Quick Dirt Bike Trivia

If you’ve ever seen a dirt bike rider exploring off-road or witnessed a motocross rally, you’ve probably become swept up in daydreams of conquering the toughest of trails on an ultra-fast bike. Here at Miller’s Motorsports, we’re dirt bike enthusiasts too. That is why we have put together this list of our favorite dirt bike trivia.

A Glimpse Into Dirt Bike History

1. Dirt Bikes Originated In The United Kingdom

The very earliest dirt bikes were produced by the now-defunct Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited (BSA). This British company manufactured a variety of goods including firearms, tools, and many different kinds of metalworking. Dirt bikes are almost certainly their most enduring legacy, and BSA lives on through the motorcycles still produced by a different company under the BSA brand name.

2. Dirt Bike Racing Is Older Than You Might Think

You may be surprised to learn that the very first motocross races date as far back as before the First World War. The modern sport is thought to have evolved from the United Kingdom's Auto Cycle quarterly trial event held in 1909. Throughout the 1920s, dirt bike racing events sprung up throughout the U.K. Dirt bike racing wouldn’t make its way to the United States until the 1950s. The LA Coliseum had the honor of hosting the first stadium race in 1972.

3. Dirt Bikes Are Big In Japan

Japan usually conjures up images of cherry blossoms rather than dirt trails and bikes, but in some ways, Japan might as well be called “The Land Of Dirt Bikes”. From the 1970s up into the modern day, Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have been the leaders of the dirt bike industry. Four major dirt bike manufacturers, Yamaha®, Honda®, Kawasaki®, and Suzuki®, all call Japan home.

Dirt Bike Design

1. Some Chainsaws Are More Powerful Than A Dirt Bike

Dirt bike engines range in power from 50cc to 500cc. Most chainsaws have about 50cc or less in power, with professional models going up to 100cc. As strange as it sounds, some chainsaws do have more engine power than a dirt bike! This is partially because off-roading only requires enough power to push over bumps and hills. Though a dirt bike might struggle on a straight, flat highway, they have no problem navigating the peaks and valleys of a course.

2. Dirt Bikes Are Lightweight

You might think that having such comparatively weak engines would make dirt bikes slow. However, a more powerful engine is usually a heavier one. Since dirt bikes are built to be as light as possible while still able to handle the challenges of off-road riding, they can reach impressive speeds with relatively modest horsepower.

For more information or to view our selection of dirt bikes, visit Miller’s Motorsports in Lemont Furnace or Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. We also offer servicing, parts, financing, trade-ins, and test rides. We proudly serve communities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio. We hope to see you soon!