Off-Road Types
Dirt Bike Motorcycles, ATV/UTV, SxS, Powersport Vehicles
Off-road motorcycles and powersport vehicles are designed for off-road use on trails, sand, dirt, gravel and other non-paved surfaces.
Off-Road Motorcycles & Powersport Vehicles
Off-road motorcycles and vehicles are typically not street legal because they do not have proper street lighting or DOT style tires. These vehicles have long travel suspension, performance-oriented power plants, knobby tires and gravel/brush protection.
Off-road motorcycles/vehicles are broken into multiple segments such as ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), UTVs (utility terrain vehicles / side-by-side), and dirt bikes.
Manufacturers that make off-road motorcycles / vehicles are Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, KTM, Polaris, Can-Am, John Deere and Arctic Cat. Engine size ranges from 100cc to over 1000cc engines.
What is a dirt bike?
Dirt bikes are motorcycles designed for off-road use, but are lightweight. Dirt bikes are not street legal because they typically do not have lighting, horns or DOT approved tires.
Dirt bikes are usually equipped with knobby tires, lightweight frames and wheels, lightweight engines and long travel suspension. Just like ATVs, brush guard/skid plates and knuckle guards are common accessories. V-Twin, single cylinder and parallel twins are common engines in dirt bikes.
What is an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)?
ATVs are designed for off-road use and performance. ATVs have four wheels and are used in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive arrangements. Riding position is upright and the leg position is straight down. Lighting is common on ATVs for use at night, but may not be DOT-approved.
Typically, ATVs have knobby style tires, with long suspension travel and thumb/ finger style throttle (unlike twist motorcycle throttles). Brush guards/skid plates and knuckle guards are common accessories for protection of the rider and vehicle. Inline engines are common power plants. Most states do not allow ATVs for on-road use.
What is a UTV, or Side-by-Side?
UTVs, or side-by-sides, are designed for off-road use and performance. Unlike ATVs, UTVs have seating similar to automobiles. They are found in two, four and six person arrangements. UTVs have four wheels and are used in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations.
The driver of a UTV sits in a seat, steers with a steering wheel and uses a gas pedal type throttle. UTVs can have doors and have roll cages for rider and passenger(s) protection. Similar to an automobile, safety features like ABS brakes, seat belts and engine cut-off switches are used in UTVs. Inline engines are often used.