Dirt Bikes

2023 85cc Dirt Bikes To Buy

A buyer’s guide on what 85cc dirt bikes there are to purchase in 2023.

Updated: September 5, 2022

By this point, kids likely know if they are serious about riding. They have honed their skills and mastered the clutch, gearbox, throttle, etc., but they still need something that is sized and powered appropriately. Lucky for them, there’s not only the 85cc displacement level that fills the gap between 65cc and 100cc-plus displacement levels, but there’s also subdivisions of the 85cc category that provide different sizes with 17/14 or 19/16 wheel diameters. Because of this breakdown within the class, the list of 85cc dirt bikes to buy is 11 models strong.

2023 KTM 85 SX 17/14

Team Orange has both a 17/14 (shown) and 19/16 version for its 85 SX.KTM

Like the other Austrian-built motorcycles in this list, KTM offers its 85cc motocross bike in 17/14 and 19/16 models. As you will notice, the wheel size is right in the name. This model features 17-inch and 14-inch wheels resulting in a 33.5-inch claimed seat height that’s about an inch shorter than the big-wheel version. For shorter riders, this could mean the difference between tip-toe instability or touch-down confidence. It is powered by the same 85cc two-stroke engine and the chassis is constructed of a chromoly steel frame with WP Xact suspension front and rear. It continues to be offered as a 2023 model and costs $6,549.

2023 KTM 85 SX 19/16

The 85 SX 19/16 is $300 more than the 17/14.KTM

This second variation of the 85 SX replaces the 17- and 14-inch wheels of the previously mentioned model with 19- and 16-inch hoops. It may have larger tires and a Mini-Me chromoly steel frame that is reminiscent of its bigger siblings, but at its core, it is designed for the young guys and gals with an approachable 85cc two-stroke engine. There’s also WP Xact suspension and Formula brakes with 240mm front and 220mm rear discs. If you are one to compare prices, the 85 SX 19/16 has the second highest MSRP in this list at $6,849.

2023 Yamaha YZ85

Yamaha’s flagship youth MX model is the YZ85. It has a long history of bringing kids into the world of motocross.Yamaha

The YZ85 has been a key model in Yamaha’s lineup since 2002 (and many years before that as the YZ80), because it serves as a starting point or continuation of early motocross riding. It leads the LW version by example with an 85cc two-stroke engine, six-speed transmission, KYB suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and four-position-adjustable handlebar mounts. Graphic updates and an increase in price are the only changes for this year. An MSRP of $4,899 is what it takes to get the kids on the latest YZ85 that rolls on 17- and 14-inch wheels.

2023 Yamaha YZ85LW

Now in its second year of production, the YZ85LW’s continues to offer bLU cRU riders a bigger-bike-like setup.Yamaha

New to Yamaha’s lineup in 2022, the YZ85LW is the most recent addition to the large wheel lot. The spoked rims are fitted with size-appropriate Dunlop Geomax MX3S tires like the standard YZ85. Additionally, the LW offers the same power as the YZ85 with an 85cc liquid-cooled two-stroke and same bump absorption with fully adjustable KYB suspension. Because of the larger wheel size, overall dimensions are different from the base YZ; this includes rear suspension travel, which is 11.3 inches on the LW (versus 11.1 inches on the base model). At $5,099, the LW’s MSRP is slightly higher than the smaller-wheeled version as well.

2023 Husqvarna TC 85 17/14

Photos of the 17/14 are unavailable, so the 19/16 model is shown here. The main difference between the two models is in wheel size and dimensions.Husqvarna

Smaller tires and, as a result, differing dimensions sets the TC 85 17/14 apart from the Husky below. The 17- and 14-inch wheels bring the seat height down to a claimed 33.5 inches and ground clearance to 13.2 with dry weight said to be 148 pounds. Suspension travel from the WP Xact fork and shock is 10.9 and 12.0 inches, respectively. All of Husqvarna’s 2023 youth models now have Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST tires and revised graphics, so there’s fresh rubber to go along with the fresh looks. MSRP starts at $6,749.

2023 Husqvarna TC 85 19/16

At $6,949, the TC 85 is the more expensive of the two Husky models, and also the priciest in this list.Husqvarna

Husqvarna’s TC 85 19/16 is an intermediary between the smaller class of bikes like the brand’s own TC 65 and larger-displacement models like the TC 125. Like the other big wheel counterparts of this list, the TC 85 19/16 has 19- and 16-inch wheels. The larger wheel size not only helps attract different rider sizes, but it also helps roll over obstacles smoother than smaller tires. A chromoly steel frame houses an 85cc two-stroke and, in the usual Austrian manufacturers’ way, WP Xact suspension soaks up choppy terrain. The TC 85 is a sleek-looking machine, but those good looks come at a price, and in the 19/16 case it’s $6,949.

2023 Kawasaki KX85

The KX85 sits between the KX65 and KX112 in Kawasaki’s youth MX lineup.Kawasaki

Team Green powers its midpoint youth motocross bike with an 84cc liquid-cooled two-stroke engine. The KX85 comes standard with 17- and 14-inch wheels and, unlike much of the competition, only comes in this smaller-wheeled version. The six-position adjustable handlebar mount does allow for some ergonomic customizations though. The 36mm inverted fork is adjustable for compression damping and the Uni-Trak shock is adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping, and spring preload. Kawasaki follows close behind the Suzuki in regard to price. The KX85 comes in at $4,699.

2023 GasGas MC 85 17/14

The MC 85 17/14 is powered by the same 85cc two-stroke as its bigger-wheeled sibling (19/16 model shown).GasGas

GasGas also has two players in the 85cc game and the first is the MC 85 17/14. This bike, like the many others mentioned before it, serves riders who are ready for the additional power and skill that 85cc bikes require, but it has smaller dimensions to suit the shorter demographic. This bike has a claimed 34.1-inch seat height whereas the 19/16 is said to have a seat height of 35 inches. The 17/14 gets an 85cc two-stroke powerplant, WP suspension (with the same travel as the bike below), and Formula brake calipers with discs front and rear. Slightly smaller wheels than the 19/16 contribute to the 17/14′s slightly smaller price tag. The 17/14 has an MSRP of $6,249.

2023 GasGas MC 85 19/16

Larger wheels differentiate the MC 85 19/16 from the MC 85 17/14.GasGas

This red racer differs from the 17/14 version due to the 19- and 16-inch wheel sizes. Starting to see a pattern with the Austrian bikes and the naming conventions? This wheel size difference provides growing riders another option to choose from when they step up from bikes like the MC 65 and also gives taller riders something better suited to their dimensions. This model is equipped with an 85cc two-stroke engine, six-speed transmission, WP Xact suspension, large 240/220mm disc brakes, and Formula floating brake calipers. For 2023, the 19/16 costs $6,449.

2023 Suzuki RM85

Suzuki’s RM85 takes the title for being the most budget-friendly 85cc youth bike in 2023.Suzuki

The RM85 splits in between the DR-Z50 and DR-Z125L on Suzuki’s youth bikes in terms of displacement, but it is named and stylized to be more of a youth-focused motocross option beneath the full-size RM-Zs. Unique to Suzuki’s lineup, the RM85 runs on a two-stroke 85cc engine; all the other DR-Zs and RM-Zs are four-strokes. The powerplant is liquid-cooled and has a Keihin carburetor. Suzuki used to have a 19/16 model known as the RM85L (last produced in 2012), but there’s only the 17- and 14-inch wheel version for 2023. For those looking to save a couple of Benjamins, this model is $4,499.

2022 TM MX 85 Junior

TM has not released information on its 2023 models yet. The 2022 shown here gives a general idea of what we expect for 2023.TM Racing

TM has not announced its 2023 models yet, but the MX 85 Junior had a thorough redesign just last year, so it may not have as extensive a list of updates for this upcoming year. If we were to guess, it will only be cosmetic changes if anything, but stay tuned. We will update this page as soon as we find out more information about the ‘23 release. What we can likely expect is an aluminum perimeter frame, Formula 39mm fork, 17-inch/14-inch wheels (front/rear), and 85cc engine with six-speed transmission. Cost will likely be within the ballpark of last year’s $6,545 price tag.