Quad vs dirtbike?!

I have both a 2006 polaris predator 500 atv and a 2009 ktm 300xc witha rekluse clutch in it. Wiped out both and the atv hurt me the most with me sliding on my back and trying to kick it off me. The dirt bike I like best its less tiring on the body only have to worry about where one wheel goes instead of 2 with the quad with rocks and roots. The bike you can take a better line thats easier. Cheaper maintence only 2 wheels, lighter more suspension and the bike is alot more fun to ride then the shopping cart. If you riding the desert look into getting a steering dampener for the bike. Ive never had one but I hear alot of good things about them with rocks and roots while riding. You dont have to do 100 mph to ride. I ride mainly single track all woods and I avereage about 30 to 35 kms per hour and that feels quick with trees zipping past me then get on some double wide snowmobile trails and pin it for a bit for speed.

 

I've had both.

Dirt bikes are so much better! I've had decked out modified quads (Banshee on Elka suspension, etc...) had more fun on my stock YZ250F.

 

YES !!!!!!!!

 

yes and yes.

Only place quads are fun at are sand dunes, but even then I would still rather have a 450 dirtbike because they can jump much better.

I hate riding quads. So uncontrollable when you get into really rough sections and you try to go fast. They just buck around all over the place. On the bike you have forward and back movement, but with 4 wheels you have forward and back and side to side pitching. Its like riding a dam bull.

 

Dirt bike. ATVs are dumb unless it's for utility purposes. And dirt bikes are safer too.

 

I would sugest a dirtbike unless your going to be riding in the dunes alot like glamis, dumont, or pismo

 

I rode bikes for years before getting the quad you see in my sig, 2002 400ex and honestly only miss bikes for single track riding which is the best riding there is. But for all around any terrain, quads take the cake for me. Most the places I ride are all rock and shale and that stuff is a challenge on a bike big time, I just got tired of fighting it all the time and crashing. You go down hard on that stuff and it hurts like all hell, even with all your gear on. Mud is way easier, ruts, snow, you name it. Plus there's the drifting aspect of it that is a total blast. I will probably get another bike in the future for single track since I am growing to miss it, but from here on, 4 wheels will be my primary steed for riding. I've had more fun on this quad than I have had on any bike in the past. It all comes down to personal preference. Ride both and get what you like, then post pics!

 

Completely untrue, I've never understood why dirt bikers hate on quads so much. I used to be on the same bandwagon as you, always hating on quads until I rode one. They are just more fun in my opinion, plus they don't have to be put away when the snow flies, I can ride all year on my quad. My dirt bike was put away for 8 months out of the year which sucked, not a problem now.

 

Or, like me, get one (or more) of each. The only problem with that it summarized by the saying "You can't ride two horses with one ass". So you face a choice each time.

 

I have had both and like most have said already, it all depends on where you want to go and for what purpose.
The quads, in my case, was more for utility - going to check on the cows and checking fence lines. I could take a small tool box with me. A real work horse, and still fun at times.
The dirt bikes were mostly for fun, but I could also use it to get into tight areas where the quads could not get in. We had some really thick brushy areas with single trails where no vehicle other than a bike could get through.
So, in summary, there is no definitive answer - it's all your call based on intended use.

 

So you're saying that for example, a disabled veteran that can't ride a bike isn't a real man? Guys like my old man who fought for this country and suffered a spinal injury and can't physically ride a bike anymore because of it? This real men drive/ride whatever is so macho, just like saying you're a real man for driving an manual transmission and automatic drivers are pussies, it's all bullcrap. Way I look at it, you're a real man if you got a penis and testicles attached to your body, no?

 

I rode dirt bike growing up. I still keep my little Yamaha around even though I don't ride it much. I will beat the dead horse and echo what some have said.

It's up to you. No one can tell you which YOU will like better. Go ride both and pick.

 

Got both and love both. Bought a dual sport for commuting and light trails and then rode a quad and loved it and bought one.

 

way to much, i started on a 250 and just recently (after riding for 2 years and a little bit) i upgraded to a 400, the 250 was awesome 'till i rode the 400.

what is your physical size? the 250 was a good size for me, and i'm 6'3'' and 200+ lbs.

 

Depends for the reason you need it. Hunting in Ca., the fire roads in the forest are all, or at least the ones they want to control, blacked with either a big boulder or a big dip. The majority of them will be accessible with a dirt bike and not with a squad.

 

I think he should start with a 400, 250 is pretty small. I started on a 300 but I ride our 800 now.

 

I started on a 225 and it was underpowered for me. But he did say he will just be leisurely riding, not ripping around or jumping anything.

As much as I love bikes and never liked quads I think he should try both. A quad would be good for someone who doesn't care about being nimble or quick or getting any air, mayhaps.

 

I have been a big fan of two wheel ever since my first bicycle. I have ridden street and dirt and I don't think I have ever felt more connected to any other type of machine. There is a fundamental difference between two and four wheels and I definitely side with two. Turning and power to weight being two of the biggest reasons. But I'm not going to go into why you should buy a dirtbike since it doesn't sound like you would enjoy it as much as a quad.

If you are going to putt around then being on four wheels will be easier. It is true that when you are trying to push the limitations of the machine, four wheels are tough to handle, just cruising around should be easier on you. Also, if you have a girl or friends that would want to ride it as well then you'd be better off getting a quad.

 

FIFY

 

Really depends on where you live and what can be ridden in those areas. Like where I'm at there's no where to ride a bike only quads, unless you're willing to drive many many miles. But if you live in an area where you can ride whatever, just get what you think you will have the most fun on. Don't worry about what other people think makes somebody a 'man' over what they ride. It's all about what you like and have fun with.