Over the many years of Yamaha’s existence, the company has established itself as a top and most competent manufacturer of the best off-road motorcycles. Not to say that other manufacturers are doing zero work at their factories, but no list of formidable dirt bikes would be complete without a couple or three models from Yamaha.

Related: Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Yamaha Dirt Bike

The engineers at Yamaha have shown unwavering commitment to excellence. As a result, they have developed a reputation for outstanding models thanks to their engineering prowess and revolutionary mindsets. Featured here are some of the best and the most formidable Yamaha dirt bikes. They are characterized by quality builds and impressive performances.

8 The 1968 DT-1

The 1968 Yamaha DT-1
Via bikebound.com

Yamaha built the DT-1 to fill up a gap in the motorcycle market — purpose-built off-road motorcycles were few, and Yamaha thought that the market needed a dirt bike with dual-sport nature. So they built the DT-1 from the ground up. They didn’t pick an existing chassis to build on; the DT-1 was 100% new in every aspect.

The-1968-Yamaha-DT-1-1
Via pinterest.com

At the heart of the original DT-1 was a 250cc two-stroke engine capable of a heady 18 horsepower. The seamless combination of the engine with a five-speed manual transmission made the DT-1 one of the best dual-sport dirt bikes ever. In addition, the bike featured a duplex cradle-style frame built from tough materials to handle the toughest of dirt roads.

7 The 1998 TT600R

The 1998 Yamaha TT600R
Via pinterest.com

Of all motorcycles produced by Yamaha, the TT600R is hardly worth talking about in a list of the best, probably because it wasn’t so pretty. Fortunately, those metrics are not every rider’s definition of a good dirt bike. Having a curvy motorcycle is good, but no one wants a beautiful bike that can’t do what they acquired it for.

The-1998-Yamaha-TT600R-1
Via zombdrive.com

The TT600R is a reliable bike; it’s practical and capable — and that’s all that matters when hunting for the best dirt bike in the market.

6 The 1973 RT3

The 1973 Yamaha RT3
Via bikesrestored.com

Old but gold, the RT3 is a dirt bike that fits perfectly well in every list of best motorcycles. It is arguably the last proper Yamaha Enduro-style dirt bike from the golden era of Enduro riding. The RT3 showcased everything good expected from a real dirt bike.

Related: 10 Things We Just Learned About Yamaha's Sportbikes

The-1973-Yamaha-RT3-1
Via bikesrestored.com

Powering this bike was a 352cc, air-cooled two-stroke engine capable of 33 horsepower. Depending on the rider’s aggressiveness, the RT3 could reach up to 80 mph. If there’s a classic motorcycle that every rider could appreciate in the modern market, it is the Yamaha RT3.

5 The YZ125

The Yamaha YZ125
Via youtube.com

All Yamaha YZ125 models are fantastic dirt bikes. However, featured here is the newest iteration in that line. While the Yamaha WR line is perfect, many people prefer the YZ family better. This is because the YZ bikes are built with competition in mind and come with little or no compromise.

The-Yamaha-YZ125-1
Via yamaha-motor.eu

The YZ has been a popular dirt bike since the 1970s, and quite clearly, anyone can tell why. It is a simple and effective dirt bike that is always ready to crush the dirt. While many bike manufacturers have dropped the two-stroke engine setup in favor of the cleaner four-stroke, Yamaha maintains the same engine for the YZ125. The latest model comes with a reed-valve inducted single-cylinder engine that produces enough power for beginners and seasoned riders.

4 The YZ250F

The-Yamaha-YZ250F-1
Via youtube.com

For riders looking for more juice than the YZ125 can offer, the next step up is the Yamaha YZ250F. This motorcycle has proved itself worth being called the best Yamaha dirt bike in the market today and one of the most powerful in the world. In addition, the bike has multiple MX and SX championship wins attached to it.

The Yamaha YZ250F
Via dirtbikemagazine.com

Pushing this bike through the dirt is a potent four-stroke, 250cc engine that comes with a reverse cylinder head configuration. It delivers massive power in the low revs and incredible pull to the top end. The YZ250F featured excellent weight distribution, making it relatively light, which improves its handling. The YZ250F is a true champion.

3 The YZ450F

The-Yamaha-YZ450F-1
Via youtube.com

This is the King of the YZ family of dirt bikes. If the YZ125 is good and the 250F is best, then the YZ450F is the ultimate dirt bike that every off-road rider will appreciate. And being the biggest model in the YZ family, the 450F collects all the best features in the smaller models and brings them together in one formidable off-road package.

Related: 5 Best Yamaha Sports Bikes (5 Hondas We'd Rather Ride)

The Yamaha YZ450F
Via yamaha-motor.eu

At the heart of this off-road machine is a beastly, 449cc liquid-cooled engine equipped with four titanium valves and a rearward slanting cylinder. This engine produces a lot of torque and power than many riders can handle. However, despite the massive power, Yamaha makes sure that the YZ450F is easy to handle, and riders of all levels can actually hop on and go. It is not recommended for beginners, though.

2 The 1978 DT250

The 1978 Yamaha DT250
Via youtube.com

The DT250 was born ten years after the iconic DT-1 was introduced. It was an absolute gem that took off-road riding by a storm. The DT250 was designed as a purpose-built Enduro-bike, and it proved beyond doubt that the scene had really advanced.

The-1978-Yamaha-DT250-1
Via reddit.com

Besides being a dirt bike dedicated to off-road riding, the DT250 seamlessly combined dirt-riding prowess with real-world practicality; these two features made the DT250 a real hit in the market. The 250cc, single-cylinder two-stroke engine produced 17 horsepower and 15.3 lb-ft of peak torque. It was a perfect dirt bike that provided true off-road thrill in the 1970s. It could do the same even today.

1 The 1974 YZ360

The 1974 Yamaha YZ360
via Flickr

Although it was not available for as long as the DT-1, the YZ360 enjoyed its glory in the mid-1970s. The motorcycle was introduced to the scene in 1974, and it took the open-class motocross by storm.

The-1974-Yamaha-YZ360-1
via Flickr

Although some brands were at the same performance level as the YZ360, very few of them came close to challenging it. Brands like Husqvarna and Maico had some incredible models in the scene, but they were still a few miles behind in performance and overall build quality. The YZ360 was not just a reliable dirt bike; it was also lightweight and quite exotic to be a Japanese build.