The evolution of off-road motorcycles, commonly called dirt bikes, is a long and complicated story. The first motorcycles were actually nothing more than modified bicycles with built-in gasoline engines. These electric bikes were amazing inventions in their day. With unreliable but surprising methods of transportation, these motorcycles began to captivate people around the world. Since paved streets weren’t the norm at the time, motorcycles in general could be considered dirt bikes from the start. No person or company has been credited with the invention of the dirt bike. Off-road motorcycling is truly a long-standing evolution, with better tires, better suspension and seats, stronger frames, and better handling characteristics that are attributed to many people who were essentially modifying their own bikes for better off-road use. However, Triumph motorcycles designed a motorcycle built specifically for dirt riding in 1914, although this model is not credited with being the first dirt bike.
Motocross racing seems to have had its origins in Europe, most possibly France, with these early motorcycles racing down wooded trails or racing to the top of a hilly road for publicity. Many of these early races were not speed races, but time trials in which cyclists simply competed with each other individually. Racing expanded as did motorcycle production to include riot and cross country events that thrilled and entertained spectators. By the way, the word motocross is derived from the words motorcycle and cross country. The races will eventually be moved to a shorter closed track so that spectators can more easily see them and better monitor the runners. With the world at war and the Great Depression, off-road motorcycles may not have been a priority concept for people for many years, but the interest in dirt racing was not about to disappear. Then Soichiro Honda appeared in 1946 with his idea of producing cheap transportation for people after WWII. Honda became the most prevalent name in motorcycles and dirt bikes in particular, no doubt because it is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. They were joined by other manufacturers over the years that would eventually become household names as well. Suzuki produced its first motorcycle in 1954, Yamaha in 1955 and Kawasaki in 1960. Although dirt bikes were still a long way off in the future of the big four, this was the beginning of the onslaught of a motorsport like no other. Dirt bikes and dirt bike racing would eventually become one of the most popular motorsports in the world.
After a mix of two-stroke and four-stroke engines in various models over the years, Honda finally designs and builds a competitive two-stroke motocross engine in 1972. It came to the US in 1973 and is called Elsinore CR250. It immediately becomes the fastest production off-road racing bike in its class and puts Honda alone at the top of the heap when it comes to motocross racing. In the 1970s, motocross racing finally achieved what motorcycle manufacturers hoped for. Off-road motorcycling would become a bicycle-like recreational activity with its popularity on the rise among the general public. The big four Japanese manufacturers would eventually produce a complete product line of dirt bikes in a variety of sizes for various race classes and ages. Kids dirt bikes would be available for beginners and dual-use motorcycles would also be available with dirt and suspension tires along with street legal features. Other manufacturers also joined the niche dirt bike market, including Maico, Gas Gas and KTM.
To this day, dirt bikes continue to evolve with almost constant improvement in weight reduction, suspension, engine reliability and overall performance. They are used as weekend recreational vehicles by millions of people around the world. The world of motocross racing has become more popular than ever as dirt bike riding has basically become an art form. Freestyle riding and stunts are captivating more young riders each year and manufacturers continue to respond by producing high-quality, state-of-the-art dirt bikes.