Going for a dirt bike or an ATV can be a tricky choice. A dirt bike is a motorcycle designed for use on rough terrain, such as unsurfaced roads or tracks. Meanwhile, an ATV (an all-terrain vehicle or quad bike) is a motorized off-highway vehicle designed to travel on four low-pressure tyres. But which is better? We explore the pros and cons of each.
Advantages of the dirt bike
Smaller and easier to maintain. A dirt bike tends to weigh less than an ATV: they’re usually under 200 pounds – and with just two wheels and a smaller engine, they’re much easier to transport. On the flipside, an ATV is usually around 1000 pounds. Transporting a quad bike to your off-road destination can be a real hassle. And if there’s a break down off-road, you can’t simply pack it up and head home – it’ll need recovering with professional help.
Cheaper. Dirt bikes usually cost less than ATVs too. As a smaller, less complex vehicle they’ll set you back much less.
Versatility. Dirt bikes are also often more versatile. They’ll be able to fit on most off-road tracks and deal with the terrain. Meanwhile, a narrow, treacherous off-road track could defeat an ATV.
Advantages of the ATV
ATVs are usually safer to ride than dirt bikes. They have added stability from their four wheels and accelerate at a slower rate. These points combined, ensure that you should have more traction on the track and avoid crashes. Of course, this does rely on the driver being sensible and not pushing ATVs into dangerous situations.
Learning curve. In a similar vein, ATVs are usually easier to learn to ride. They tend to employ an automatic gear system which is intuitive and simple. A dirt bike, meanwhile, will use manual gear changes which require some getting used to. The stability of the four wheels – compared to two – ensures that you can adapt within 10 minutes to the rigours of riding an ATV. A dirt bike will take more time.
Durable in all weather. An ATV is equipped to tackle most weather conditions. Even in snow, you should be able to trust your ATV to take on the terrain. A dirt bike has less ability in these situations. They simply won’t be safe in icy, snowy weather – the dirt bike certainly has an off-season where you won’t be using it much.
Dirt bikes and ATVs, therefore, have competing strengths and weaknesses. To cover all bases, you might consider investing in both. If you are considering buying both – invest in multibike insurance. With both vehicles you can have exciting, useful drives in all weather – and on all tracks.
