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Same great Risk Racing products, 3 completly different ways to shop them.
June 11, 2021 6 min read
If you're just beginning to learn how to ride a dirt bike, the question of whether or not it's better to buy a new or used dirt bike may be in your thoughts. Some people will say that buying a new dirt bike is always better because then you know what kind of performance and reliability to expect from it. Others might argue that purchasing an older model can be beneficial because they are cheaper and have been proven durable over time. But which dirt bike option will be best for you?
If you are a beginner rider or new to riding a dirt bike, then a good quality used bike is recommended for you to learn on and discover the joys of off-road riding. If you have been riding for some time and have the money, or ride competitively, then a new dirt bike would be the better choice.
The best answer would depend on what type of riding experience you want out of your first dirt bike purchase. If this dirt bike is going to be your first purchase, then buying used could save some money for other items like gear or parts down the line when needed; but if this is something you plan on doing dirt bike riding competitively, then new may be the better option.
Most people, when first starting out on dirt bikes, don't know if it's better to buy a new bike or a used dirt bike. There are aspects to consider when buying one of these machines, and the price is certainly not the only factor.
There are several factors that can steer you towards buying a secondhand dirt bike rather than a new one.
Of course, as with any used item purchase, there are always risks associated with buying a used dirt bike, which is why this undertaking should always be approached with diligence and care. Don't just fall in love with the first motocross or dirt bike that you see advertised and buy it.
Take your time and shop around; the market is full enough of used dirt bikes that you will find one at some point that matches your needs and criteria and your budget.
There is simply no way of skirting around the fact that new dirt bikes are expensive, especially the bikes from bigger name brands. However, if you are buying a new dirt bike, buying a bike from a well-known manufacturer would be preferable to buying one from a relatively unknown brand.
There are some legitimate reasons that may steer you in the direction of buying a new dirt bike over a used model, and these may include the following.
A new dirt bike is a significant investment, and even though you can be sure the bike will be sound mechanically, you will need to evaluate the effect of buying the bike will have on your finances, which could impact other aspects of your life.
Dirt bike riding is a growing activity, which creates demand in the market for both new and secondhand bikes. As a result of the continually growing popularity of off-road riding, the price of new bikes has increased quite substantially in recent years.
Consequent to the increased demand for these bikes and the increase in the price of new bikes, used bikes have become more sought after. This has resulted in the used prices of dirt bikes to also increase.
This essentially means that dirt bikes retain their value very well, and if you have a well-maintained but used dirt bike, it will likely fetch a good price on the used bike market.
It is sometimes difficult to put a price on a used dirt bike because much will depend on how the bike has been treated during its life. Some really old dirt bikes that have had good care and been well maintained may be in much better condition than a newer model bike that has received rough treatment.
As a basic rule of thumb, a dirt bike will lose value to the tune of about $1000 per year. This is not a hard-and-fast rule but will give you a starting point to judge the price of a used dirt bike.
Thus, if the new price of the motorcycle was $11 000 and you are buying it used 2-years later, then $9000 should be the starting price for negotiation and the highest price that you should pay for the bike.
You would then need to evaluate the condition of the bike to establish if the price should be lowered any further due to wear and tear or lack of maintenance on the bike or how hard a life the bike has had.
That being said, it is certainly possible to find a dirt bike for under $5000 that is in very good shape and worth every penny that you pay for it.
Used dirt bikes that are priced below $1500 should be viewed for what they are, and you should not have high expectations from a bike that prices in this range.
New dirt bikes are pretty and enticing, but they are generally not recommended if you are a first-time dirt bike buyer or a recreational rider.
My recommendation would be to look for a good quality used dirt bike as a starting point for your off-road riding. Even if your first bike is a bit of a beater, you can always upgrade to a better used bike down the road.
Remember that the cost of dirt bike riding does not stop with the bike, so you need to leave enough meat in your budget to be in a position to afford all the gear and accessories that are associated with off-road bike riding.
Fortunately, this is where Risk Racing has got you covered! We offer innovative and quality dirt bike gear and accessories that are guaranteed to be superior products at a great price. Once you have purchased your dirt bike, new or used, check out our website for all your dirt bike riding accessories and gear!
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