Motorhead may be relatively new in Nepal but the Chinese motorcycle brand has come a long way since it was established in 2005. Today, the brand manufactures over 200,000 units a year and has primarily established itself in the auto markets of South America, Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa. In Nepal, the brand has focused on introducing new products at cutthroat prices.

For this iteration of Wheels, the Post test drove the Motorhead MH 200X. Let’s find out if the dirt bike is any good or is it just another ‘Made in China’ product?

The MH 200X resembles the Honda XR. You read that right. It has the typical dirt bike frame—knobby tyres, spoke-wheels, a front mudguard, upswept exhaust and a high ground clearance—but there is one thing that separates the bike from the rest, its relatively low seating.

At 820mm, the bike is easy to ride. I am 5ft 5 and I managed to put both feet on the ground, albeit on tip-toes. Riding any other dirt bike would not be possible even if I had a riding book on. It also helps that the seat on the MH 200X is narrow and the rear suspension compresses once you get on the bike, which further lowers the seating.

For a dirt bike, the MH 200X is loaded with a 12-litre tank which will save you refilling blues and give you longer trips. The bike has a digital display speedometer, RPM reader, odometer, trip meter and even a gear-position indicator, and the instrument cluster is easy to read even under direct sunlight. However, the fuel gauge is an analogue unit.

The MH 200X is powered by a single-cylinder 199cc, an air-cooled engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The engine produces a maximum power of 16 BHP and a maximum torque of 17 Nm at 6500 RPM.

Like most dirt bikes, the power delivery is focused on the low end. Its throttle response is good and the bike is willing to pick up speed when needed. However, as the RPMs climb, the bike starts to vibrate. I found the sweet spot for a vibration-free ride to be in the mid-40s to 50s.

Stopping duties are handled by hydraulic disk brakes on both the wheels and while they work well, the bike misses out on ABS.

The MH 200X is a very forgiving bike and can even handle the occasional drop. Just dust off the dirt, thumb the starter and the bike is ready to hit the dirt. It is also equipped with a decent pair of handguards that will save you some bucks and a trip to the mechanic.

Weighing just 133 kgs, the MH 200X is easy to handle, both on the tarmac and off-road. The wide handlebar is easy to steer and the rearview mirrors offer good coverage. Its stock seat has enough padding to keep your bottom comfortable for longer rides. You can also forget about all the potholes and simply move forward without a worry thanks to the bike’s supple suspension. Its inverted front forks and rear mono-shock have been tuned perfectly to tackle off-road conditions.

The stock tyres on the MH 200X also perform well on wet road conditions. For off-roading, its knobby tyres offer ample traction and confidence. With a ground clearance of 260mm, you will not have to worry about bottoming out on obstacles and you can take the bike anywhere you wish. Needless to say, the upright riding position is also very comfortable.

The MH 200X has a throaty exhaust tone and I was pleasantly surprised on my way to Khokana. It won’t disturb anyone’s sleep when you start the bike in the morning.

However, one thing that could be improved in the MH 200X is the engine heat. I could feel the heat on my calf while riding but this could be alleviated by using better quality engine oil or by simply going faster.

The MH 200X is one of the most affordable dirt bikes in the market, priced at just Rs372,000. It is perfect for those looking to ride a dirt bike but don’t want to shell out a ton of cash. The preppy engine and seat height along with its massive fuel tank make it a capable city commuter. It does have a few niggles here and there but the riding experience is surprisingly good for its price. The forgiving nature of the bike also allows beginners to safely learn how to ride on the dirt.