Motorcycles, specifically dirt bikes, are the king of all two-wheeled vehicles. They are quite versatile and can tackle the roughest roads and environments and cruise on lightning-fast speeds. For some, speed is the least of their concerns.
Ratings for dirt bikes also consider other characteristics that are more significant than speed.
Several dirt bikes have broken records and made history by pushing through the limits of speed. These are just some of the fastest of all time.
#10 Kawasaki KX450
Top Speed: 89 mph
Engine: 4-stroke single, DOHC, liquid-cooled
MSRP: $9,599
Year First Manufactured: 2005
photo source: Kawasaki Motors
With a starting price of $9,599, who wouldn’t want this bike? The KX 450 Standard has a 5 Speed gearbox and a 449 cc engine. The Kawasaki KX 450 Standard seat height is 955 mm, and it weighs 110.1 kg at the curb.
The front and back brakes on the KX 450 Standard are both disc brakes. Over 4 users have rated KX 450 Standard on Features, Mileage, Seating Comfort, and Engine Performance. The 85 SX 19/16 Standard, RM-Z250 Standard, RM Z450 Standard, and CRF250RX Standard are the top competitors to the KX 450 Standard.
Even though other brands’ gadgets and electronics may be better, the Kawasaki KX450 is still a player, even though not much has changed since it debuted. Why fix something that isn’t wrong?
So, what’s so great about the KX? The KX450 is easy to ride, has a comfortable and stable frame, and makes you feel confident. It’s not just one part that stands out, but the whole thing. Other models may be better at some things but not as good at others.
Did You Know:
It was originally called the Kawasaki KX450F when it first came out in 2005, but the manufacturer dropped the “F” by 2019.
#9 KTM 350 SX-F
Top Speed: 98 mph Engine: Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, Liquid Cooled MSRP: $10,099 Year First Manufactured: 2011
photo source: Motocross Action Mag
The KTM 350 SX-F has been racing and winning at the highest level of professional motocross for over a decade. It is no longer the underdog it was once thought to be but a worthy opponent.
KTM 350 SX-F has a 349.7cc Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, liquid-cooled, Single-Cylinder engine. It can make the most power up to its top speed of 13,400 rpm, and the engine can make a maximum of 57 bhp. The bike can go as fast as 98 miles per hour at its fastest.
The bike gets about 55 km per liter of gas, weighs 104 kg, and has a 12-liter fuel tank. The front suspension is WP USD AER 48 mm, and the back suspension is a WP shock absorber with a linkage.
It is a very flexible bike with usable power through the rev range, solid stability at speed, and real championship-winning credentials. It’s a high-quality machine that’s a lot of fun to ride.
Did You Know:
Many consider the KTM 350 SX-F the perfect size for a dirt bike, and is also widely considered very flexible.
#8 Kawasaki KLR 650
Top Speed: 98 mph Engine: 652cc, Liquid-Cooled, Single-Cylinder Engine MSRP: $6,899 Year First Manufactured: 1987
photo source: Rider Magazine
The KLR®650 has been a mainstay of Kawasaki’s lineup since its introduction in 1987. The KLR650 is an affordable, two-in-one machine that will take you anywhere and bring you home with a smile on your face.
Updates for 2022 will focus on improving the basic functions without starting from scratch or changing the basic style many KLR owners have come to like over the years.
The KLR650’s engine has been updated in important ways by Kawasaki. The all-new fuel injection uses a fine-atomizing injector with 10 holes to mix air and fuel as much as possible for the best combustion.
The tall, softly suspended KLR is built around a 651cc, 5-speed, liquid-cooled, electric-start, DOHC 4-valve engine. It runs smoothly, has good torque, and is right for rides that last all day. When the 17″ rear wheels, 21″ front wheels, and tall suspension are added to the semi-double-cradle steel frame, the engine is bolted to it.
Since its early days, this legendary motorcycle has been the subject of many stories worldwide, and it still makes people want to make new memories.
Did You Know:
The Kawasaki KLR 650’s tire design dates way back to the early 1900s, which is uncommon in modern dirt bikes.
#7 Husqvarna FE 501
Top Speed: 101 mph Engine: 511cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4 valves MSRP: $11,299 Year First Manufactured: 2013
photo source: Dirt Rider
Husqvarna Motorcycles has made several changes to the FE 501 to make it an even better ride than it was previously. The 510.9cc single-cylinder engine is the most powerful in their dual-sport lineup for 2022. It is very small and weighs only 64.8 lbs.
The FE 501S has a smooth 6-speed gearbox and is designed so that the mass of the powertrain is as close to the center of the car as possible. This makes the car feel light and quick to drive.
To save even more weight, the FE 501S has a two-piece, 2.2-pound carbon composite subframe made from a mix of 70% polyamide and 30% carbon fiber.
The front and back suspensions are both made by WP Xplor. The 30 clicks of range on top of each fork make it easy to change the XPlor 48 front shock. The WP Xact rear shock is the same one that comes on Husqvarna motocross bikes. It lets the back wheel move up to 300mm.
The Braketec GSK 260mm front and 220mm rear wave discs stop the car quickly and feel great.
Did You Know:
Husqvarna first started making motorcycles as a branch of a company that made military gear.
#6 MZ Baghira
Top Speed: 102 mph Engine: Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, five valves MSRP: $5,995.00 Year First Manufactured: 1997
photo source: BikeBound
If you like riding off-road in the mountains or on rocky terrain, the MuZ Baghira 660cc bike is a great choice for a dirt bike. The MuZ Baghira has a single-cylinder engine that is 5v and has five gears.
The bike has a Steel tube cradle frame, a seat height of 900mm, and a net weight of 180 Kg.
It doesn’t have a front suspension, but it has a back suspension with both preload and compression. The disc on the front brake is 298mm, and the disc on the back brake is 245mm. The front tire is 120/70 x 17, and the back tire is 160/60 x 17.
The bike gets an average of 49 mpg and can go as fast as 102 mph.
Did You Know:
The MZ Baghira is named after the character Bagheera, a black Indian leopard from Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
#5 Honda XR650L
Top Speed: 110 mph Engine: 644cc air-cooled dry-sump single-cylinder four-stroke MSRP: $6,999 Year First Manufactured: 1992
photo source: Cycle World
The XR650 has been a part of Honda’s lineup since 1992. It has a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that uses fuel well and has a wide range of power.
The XR650L’s engine is reliable and doesn’t need much maintenance On-road It is the perfect commuter car, even for long trips, because it is light, has an electric starter, and gets good gas mileage.
Its tough 644cc overhead cam engine has a lot of power and torque. Using air to cool keeps things simple and cuts down on maintenance work. And a gear-driven counterbalancer in the engine reduces vibrations that can be tiring.
The XR650L has a strong engine, comfortable ergonomics, and a long-travel suspension that makes riding with a passenger easy. Because of this, it has a loyal following of riders who have traveled to many places.
MSRP for a new model year is $6,999, but a used one can be found for much less. Since the Honda 650L hasn’t changed much, you can buy a model from a year before and not miss out on much (or anything!) technology.
Did You Know:
Even though the Honda XR 650L is still being made, older versions will be more difficult to find parts of.
#4 Husqvarna TX 300
Top Speed: 112 mph Engine: 1-cylinder, 2-stroke engine MSRP: $11,299 Year First Manufactured: 2005
photo source: Dirt Bike Magazine
The TX 300 will get several technical updates next year, but it will still be the best off-road 300cc 2-stroke on the market. Inside a brand-new frame that makes the car easier to handle, a new, smaller engine with an electronic exhaust control gives more power in every gear.
With the internal parts moved to make the rotating mass even more centralized, the engine still plays a key role in the TX 300’s outstanding agility.
Expertly put together with high-quality and essential off-road parts as standard, the versatile machine has a high-quality build that guarantees its performance and reliability.
Did You Know:
Its current aesthetic is Swedish-inspired.
#3 Aprilia RXV 550
Top Speed: 113 mph Engine: 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, 77° V-twin MSRP: $9,699.00 Year First Manufactured: 2006
photo source: Motorcycle Specs
The 2014 Aprilia RXV 550 is one of the most powerful enduro bikes ever. It comes with a dual-adjustable 45mm upside-down fork, an adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, front and rear wave disc brakes, laced wheels with knobby tires on them, and an Electronic Fuel Injection system.
In terms of technology and engine, it has a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 549cc V-Twin engine with a five-speed manual transmission. It is said to make 70 horsepower and 66 Nm of torque. It can go as fast as 113 mph because of this.
Did You Know:
Enduro bikes like the Aprilia RXV 550 trace their origin to the United Kingdom.
#2 Suzuki DR-Z 400
Top Speed: 114 mph Engine: Engine398cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC MSRP: $6,999 Year First Manufactured: 2000
photo source: CycleNews
Despite being nearly 20 years old, the Suzuki DR-Z400S is still one of the most capable dual-sport motorcycles. This Japanese motorcycle’s 398cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine produces 39hp and 29lb-ft of torque.
Mikuni 36mm carburetors with deceleration enricher circuits and excellent throttle response on the bike.
The DR-Z400S has great off-road hardware. A fully adjustable 49mm cartridge fork provides 11.3 inches of front suspension travel.
Adjustable compression and preload rear mono shock travel 11.6 inches. The DR-Z400S sports 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels with Dunlop D208 dual-purpose tires, like a dirt bike.
Did You Know:
It evolved from the 350cc air-cooled DR350 dual sport bike. Suzuki replaced it with a lighter, more powerful 400cc liquid-cooled engine.
#1 KTM 450 SX-F
Top Speed: 123 mph Engine: 4-stroke single, DOHC, liquid-cooled MSRP: $10,899 Year First Manufactured: 2003
photo source: MotorTrade
With the ability to run at a dizzying 123 miles per hour, the KTM 450 SX-F is the fastest dirt bike ever made.
The Austrian company’s 2021 KTM 450 SX-F has won 450cc four-stroke motocross and supercross championships year after year. Its lightweight aluminum frame holds 450cc of four-stroke power, slightly over 63 HP.
With the vented cover, the KTM 450SX-F is smooth, controlled, and powerful. KTM improvements have been successful, so test riders felt more comfortable on the bike. Light, free engine power makes riding pleasant. The suspension seemed softer but still race-like with decent hold-up and bottoming resistance.
The 450SXF engine’s coated top-end rod bushing was replaced with a real bronze bushing (it is not brass, as brass is softer and deforms easily).
Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke KTM 450 SX-F engines are 449.9cc. It generates 50.79 horsepower at 9,320 rpm and 32.55 lb-ft at 6,800 rpm. The bike can reach 123 mph. The bike has an 11-liter petrol tank, 5-speed/chain, and 111 kg.
Did You Know:
The KTM 450 SX-F’s chassis is considered the most well-balanced and lightest in the market.