The dirt bikes are different from offroad, street or sports bikes. These bikes are designed to provide thrilling rides through hilly terrains, unpleasant savoury lands and testing landscapes. 

Moreover, these bikes sport a naked design with a smaller capacity engine and a lightweight frame but lack headlamps, brake lights and mirrors.

When buying a bike or scooter in India, securing two-wheeler insurance is also crucial as it is mandatory by the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. It provides financial protection against accidents, theft and damage, safeguarding you and your investment. 

Having bike insurance also saves you from hefty traffic fines, licence suspension and even legal trouble. 

With different mechanics and techniques, the 11 best dirt bikes in India are here to provide you with an incredibly smooth riding experience on undesirable surfaces like soil, mud, and buildups.

1. Kawasaki KLX 110 L | Starting ₹3,49,000

KLX 110 is a compact dirt bike that is designed especially for children and beginners. A lively engine, low weight, and comfortable riding position coupled with grippy tires make it great for off-roading purposes. 

Other features include an automatic centrifugal clutch, four-speed transmission, push-button start and a lever to kick start for backup.

Features:

• Suspension: A front suspension with a 30 mm hydraulic telescopic fork and a rear suspension featuring a swingarm with a single hydraulic shock
• Brakes: The front brake incorporates a 90 mm mechanical drum, cable-actuated, while the rear brake employs a 110 mm mechanical drum, rod-actuated
• Tyre: 2.50-14 inches front tyre and 3.00-12 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 355.6 mm front and 304.8 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Steel backbone
• Ergonomics: A compact and accessible design with lower seat height and lightweight frame

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-stroke single, SOHC, air-cooled
• Engine Displacement: 112 cc
• Mileage: 20 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 3.6 litres
• Kerb Weight: 76 kg
• Tyre Type: Spoked wheels and tubeless tyre

2. Kawasaki KX 85 | Starting ₹4,20,000

Kawasaki KX 85 comes exclusively in Lime Green and is available in a single variant. It features an 84cc engine that delivers impressive horsepower and torque, ensuring a smooth drive-off experience. The KX 85 boasts advanced engine technology and offers a respectable mileage that makes it capable of longer rides.

Features:

• Suspension: 36 mm inverted cartridge fork 
• Brakes:  202 mm disc front brake and 150 mm disc rear brake
• Tyre: 70/100-17 40 m front and 90/100-14 49 m rear tyre
• Wheel: 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels
• Frame: Tubular, semi-double cradle
• Ergonomics: Seat height is 830 mm (32.7 inches), and the bike offers ERGO-FIT adjustable ergonomics with a 6-position handlebar mount

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 2-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
• Engine Displacement: 84 cc
• Mileage: 25 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 5 litres
• Kerb Weight: 74.6 kg

3. Kawasaki KLX 140 | Starting ₹4,57,000

A dirt bike for adults that features a 5-speed transmission, electric start, fully adjustable Uni-Trak mono-shock and 33 mm forks at the rear and front. 

Further, it sports 220 mm and 190 mm petal disc brakes at the front and back and a high tensile steel body for added safety and riding time.

Features:

• Suspension: 33 mm telescopic front forks, 7.5 in of wheel travel, Uni-Trak rear suspension with 7.9 in of wheel travel
• Brakes: 220 mm front petal disc with a dual-piston caliper and 186 mm rear petal disc with a single-piston caliper 
• Tyre: 2.75 - 21 inches front tyre and 4.10 – 18 inches rear tyre 
• Wheel: 533.4 mm front and 457.2 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Perimeter, box-section, high-tensile steel
• Ergonomics: Clawed footpegs, a tall handlebar, and a narrow tank

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: Air-cooled, 4-stroke single
• Engine Displacement: 144 cc
• Mileage: 14 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 5.8 litres
• Kerb Weight: 99 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

4. Kawasaki KX 100 | Starting ₹4,87,000

From renowned Japanese bike manufacturers, the Kawasaki KX 100 is a high-performance bike designed for young riders to sharpen their trail skills. 

This bike comes equipped with adjustable suspension components, a 16-inch rear wheel and 19-inch front wheel with disc brakes at both ends, and a powerful engine linked with a 6-speed gearbox.

Features:

• Suspension: A 36 mm front inverted telescopic fork, rear Uni-Trak suspension, adjustable compression, rebound, and preload.
• Brakes: 220 mm petal brake rotor in the front and a 184 mm petal brake rotor in the rear
• Tyre: 70/100-19 inches front tyre and 90/100-16 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 482.6 mm front and 406.4 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Perimeter, high-tensile steel
• Ergonomics: ERGO-FIT 6-position adjustable handlebar

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder
• Engine Displacement: 99 cc
• Mileage: 55 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 5 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 77 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

5. Kawasaki KLX 230RS | Starting ₹5,21,000

The Kawasaki KLX 230R S is designed for trail riding, with a lightweight frame and long-travel suspension for enhanced handling on rough terrain. 

The KLX 230R S is equipped with an electric start and has a 6-speed transmission. It's a popular choice for riders seeking reliable and versatile off-road experience.

Features:

• Suspension: 37-mm telescopic fork at the front and Uni-Trak® linkage system and a single shock with adjustable spring preload in the rear.
• Brakes: The front brake features a single 240 mm petal disc with a dual-piston caliper, and the rear brake features a single 220 mm petal disc with a single-piston caliper
• Tyre: 80/100-21 inches front tyre and 100/100-18 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 3.5x17 inches front and 4.25x17 inches rear wheels
• Frame: High-tensile steel, box-section perimeter
• Ergonomics: Comfortable seat and improved handlebar positioning

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-stroke single, SOHC, air-cooled
• Engine Displacement: 233 cc
• Mileage: 14 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.6 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 115 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

6. Kawasaki KX 250 | Starting ₹7,99,000

KX 250 is a motocross bike for adults that offers high-rpm performance on the trail. It features an aluminium frame suspended on inverted front forks of 48mm and a Uni-Trak rear mono-shock. 

Further, braking is handled by petal discs at both ends of 270mm front and 240mm rear and spoke Knobby tire cover wheels.

Features:

• Suspension: 48 mm inverted telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping 
• Brakes: The bike is equipped with a front disc brake and a rear disc brake for effective stopping power.
• Tyre: Front tire: 80/100-21; Rear tire: 100/90-19
• Wheel: 533.4 mm front and 482.6 mm rear wheel
• Frame: Lightweight aluminium perimeter frame
• Ergonomics: In terms of ergonomics, the KX250 is designed with rider comfort and control in mind, providing a well-balanced riding position for motocross performance.

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke single
• Engine Displacement: 249 cc
• Mileage: 25 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.2 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 108 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

7. Kawasaki KX 450 | Starting ₹8,59,000

KX 450 is a beast with its performance and durability on the trail. The chain drive comes incorporated with a 5-speed transmission, which boosts the off-road usability. 

It supports inverted front forks and a rear mono-shock from Showa, while 270mm and 240mm petal discs at the front and rear take care of braking duties.

Features:

• Suspension: 49mm inverted telescopic coil-spring fork with 21-way adjustable compression in front suspension and Uni-Trak gas-charged shock with adjustable dual-range compression damping
• Brakes: Single semi-floating 270mm Braking/Sunstar petal disc front brake and 240mm Braking/Sunstar petal disc rear brake
• Tyre: 80/100-21inches front tyre and 120/80-19 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 533.4 mm front and 482.6 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Lightweight aluminium perimeter frame
• Ergonomics: Four handlebar positions and two footpeg positions

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-stroke single, DOHC, liquid-cooled
• Engine Displacement: 449 cc
• Mileage: 25 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.2 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 110.2 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

8. Kawasaki KLX 450R | Starting ₹8,99,000

The KLX 450R from Kawasaki is designed with a lightweight aluminium chassis that can endure the toughest of situations. 

With fully adjustable inverted forks at the front and Uni-Trak rear mono-shock improves stability, and petal disc brakes at both ends provide added safety.

Features:

• Suspension: 48 mm inverted AOS type telescopic fork with 22-way compression front suspension and Uni-Trak with 22-way low-speed rear suspension
• Brakes: Single semi-floating 250 mm petal disc front brake and 240 mm petal disc rear brake
• Tyre: 80/100-21 inches front and 120/90-18 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 533.4 mm front and 457.2 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Perimeter, aluminium frame
• Ergonomics: DR-Z400, with narrow and low bars, excellent seating

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke single
• Engine Displacement: 449 cc
• Mileage: 25 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 8 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 126 kg

9. Yamaha WR 155R | Starting ₹1,50,000

This is an upcoming dirt bike from Yamaha, which consists of proper off-road components. The revised gear ratio, a 5-step adjustable mono-shock, 41mm telescopic forks, and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear knobby tires are perfect for off-road use.

Features:

• Suspension: 41-mm telescopic fork at the front and a gas-assisted, linked-type mono shock with adjustable preload for the rear.
• Brakes: 240 mm single disc front brake, 220 mm single disc rear brake; 2-Channel ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
• Tyre: Front tyre with 2.75 - 21 inches and 4.10 – 18 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoke wheels
• Frame: Semi-double cradle frame
• Ergonomics: Straight handlebar, comfortable flat and narrow seat

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type:  Liquid-cooled
• Engine Displacement: 155.1 cc
• Mileage: 40 to 45 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 8.1 litres
• Kerb Weight: 134 kg
• Tyre Type: Spoked wheels and dual-sport tyres

10. Suzuki RM Z250 | Starting ₹7,10,000

The Suzuki RM Z250 is a dirt bike for men who love speed and power on the trail. Constructed with Swingarm and Frame, the balance is top-notch, while a large-diameter brake improves braking capabilities. 

Further, it offers access to ignition tuning and quick fuel injection via a smartphone application.

Features:

• Suspension: It features an inverted telescopic coil spring, oil-damped front suspension and link-type rear suspension.
• Brakes: 270mm diameter, wave-style front brake disc and brake pad material
• Tyre: 80/100-21 inches front tyre and 100/90-19 inches rear tyre
• Wheel: 21 inches front and 19 inches rear wheels
• Frame: Twin-spar aluminium frame
• Ergonomics: The RM-Z250 is designed with a comfortable riding position, and its overall dimensions contribute to agile handling on the motocross track.

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC
• Engine Displacement: 249 cc
• Mileage: 30 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.5 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 106 kg
• Tyre Type: Tube

11. Suzuki RM Z450 | Starting ₹8,31,000

The RM Z450 couples a strong yet lightweight body with excellent traction management to deliver power-packed performance on the trail. The large front brake of 270mm improves braking, while the Bridgestone X30 tires provide the ultimate grip.

Further, the excellent tuning comes from a simple coil spring fork that is simple yet effective.

Features:

• Suspension: Inspired by the advanced suspension from the GSX-R1000R Superbike, the RM-Z450 is fitted with a Showa BFRC shock absorber.
• Brakes: 270 mm, wave-style front brake rotor with a twin-piston caliper
• Tyre: 80/100-21 inches front tyre and 110/90-19 inches rear tyre size
• Wheel: 533.4 mm front and 482.6 mm rear wheels
• Frame: Twin-spar frame and twin-beam swingarm design
• Ergonomics: Comfortable smaller cockpit, Renthal Fatbar 821-bend handlebar

Key Specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC
• Engine Displacement: 449 cc
• Mileage: 25 kmpl (approx.)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.3 litres 
• Kerb Weight: 112 kg
• Tyre Type: Tubeless

Here is a complete guide to India's best dirt bikes. Nevertheless, before investing in any model, it is always wise to go through other crucial pointers besides these specifications.

Also, remember to protect your vehicle with a third party two-wheeler insurance policy, as it is mandated by law. It will cover any damage or losses your vehicle could cause to a third-party person or property in any unforeseen mishap.