I’m interested in getting a motorbike and I’m curious whether a dirt bike is more fun than a four-wheeler. I asked around people that have ridden both and here’s what I found.
As a general rule, neither is more fun than the other. At the end of the day, you will find both very enjoyable and fun to ride. Some people prefer the agility and maneuverability of a dirt bike. Whereas, others enjoy that you can relax in your seat much more in an ATV.
There are some well-known pros and cons of each. So, in this article, I will explain whether dirt bikes are better than ATVs, as well as which is faster: a dirt bike or an ATV. Finally, I’ll explain which is more dangerous: a dirt bike or an ATV.
Why are dirt bikes better than ATVs?
Dirt bikes have their advantages over ATVs in some areas and I did a classic pro versus cons analysis to see which one I think is better.
Dirt bikes take up less space, are lighter, and can maneuver in tighter spaces compared to ATVs. This means you can pass terrain that an ATV would have trouble with. For example, riding in between trees, or through a narrowly open fence.
However, overall both are very fun to ride. You can turn more on a dime with a motorbike and therefore it may tend to suit someone with a go-getter attitude. Whereas, the sturdiness and stability of a 4 wheeler might be preferred for someone with a calm temperament. That isn’t too fussed about going really fast.
That’s not to say four-wheelers can’t go fast, but an ATV feels more like a car when compared to a dirt bike because you can fully sit down in your seat. Rather than perching your feet narrowly on the foot pedals.
Overall, that makes ATVs far more comfortable especially on long trails. But, taking narrow corners with an ATV is somewhat difficult and for safety, it’s best to take it slow. ATVs will tip over if you take a corner too fast. And you can easily seriously injure yourself.
Is riding a dirt bike fun?
One question you may have is whether riding a dirt bike is fun, and I can talk directly from experience with this one. Here’s what I and most people think…
Riding a dirt bike is definitely fun. It can be tricky to learn how to ride at first. But, once you get the hang of riding it, it is extremely fun. The reason is that typically you ride them outdoors in nature which is very invigorating, and you can ride them over many different types of terrain.
For example, you could take them on a trailer to some sand dunes. Or, up to a National Park and ride them on some trails. They can also be used around the farm to get around quickly.
When I first rode a dirt bike I thought it was the funnest thing ever. Initially, I was really scared because the engine is really powerful. I crashed it twice but not badly so I could keep riding. And accidentally used up the whole tank of gas 2 miles from the house.
So, I had to walk all the way back. You can also use them to race and go over jumps if you’re into that sort of thing.
Which is faster, a dirt bike or ATV?
A dirt bike looks like it’s faster than an ATV. But, I was curious about whether it’s actually true. I looked at the top speed of different models to see which was faster.
Overall, dirt bikes are faster than ATVs. An ATV is significantly heavier than a dirt bike. Therefore, if you compare an ATV with the same sized engine as a dirt bike, the dirt bike will go faster because it doesn’t have to move so much weight.
However, if you have an ATV with a bigger sized engine than a dirt bike, then the ATV may have a higher top speed than the dirt bike. But, a dirt bike is quicker off the mark. And therefore more maneuverable.
An ATV has four points of contact with the ground rather than 2 like a dirt bike has. Therefore, it feels more stable to ride. There are also foot pads, where you can essentially sit down completely.
For utility, an ATV is much preferred. It has ample space on the back to store tools, and equipment. It can also be used to tow a trailer. Therefore, it can be used to transport things like kayaks, or fruits and vegetables from around the property.
With a dirt bike you can strap on a basket on the back and potentially a basket on the front, however, your options for space aren’t as generous as on an ATV.
Which is more dangerous: a dirt bike or 4 wheeler?
I heard that 4 wheelers are more prone to accidents. But, overall a lot of people I’ve talked to have had accidents on motorbikes. So, I was curious about which is more dangerous.
Generally, a 4 wheeler is more dangerous than a dirt bike (source). A 4 wheeler weighs a lot more, and therefore if it falls on top of you it will cause a worse injury. A 4 wheeler is also heavy enough that if it falls on top of you it will crush you.
The design of a 4 wheeler is such that when you lose traction you are likely to tip it. The reason is that on a dirt bike you will generally initiate a skid. And slide into a sitting position, or be flung over the top of the handlebars.
An ATV is also a bigger size. Which means there’s more of a chance it will roll on top of you. A dirt bike on the other hand is thinner so it’s more likely to miss you as you lose control and crash.
