If you are looking to buy a 150cc dirt bike, you have to ask yourself how reliable is this bike? If you’re not a mechanic, there is pretty much no way you can tell for certain, but luckily, there are a few things that you can keep an eye out for, and maybe, just maybe, you can deduce if the bike you’re interested in is reliable or not.
As you’re about to see, most of the things we’ll mention down below will apply to used dirt bikes, but some of them will also come in handy when shopping for a brand new bike too.
But, before we get into it, let’s first start by answering a simple question – how reliable are 150cc dirt bikes, in general?
How Reliable Are 150cc Dirt Bikes?
Generally speaking, if you buy a 150cc dirt bike that’s in good condition, or if you get a new one from a reputable brand like Honda or Yamaha – you’re probably looking at a pretty reliable bike. Sure, some are better than others, but unless you’re someone with years of experience in the field, the best way to know for sure whether a bike is reliable or not is to look it up online or talk to someone that knows enough about them.
Most of them have great engines and are best-suited to newbie riders that are just getting into dirt biking, but it’s also not that uncommon to see some experienced riders having fun on a small 150cc bike.
Also, a 150cc dirt bike is pretty easy to use. Most of them have easy-to-use clutch and brake systems, which is one of the reasons why they’re recommended for beginners. Also, since they have a pretty powerful engine, these bikes will be very reliable on pretty much any terrain – in any weather.
In terms of racing and durability – that’s questionable. If a 150cc dirt bike is used for racing, even with proper maintenance and care, you’re probably looking at a year of use in the best-case scenario. On the other hand, if you’re using it casually, you’ll easily use a good bike for more than five years.
Another thing to consider is the engine itself. There are two-stroke and four-stroke dirt bikes, and depending on what you plan on using them for, this might tell you more about reliability than you’d expect.
Now, we won’t get too much into the nitty-gritty details of these engines and how they affect the bikes, but from what we’ve learned from dirtxtreme – four-stroke bikes are a bit more reliable in the long-term sense. As for racing, two-stroke might be better because it outputs the energy considerably quicker, making it a better starter.
Now, let’s get into some tips on how you can figure out whether a dirt bike’s reliable or not.
1. Look At The Overall Look
This won’t really work when buying a new bike, but if you’re buying a used 150cc dirt bike – just look at it. Sure, looks can sometimes be deceiving, and a guy that’s selling the bike could’ve done a great job putting “makeup” on the bike you’re interested in, but in general, you should see some general signs in what kind of condition the bike is. For the best “insight” into the state of the bike – take a look at the bottom of the engine and the chassis.
Also, take a look at the surroundings. You can tell a lot about the state the bike’s in just by looking at the surroundings. If there’s no garage or if the other bikes look like crap, chances are, this one also looked like crap before you got there – it’s just been washed.
Finally, look for signs of damage. Most dirt bikes will get their fair share of wear and tear over the years, and that will show on the frame or the subframe. If you notice some bends, cracks, or other signs of damage – the bike’s probably not as reliable as you’d think.
2. Look At The Wheels And Tires
Another thing to look at are wheels and tires. You’ll want wheels without bends or cracks or even missing spokes. If you notice any of these – don’t buy the bike. Or if you do buy it – be prepared to spend extra money on spare parts.
Also, look at tires. You don’t want any tires without sharp edges or ones with cracks. You want a tire that’s in a great shape that can get you a great performance by really sticking to the ground.
3. Check At The Suspension
Chances are, you might need to re-valve the suspension if your weight doesn’t really match the weight of the previous owner, but that’s not all. You’ll want to make sure the suspension’s in great shape. If it isn’t, you’re probably better of getting a new bike than trying to fix it.
4. Check The Swing Arm And Bearings
Before getting a bike, make sure to check the swing arm by moving it up and down and side to side. If it moves smoothly and freely – good. If not – it’ll need some servicing.
Also, you’ll want to check the bearings, as there’s quite a few of them on a dirt bike, and they’re all quite important. Move the wheel side to side to check the bearings, and if it all checks out – you probably have yourself a pretty reliable 150cc dirt bike.
5. Examine The Brakes
150cc dirt bikes usually have pretty good brakes, but just like with any other vehicle, the brake pads suffer from wear and tear. So, make sure to check them before getting a dirt bike. Luckily, even if there’s something wrong with the brake pads, these are easily replaced, and they shouldn’t be too expensive.
6. Turn It On
Finally, just turn on the bike and let it idle for a few minutes. Listen carefully to how the bike sounds like. If you hear any rattling or other weird noises, it would be best to inspect the bike and see what’s going on. Otherwise, you’re risking it breaking down on your pretty much at any given time.
Conclusion
All in all, if you buy a quality bike from a reputable brand – you probably don’t have anything to worry about. It’ll be reliable, and it’ll last you a long time, and as long as you’re treating it right – you shouldn’t have any issues with it.
On the other hand, if you’re buying a used 150cc dirt bike, you should probably rely on some of our tips to figure out exactly what you’re dealing with.
