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As motorcyclists, we have many paths that can lead us to riding off-road. Some are born into families in rural areas, where riding dirt bikes is the norm. Others find their way to dirt much later in life, having spent years on the pavement. In recent years, adventure riding has taken off as well, introducing new generations to the thrills of riding wooded trails, canyons, and gravel roads. Even Harley-Davidson has gotten into the game with its Pan America ADV.
But as fun as some of these adventure bikes can be, there’s just no replacing a motorcycle made for the specific task. And if you want the ultimate off-road experience, dirt bikes will always be the right answer. The good news is that plenty of manufacturers make them, from Yamaha to KTM, and even Triumph now..
However, perhaps the best place to start would be with a used Honda. After all, it’s a brand known for making dependable and capable motorcycles, with a rich history of dirt bikes. So to help our readers make an informed choice, we’ve curated this list based on a used price of under $10k, using our proven methodologies.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data and specifications used to compile this article was sourced directly from Honda Powersports.

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10 CRF450RWE
Used Price: $6,999
If your ultimate off-road dream is to compete at a high level, there’s no better place to start than the CRF450RWE. Based on the bikes found in the Team HRC factory race paddock, this CRF came fully stocked with upgraded components. It’s worth getting the bike for the Yoshimura exhaust system alone. But there are other nifty additions, like the Honda Selectable Torque Control and improved underpinnings. And though most of us will never know what it’s like to participate in a motocross race, if you’re ambitious about your off-road goals, there may not be a Honda out there that’s better suited for the task.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled 10º single-cylinder four-stroke |
Displacement |
449cc |
Bore And Stroke |
96.0mm x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.5:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body |
9 CRF250R
Used Price: $6,499
On the lighter side of things, the CRF250R weighs in at only 229 pounds. But don’t discount it because it’s a featherweight. There’s plenty of pedigree behind this liquid-cooled single. The CRF250R can routinely be found at the top of the Supercross charts, especially when ridden by pros like Jett and Hunter Lawrence. It comes with race-specific features like HRC Launch Control, bridged-box pistons, and a high RPM limit.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
Displacement |
249cc |
Bore And Stroke |
79.0mm x 50.9mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.9:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel-Injection system (PGM-FI); 44mm throttle bore |
8 CRF450R-S
Used Price: $6,490
If you’re a rider looking to get into motocross, or simply have a good time off-road, the CRF450R-S may be the right bike for you. Purpose-built to tackle any terrain, the 450R-S comes with a ton of features that Honda loves to put into its off-road bikes. In addition to the Selectable Torque Control, it comes with a Unicam engine, titanium fuel tank, engine modes, and premium suspension. The seat’s a little high on this one, so make sure that 37.8 inches would work for you.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder |
Displacement |
450cc |
Bore And Stroke |
96mm x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.5:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body |

10 Cheapest Dirt Bikes On The Market in 2024
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7 XR650R
Used Price: $5,999
Not every off-road situation is the same. Depending on what part of the world you live in, you may have to contend with rocks, grass, gravel, mud, and sand, among other things. And for the longest time, the XR650R was the weapon of choice for racers looking to tackle difficult terrain. Honda even promoted the bike as the king of the desert! Credit went to its long suspension travel, aluminum frame, and dependable engine, all of which justified why it was so successful for its time. It is an older model, so you’ll have to deal with a carburetor, though. A seat height of 36.8 inches is also something that will need consideration.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled dry-sump single-cylinder four-stroke |
Displacement |
649cc |
Bore And Stroke |
100mm x 82.6mm |
Compression Ratio |
10.0:1 |
Induction |
Unspecified |
6 CRF250RX
Used Price: $5,998
A more modern, lightweight alternative for desert enduro riding is the CRF250RX. Honda equipped this model with specialized features for riders looking to crush it for days on end. The first thing was specialized gear ratios in place of standard ones, made specifically for challenging trails. Honda then added hand guards, a larger gas tank, a new engine map, and a side stand. Enduro riding can be rough, but at least the CRF250RX elevates the fun quota to the next level.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder |
Displacement |
249cc |
Bore And Stroke |
79.0mm x 50.9mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.9:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel-Injection system (PGM-FI); 44mm throttle bore |
5 CR125R
Used Price: $5,899
Two-stroke dirt bikes will always have a place in our hearts. And though they may not be as modern and refined as four-strokes, they do offer a more visceral experience on the trails. The age of the CR125R may have come and gone, but this two-stroke legend can still be found on the used market. If you can find it in decent shape, it can be a fantastic introduction to the world of dirt bikes, albeit a somewhat vintage one.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke with RC valve |
Displacement |
125cc |
Bore And Stroke |
54mm x 54.5mm |
Compression Ratio |
7.48:1 |
Induction |
Four-petal crankcase reed-valve |

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4 CRF450RX
Used Price: $5,000
Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate one model from another. With incremental changes that can alter how a bike performs, it’s not easy to get a decisive answer on what is different, and why. In the simplest terms, the CRF450RX is a more versatile version of the CRF450R, a bike that would be punishing on longer rides. But if your off-road riding is more of a leisure pastime than one that involves trophies, then the 450RX will give you the powerful performance of the 450R, in an everyday usable package.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder |
Displacement |
450cc |
Bore And Stroke |
96.0mm x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.5:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI); 44mm downdraft throttle body |
3 CRF450R
Used Price: $4,999
Though the CRF450RWE is the ultimate dirt racing bike Honda has to offer, the CRF450R is no slouch either. It doesn’t have all the fancy accessories, like the Yoshimura exhaust, but it’s also quite cheaper without being any less fun to race. If your goal is to compete, and you find yourself on a bit of a budget, what’s good for motocross winners like Chase Sexton and Jett Lawrence, is certainly good enough for you. Agree?
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder |
Displacement |
450cc |
Bore And Stroke |
96.0mm x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio |
13.5:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 44mm downdraft throttle body |
2 CR250R
Used Price: $4,799
Two-strokes aren’t going anywhere. They continue to be the preferred choice for many dirt bike riders, and plenty of manufacturers still make them. Honda has made a few as well, like the aforementioned CR125R. The CR250R is its slightly bigger brother, and has more power and performance due to the up-sized powerhouse. It’s also an inexpensive way to graduate to the next displacement level if you’re done with the 125cc class. But make no mistake, if you’re itching to compete, the CR250R won’t let you down with a Showa suspension, 13.3 inches of clearance, and 213 pounds of dry weight.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder two-stroke with electronically controlled RC valve |
Displacement |
249cc |
Bore And Stroke |
66.4mm x 72mm |
Compression Ratio |
8.5:1 |
Induction |
Eight-petal crankcase reed-valve |
1 CRF450X
Used Price: $4,599
Though not exactly a dual-sport, this sibling of the CRF450R does have certain features that make it a little more usable. Honda made the CRF450X for riders looking to compete in endurance races like the Baja 1000, which explains the addition of a headlight, hand guards, and an 18-inch rear wheel. On top of that, it comes stock with a large gas tank, new ECU and fuel-injection settings, and a skid plate. Even if you never end up competing in something like the Dakar Rally, or the various Baja races, this is still a fantastic, versatile dirt bike. And because Honda builds them to last, even a used one will be a heck of a lot of fun to ride.
Engine Specifications
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
Displacement |
449cc |
Bore And Stroke |
96.0mm x 62.1mm |
Compression Ratio |
12.0:1 |
Induction |
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), 46mm downdraft throttle body |
FAQ
Q: How fast does a 250cc dirt bike go?
Though Honda doesn’t typically disclose their top speed performance figures, you can expect a typical 250cc dirt bike to achieve speeds of at least 50 miles per hour, as their small engines have a limited horsepower.
Q: Does Honda make a enduro bike?
Honda has made several enduro motorcycles in the past and present. One such bike in their current lineup is the CRF450X, which is built for longer competitions like the Baja 1000.
Q: How fast does a 150cc dirt bike go?
Though the 150cc dirt bike has a smaller engine than the 250cc, its lighter weight and tuned engine architecture can allow it to go just as fast as the bigger versions. They typically reach, and sometimes exceed, speeds of 50 miles per hour.
Q: Is Honda CRF a road bike?
Although most motorcycles can be ridden on the road, riding some of them can be against local laws. A dirt bike like the Honda CRF450X, for example, does not have the necessary features, like lights, mirrors, and license plate, that would allow it to be street legal in some cases. A dual-sport bike like the Honda CRF300L, has all the aforementioned features, which would allow it to be street legal.
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