corporation to take on the motor industry. Within the first year, the YA-1, Yamaha’s first dirt bike, won the 3rd Annual Mount Fuji Ascent Race in the 125cc class.

1955 Yamaha YA-1
via Yamaha Motor Co

It was in the late 1970s that Yamaha began experimenting more with multi-cylinder four-stroke engines. They were early innovators in dirt bike technology, being one of the first to have a water-cooled motocross bike and also trademarking the first single-shock rear suspension. The “Monoshock” first appeared on the 1974 Yamaha YZ-250.

Competition between the Japanese motorcycle companies grew throughout the '80s and '90s. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, and Yamaha were each pushing to win and be the most successful on the track and in sales. As bikes were becoming less versatile and more specialized, Yamaha was also one of the first to branch out and offer an array of four-stroke (FZ750) and two-stroke (RX-Z) bikes.

Yamaha Brand & Reliability

Although Yamaha Motor Co have made their name primarily in the motorcycle and dirt bike space, the company specialize on anything fun-related.

Their slogan, “Rev Your Heart” embraces the spirit of taking on nature and getting outdoors. The company has its hands in motorcycles, scooters, ATV’s, golf carts, boats of all kinds and anything else that can take on the outdoors, including unmanned helicopters.

Their passion for racing is not only apparent in their vehicles, but in projects such as the upcoming 2022 R World, a motorcyclist heaven built by Yamaha, featuring both track and road courses through mountains.

YZF-R1 Via yamaha 2
Via: Yamaha

The styling of today’s Yamaha’s are heavily influenced by Japanese design and culture, motorcycles like the MT-09 and YZF-R7 embrace futuristic styling and sharp edges, or as Yamaha calls it, the “Dark Side of Japan.” The dirt bikes have stayed more classic in nature, sporting the traditional blue frame with black and white decals.

Novice riders will often choose a brand by a preferred color, which isn’t necessarily a judgment. In the late '90s and early 2000s, each company had stepped into their brand-identifying colors; Yamaha was blue, Honda sported red, Kawasaki was green, KTM wore orange, and Suzukis were Yellow. The companies have since ventured away from their standard colors, but most still stand true today. However, you’ll see more Yamaha’s come from the factory in red today than you would have a few decades back.

2019 Yamaha YZ250F
via Pinterest

The company's racing success has not only been seen prominently in road racing, (with 39 world championships), they’ve also been successful in the mud, particularly in the late '90s and 2000s, an impressionable time for many buyers today. The Yamaha YZ450F won back-to-back AMA Supercross Championships with Chad Reed in 2008 and James Steward in 2009, and the YFZ450 won 9 straight cross country titles since 2000.

Yamaha’s dedication to innovation in two-wheel engineering has led them to become one of the most long-lasting and trustworthy brands in the game. Goliath.com rated Yamaha as the most reliable of the dirt bike brands, beating out competitors like Honda, Beta, and Suzuki. Dirt Bike Magazine also ranked Yamaha’s 2-stroke engines 3rd best in the used market, recommending the iconic YZ250.

RELATED: These Were The Best Dirt Bikes, Dual Sports, And Adventure Motorcycles In 2020

Choosing Your Yamaha Dirt Bike

Yamaha has a wide range of dirt bikes and motorcycles, each breaking down into a certain class based on what activities you plan to do with your dirt bike. Be sure to be mindful of the size as well, ensure that both feet can sit flat on the ground, and beginner riders should avoid anything larger than 300cc.

Yamaha TT-R Dirt Bike Family
via Yamaha

Trail Models

The trail models are where you will find most of the entry-level bikes. They weigh slightly heavier than the Motocross lineup but have a lower seat and more suspension travel.

Yamaha TT-R dirt bikes offroad
via Yamaha

If you are looking for a little bike for your little one, Yamaha has you covered with the PW50 and TT-R50E trail dirt bikes. The PW50 has a 49cc two-stroke, and the seat is only 18.7 inches high. Combined with an adjustable throttle and fully automatic transmission for an easy learning experience.

The TT-R bikes in the trail class are equipped with four-stroke engines, with good low-end torque that is better suited for casual outdoor touring than a high-revving 2-stroke. The TT-R can be classed in either a 50, 110, 125 and a 230cc bike. Each of these are versatile off-road bikes are perfect for exploring the outdoors.

Motocross

The motocross dirt bikes offered by Yamaha can also make for good beginners bikes, particularly for those who are more interested in competing than touring backcountry trails. The YZ-line is lightweight and agile, with the best power-to-weight ratio.

Yamaha YZ450F Motocross action
via Yamaha

Yamaha's  YZ-bikes start in classes as low as the YZ65 all the way to the special Monster Edition YZ450F. The liquid-cooled 2-strokes have class-leading suspension and come standard with lightweight features like aluminum handlebars and pegs, ready to take on the track.

Cross Country

Yamaha’s Cross Country lineup embraces all of Yamaha’s latest technology and performance to create the most capable off-road competition bikes in their arsenal. Available in both 2-stroke and 4-stroke options, the cross country series are divided between the Yamaha WR-F class and the YZ-X class.

The YZ-X are Yamaha’s pinnacle cross-country racers. Equipped with high-revving 2-strokes, these dirt bikes are ranged from 125cc to 450cc. Step up to the larger YZ250FX and YZ450FX, and Yamaha will include a smartphone Power Tuner app that will adjust the bike’s setting based on the rider’s preferred style.

Yamaha WR250f 2021 dirt wheelie
via Yamaha

The WR-F’s are only available in a 250cc or 450cc option. They are built off the legendary YZ-F platform but swapped out for a more fuel-efficient 4-stroke. Between the headlight and environmentally friendly engine, the WR250F and WR450F is for those who want to drive their bike off and on the road.

Dual Sport

Given its name, the dual-sport is the do-everything bike that is capable both on the trails and on the road. There are three to choose from, primarily based on how much you plan on being off-road.

If you plan on taking to the trails the most, Yamaha’s WR250R is a slightly more tamed version of it’s cross-country counterpart with a heavier focus on the road. If you do plan on staying on the road, the 250cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke gets an impressive 71-mpg.

2021 Yamaha XT250 beauty shot
via Yamaha

The Yamaha XT250 dual-sport is the goldilocks zone for this class. With its low, comfortable seating position and thicker tires, the XT is a joy to cruise. Once you find some dirt, however, the XT’s light and agile frame handles the terrain with no issue.

Yamaha TW200 beauty shot
via Yamaha

The TW200 is slightly smaller than the other two dual sports, only carrying a 198cc engine and weighing only 13lbs lighter than the XT, at 278 lbs wet. It's low seat, broad headlights, and fat tires make it the most distinct looking of the three. It holds its own well when taken onto the trails, and compact chassis is even reassuring for novice riders.

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