How Fast Can a 250cc Dirt Bike Go (Know Before You Buy)

250cc dirt bikes are an absolute beast and they offer the perfect combination of power, comfort, and speed. But even before you choose the bike and head out for your much-awaited adventure trail, it is first important to understand the features of a 250cc bike, starting with the speed.

So, how fast can a 250cc dirt bike go?

A 250cc dirt bike can go anywhere between 50 to 70 miles per hour. That’s 80 to 113 km per hour. The speed depends on the brand, tires, and the weight you’re putting on.

Let’s discuss everything that goes on the table when dirt bike speed is concerned, and see how your 250cc bike can do. We’ll also discuss whether should you choose two or four-stroke variants. Let’s dig deeper.

How Fast Can A 250cc Dirt Bike Go?

As with everything else, the speed will vary depending on the model of the bike. Typically, these bikes feature an average speed ranging from 50 to 70 mph. In rare scenarios and if the model is high-end, you can even expect a speed of a whopping 70 to 80 mph. But, you’re talking about high-end bikes like Razor and other expensive models.

The speed will also vary depending on whether your bike is two or four-stroke. Additionally, your weight, the bike’s weight, the gearing system, and your overall skill set will determine how fast the bike can go. But in the majority of the cases, the speeds vary between 50 and 70 mph.

2 Stroke vs 4 Stroke Dirt Bikes

Now that you know the top speed of a dirt bike, you’re probably wondering whether you should go for a two-stroke or four-stroke variant. To make things simpler for you, we’ve come up with this detailed summary featuring the major highlights of both these types of bikes.

Two Stroke Bikes

These bikes peaked in popularity during the late seventies and eighties. They offered solid power and were, therefore, a top choice among many. The biggest highlight of these bikes is probably their combustion engines that complete all the different stages required during a cycle. For the uninitiated, these include the following:

• Intake cycle
• Compression cycle
• Power cycle
• Exhaust cycle

Unlike four-stroke engines that require two entire crankshaft revolutions, you can enjoy full power and top speed with a single revolution. This is yet one of the many reasons why the two-stroke engine is often deemed more powerful when compared to its four-stroke counterpart.

Compression

It is important to note here that two of the primary functions of the two-stroke include compression along with full combustion. To put it in the simplest terms, every time there is a revolution in your crankshaft it is because the engine has ignited the spark plug.

This is also one of the primary reasons why these bikes are comparatively lightweight and come with simple functionalities.

Maintenance cost

Sadly enough, although the mechanisms of these bikes are simple, the maintenance cost is likely to shoot up if you intend to keep them for long. With that said, you will find spare parts for these bikes at a cheaper rate when compared to their other counterpart.

When you ride a two-stroke engine-powered bike for the first time the biggest thing you will encounter is lightness. Next, it will be fast and have just the right kick for your device’s motor.

That way, you get to throw greater and more extended punches for your bike. However, you also need to shift these bikes more frequently, though you can always enjoy higher speed by boosting the power.

Simple functionalities

Nowadays, many prefer the two-stroke bike for its simple functionalities. What’s more, unlike before, the exhaust emissions aren’t as high, and the power is just as good. Even though you may not enjoy the same kind of torque as four-strokes, the bike is still sufficiently decent if you ride only occasionally.

Because they are extremely lightweight, you would also want to recommend them to individuals who are just starting. This way, they will manage and tackle the bike more conveniently. Not only that, but they’re lighter and tend to be easier to handle, which makes them great for beginners.

Compromized torque

Finally, let’s come to the caveat. While two-stroke bikes are excellent, they do not have the same torque as their four-stroke counterpart. If you are relying on a specific riding technique, this may not be the best choice because you won’t get control of the torque right after twisting or adjusting the throttle. This is also the main reason, why competitive bikers avoid this engine.

Four Stroke Bikes

As you would probably guess from the name, the engines of four-stroke bikes have a greater and tad more complex structure as compared to two-stroke bikes. One of the biggest reasons attributing to this situation is the four strokes that the engine mandatorily needs to perform to complete a single cycle.

That’s because this involves multiple parts, the engine structure is complex and heavy.

Four-stroke dirt bike engines are a little more complex than their two-stroke counterparts. “Why?” you ask? As the name suggests, a four-stroke engine takes four strokes, or movements, to complete an engine cycle. Doing this requires more parts, resulting in a more complicated, heavier engine.

Double crankshaft

As you’re already familiar with from the previous section, a dirt bike regardless of four or two-stroke engines has four primary and shared steps. In a two-stroke engine, a single crankshaft is fired following the completion of an engine cycle. However, in the case of four-stroke engines, this number is doubled.

The strokes of these engines are highly defined and are on four different pistons. During the first stroke or the intake position, you will the piston lowered down following a combination of the existing fuel and the prevalent air. After that, it will trigger the compression stroke which in turn will lead to the ignition cycle.

The process

The moment the ignition cycle starts and proceeds, the piston is pulled down for the ultimate power-driven stroke. The final stroke is the exhaust stroke which will exude the excess air from your vehicle’s engine. It is important to note that these cycles are not static. Instead, they are dynamic and are found to repeat throughout the time the bike is in operation.

As you already know, with a four-stroke engine you witness two revolutions from the crankshaft. But what exactly will be the result? Well, this will just ensure that your bike is steady and your power output is duly and consistently managed.

Expect revs

Even though many experienced riders prefer the four-stroke engine, they are just as good for novices or anyone who is into adventure sports and racing. In case you are planning to ride a trail on this engine, make sure you always follow the second gear, else you might witness unexpected revs.

At the end of the day, you can ride more conveniently, and your engine wouldn’t be put into maximum power. Most dirt bikes with four-stroke engines come with a series of features that limit brakes and shifts every time you feel like lowering the speed level.

Minimal maintenance

But the biggest benefit of four-stroke bikes is that they require minimal maintenance because the overall engine has multiple parts, unlike their two-stroke counterparts. However, this also indicates, that every time you need maintenance at all, you need to shell out a bit extra money to get all the parts working and functional.

But this again is a rare scenario because four-stroke bikes work without any issues or major problems for the longest time.

Fuel efficient

As you start to use these bikes, you will also notice that their burning engine is fairly clean when you assess the emission content. Why so? Because these bikes are more fuel-efficient, they do not require you to mix any other agent with the fuel for the bike to run.

However, because these bikes have multiple engine parts, they are often heavier than the two-stroke engine dirt bikes. In some cases, they are even double the weight of the two-stroke variant.

Difficult to clean

The next major issue with these bikes is that you would find them difficult to clean because of their multiple parts. Thanks to these parts, you enjoy high torque at a significantly low rate of RPM. But it does come with its costs, like cleaning the engine parts for instance.

Heavier to counterpart

Four-stroke engines are certainly excellent and powerful. However, when it comes to efficiency, two-stroke engines top the charts. Not only are the four-stroke variants heavier, but they are also noisier. The only perk is the clean fuel burning rate. So, if you care about sustainable living this might be your best bet, else a two-stroke engine will do just as good.

Factors That Affect the Top Speed of 250cc Dirt Bikes

Multiple factors affect the overall speed of a 250cc dirt bike. In the following section, we will discuss some of them in detail.

Tires

As it would be evident to any biker, you will enjoy a faster ride with your bike if your tires are more lightweight. Avoid adding any mousse or external agent to the tires. This will boost the speed and ensure it offers you an uninterrupted ride all way round.

Seat

Once you’re done setting the tires, it’s now time to focus on the seats of your bike. Is the seat of your bike bulky? If so, you might just want to customize it for top speed. This will also ensure that you make the most of your riding session.

Exhaust

If you are looking to enjoy the best performance from your 250 cc dirt bike, it’s time you upgraded the exhaust system. Most of these bikes come with a heavy exhaust unit that is either crafted from steel or high-grade aluminum. To prevent your bike from getting bulky, you might just want to replace them with titanium counterparts. Or better yet, choose a 250cc bike that comes with a titanium exhaust unit.

Skills

Finally, the biggest factor that alters your experience is your overall skill level. If you are an expert driver, you will certainly be skilled enough to ride the toughest terrain regardless of the bike. So, even before you select the bike, focus on improving your skills.

Comparing Top Speeds by Leading 250cc Dirt Bike Brands

• Honda CRF250R– If you’re expecting a speed of 70mph from your dirt bike, this might just be your best bet. This bike features exceptional torque and offers a consistently high performance regardless of the terrain. What’s more, it also comes with a bunch of safety features that guards you against those rough roads and keep you safe.
• KTM 250 SX-F– This is yet another latest 250 cc dirt bike that offers you a speed of a whopping 71 mph. Thanks to this high speed, you make the most of mountain biking and any other adventure sport that you enjoy. The speed is excellent, and the brake control system of this bike especially stands out.
• Husqvarna TC 250– A top choice for any adventure lover, you can enjoy a top speed of up to 72 mph with this model of Husqvarna. The model is simple, compact, and extremely lightweight. What’s more, it comes with advanced functionalities to simplify gear shifting. Because the handles are comfortable, you won’t have a tough time riding it either.
• Yamaha YZ205– While you wouldn’t get a top speed of 70 mph, this bike is still safe and decent with a high speed of 65 mph. The bike is simple and an excellent choice for beginners. Due to the decent average speed, you can enjoy a great ride without having to compromise on your safety. So, if you want a combination of safe and adventurous, this might be your best bet.

What Is the Best 250cc Dirt Bike?

While all of these bikes are excellent, we recommend Honda for its excellent speed and safety aspects. The torque is equally decent and there’s no way the bike will disappoint you. While it may not give you the highest speed, the speed level is still decent and given its make, the bike will last you the longest time.

Overall, it is an excellent selection and whether you are a seasoned biker or just getting started, this is one bike that will meet and exceed your expectations at all levels. On the other hand, if you’re a shorter rider, there are some things you must consider before choosing a dirt bike that suits your shorter height.

What we especially loved about the bike is the level of comfort it offers. Thanks to its advanced gear-control features and ergonomic handles, riding it is a breeze! The tires are sturdy and durable, meaning you can travel through the toughest terrains with the bike.

The best part: because it comes with an all-encompassing safety-suite, you know you can control the speed anytime and prevent potential accidents. Either way, this is an excellent bike, and given its rave customer reviews, it is certainly worth buying.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about two-stroke and four-stroke bikes, fret no further and make your preferred pick already. Either way, a quality dirt bike will last you a long time and thanks to this durability and power alone, you can travel the lengthiest and most dangerous trails in the shortest time and with minimal hassle.

Of course, there’ll be some power consumption depending on the kind of engine your bike features, but either way, a 250cc dirt bike will offer you an adventure of a lifetime and you will enjoy your best hikes and adventure trails on it.