Apollo Dirt Bikes: Are They Good? Models, Sizes and Real Prices (2026)
- on October 09, 2026
- Categories: Articles
Apollo dirt bikes are budget imports, and for the money they are a fair buy if you accept basic components and give the bike a proper bolt check on day one. Our Apollo range runs from a $649 70cc automatic for small kids to a $1,799 271cc manual for adults.
Are Apollo dirt bikes any good?
They are good for what they cost, and that is the honest limit of the praise. An Apollo is not a Honda or a Yamaha, and nobody who sells them should pretend otherwise. You are paying for a working bike at a fraction of the price: a proper frame, a clutch where the bike should have one, and a working electric or kick start. You are not paying for premium suspension, tight factory fit, or a resale value that holds.
That trade suits some buyers well. A kid who will outgrow the bike in two seasons does not need a bike built for ten years. A first-time adult rider who is not sure they will stick with the sport does not need to start at the top of the price range. It suits other buyers badly: if you plan to ride hard every weekend on a bike you expect to keep for years, look at the 250cc end of the range or at a more expensive brand.
The other thing that matters is the seller. These bikes reward a buyer who can call someone before and after the purchase. Our warehouse is in Garland, Texas, and the number is 877-667-6289. Ask about the exact model you are looking at before you order, not after.
Apollo dirt bike models and prices, side by side
| Model | Engine | Transmission | Start | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB-25 | 70cc | Fully automatic | Electric | $649 | 5.0 (2) |
| DB-28 | 110cc | Fully automatic | Electric | $649 | No reviews yet |
| DB-X4 | 110cc | 4-speed semi-automatic | Kick | $749 | 5.0 (3) |
| DB-X5 RFZ | 125cc | 4-speed manual clutch | Kick | $779 | No reviews yet |
| DB-X19 | 125cc | 4-speed manual | Electric and kick | $899 | 5.0 (1) |
| Thunder 140 | 140cc | 4-speed manual | Kick | $999 | 5.0 (2) |
| Thunder 250 | 250cc | 5-speed manual | Electric and kick | $1,699 | 5.0 (1) |
| Thunder 300 | 271cc | 5-speed manual | Electric | $1,799 | 5.0 (1) |
Live Motobuys catalog data, pulled October 9, 2026. Prices and availability change; the product page is always the final word. Rating shows average score and review count where reviews exist. Browse the full Apollo collection for every size and the ATVs.
Which Apollo fits which rider?
Engine size and seat height decide this, not age. Age guidance on any dirt bike is a convention, not a rule, and the age labels on listings are only a rough starting point.
- •Smaller kids: the DB-25 ($649). A 70cc fully automatic with electric start and a 25-inch seat height. No shifting, no clutch, so the child learns throttle and balance first.
- •Bigger kids and young teens: the DB-28 ($649) or DB-X4 ($749). Both are 110cc. The DB-28 is fully automatic. The DB-X4 is semi-automatic: the rider shifts with a foot lever but there is no clutch lever to manage. That is the useful middle step before a full manual.
- •Teens and smaller adults ready for a clutch: the DB-X5 RFZ ($779) or DB-X19 ($899). Both are 125cc four-speeds. The DB-X5 has a 30-inch seat and 14-inch front tire. The DB-X19 steps up to a 17-inch front tire and adds electric start alongside the kick starter.
- •Adults: the Thunder 140 ($999), Thunder 250 ($1,699) or Thunder 300 ($1,799). The Thunder 250 lists a 35.8-inch seat and the Thunder 300 a 37-inch seat, so check your inseam before you choose. The 140cc is the easy entry; the 250cc and 271cc bikes are real full-size machines with five-speed gearboxes.
If you are torn between sizes, our guides to the 150cc dirt bike and the 250cc dirt bike for beginners go deeper on fit. For overall pricing across brands, see how much a dirt bike costs by engine size.
RFZ, DB-X, Thunder: how to read the model names
Apollo names are the most confusing part of shopping this brand. Search for an RFZ and you will find bikes labeled DB-X5, DB-X6, DB-X14 and more, all in the same 125cc class. The names tell you very little.
Compare on four things instead: transmission (automatic, semi-automatic or manual clutch), front tire size, starting method, and seat height. Two 125cc bikes in our range, the DB-X5 at $779 and the DB-X19 at $899, share an engine size and a gearbox type but differ in tire size and starting. That is the difference you feel in the garage and on the trail. Read the title and the spec list, not the model number.
What arrives, and what to do on day one
A new Apollo comes in a factory crate. On the DB-25, DB-X5 and DB-X19 listings, the assembly choice sits on the product page: assemble it yourself from the crate, or add the 100% assembled option for $149. If you have never put a handlebar, front wheel and controls on a dirt bike, the assembled option is worth the money.
Whichever you choose, do the same first hour. Go over every bolt on the bike, including axles, handlebar clamps, footpeg mounts and the sprocket. Check chain tension and tire pressure. Add the correct oil and fuel before you start the engine for the first time. Loose hardware is the cheapest problem on a budget bike to prevent, and this hour is how you prevent it.
On listings such as the DB-X5, DB-X19 and DB-36, the product page also offers a free 3-month factory parts warranty, with 6-month and 12-month extended parts coverage at $59 and $99. It covers parts only. Read the option on the page you are buying from before you add it.
Are Apollo dirt bikes street legal?
Treat them as off-road machines. Listings in this range are sold for off-road use, and some are marked off-road only in the title. What makes any dirt bike road legal depends on your state and on the equipment, and our street legal dirt bike guide explains what actually decides it. Check your local rules before you assume anything.
Frequently asked questions
Are Apollo dirt bikes good?
They are good value for the price. Expect basic components rather than premium ones, and plan to check every bolt before the first ride. They suit kids who will outgrow the bike and first-time adult riders better than anyone planning years of hard weekly riding.
Is Apollo a good dirt bike brand?
For a budget brand, yes. The range is wide, with automatics for small kids and five-speed manuals for adults, from $649 to $1,799 in our catalog. It is not a premium brand, and it should not be judged against one.
Are Apollo dirt bikes reliable?
Reliability on a budget bike depends heavily on setup. Loose hardware and skipped first-hour checks are the easiest early problems to prevent. Assemble carefully or choose the assembled option, and call us before ordering if you have doubts about a specific model.
Apollo RFZ 125 price
The DB-X5 RFZ 125cc is $779 in our catalog as of October 9, 2026, with a 4-speed manual clutch, kick start and a 30-inch seat height. Check the product page for the current price.
Apollo 250cc dirt bike price
The Apollo Thunder 250 is $1,699 and the Thunder 300 (271cc) is $1,799 as of October 9, 2026. Both are five-speed manuals with electric start.
Is an Apollo dirt bike street legal?
Treat Apollo dirt bikes as off-road machines. Some listings say off-road only in the title. Road legality depends on your state and on the equipment, so check local rules before riding on any public road.
Three Apollo bikes to start with
Not sure which size? Call us at 877-667-6289 and tell us the rider’s height and experience. Or browse every model in the Apollo collection, the full dirt bike and pit bike range, or kids dirt bikes.
