Off Road Motorcycles And ATV

Whenever a person mentions an off-road vehicle, majority of the time, SUVs come to mind. But there is a complete range of motor cycles and ATV, also available to handle rough terrain, some of which are not legal to operate on roads. Motor cycles that can operate on and off-road, are usually termed dual sport motorcycles.

Dual sport motorcycles are a very different breed of bikes compared to cruisers and sport bikes. Motorcycles originally started off as dual sport bikes, as at the time when they first appeared, road were still unpaved, this changed only 40 years from the advent of motorcycles in 1940.

The 1950's saw the development of motorcycles more suited to paved roads. In 1968, Yamaha reignited the interest in dual sport motorcycles, when they introduced the 250 cc two stroke, DT-1. This bike was comfortable to ride either on dirt tracks and pavements. The next two decades, saw the introduction of heavier, and less suitable bikes for the dirt, as many companies used four-stroke engines searching for a better combination of power, performance, comfort, weight and durability.

Dual Sport motorcycles can be grouped by weight and indented purposes. Lightweight bikes which weigh about 250 to 300 lb (110 to 140kg) are the closest to pure dirt bikes. They come with high fenders and ground clearance, and usually sporting dirt oriented tires. These bikes are most comfortable on rough dirt roads. Bikes in the weight bracket of 300 to350lb (140 to 160kg) are usually classed as middleweight bikes. They have a less ground clearance and suspension travel than light weight bikes. They are usually driven over smooth or graded dirt roads and pavements. Above 350 lb (160 kg) bikes are classed as heavyweight bikes, they are designed to mainly travel long distances on roads comfortably, but limited outings onto dirt roads.

Dual Sport Motorcycles are a combination, of various factors that are best suited to the needs of the owner. The choice of the bike should be made, based on the owners need to travel over pavement and roads, and he should accordingly buy the best suited bike for themselves.

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), are also known as quad, three wheeler, four wheeler and quad bike. ANSI says any vehicle, with a single seat and with handle bars for control travelling on low pressure tires, is known as ATV. The ATV is mainly intended to be used by a single driver, but few a manufactures do build tandem quads, which can carry two people. ATVs predominantly are available with four wheels, but also are found in three and six wheel combinations. ATVs in the United States range in engine sizes from 49 to 1,000ccs.

The major manufactures of ATVs available in the United States are Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, Arctic Cat, Bombardier, Polaris, and Kymco.

Off Road riding on bikes and quads is fun, especially on ATVs and bikes, but ensure you use them in proper designated areas and use at least a helmet and protective gear.

• Tweet