Both being off-roads vehicles, you might end up thinking that a dirt-bike and an ATV are the same. Yes, they both are road bikes, but they differ from each other. Although they are manufactured to perform off-road activities, they both differ in visual and internal appearances.
Riding an off-road bike gives an adrenaline rush and an adventurous feeling as well. It brings a different kind of joy and pleasure to the riders. So to get the most entertainment, you need to choose the best one for you.
When choosing any one of the two for your off-road amusement, people might say that “Go for the one you like because they are the same.” As they aren’t the same, so you need to know the difference and choose the one that suits your need the most.
So we’ve brought this article for you so that you can make up our mind and identify what you truly need; dirt bike vs ATV for your purpose. So read the article to the last without skipping any part.
What Is A Dirt Bike?:
The off-road motorbikes or simply dirt bikes are sporty in nature. They are made for riding in hilly tracks. In off-road trails like hill climbing, muddy and bumpy roads, dirt bikes are suitable to ride. Although they look like street bikes with two-wheels, they are manufactured for accomplishing different purposes.
Dirt bikes are made focusing on off-road bikers for getting a more adventurous and thrilling feel. Dirt bikes can be termed as a particular type of motorbike. On off-roads, where there are bumps, holes, and uneven ground, controlling your bike becomes difficult.
Maintaining balance without falling off requires a challenge and special skills. So that’s why dirt bikes are manufactured with extra features. The weight balancing is a significant factor. We’ve got a detailed discussion of the dirt bikes and their construction in the latter part of the article.
What Is An ATV?:
An All-Terrain Vehicle or ATV can be characterized as a mechanized off-road vehicle. Top many people, they are also known as mini-monster trucks or quadbikes. They are intended to go on four low-pressure or non-pneumatic tires, grabbing a chair designed to be ridden by the rider and handlebars for directing control.
ATVs are off-road vehicles housing a powerful engine that produces a massive power. They are also made for performing off-road activities like hill climbing, froing in muddy and bumpy roads. To many people, riding an ATV is like a dream coming true. They are sporty vehicles which give an adventurous feeling.
Not all types of ATVs are suitable for every person. They differ in size, build material, functions, and weight for different aged people. ATVs are partitioned into two kinds as assigned by the maker. The producer expects to use type I ATVs for a solitary administrator and no traveler. And type II ATVs for use by an administrator and a traveler. They are furnished with an assigned seating position behind the administrator.
What Differs A Dirt-Bike From An ATV?:
Both being an off-road vehicle, they have visual and internal differences. From the outside, The basic disparity between the two is visible, which is the shape and size.
We’ve made a comparative discussion between a dirt-bike and an ATV based on some parameters like-
Size:
Dirt bikes are compact in size and shape. As they are smaller in size, so they are comfortable to ride. It is seen that riders can handle and control a short and light-weighted bike better.
On the other hand, ATVs are bigger in size. They look like a small monster truck. They come in four big and wide wheels. As they have four big tires, so they are also termed as quad bikes.
Weight:
Dirt bikes are lighter in nature for comfortability. On average, an adult dirt bike weighs about 215 pounds. The lightweight helps to keep balance in the bumpy off-road and helps to ride better absorb shocks more.
An average 450cc ATV weighs around 520 pounds. This is double the size of a dirt bike. The materials used in the construction of an ATV are mainly metal. Besides the engine, big monstrous tires add more weights.
Tires:
Dirt bike tires are more grippy and absorbing. They have more threads, and the tires are bumpy with enormous squares and huge void areas to control the bike in the dirty, muddy, and sandy roads. While riding a dirt bike, you can feel the bumpy tires.
ATV tires are big and bulky, for more grips and taking more power. The wide tires allow a smooth ride and also help the bike grip the ground for steady riding. The tires are tubeless and have low pressure. Low-pressured tires have an extra advantage while riding in sandy and muddy roads.
Suspension:
The shock absorption factor is an important matter while riding a bike. The more shocks a bike gets, the looser suspension it has. As dirt bikes are driven on bumpy and muddy roads, so they receive more shocks. And that’s why they need to have better shock absorption capability. Generally, an off-road bike has a suspension travel of around twelve inches
In ATVs, independent type suspensions are used. This form of suspension enables the wheel to ride without impacting the opposite wheel movement. In ATVs, the double-wishbone suspension is widely used.
Brakes:
Off-road bike needs more controlling, and keeping them on track is difficult, so they need to have an excellent braking system.
Being an off-road vehicle, the brakes need to be a more handy and quick responsive one for ATVs. That’s why engineers used the hydraulic braking system in ATVs. The hand lever, master cylinder, brake line, brake fluid, brake calliper, and brake disc all are connected, consisting of the braking system.
On the other hand, in the brakes of a dirt bike, there are little brake rotors that help to transfer the power to the wheels. Some of them may also contain an advanced solitary plate. Bikes often depend on the front part to fuel the more significant segment of the slowing down ability
Frame And Build Material:
For a better controlling and smooth run, the weight of a bike plays an important factor. The more the light-weighted bike, the more it can be handled better and run smoothly.
The frame of a dirt bike is lighter than that of an ATV. Dirt bikes are made mostly from plastic or aluminum sheets. Plastic and sheets carry less weight than metals. So that’s why dirt bikes are much lighter than other motor vehicles.
One of the main reasons for being ATVs heavy is their body weight. ATVs are monstrous and sturdy in size. They are made differently according to their purpose. The main body parts are made up of mild steel. The tubes and many other components are manufactured by chromium-molybdenum (Chromoly) steel. They were thus making it more massive than a dirt bike.
Fuel Tank:
Off-road vehicles are used for short terms with more power. Whereas, if you want to go for long rides, then you need to have a massive tank.
Carrying a large tank needs more space and carries extra weight. So a small fuel tank saves space and makes the bike lighter at the same time. While manufacturing a dirt bike, engineers have added a little fuel capacity tank. The capacity of a fuel tank in a dirt bike is only 3 liters.
ATVs have a powerful engine than a dirt bike. So they take up more fuel. On average, an ATV has a 470cc engine. As they require more fuel, so a large tank is needed, and it adds more weight. An average ATV has a fuel capacity of 14.7 liters.
Steering:
When riding an off-road vehicle like a dirt bike or an ATV, you don’t have to apply a ton of guiding to control it.
Dirt bikes have a very easy steering system. The steering system can be done with only the handlebars. Using the steering system properly, handling and controlling the bike becomes easy.
In ATVs, the steering also works the same way as a dirt bike. But the internal working system is different. Five different types of steering systems are used.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Dirt Bike:
Pros:
- As it has less weight, so balancing the bike is easy.
- They have more suspension travel. So the shock-absorbing capacity is more.
- They come in both fuel generated and electrically generated form.
- They can comparatively generate more power compared to the weight.
- They are fuel-efficient.
- They come in a manual clutch. So they have easy steering.
Cons:
- As they come in two wheels, so they are a little bit tough for beginners to control.
- Keeping the balance is hard, so you need to stand up more to control the bike.
- They have a less fuel tank capacity.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of An ATV:
Pros:
- They are perfect for beginners and kids.
- They come with four wheels. So they are much more comfortable and easy to balance.
- The four wheels are more effective in muddy roads
- They can generate more power.
- They have a long lifetime.
- For providing more backup, they have a large fuel tank.
Cons:
- They are costlier than other bikes.
- They can only be run in 2 tracks.
- They are more injury-prone as flipping off the bikes is very common.
Dirt Bike vs. ATV- Which One Is Safe?
Safety is the number one concern, and when it comes to off-road vehicles, the problem becomes even more real. Off-road vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs are accident-prone!
Dirt bikes are light-weighted and speedy, and on the other hand, quad bikes are sturdy and heavy. As they have different body constructions, weights, and materials, so their risk factors are also different.
If you think that dirt bikes are more accident-prone and risky, then yes, you are right. Dirt bikers face more dangers than any other bike riders as they are light in weight and speedy.
Dirt bike riders face more accidents in their day to day activities. But the accidents are not that dangerous. On the other hand, although quad bike riders face less number of casualties, the accidents they face are deadly. Quad bikes are prone to severe accidents like breaking of skull bones, hand or leg bones, and sometimes even to death.
As quad bikes are more massive than dirt bikes, so once they get flipped, it’s harder to get out from the vehicle. And it results in a severe outcome. And as dirt bikes are light, so you can quickly get out from the bike and save yourself with minor injuries.
Which Is Better Dirt Bike Or ATV For Beginner Kids?:
For beginners or kids who want to get the thrilling experience of off-road bikes, quad bikes would be a good option.
The first problem that beginners face while riding a bike is keeping the balance. As most bikes come with two wheels, so it becomes difficult for beginners and kids to keep the balance and control. That’s where quad bikes can be helpful.
Quad bikes or ATVs are four-wheelers. And as a result, it’s easy to control the bike and keep the balance. So quad bikes are a number one choice when it comes to choosing it for beginners and kids.
But the real problem comes when anyone wants to have the exact same feeling of riding a bike. Only dirt bikes can be handy in this matter as they can give the perfect taste of riding a motorbike.
Dirt bikes are handy, and their control is also easy. Moreover, they are less injury-prone. Whereas, quad bikes or ATVs are heavy and much more injury-prone to riders. So considering everything, you should choose what would be best for you.
If you want to have the exact same feeling of riding a bike, then go for dirt bikes. On the other hand, if you wish to learn from basic or if you want to buy it for your kid, then go for quad bikes. But it would be best if you always kept in mind the safety parameters of these two bikes.
Which One Should You Buy?:
When the comparison comes between an ATV and a dirt bike, it becomes challenging to choose any one of them as they both have certain advantages and disadvantages.
When you’re an off-road biker or a street road biker, when the question comes of choosing a bike, then you should always try to identify your needs. Not all types of bikes are suitable for all riders. Different bikes have different parameters and drawbacks.
If you are a beginner or kid and want to get the feeling of off-road riding, then quad bikes will be the best for you. Balancing or controlling them is easy and comfortable, so they are an excellent way to learn off-road biking.
On the other hand, if you want to get the perfect feeling of riding a motorbike, then you should definitely go for dirt bikes. They are classy, lightweight, and they give a different kind of pleasure. Any bike over would choose them.
But it depends on you and your purpose. So choose the one that suits you!
Conclusion:
As you’ve read this far, we hope you’ve understood the differences between a dirt bike and an ATV. They have many advantages and drawbacks.
Dirt bikes are for people who want an adrenaline rush, thrills, and adventurous feeling. Whereas, for beginners and kids, ATVs will be the perfect option. So choose the one that meets your requirements and purpose.
That’s really all there is to when it comes to knowing a dirt bike and an ATV. Thanks for being with us the whole time. If you have queries about dirt bike vs ATV, don’t hesitate to let us know. So Good luck with choosing your off-road bike!
