Sanchez

Updated 2 November 2026 · Fan site. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.

The Sanchez is the dirt bike of Grand Theft Auto. It first appeared in Vice City (2002) and has been in every HD game since, built by Maibatsu. The 3D-era bike resembles early-1980s Yamaha and Honda trail bikes, while the HD bike follows late-2000s 450cc motocross machines such as the Yamaha YZ450F.

What is the Sanchez in GTA?

The Sanchez is a light motocross bike, the series' go-to machine for hills, dirt tracks and quick escapes through gaps cars cannot fit. After its debut in Vice City it returned in San Andreas, Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, then in GTA IV, Chinatown Wars, GTA V and GTA Online. In the HD games it is made by Maibatsu, a GTA brand with a Japanese-style name. See GTA motorcycles for the wider line-up.

Which games is the Sanchez in?

What real bike is the Sanchez based on?

The GTA Wiki compares the Vice City and Stories bikes to early-1980s trail bikes such as the first Yamaha XT250 and the Honda XL250, and the San Andreas bike to a mid-1970s Honda CR250M. The HD bike follows late-2000s Japanese 450cc machines, among them the Yamaha YZ450F and Kawasaki KX450F, which fits the GP-450 marking on its side panels. Wikipedia describes the YZ450F as a four-stroke motocross racer that magazines credit with starting the four-stroke dirt bike boom.

How does the Sanchez ride?

In GTA IV it keeps almost all its speed on dirt and wheelies easily, which makes it one of the best choices for off-road races. The downside is toughness: a few solid hits are enough to put it out of action, and the rider can be thrown off by small obstacles.

Where can you find the Sanchez?

In GTA IV one stands near the Schottler Medical Center in Broker, and the phone number 625-555-0150 spawns one directly (see GTA cheats). In San Andreas the mission "Black Project" leaves one by a shack at Arco del Oeste. In GTA V it can be bought on the in-game bike website.

Notable missions

The Sanchez is all over San Andreas. In "Wrong Side of the Tracks" CJ rides one beside a train while Big Smoke shoots at the Vagos on board, and Vagos riders chase him on Sanchezes in "End of the Line". The bike also appears in "Supply Lines", "Badlands" and "Interdiction", and Catalina leaves on one after "Tanker Commander". In Vice City, "Trial by Dirt" is a Sanchez course for Tommy, and in Liberty City Stories Toni races dirt bikes through Portland in "Booby Prize".