REVIEW: 8291 Dirt Bike

[Siegfried]

The 8291 Dirt Bike comes from a long line of Technic bikes, and I think it's the best ever.

It looks great, and it's fun to ride around in the house. I hoped to find a figure the right size for it, but none of mine would fit.

Unlike a lot of Technic models, it looks good from all angles.

Considering the size of the model it has a complicated way of connecting the engine to the wheel.

The rear shocks are just the right stiffness...

...and they have a good amount of travel.

I thought these shocks were new. I need to get out more...

Functions:

Shocks: Two front, one stiffer one in the rear.

Drivetrain: 2 piston engine linked to the rear wheel via gears and a chainlink.

Steering: Yes it does...

Stand: Retractable.

For the price, size and subject, what else could be added? 10/10

Parts: Considering that it has three shocks and a 40 chainlinks it's a great set for parts. Some hard to use large parts are included, but they are not overused. The usage of the green does limit part usage somewhat though, and I'll be struggling to find a use for those wheels for anything other than a motorbike. 8/10

Price: At $39.99 AUD for 248 parts it isn't the best value set. The US price is $25.00 which is somewhat better. It does have some more complicated parts however. 7/10

Looks: Lego seems to be moving away from the see-though look for Technic sets and this is a good example of it. I'm not a big fan of fairings but I think they work great in this set as a fuel tank. 8/10

Fudge: This set was great for me as I have never had a Technic bike. However for those that want this for just parts or have other bikes it could be a hard sell. The alternate model (a chopper) is a complete rebuild (which I didn't make), and it's great that Lego have been including these most of the time lately. 7/10

Overall: Recommended. 8/10

[Front]

I think the green motocross bike looks great. I like the use of fairings on this bike.

The only thing I really don't like about the Technics bikes in general, is the "clumsy" design of the chaindrive. It sticks way to much out to the side. If they made a really big bike model, it would be more in place with this chain drive. I'm not sure if it wouldn't be possible to design a shaft drive to the rear wheel, ala BMW style.

But the green "Kawasaki" look great with the front and rear suspension. I have the Street Bike, 8420, a somewhat larger and more complicated set, and will probably add the motocross bike to my collection soon.

It would be great if Lego could make a line of bikes, like they do the Ferrari line.

Front

[VBBN]

I saw this set at my TRU for only $20.00. Now I might go get it! Thanks sinner for another nice review!

hoped to find a figure the right size for it, but none of mine would fit.

Well, just sit your booty down and ride it wourself... ... Okay, well, maybe if you have a bionicle lying around or a halo figure.

[Asuka]

A very good review, thanks, Sinner.

That´s really a pretty cool model, very detailed with useful parts too.... hmm, perhaps that one´s gonna get the first Technic set

I´ll buy, beside that 4481 Hailfire Droid.... um, thank you, Sinner....

[Ickelpete]

Thanks for the Great review Sinner

I like the Technic bikes

I wonder how it would look if you replaced the gear on the back wheel with a smaller one?

[Lasse D]

I have just finished building this set. I was a bit disappointed with the amount of bricks when they were out on my table, but the final model is really nice and totally makes up for that. I like the small details like on the handles and fuel tank and the only real negative thing I can say is that the cog seems a bit oversized in the rear.

I don't know if the designer frequents this forum, but I'm sure he will be happy about how much you like it - it took quite some time/prototypes to get to this design:

(Sorry about the size of the picture - it isn't mine)

[Hinckley]

Best review of a Lime Green Technic Dirt Bike ever! Really, it is. I just don't understand the allure of the bike very much. Where does the Fabuland fig go? Anyway, very insightful review. Thanks for taking the time and effort to review it for us. I'm not really interested in the set, but wanted to support my buddy since I know how much work you put into these. Now I shall go read the cherry picker one. I look forward to it because there's a walrus in it.

It must be cold in that room. Nice shirt, but the vertical hold is broken...

[Front]

It must be cold in that room. Nice shirt, but the vertical hold is broken...

It's a meeting room in Billund :-) The temperature is usually fine there according to my memory.

I must say that's a nice collection of motocross bikes the employe is displaying. Building technic is such a specialist dicipline, I think it takes a lot of patience to finalize the design of a model, even such a relative simpel one as this "cute" bike.

Front

[Siegfried]

Thanks everyone for your comments! Thanks Lasse D for that picture too.

I wonder how it would look if you replaced the gear on the back wheel with a smaller one?

I'll try to take a photo this weekend.

Best review of a Lime Green Technic Dirt Bike ever! Really, it is. I just don't understand the allure of the bike very much. Where does the Fabuland fig go?

I did try to find a figure, any figure, that would fit. My Final Fantasy ones were too small... and the Galidor girl one looked silly as it made he look saddle sore...

It must be cold in that room. Nice shirt, but the vertical hold is broken...

I must say that's a nice collection of motocross bikes the employe is displaying. Building technic is such a specialist dicipline, I think it takes a lot of patience to finalize the design of a model, even such a relative simpel one as this "cute" bike.

Front

Indeed it would. I marvel at how they are explained so relatively simply in the instructions. It must take a lot of tweaking to have the model easy to assemble.

[Siegfried]

I'll try to take a photo this weekend.

Well, I took the photo but didn't get around to posting it!

Here it is with a smaller gear. I think it looks better...

...the problem is that it's too tight and it doesn't rotate as freely anymore.

Adding another link makes it too loose! Thus the set is probably the way it is as it's the gear that fit best.

[simonwillems]

How did I manage to miss this review? I must have overlooked it somehow...

Thanks for making this one Sinner, it's always nice to see reviews of Technic sets.

I'm not so sure whether I like this set, I am not that much into motorbikes, but Lego did a good job on this one. It looks a lot like an upgraded version of one of the first bikes Lego made, namely the 8838 Shock Cycle. I also believe the back gearwheel is somewhat oversized, it looks better with the smaller one you attached.

It is good to see that Lego is back to making the Technic sets the way they were (except for the green, that is )

[Siegfried]

How did I manage to miss this review? I must have overlooked it somehow...

You must have been ignoring me! It's been in my signature for weeks!

It looks a lot like an upgraded version of one of the first bikes Lego made, namely the 8838 Shock Cycle. I also believe the back gearwheel is somewhat oversized, it looks better with the smaller one you attached.

Yes, it does seem to be a remake. The Shock Cycle even has a dangly chain like my modded version... As a set I'd prefer the old one due to the four indentical springs.

[simonwillems]

You must have been ignoring me! It's been in my signature for weeks!

This is when shame kicks in...