What is the best Japanese pit bike in 2023?
Dirt bikes and pit bikes are either Japanese or Chinese. The primary difference between Japanese and any other brands motorcycle is the price.
With a zenith price range, Japanese motorcycles are often a luxury.
But when someone is talking about pit bikes, some of the Japanese pit bikes are gettable at a reasonable and affordable price range.
Therefore, we thought about reviewing some of the best Japanese pit bikes out there in case you are thinking about buying one.

Are Japanese pit bikes good?
There should not appear in doubts regarding the authenticity of Japanese pit bikes.
This pit bikes are good both with the performance and build.
One of the essential reasons of this bikes are still ruling over the market is that these bikes have remarkably reached the zenith level of potentiality.
It is indeed true that you will have to pay a little more to get one Japanese bike, but it will always be worth the investment.
Best Japanese pit bike
We could have made the list longer. But we wanted to specifically make this list budget-oriented so that users can grab the best item according to their budget.
Therefore, here is the first Japanese pit bike recommendation among the top six-
1. Kawasaki KLX140L

Specifications
Brand | Kawasaki |
Model | KLX140L |
Engine | 144cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder |
Front suspension | 33mm Telescopic fork |
Rear suspension | Single shock |
Dimension | 74.6x31.1x42.3 inches |
Ground clearance | 10 inches |
Fuel capacity | 1.3 Gallons |
Curb weight | 95kg |
User experience (9/10)
When someone is talking about Japanese motorcycles, Kawasaki is most probably the first name that comes to mind.
We believe we do not need to talk a lot about many things regarding this particular bike. Users have been adoring this essential Japanese pit bike for a long time.
If your preference is a Japanese pit bike, the following section will talk about some of the primary reasons why you should purchase this bike-
Features worth discussing
Before you go for this exquisite pit bike, we would love to mention that purchasing Kawasaki KLX140L is a high-end pit bike. To get this bike, one needs to spend nearly $3,500.
What are the benefits you will get with the purchase? Well, this one comes with a 144cc superior engine that will maintain class no matter where you take your bike.
Again, the inclusion of a Telescopic fork on the front and single-shock suspension on the rear part of the bike will ensure that you get the best experience in every situation.
The moderate seat height with the optimized ground clearance will also bring forth essential comfort and compatibility for all riders.
Pros
- A perfect pit bike for stability and comfort.
- The transmission system is well developed to ensure optimized performance.
- The engine that you will get with this bike is more than authentic.
Cons
With all that being said, this one is a highly expensive pit bike. If you have the budget, we always encourage you to go for the buy. But if budget is your concern, a Chinese pit bike may turn out to be an ideal alternative to this bike.
2. Honda CRF150F

Specifications
Brand | Honda |
Model | CRF150F |
Engine | 150cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder |
Gear shift | 5-speed |
Suspension | Fork on the front and single shock on the rear |
Braking | Disc braking on the front and Drum braking on the rear |
Curb weight | 107kg |
Fuel capacity | 8.2 liters |
Dimension | 1915mm(L) x 799mm(W) x 1111mm(H) |
Use experience (9/10)
Here comes another recommendation for the Honda fans. If have been playing with dirt bikes and pit bikes for a little while, Honda CRF150F might be a popular item to you.
Because of its high-end popularity, this one remains in second place on our recommendation list.
Features worth discussing
The first thing that would catch your interest regarding this aesthetic pit bike is its exclusive look and design. Almost everyone will agree to the fact that this one looks good to the eye.
Well, if you think that having a better look does not dictate performance,we have to say that this one does a better justification with the performance as well.
With a high-notch suspension system and two optimized tires, this one is pretty much capable of bringing a wholesome experience both on expected and unexpected terrains.
At the same time, the inclusion of the electric starting system just makes it more dynamic.
What else? Well, the engine with the 150cc engine displacement ratio will bring forth better speed and dynamicity to keep you ahead of the competition.
Pros
- The keyed ignition system will bring forth optimal safety to the users.
- The seat placement will come in handy to give you maximum ride movement.
- The handling property of the bike is also reasonable enough to deliver superior controllability over the rider’s hand.
Cons
You may face problems if you do not concentrate on changing the oil and air filter of this bike at times. Other than that, this bike should suffice to bring forth a quality experience for every rider.
3. Yamaha TT-R125LE

Specifications
Brand | Yamaha |
Engine | 125cc |
Transmission | 5-speed transmission |
Final drive | Chain driven |
Suspension | Telescopic fork on the front and single shock on the rear |
Braking | Hydraulic disc on the front and Drum brake on the rear |
Dimension | 74.2 in x 31.3 in x 42.7 in |
Fuel capacity | 1.6 gallon |
User experience (9.5/10)
This particular bike comes from a family-oriented series. If you want to ride with your whole family, this particular lineup might be the most ideal solution.
With the potentiality of delivering high-end performance, this one is more than capable of taking you to any terrain you want.
Features worth discussing
From a bigger kid to the most adventurous adult of your family, this TT-R125LE is here to please almost everyone.
One of the primary reasons we recommend this bike to many of our users is that this one comes with a seat height of around 32 inches. As a result, almost all ages of riders will feel comfortable sitting on this bike.
At the same time, a ground clearance of more than 11 inches will bring stability and comfort simultaneously.
Again, the 5-speed transmission system with the presence of a high-torque engine will allow every individual to reach his maximum potential when he is riding on the bike.
What about the price? Well, like most other Yamaha pit bikes, this one is a little pricey as well. You will have to spend around $3,350 to get this bike.
Pros
- Being a family-oriented bike, this one will take care of every member of your family.
- The body fairings and design of this bike look stunning at the first glance.
- The forest-friendly exhaust system will allow you to ride the bike even in the most extreme conditions.
Cons
Good maintenance is what will allow you to get better performance. Initially, this bike should satisfy any user. But if you show any reluctance in maintaining the bike, the performance may deteriorate in the longer run.
4. Honda CRF150R

Specifications
Brand | Honda |
Model | CRF150R |
Engine | 149cc single-cylinder four-stroke |
Transmission | Five-speed gear shift |
Final drive | Chain driven |
Suspension | Front fork (37mm), single shock in the rear (282mm travel) |
Braking | Disc brake on both ends |
Fuel capacity | 4.3L |
Curb weight | 84.4 kg |
Dimension | 1900(L) x 770(W) x 1171(H)mm |
User experience (9/10)
Honda is always an ideal option for high-end dependability. Like most other Honda lineups, this one is also here to please the users to a great degree?
Why this might be a better option for you? The next section is for you-
Features worth discussing
What’s the best part of having a Honda motorcycle? Well, it is the engine that makes every Honda unique to the users.
This CRF150R pit bike comes with a Unicam engine that has nearly 150cc of engine displacement ratio. As a result, you can expect to get both dependability and performance simultaneously with this bike.
Another reason to go with this item is its convenient suspension system. The inclusion of a 37mm fully adjustable inverted fork on the front and single-shock suspension on the rear will ensure that you are champion-ready all the time.
At the same time, this pit bike is enough lightweight to allow almost every user to ride on this exquisite bike with ease.
Pros
- The steel-made frame used on this bike will work as a trademark of Honda.
- The price of the Honda CRF150R is reasonable enough to make you content with the purchase.
- The inclusion of larger disc brakes on both ends will come in handy for optimal stopping.
Cons
For the first two years, this one should ensure a better performance. After that, you may notice some fluctuation in the performance, which is pretty natural.
5. Suzuki RM85

Specifications
Brand | Suzuki |
Model | RM85 |
Engine Displacement | 84.7cc, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh |
Suspension | Telescopic fork on the front and coil spring on the rear |
Brake | Disc brakes |
Fuel tank | 5L |
Dimension | 71.1x28.9x43.3 inches |
Ground clearance | 12.8 inches |
Start | Kick start |
User experience (9/10)
This is another Japanese flagship model you might want to have both for you and your kid.
This is a race-inspired pit bike lineup. Therefore, if you want to make your kid a bit more competitive in this particular genre, consider having this one.
Features worth discussing
The very first reason this one is worth having is that this one comes with an elegant look. The combination of yellow and black on a very sturdy frame makes this both durable and eye-catchy.
A Suzuki pit bike hardly disappoints the users, and we can assure you that this one will not disappoint you either.
With an engine displacement ratio of 84.7cc, this one will make your kid comfortable in any situation.
At the same time, the quality engine will ensure that your champ is getting the high-notch speed he expects from the bike.
Moreover, the inclusion of a two-stroke pit bike just makes this one more reliable and faster for almost every user.
Pros
- You can expect to get smooth performance at any rpm level.
- This bike comes with a superior handling mechanism, making every kid comfortable on this bike.
- The lighter construction of this bike is always a plus point.
Cons
For this exclusive pit bike, you will have to spend nearly $4,500, which may seem a little expensive to many users.
In terms of performance, this one does not have too many issues to give you trouble, but the high-end price range might be a reason why you will need a bit more consideration.
6. Kawasaki KLX 110R

Specifications
Brand | Kawasaki |
Model | KLX 110R |
Engine displacement | 112cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke |
Final drive | Chain driven |
Suspension | Hydraulic telescopic fork on the front and single hydraulic shock on the rear |
Brakes | Mechanical drum brakes |
Dimension | 61.4x25.6x37.6 inches |
Ground clearance | 8.5 inches |
Fuel capacity | 1Gallon |
Frame | Steel frame |
User experience (8.5/10)
We have started our recommendation with Kawasaki, and we are finishing with Kawasaki as well. But this time, we will talk about the Kawasaki KLX110R.
Features worth discussing
This KLX110R is a great beginner bike. With a highly durable frame and a robust pit bike engine, this one is better capable of withstanding a high-end load to afford even a full-grown adult.
The best part about this bike is its 112cc air-cooled engine. The engine with its high-end efficiency rate is cool enough to take any beginner wherever they want to go.
Talking about the drum braking of this bike; the inclusion of larger drum brakes on both will bring forth better relevancy for all young riders.
But if you prefer more aggressive riding, you may not feel comfortable on this bike.
Another interesting fact about this beginner-friendly pit bike is that this one comes with 1 Gallon of fuel capacity. That means there will always remain plenty of fuels to give the juice that the bike requires.
Pros
- This one would be a perfect choice for any kid aged from six to ten years.
- The seat cover that comes with the bike has lots of grips to ensure stability when the rider will sit on this bike.
- The tires on the bike also provide enough traction to ride on any terrain with optimum proficiency.
Cons
If you store the bike for a long time, ensure that you are emptying the carburetor or using a fuel stabilizer to keep the bike in check.
As this bike comes with a smaller carburetor, letting the bike stay in hibernation for a long time may deteriorate the balance.
Why Japanese pit bikes are expensive?
Japanese pit bikes are expensive as they offer higher durability and lower maintenance.
At the same time, almost every Japanese bike comes with a powerful engine that can last for a long time without showing any sign of exhaustion.
Finally, Japanese bikes have created a legacy to be considered as better than the average. Therefore, the brand value of Japanese bikes might be another reason why these bikes tend to be expensive.
Final summary
No matter whether you have the budget to afford a Japanese pit bike or not, when it comes to quality and performance, these bikes always please the users.
If you have been looking for a quality Japanese pit bike to have at an affordable price range, consider choosing your item from our recommended list.