Dirt bikes can be a great outdoor hobby for kids to get into, it’s challenging yet is something that they’ll have a blast doing. If you’re looking to purchase your kids first dirt bike then you should definitely take a look at the Honda CRF50 and Yamaha TTR50 which are two of the most popular bikes for kids starting out. This article will be a complete comparison of the two to help you decide which one you should go for. To accurately compare the Honda CRF50 Vs Yamaha TTR50 we’ll be looking at the latest 2022 models, we’ve taken into account a range of factors from the price, specifications and features.
Ask any dirt bike rider and they’ll tell you that they created many fond memories on board their first dirt bike. Learning to ride on your first bike is so exciting and is something you truly never forget.
Both of these bikes are designed for kids as young as 3 all the way up to the age of 10, in saying that these bikes are still a heap of fun to muck about on as an adult as well 😉. The two models that we are comparing today have been exceptional beginner dirt bikes for decades. Both are extremely reliable and are awesome to ride, and this even counts for the models from previous years, whichever one you end up opting for you can’t really go wrong.
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CRF50 VS TTR50: Price
Lets kick off this comparison by checking out the prices of each bike. The Honda takes the crown for the cheaper option, starting out at $1,649 USD which comes in $100 cheaper with the Yamaha TTR starting at $1,749 USD. You can also pick up the previous model 2021 CRF50 for $1,599 USD against $1,699 for the 2021 Yamaha TTR50.
Due to the well known and respected names of Honda and Yamaha, both models hold their value considerably well, so you can be sure you’ll get a good amount of coin back when it’s time to sell and upgrade to their next bike.
Winner: Honda CRF50
CRF50 VS TTR50: Specifications
Engine And Transmission
Now lets take a look at the technicals of the bikes. Both the Yamaha and Honda are powered by a beginner friendly 4 stroke, air-cooled 49cc motor. These engines are designed for a smooth delivery of power making them the perfect entry level bike.
Being 49cc bikes you can expect a top speed of roughly 30-35mph (48-56kmh) out of the two. An adjustable throttle limiter comes standard on both which you can use to control the amount of power your kid will get when they pull the throttle. This feature is great to gradually scale up the power as your little rider becomes more confident in their abilities.
They both also feature a similar transmission system with both the CRF50 and the TTR50 running an automatic clutch 3-speed transmission. The great thing about these simple engine and transmission setups is that they’re so reliable and maintaining them is a piece of cake.
What’s an automatic clutch you ask? Put simply an automatic clutch means you can shift gears without worrying about using a clutch which makes the process of learning how to ride more straightforward for the young ones. Having this feature avoids the issue of stalling the bike when coming to a stop for example.
Winner: Tie
Suspension, Brakes And Dimensions
Telescopic forks up front and a single shocker up back are what both bikes use as suspension to deliver a resilient yet comfortable ride. They both also use drum brakes which is standard for a bike of this size.
The Yamaha has a rather negligible longer wheelbase at 36.4inch over 36.0inch for the Honda. It also is a little taller than the Honda with a seat height of 21.9 inch to the CRF’s 21.6inch seat height. The frames of the bikes are constructed from heavy duty steel and tough plastics, these things are pretty much indestructible which is what you wont get with some of the cheaper bikes on the market.
The Honda is significantly lighter with a curb weight of 110 pounds (49.8kg), the Yamaha weighs in at 128 pounds (58.0kg). You can also purchase training wheels to fit on the CRF50 and TTR50 if your child is struggling to hold the weight of the bikes. These training wheels from Hardline are compatible on most 50cc bikes including the CRF50 and TTR50.
Winner: CRF50 due to being lighter.
CRF50 VS TTR50: Features
Styling
Both bikes only come in the one color combination. The CRF50 boasts the iconic vibrant red signature Honda color which is consistent with the plastics as well as the seat. This switches it up from the previous years where we used to have a contrast of white and red. The graphics really stand out thanks to the big bold CRF lettering over a striking blue background. These graphics and bodywork mirror that of the larger race bikes of the Honda fleet. There are also much more aftermarket parts available for the Honda which is something to consider if you think your child will want to customize the bike.
Similar to the Honda you only have one choice of color with the Yamaha and that’s a gorgeous deep blue color all round which looks fantastic. The graphics are a little more subtle over here with the main fuel tank decals being just a white outline TTR over a black background. The colors and bodywork of the TTR50 is based off the design of the famous YZ line.
Winner: It’s going to be a personal choice for this one but for me, the bright red colors and graphic design of the Honda look awesome and have an edge over the Yamaha.
Security And Ignition
Both the CRF50 and the TTR50 will require a key before they can be started which is a great feature for peace of mind. One of the big differences between the Yamaha and the Honda is in the starter method. The Yamaha has a simple electric starter and the Honda CRF50 has a traditional kick starter.
Obviously the electric starter makes things a helluva lot easier for a kid to use however this system can become problematic if the battery was to die. The TTR50 doesn’t feature a kick starter which normally can be relied upon if you were to find yourself in that situation. It is something that should be considered but honestly, you’re probably never going to run into the problem as the TTR50 is ultra reliable.
Starting the Honda CRF50 up will require using a traditional kick start, it doesn’t take a whole lot of leg strength to use and most kids should be able to do it easy however it could be difficult for some younger riders. The lack of an e-start could be annoying if you’re going to have to be running over to the other side of the track to start it up every time junior stalls it. That said, the good thing about the kick starter is that it’ll always work, rain, hail or shine.
Winner: Based off the convenience of an e-start, the Yamaha gets the nod here.
The Verdict
As I mentioned earlier, you really can’t go wrong with either of these dirt bikes. Both Yamaha and Honda are market leaders in the dirt bike industry and have been manufacturing fantastic dirk bikes for decades. The Honda CRF50 and Yamaha TTR50 are very similar In a lot of ways, the main difference between the two being the starter methods and the styling.
In an extremely close match up the Honda CRF50 has the edge for me, it’s a beautifully designed dirt bike that your kid (or you) will have endless fun on. The fact that it’ll also cost you $100 less seals the deal in my opinion. What do you think? Which is the better bike out of the CRF50 vs TTR50? let us know down below.
You’ll also want to make sure your kid is fully kitted up with the best safety gear when they hop on their dirt bike. So be sure to head on over to our product reviews page to see our guides to the best protective gear.