Dirt Bike Height Chart: Buy the right size bike for you!

Trying to find the perfect sized dirt bike that fits your height can be quite the challenge. Trust me, I know how hard and overwhelming it can be to find the right bike and make the final decision.

This simple dirt bike height chart will make your search for the right sized dirt bike quick, painless, and easy. The chart matches a person’s height with the proper seat height and power (cc) of a dirt bike. I even included my top dirt bike recommendation for each height!

Keep reading to dive deep into the details of each one of these heights, bike sizes, and my recommended dirt bikes and in no time you will have everything you need to make the right decision you won’t regret!

Related Reading: Best Dirt Bike Brands on the Market

The Right Sized Dirt Bike for You (A list of top bikes in each height range)

Dirt Bike Heights for People Who Are 5’8″-6′ Tall or Taller

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 5’8″ Tall

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 34-38″ for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 150-450cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for a dirt bike this size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for 5’8″ Person

• Yamaha WR250F (my top recommendation)
  • Seat Height of 37.6″
  • Price (new)- $8,999
  • This is my top pick because the seat height is in the middle so it should fit just about anyone this size and also the price is very reasonable compared to those of its competitors.
• Honda CRF250RX
  • Seat Height of 38″
  • Price (new)- $8,699
• Honda CRF250F
  • Seat Height of 34.8″
  • Price (new)- $4,999

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 5’10” Tall

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 35-39″ for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 250-450cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for a dirt bike this size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for a 5’10” Person

• Kawasaki KX450F (my top recommendation)
  • Seat Height of 37.8″
  • Price (new)- $10,399
  • This is my top pick because it is right in the middle of the ideal seat height range and cheaper than other bikes of similar size.
• Honda CRF450RX
  • Seat Height of 38″
  • Price (new)- $9,999

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 6′ Tall or Taller

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 37.5″ or higher as needed for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall or taller. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes with 450cc or more. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for a dirt bike this size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for Those Taller than 6′

• Yamaha YZ250 (my top recommendation)
  • Seat Height of 38.4″
  • Price (new)- $7,999
  • This is my top pick because it is a good size for people this height especially for those who are over 6′ tall. If you feel like you need more than 250cc look at my other recommendations below.
• Yamaha YZ450F
  • Seat Height of 38″
  • Price (new)- $9,999
• Yamaha YZ 125
  • Seat Height of 38.6″
  • Price (new)- $7,099
• Honda CRF450X
  • Seat Height of 37.9″
  • Price (new)- $9,899

Dirt Bike Heights for People Who Are 5’2″ to 5’6″ Tall

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 5’2″ Tall

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 31-35″ for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 125-140cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for Those Who are 5’2″

• Honda CRF125F
  • Seat Height of 30″
  • Price (new)- $3,499
• Kawasaki KLX140R F
  • Seat Height of 33.9″
  • Price (new)- $4,249

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 5’4″ Tall

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 33-36″ for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 140-150cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for For This Height

• Yamaha TT-R230 (my top recommendation)
  • Seat Height of 34.3″
  • Price (new)- $4,699
  • This is my top pick because it has a reasonable price compared to other bikes of this caliber and an ideal height. The Honda CRF230F is extremely similar in these regards and is also a good choice.
• Kawasaki KLX140R F
  • Seat Height of 33.9″
  • Price (new)- $4,249

Dirt Bike Heights for Those Who are 5’6″ Tall

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 34-37″ for a dirt bike intended for someone this tall. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 140-250cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for someone this tall.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for For This Height

• Honda CRF 250F
  • Seat Height of 34.4″
  • Price (new)- $4,999
• Yamaha WR250F
  • Seat Height of 37″
  • Price (new)- $8,999

Dirt Bike Heights for Kids Who Are 3-12 Years Old

Dirt Bike Heights for Kids that are 3-6 Years Old

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 18-21″ for a dirt bike intended for a kid at this age range. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are 50cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for a kid at this age.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for For Kids Under 6

• Yamaha PW50 (my recommendation for the 3-4-year-olds)
  • Seat Height of 18.7″
  • Price (new)- $1,849
  • This Dirt Bike is great for smaller, or inexperienced, kids that fall under this age range. This is pretty much the best smaller dirt bike that you can find on the market.
• Honda CRF50 (my recommendation for the 5-6-year-olds)
  • Seat Height of 21.6″
  • Price (new)- $1,799
  • This dirt bike is great for bigger, or experienced, kids that fall under this age range.

Dirt Bike Heights for Kids that are 8-9 Years Old

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 24-28″ for a dirt bike intended for a kid at this age range. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 50-70cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for a kid at this age.

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for For Those Between 8 and 9

• Honda CRF50 (my recommendation for smaller kids this age)
  • Seat Height of 21.6″
  • Price (new)- $1,799
  • This is my top pick dirt bike for those kids who are smaller for their age in this range. It is a good price and a very highly rated bike.
• Honda CRF110F (my recommendation for bigger kids this age)
  • Seat Height of 25.9″
  • Price (new)- $2,699
  • THis is my top pick dirt bike for the kids who are bigger for their age in this range. This is basically the same bike as the one listed above, but the next size up. Both are great options.

Dirt Bike Heights for 10-12 Year Old Kids

Dirt Bike Size and Power for this Height- The ideal seat height is 26-31″ for a dirt bike intended for a kid at this age range. Depending on the strength and experience of the rider, look for bikes that are between 110-125cc. This is the ideal range of power the engine will have for this dirt bike size and for a kid at this age.

Further Reading: Dirt Bikes for 10 Year Olds: A Helpful Guide

Best Dirt Bikes to Buy for For Kids Between 10 and 12

• Kawasaki KLX110R L (my top recommendation)
  • Seat Height of 28.7″
  • Price (new)- $3,049
  • This is my top pick because its seat height falls more towards the middle of the range meaning that it will fit more kids that are this age and size.
• Honda CRF110F
  • Seat Height of 25.9″
  • Price (new)- $2,699

Visit Our Off-Road Page for More Great Info!

More Tips for Buying the Right Size Dirt Bike for You

Quick Tip to Know For Sure that the Dirt Bike is the Right Fit for Your Height

When choosing a dirt bike, making sure that the bike is the right size for the rider is essential. Bikes that don’t fit well can be uncomfortable, dangerous, and hard to control.

Even if your height on my chart seems to be the right size for a dirt bike there is still an easy trick that you can do in order to know that it is the perfect fit for sure.

The trick to knowing without a doubt that a dirt bike is a good fit for your height is to sit on the dirt bike, lean forward and see if the balls of your feet (1/3 of each foot) touch the ground. If you can find a bike that fits just like this it is not only going to be the most comfortable but will also keep you safe and give you the most control. This is the perfect fit.

You can know that the bike is too big for your height if you have to balance back and forth on your tiptoes while you are sitting on it. It is best to avoid a bike that is too big for you like this because it will be hard to control and operate, even if you do have experience dirt biking.

On the other hand, you can know that a dirt bike is too small for your height if you are sitting on it your feet are flat on the ground. If your knees are bent and close to or touching the handlebars the bike to definitely too small. Avoid bikes that are too small for your height because they can be very dangerous to the rider, especially if he/she crashes.

If you purchase a bike where your feet are flat-footed on the ground this could be a problem, especially for kids who are still growing. Not only is it initially not the best fit, but within a year or even a number of months the rider will be needing an upgrade to a larger dirt bike.

Seat Height – The Most Important Measurement

While searching for the perfect sized dirt bike for your height it is super important to keep in mind that the seat height makes the biggest impact on how well a dirt bike fits.

With a seat height that is too high it is easy for the rider to lose balance and control of their bike. They will feel too high off of the ground which can be very intimidating especially for kids and unexperienced dirt bikers.

When a seat height of the bike is too short for the rider then they can easily feel uncomfortable and cramped. People who ride in dirt bikes that have seat heights that are too short can crash and get really hurt from the dirt bike.

If you are wondering what seat height to look for that will make your dirt bike the best-fit look back on the chart at the top of this article. Depending on how tall you are the seat height listed is the best and closest fit to what you should look for and purchase.

Although on paper seat height is the most reliable measurement to go by to determine what dirt bike fits your height, it is still important to sit on the dike bike and see where your feet are. Everyone’s body is different, so this is the most accurate way to see if your height is perfect the dirt bike or not. If its not a possibility for you to do that then going by the seat height should be fine.

Some professional dirt bikers prefer the seat height to be a little bit shorter than what on paper for their height. This can make it easier for them to do their tricks. If you don’t want to dirt bike for that purpose then I recommend that you stick to the chart I have made.

How to Alter Seat Heights for an Even Better Fit

Maybe you have found a great bike but the seat height might seem to be off by an inch or two inches. Don’t worry, this is not the end of the world! There is still a way for you to make this bike be the perfect fit. Altering the seat height a bit can raise or lower your seat height to get it just the way you want it.

Lowering a dirt bike’s height- The key to lowering the dirt bike’s seat height a little bit is to mess with the seat pad. You can cut is down a few centimetere/inches depending on what you need. another option is you can drill some holes in the seat pad. This will allow the foam to sink another inch or two.

Raising a dirt bike’s height- The easiest thing you can do to raise a bike’s seat height is to purchase a taller seat foam mod from Amazon. In my opinion this is the best way to raise a dirt bike’s seat height. There are other optiions but with them there is a chance that the steering dynamics of the back can be altered.

Many dirt bikers still aren’t aware that the seat height of a bike can be altered a bit to provide a more accurate and comfortable fit with these techniques. There is no button that does this, but with some different mods that you can do to make the bike you love fit the way you want it to.

Dirt Bike Power (cc) in Regards to Height and Sizing a Dirt Bike

If you are new to dirt biking the measurement “cc” might be confusing to you. Just remember that the cc rating of a dirt bike has no impact on its size! All that the cc measurement is telling you is the power and torque that the dirt bike’s engine has.

The height of a person has some (but not the biggest) impact on how much strength they will have to control a dirt bike. The more ccs a dirt bike has, the harder it can be to control due to the more power it has. So, don’t size the dirt bike based on its cc rating, but instead, use that rating to determine if the bike has the right amount of power for your experience level and strength.

Even though the cc measurement doesn’t tell if a person’s height will fit the size of the bike it can be a good thing to be familiar with as you are searching for the best dirt bike fit. The more cc a dirt bike has the more power. More power can mean that it takes a more experience to operate.

For example, if an inexperienced kid has the choice between two dirt bikes to ride that both are the right size for his/her height it would be better to go with the bike that has less cc. Once the kid gets comfortable on that bike he/she can then ride a bike with more power without a problem. Many people give up on dirt biking because they were put on a bike that was too powerful and they got intimidated.

The same can be said for adults as well. If a 5’8″ man is looking to get into the dirt bike hobby and finds two separate bikes that have 36″ seat heights both are technically the right size for him. However, if one has 450cc and while the other is rated at 650cc the man might want to go with the one that has less power until he is comfortable riding it. Once confortable and confident a 650cc dirt bike would be a nice upgrade.

Those who are experienced in dirt biking don’t have to worry too much about this and can go with whatever bike has more power without feeling intimidated as long as it still fits their height.

Tips for Sizing a Bike for Kids

Getting the right sized dirt bike for a kid can be a bit more challenging because the parent has to find a bike that is comfortable, not intimidating, and also allows the kid to grow into it so it doesn’t need to be replaced every year.

You won’t have to worry about any of those issues if you are able to purchase a dirt bike where only the balls of the kid’s feet touch the ground. This allows for room for them to grow for a few years before the bike is too small and their feet are flat-footed on the ground. This also will be the most comfortable fit and allow for them to feel in control.

Kids can be stubborn about what they want and don’t want. I know that I was a handful for my parents when they wanted to get me into new hobbies! If possible, try to show and teach them beforehand what the right size of a dirt bike is their height. Set them on a bike that is the right fit so that they feel comfortable being on the balls of their feet. This way when they are going to get their own they will feel when a bike is really the better fit instead of getting the one that looks the coolest.

It is common for kids to be intimidated by not having their whole feet on the ground at first so if you are able to get them used to it before the store they won’t be as likely to gravitate to the bikes that make them flat-footed. Remember that getting a kid the bike that is the best fit is important for their safety and overall experience.

Why is it Important to Get a Dirt Bike that Fits Your Size?

As mentioned previously in this article the size of a dirt bike that you ride in regards to your height is important for many reasons. Riding dirt bikes that are the right size for you are safe, comfortable, and easy to operate. When things go wrong having a dirt bike that is a good fit might just save you from a bad experience.

Having a good time and experience while dirt biking is what the hobby is all about. The best way to do that is to be on a bike that you know is made for someone like you.

How to Teach Kids to Ride a Dirt Bike

Your child has shown considerable interest in riding a dirt bike, and you have narrowed down which size bike would fit them best; now, how do you teach a child to ride one safely? Especially if you have yet to gain experience with dirt bike riding, this can seem overwhelming and dangerous.

Don’t worry; we have many tips and tricks to help your child learn to ride their new bike safely!

First thing first: Safety! You want to be sure your child has all the proper safety gear, including a good-fitting helmet, boots, goggles, riding gear (pants, jersey, gloves,) knee and elbow braces, and chest protector. This can seem like a lot. Many of these items are only genuinely needed if they are going to be doing dangerous jumps, turns, racing, etc. 

If you are just trying to help your child slowly drive the dirt bike, you don’t have to go out and buy all these things right away. However, a good protective dirt bike helmet, sturdy shoes, and some thick clothing with guards should be enough to get you started. 

Caution: You know your child best. If you feel like they need all the protective gear right off the bat, do so. You are the parent, and it’s your job to keep them safe. 

Now that we have that out of the way let’s discuss some helpful tips to get you started. 

• Find a big, flat dirt road: I always recommend going out to the desert or an open field when first starting. If you go in your backyard, there are probably many obstacles they are going to have to avoid (walls, trampoline, trees, play structure). You want to give them as much space as possible when first learning. 
• Get an Automatic: Purchasing an automatic for a child’s first dirt bike will allow them to focus solely on learning how to drive and avoid obstacles. 
• Skip the training wheels: All the research I’ve done says it’s best to bypass the training wheels unless your child is very young. Learning how to balance the bike is one of the essential skills to know how to be successful. 
• Teach proper stance: Weight distribution is a key factor when sitting on the dirt bike. Teaching the child to sit closer to the front will allow for better traction. Another skill to teach them is how to stand while riding. Have them watch some YouTube videos beforehand as well. 
• Learn turning in an open field: Turning can be complex for children to get the hang of. Ensuring they have ample space to practice is essential. 
• Stay hydrated: It’s often hot outside when practicing, plus they are wearing that big helmet and safety gear. Avoid dehydration so they don’t get dizzy and weak. 
• Go Slow: Teach them slowly about one new skill at a time. Don’t expect them to take out riding and turning. Build their confidence and let them know it’s okay to fall, and they most likely will. 

To learn more on these tips and others, check out “How to teach kids to ride a dirt bike.”

Related Questions

Does weight affect the dirt bike riding experience? Yes weight is also an important measurement to keep in mind when buying a dirt bike. You can looks up the specs for the dirt bike and see what its carrying capacity is to see if it is a good fit for you.

Can I ride dirt bikes that aren’t made for my size? In regards to safety it is best to stick to riding bikes made to fit your size. There is no problem riding a bike that doesn’t fit you around for a little bit, but if you are going to buy one for yourself stick to what fits.