Average Dirt Bike Weight (With 27 Examples)

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Are you trying to find a dirt bike that fits within a certain weight range, but don’t know where to start? That’s what we’re here for! Whether you’re looking for a bike that fits within a certain weight parameter or needing to know what the average dirt bike weight is in general, we can help you out.

The average dirt bike weight (when taking an average of all dirt bikes, overall) lands around 215 pounds. Averages for different or specific groups like engine ccs will differ.

Looking for more information? I have included a list of some of the more well-known models and their weights, sorted from heaviest to lightest, with some more information about weight thrown in at the end.

Average Adult Bike

The list above includes adult dirt bikes and children’s dirt bikes, so I’ve separated them into two separate charts.

The average overall weight for an adult dirt bike is around 215 pounds, but this changes from year to year. The newer dirt bikes coming off the production lines are typically lighter than their predecessors.

However, that number will obviously be different for different groupings. For example, KTM is known for their light bikes, and are typically almost always the lightest in their class, so the average KTM dirt bike is going to be lighter than say, a Yamaha.

Average Kids

The average weight for a kid’s dirt bike is around 137.5 pounds, but, like the adult dirt bikes, this average is constantly changing as newer, lighter models are released.

Kid’s dirt bikes are lighter for a couple of obvious reasons. I mean, they’re smaller. Depending on the quality, they could be made of cheaper, lighter, but less durable materials. They also will always have smaller gas tanks, which will take the weight off from the gas tank itself, and will allow for smaller amounts of fuel which will take up less weight than a full adult tank.

Electric dirt bikes are kind of in a different category of their own. Since they run off a battery and electric charge instead of gas and other liquids, their weight doesn’t vary as much as a dirt bike with an engine.

There are quite a few children’s dirt bikes that are electric models, and they will generally be lighter than their gas-powered counterparts.
Electrical engineering has also been getting more attention recently in an effort to be more “green”, so keep an eye on electric options.

Curb Weight

Curb weight, or wet weight, is the weight of the bike when it has all the fluids in it that it needs to run. This means that the bike is weighed when it has a full tank of gas, the oil, water, coolant, and anything else the bike needs to run, depending on the kind of engine the bike has and the make and model.

While many of the weights that have been previously taken of dirt bikes are typically “dry” weight, many brands and companies are realizing that this doesn’t really give their riders useful information, since they won’t ever be riding their bike at the dry weight.

Due to this, many of them have started to switch over to listing the “curb” or “wet” weight of the bikes instead, which I think is much more useful knowledge, especially if you’re a racer.

So when you are out there trying to pick what bike is best for you and your needs, look for the curb or wet weight. If at a place of business, ask the salesmen the weight, because fluids can add more weight than you think.

Dry Weight

Dry weight is the weight of the bike, and ONLY the bike, without any of the gas, oil, and other fluids that the bike needs to be able to run. A dry bike can’t run.
Dry weight is typically the weight that’s listed for new bikes on the manufacture’s websites, although some brands are starting to list wet weight. For example, KTM lists their bikes with their wet weight MINUS the weight of the fuel, which varies anyway based on how full you fill your tank, which, from a racing perspective, is much more useful (in my opinion) than knowing the dry weight.

Heavier vs. Lighter Bikes

Dirt bikes will typically get heavier the more engine power they have. The best way to check this is to find out how many “ccs” your bike has. For example, does your dirt bike have a 250cc engine? Or is it a 400cc dirt bike? Cc is an abbreviated term of measurement, short for cubic centimeters. The bigger the engine is, the heavier is it.

Something else you can use to narrow down engines that might be in the weight “class” you want is the types of engines themselves that the bikes have. Dirt bikes can have one of two options: two stroke or four stroke. Dirk bikes that have two stroke engines are typically lighter than dirt bikes with four stroke engines.

Two stroke engines are built to complete the same action with less movement, so there are fewer parts, making it lighter. If you’re looking to have a light bike, you can start your search by looking at dirt bikes with two stroke engines. They are, on average, lighter than the average dirt bike with a four stroke engine.

Making Your Bike Lighter

Ways to reduce weight:

• Hit the Gym – Yeah, this doesn’t really have anything to do with the weight of your bike, but it does have a lot to do with the weight on your bike. If you’re replacing nuts and bolts on your bike to save minuscule ounces, making trips to the gym will make a much bigger difference than replacing those screws will. Don’t make your bike lose all the weight, do your part too.
• Use Titanium Parts – Like I just mentioned, you can replace nuts, bolts, screws, and the like with lighter, titanium parts. The downside, as is so common with any kind of upgrade, is the price. Coming at (hopefully) no surprise to anyone, titanium parts are a tad bit spendy, so you’re going to have to weight the cost of…well… cost to benefit and decide if that’s an upgrade you’re willing to make.
• Less Gas in the Tank – If you’re racing, do you really need a full tank of gas? Are you actually going to run out before the finish line if you don’t top off? Figure out how long the race is, figure out what kind of mileage you get on the track, and fill your bike up accordingly. Leaving out anywhere from a half-gallon to a gallon of gas will take off a lot of weight from your dirt bike, so if you don’t need that full tank, don’t bring it to the track.
• Replace the Exhaust – The most obvious and probably common replacement or alteration people make to their dirt bikes to make them lighter is to replace the exhaust. Generally made out of aluminum or stainless steel, they add quite a bit of weight to your bike that can be lessened by replacing it with, yep, you guessed it, titanium. 
  You might be thinking to yourself “isn’t titanium heavier than aluminum”? Yes, it is. If you have two exhausts built to the exact same measurements, one out of titanium, and one out of aluminum, the aluminum one will be lighter.
  Titanium exhausts are lighter because they aren’t built exactly like aluminum exhausts. Titanium is stronger, which means titanium exhausts can be built to different, lighter and thinner specifications.
• Use Lighter Plastics – There’s a good chance that your bike either has the plastics that it came with still on it, or you have replaced them but for aesthetic purposes. There are specific racing plastics that you can buy that are lighter, minimalist so as not to add extra weight you don’t need, but also aerodynamically shaped. Not only do they look fantastic and weigh less, but they help the shape of your bike to reduce the air resistance that occurs when you hit high speeds. Are they kind of spendy? Yep. There really is a “price” attached to success.

Making Your Bike Heavier?

I’ve been assuming this whole time that you’re wanting a lighter bike, but who knows, maybe you want it heavier! And even if you don’t, it’s always good to stay informed on the things that can screw up your plans to take the weight off your bike.

Street Legal

If you don’t purchase a street-legal bike and you’re wanting to ride it on public roads, there’s a good chance, depending on the laws where you live, that you are going to have to make alterations to your bike. The additions will… well add some things onto it, which will, you guessed it, add more weight.
Now, these rules will all vary depending on the laws where you live, so make sure you do your own research into the laws in and surrounding the area where you’re planning on riding your bike.

Any motorcycle or dirt bike needs to meet these requirements before you’re allowed on state and federal roadways.

• DOT (Department of Transportation) approved headlight, with a high and low beam function.
• A headlight indicator light visible to the operator to show when the high beam is operating.
• A battery-powered, Department of Transportation approved tail light and brake light (with a switch for both front and rear controls) which must operate for a minimum of 20 minutes with only battery power.
• Department of Transportation approved turn signals for motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1973 (most states mandate this, but some do not).
• A rearview mirror (usually one, but some states require two).
• A horn (some states mandate an electric horn).
• Department of Transportation approved tires installed and equipped on your bike.
• The fuel tank should be DOT approved (The FMVSS specifies steel, but almost all states do not enforce this).
• An exhaust that is in good shape, meets sound regulations, and must not smoke overly.

To make things a little more concise here is a basic list of things you’re going to have to add to your bike that will add weight.

• A Department of Transportation and CE certified headlight.
• A tail/Brake Light
• Turn signals
• Possibly a new exhaust
• A review mirror (possibly two).
• A horn
• Possibly new tires.
• A speedometer or tachometer. This isn’t necessarily a legal requirement, but obeying the speed limit is, so you should probably know how fast you’re going.
• A license plate bracket.
• A kickstand. Nope, it’s not a legal requirement, but if your bike doesn’t already have one, you’re going to need one basically everywhere you go.

Accessories

If you are off-roading, there are some additions you might want to add to your bike that will add weight.

• A Skid Plate – This will protect the underside of your bike, specifically the engine, from things like rocks, stumps, and holes in the road that could cause damage that could cause you to have to replace or repair parts of your bike. You can find skid plates made out of aluminum, plastic, and carbon fiber.
• Handguards – Essentially self-explanatory, these will protect your hands from kitting whipped by branches, or nailed by rocks thrown up from the trail by your buddies on the road ahead of you.
• A Larger Fuel Tank – Whether you’re off-roading or using your bike on the main roads, a bigger fuel tank isn’t a bad idea if you aren’t a racer. That being said, if you’re in the kind of race where you have to make pit stops to get a refill, the longer you’re able to race, the less time you’re spending in the pits, which is the time you can use to get ahead.
  Much to think about.