Flat track is an incredibly fun sport if you like to slide and get sideways. Growing up, my father’s only option to keep me competitive was to take a newer motocross bike and modify the suspension, wheels, tires, and more to transform it into a Flat Track bike. Nowadays, there are many motorcycles and dirt bikes that can be used as flat trackers with minimal modifications. So, with a little bit of hard work and dedication, you too can have a Flat Track bike of your own.
Anything from a 50cc bike to a 750cc motorcycle can be used, meaning there is quite a variety of choices – although if you want to be competitive with the big boys in the 250 and 450 class, you can expect to change quite a few things on the bike as mentioned earlier. Some of these dirt bikes (such as the CRF100 and XR100), only require minimal modifications – making it easy for a beginner to get in on the action. Others, such as the Sunday Motors dirt bikes, are 100 percent ready to race Flat Track from the showroom floor, potentially making them an even better option.
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1. Sunday Motors S-124, S-147, and S-187
Sunday Motors is the first brand to produce a Flat-Track-ready dirt bike right off of the showroom floor. These bikes replicate the framer look seen on the AFT Twins Flat Track motorcycles, meaning they share the same handling characteristics that set framers apart from their dirt-bike framed counterparts.
- Flat Track ready right from the showroom floor
- Shares the same handling characteristics as the framer AFT Twins bikes
- Multiple models available
Sunday Motors is a brand of YCF motorcycles. It features a 125cc model, a 150cc model, and a 190cc model, giving you a great amount of variety. The S-124 is a great bike for a beginner flat tracker, while the S-187 is capable of competing with the highly modified bikes seen in the 125cc and Adult Mini classes, such as my Kawasaki KLX125 that is modified to 190cc. If you’d like to learn more about the Sunday Motors flat track bike’s ability, I will soon be doing a rider’s review of the S-187 compared to my highly modified KLX125 in a flat track setting. Stay tuned!
2. Honda CRF100F/XR100
The Honda CRF100F, or if you’re like me, you’ll still know it as the XR100 – is a popular bike among amateur and professional flat track riders, due to the fact that when the right modifications are made, it gives the same feeling as a big bike on the Flat Track, just with less power. For most riders, especially if you are just getting into Flat Track, a swap to a flat-track or street-style tire is all you’ll need to be able to race one of these at a Flat Track event.
- Requires minimal modifications to be competitive
- Feels like your riding a big bike with less power
- Readily available used
- Can be had for a decent price new
Only a few modifications are necessary to turn the CRF100F or even an older XR100 into a complete weapon, as you can see from the video above. Todd Stith Jr. (#94) – a Motocross, Flat Track, and Pit Bike racer, was a top contender in all three rounds of the recent outdoor Flat Track series in Timonium, Maryland in August of 2023 – competing against highly modified 125s aboard an XR100 old enough to still flaunt the white plastics.
3. Suzuki DR-Z125
The Suzuki DR-Z125 in the past has always been a very similar, if not a nearly identical dirt bike to the Kawasaki KLX125. This has changed, however, as Kawasaki stopped producing the KLX125 in favor of the KLX140, while Suzuki has stayed true to its 125 trail-bike roots. This is a great dirt bike to transform into a Flat Tracker for classes such as the 125cc and Adult Mini.
- Newer version of a KLX125
- Still features the great Flat Tracker capabilities that it and the KLX125 have always shared
- Still being produced, meaning it can be bought new
While you can get away with just swapping tires on the DR-Z125, the best performance on a Flat Track will come with modified suspension, wider rims and tires, a big-bore kit, and other bolt-ons that will complement the build. Due to the fact that used KLX125s and DR-Z125s are getting harder to come by, a new DR-Z presents the perfect opportunity for a reliable Flat Tracker, as long as it suits your budget.
4. Kawasaki KLX125
As previously mentioned, the Kawasaki KLX125 and Suzuki DR-Z125 were nearly identical, up until Kawi stopped producing the KLX125. With this being said, a used KLX125 can still be had for a decent price if you look hard enough. This saves you a considerable amount of money when compared to purchasing a new DR-Z125.
- One of the more popular bikes in the Adult Mini class
- A plethora of aftermarket availability
- Can be bought used for fairly cheap if you search hard enough
- Compatible with KX85 suspension, offering an even smoother slide when lowered
Just like the DR-Z, you’ll want to upgrade multiple components if you expect to be competitive in the Adult Mini and 125 classes. On the bright side, the KLX125 has been around for a long time, meaning there is a readily accessible market for trick parts and modifications that can turn this dirt bike into a true monster of a Flat Tracker. In my younger days, I moved up to a modified KLX125 after riding the 65cc and 85cc class and was able to secure many wins and podium finishes in the Youth 100 class, Adult 100 class (now named the Adult Mini class), as well as the 125cc class with some of the riders being on two-stroke 125s.
5. KTM 250SX-F
The KTM 250SX-F is one of the most popular dirt bikes in motocross, meaning this success totally carries over to Flat Track, provided you upgrade the proper components. Just like any 250F or 450 in flat track, you’ll need lowered suspension with wider rims and tires, while other upgrades such as a different bend of handlebar and bolt-on engine modifications will only benefit you.
- One of the most favored dirt bikes in Motocross
- Great performance right off of the showroom floor
- Will require modified suspension, wheels, and tires
- KTM has a proven track record of success
Riders such as Ryan Dungey, Ken Roczen, Cooper Webb, Martin Varrand (author of Motocross Advice), and many more have seen great success on KTMs in motocross, while it has also allowed for riders such as Dan Bromley and Shayna Texter-Bauman (two riders that I grew up watching at my local Flat Track races) to fully excel in the AFT Singles Flat Track division. KTM has also recently brought an Australian rider, Max Whale, into the mix after being a runner-up in the 2020 AFT Singles series.
6. Yamaha YZ450F
Just like the KTM, Yamaha is a force to be reckoned with in the motocross scene, with many riders choosing this brand due to the sheer power that they offer right from the showroom floor. This means that you’ll need minimal engine modifications to be competitive with the other 450 riders.
- A favorite due to the great amount of power
- Great looking dirt bike
- Yamaha has proven success in Motocross with riders like Haiden Deegan and Justin Cooper, while Cooper Webb has also recently joined the team
While these bikes are already quite fast, you’ll still need to plan on suspension and wheel/tire upgrades like you would on a 250F. Similar to the 250SX-F, you may also benefit from a different set of handlebars, and other upgrades such as flat track pegs, engine bolt-ons, or even a shorter front fender which helps you to see where your front wheel is in the elbow-to-elbow racing of Flat Track.
7. Triumph Bonneville
Triumph is a legendary name when it comes to Flat Track, with it also recently coming out with a 250F motocross bike. The early model Triumphs featured the shifter on the right side and the rear brake on the left side, which is completely opposite of the motorcycles you see today. This actually helped with Flat Track – meaning you could really lay the bike down in the corners, utilizing your steel shoe on your inner foot, while still being able to shift.
- Shifter and brake on opposing sides allow you to lay the bike down and still shift
- Multiple Flat Track Grand National wins
- Triumph will also soon be releasing their 250F which is likely to be another great dirt bike to convert to a Flat Tracker
The Triumph Bonneville 750 is a classic motorcycle that has been commonly raced over the past decades. Gary Nixon, a big name in Flat Track as well as Road Racing, piloted Triumph to two back-to-back AMA Grand National wins in 1967 and 1968, swiftly making Triumph a feared name in the Flat Track scene early on. Its legacy still carries on, with names like Brandon Robinson and Jake Shoemaker being the first riders to represent Triumph in the X Games back in 2015.
8. Honda XR750
The Honda XR750 was a direct competitor with Harley-Davidson in Flat Track around the same time that Gary Nixon was winning races for Triumph. 1969 marked an important year for Honda, as a rule change in the AMA Grand-Nationals allowed the Japanese and British bikes to finally compete and win against the Harley-Davidson KR Flat Track bike.
- One of the brands that assisted in taking Harley-Davidson off of its Flat Track throne
- Utilized a modified Sportster 900cc racing engine
- Also featured a successful road racing version
This bike was based on a Sportster 900cc racing engine, utilizing a shorter stroke and shorter connecting rods to reduce the engine displacement to the 750cc limit for the class. Apart from Flat Track, Honda also produced a road racing version of the XR750, named the XRTT. This bike saw many of the same features, apart from an aluminum oil tank, a fiberglass fuel tank, and a fiberglass fairing – all of which likely reduced the weight to allow for quicker acceleration and top speeds.
9. Honda CRF150R
The Honda CRF150R is an amazing option for a Flat Tracker due to the fact that it is basically a smaller CRF250R. There is one downside to this bike for Flat Track, however, which is that most organizations do not allow water-cooled dirt bikes into the Youth 100 or Adult Mini classes, meaning your only option is to ride the 125 class against two strokes. This is not the end of the world though – the CRF150R is completely competent when compared to a 125cc two-stroke on a smaller Flat Track.
- Basically a smaller version of a CRF250R
- May not be allowed in certain classes
- Competitive against the previously mentioned KLX125/DR-Z125s as well as two-stroke 125s
- Doesnt need any engine modifications to be competitive
Just like the KLX125 or DR-Z-125, you’re going to want to get the suspension lowered while also lacing up a new set of wider 17″ rims (front and rear) that will accept the wider Flat Track tires such as the Shinko SR267 or the Bridgestone Trailwing TW42 (if this tire is legal). A trick that us Flat Trackers do is find a used set of forks and a shock from a CR85, get those lowered, and then you still have the option to convert it back to stock to have some motocross fun.
10. Yamaha PW50
The Yamaha PW50 is a perfect option if you’re a parent looking to get your child or children into Flat Track racing. One of the biggest benefits of this dirt bike – is that most organizations allow for the use of the stock knobby tire, meaning you can show up to a Flat Track race with a completely stock PW50, and your kid will have the time of their life.
- Great option to get your child into Flat Track
- Stock knobby tires are typically allowed in the shaft-driven class
- Two-stroke engine that does not have a violent powerband
- Also a great option for kids looking to ride Motocross
Apart from being a great Flat Tracker for beginner children, this bike is also one of the best dirt bikes if you want to get your child into Motocross. Although the Yamaha PW50 is a two-stroke, you will not see a gnarly powerband like that of a 65cc two-stroke, which seems to do a great job of scaring beginners instead of helping them have fun.
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