playing in the woods- dirt bike or ATV ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Been a LONG time since I have ridden offroad. Been thinking about picking up a used dirt bike or ATV. So what are the pro's and con's of each ? Just looking for general trail riding. Two stroke or four stroke ? I'm 5 ' 10 " and 220 lbs. so I'm thinking at least a 250 .

[nota]

lots of hopped up golf carts out there also

[varmint]

strange state law says that most dirt bikes and all atvs cannot be driven on the road. this creates the hassle of having to trailer everything to get anywhere fun.


bought one of these a few years back. splits the difference between the two. amazing the number of places i've been able to ride it.








otherwise i'd suggest a used honda 250. the 450 is overkill.

[porsche4life]

Polaris RZR...

[scottmandue]

If you haven't been off road for a while maybe safer to go with an ATV.

Do they even make new 2 stroke ATV's?

[LakeCleElum]

It really depends on your local terrian, land access and licensing laws......

I biased as I've been riding dirt bikes for over 50 years. I can currently ride a M/C out the back door of both my house and cabin......Endless choices of where to go....

ATV: Until this year, not legal in the area except Forest Service 4X4 trails (not FS roads)......So, sometimes ride a trail for an hour, load up and transport to the next trail......

So, long story short, I buy my very first ATV this past spring. Mainly to help plow snow in the winter....I checked last night and i've put exactly 18 miles on it since April; 1/2 of that was in the Search/Rescue training class......I've tried to ride up in the hills above my house, it just not as fun as a MC to me.....

I say, get a street legal MC with electric start....Depending on where you want to go, maybe a 400 like the DRZ Suzook? Very personal choice for sure. For off road, I have a 625 KTM and a 650 Honda XR650L......The larger size comes in handy when riding highways between trails and getting up steep hills......Enjoy

[BK911]

50" rzr. I have the 570 and it is fuch'n awesome!! Even has cup holders.

[A930Rocket]

These dirt bike threads have me looking again. Last time I had the TTR250. Ok bike but kinda slow.

[Westy]

Bikes are more work. If that floats ur boat, go for it. Quads are more fun for all around use. Rode quads for over 30 years, 15 different quads. A 250 will bore you after a few rides. For your size, a Suzuki Z400 or Kawi 400 (same quad different plastic) will never let you down. Smooth efficient motor, nice ergonomics, and great mileage, electric start (more important than you know). Also, if you roll it, just put it back on all four and off you go. My wife has done it 3 times!!!! I'm into SXSs now, and that's a whole different discussion. Good luck with ur choice.

[aigel]

I just went through this and decided on a bike. It can be hauled easier, on a hitch carrier for example. It also can be had with a license plate for driving on public roads. My use will be in the national forest for fun or to get to a hunting spot not having to break down the truck camper. I will not hunt off it (otherwise a quad would be better, I suppose).

G

[Westy]

aigel...get a riding buddy and go to Sugar Pine (just east of Forresthill). Maybe 3 hrs from the Bay Area. Plenty of campsites for your RV, and you ride out of camp. 7-9 quad/bike trails, and they're marked pretty good. Mountains, creeks and rivers, trees......just a gorgeous place. Used to ride there almost every week, weather permitting.

[javadog]

Motocross bike, minumum 400 or 450cc. No electric start, not road legal. Modern, not an antique 80's bike. A 250 two stroke would also work. Buy as recent as you can, if you go that route.

Dual purpose bikes are too heavy for playing in the woods. A 250 will bore you to death, if you have any riding skills. An ATV is for a drunk redneck, they are just obstacles in my area. All riders hate them.

JR

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by javadog

An ATV is for a drunk redneck, they are just obstacles in my area. All riders hate them.
JR

+1

Well said! But I might disagree about "antique '80s bike". I still occasionally take out my '78 Maico 400. It was a sweet bike in '78, and it still is today.

[javadog]

Nah, it's vintage crap. Air-cooled, twin (useless) shocks, steel frame and swingarm, spindly forks and drum brakes.

I'd at least want something with better suspension. The drum brakes are a big deal, too. My '83 CR250 has drums and it fades them quickly. No match for my newer stuff, with discs.

JR

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by javadog

Nah, it's vintage crap. Air-cooled, twin (useless) shocks, steel frame and swingarm, spindly forks and drum brakes.

I'd at least want something with better suspension. The drum brakes are a big deal, too. My '83 CR250 has drums and it fades them quickly. No match for my newer stuff, with discs.

JR

From a technical standpoint, yeah, can't argue with any of that. But its just a whole lot more fun than riding a modern bike. It shakes, rattles, smokes, smells,.....and goes like hell. Its like some great mythological beast from an old '70s Frazetta painting, and I feel like a barbarian warrior astride it. Take it out to a local MX park occasionally. Young guys on modern water cooled jap sewing machines can't believe an old fart on "vintage crap" can keep up pretty well with most of them. I always offer to let the young pups ride it, if they can start it. Fun to watch them cursing and hobbling around after it kicks back and tries to break their leg (OK, I conveniently forget to mention the compression release). Great fun.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Daves911L

+1

Well said! But I might disagree about "antique '80s bike". I still occasionally take out my '78 Maico 400. It was a sweet bike in '78, and it still is today.

Pics pics pics...... Of the Maico please!

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Daves911L

But I might disagree about "antique '80s bike". I still occasionally take out my '78 Maico 400. It was a sweet bike in '78, and it still is today.

I still have my '74 Yammie 360.
It's a great recreational trail bike, and very capable - unless you're 20 and want big air every time you go over something.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Daves911L

From a technical standpoint, yeah, can't argue with any of that. But its just a whole lot more fun than riding a modern bike. It shakes, rattles, smokes, smells,.....and goes like hell. Its like some great mythological beast from an old '70s Frazetta painting, and I feel like a barbarian warrior astride it. Take it out to a local MX park occasionally. Young guys on modern water cooled jap sewing machines can't believe an old fart on "vintage crap" can keep up pretty well with most of them. I always offer to let the young pups ride it, if they can start it. Fun to watch them cursing and hobbling around after it kicks back and tries to break their leg (OK, I conveniently forget to mention the compression release). Great fun.

I get the sentiment. I can still enjoy my old CR, as it is lighter than even the lightest of the 4 strokes. Still, woods riding requires a lot of control and pretty precise handling and braking. It's easy for a rut or a rock to ruin your day, so it's nice to have a little control over your trajectory.

Most people ride to their limits, not their bike's limits, so you can occasionally surprise a few people. I once had a nice dice in a race with a friend of mine, a pro level rider, and he was riding a damn BSA 50.

I don't have to have last year's bike, but something from the last 15 years is nice.

JR

[Cajundaddy]

It really depends on your skill level, what you want to do with it, and where you want to go. Everyone has their own wants that will narrow the field. I came from 2 stroke race bikes back in the 70s-80s but I think they are the wrong tool for fire-road riding in the woods. I appreciate reasonably light, elect start, modern suspension, docile or powerful depending on throttle position. At 175 lbs I want at least 400cc so it can get out of it's own way and cruise the highway without banging redline.

Others will have different wants.

[yetibone]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

I still have my '74 Yammie 360.
It's a great recreational trail bike, and very capable - unless you're 20 and want big air every time you go over something.

Is it like this one? I'd buy it from you if'n you wanna sell it



I used to have one years ago, and it was such a pleasure to ride. Reliable, smooth, and powerful. I'd trade my XR for another one with lights, a horn, and a title.



Oh, I prefer a dirt bike over an ATV. They fit between the trees better.