MOTORCYCLE-GUIDES

Dirt Bike vs Street-Legal Motorcycle: Learn the Similarities, Differences & What's Best for Your Riding Style

Many avid motorcyclists began riding on a dirt bike, often as youngster, before stepping up to a street, sport, or adventure motorcycle. Let’s examine the differences between a dirt bike and a motorcycle so you can decide which type is best for your riding style.

IS A DIRT BIKE A MOTORCYCLE?

A dirt bike is a motorcycle designed to handle rough terrain in the woods, the desert or on a mountain trail or a racecourse. In fact, dirt bikes typically are not street legal because they are not equipped with lighting and emissions features, for example, which are required on a street-legal sport or adventure motorcycle.

Key features of a dirt bike include:

A narrow and lightweight design makes a dirt bike very maneuverable on tight trails and allows the rider to influence the handling by shifting their body weight. A dirt bike is not designed to carry a passenger.
Most dirt bikes are powered by a single-cylinder engine with displacement of less than 450cc. The engine is more compact and less powerful than the engine of a street motorcycle.
Suspension has very long travel and is designed to absorb bumps and ruts when trail riding, and land airborne jumps on a closed course. The tall suspension gives a dirt bike added ground clearance and a high seating position. A street, sport or adventure motorcycle does not require this much suspension travel or ground clearance.
Dirt bike wheels are designed to be very rugged with “knobby” tires with an aggressive tread pattern for good traction on any unpaved surface. These tires do not perform well on a paved surface.
A dirt bike is usually not equipped with essentials required for street riding, including full lighting, turn signals, mirrors, and a horn, because this equipment is not necessary when riding off-road and is prone to damage in the event of a bike tip-over.

TYPES OF DIRT BIKES

Within the dirt bike category are models designed for specific types of riding.

Motocross bikes are tuned to a fine edge and designed to be raced or ridden on a closed dirt course which often features large jumps and very tight turns. A motocross bike is designed primarily for competition, with very lightweight and premium components that add to its cost and may have limited durability. A motocross bike will often require more maintenance than other less-extreme dirt bikes.
Enduro bikes are similar to motocross bikes – in fact many are modified motocross bikes – designed for endurance and cross-country off-road racing. An enduro bike will have a larger fuel tank than a motocross bike so it can cover more distance. It will be geared for higher speed than a motocross bike and its engine may be tuned for a broad powerband and designed to be more durable. Some enduro models are equipped with a headlight and taillight that are not street legal, and special instrumentation with a timer used in enduro competition.
Trail bikes are intended for fun riding, rather than competition. They feature less-premium suspension components and are designed to be durable and reliable. The engines are less powerful than competition bikes, and these models are usually equipped with convenient electric starting, rather than the kick starter found on many older competition dirt bikes. Trail bikes designed for very young riders are compact and powered by a 50cc, 85cc or 100cc engine.

DOES HARLEY-DAVIDSON MAKE DIRT BIKES?

No, but Harley-Davidson® manufactures adventure touring motorcycles. Adventure motorcycles like the Pan America® 1250 Special represent one of the fastest growing segments in the market. Larger and more powerful than a dirt bike, these street-legal motorcycles offer riders an ideal combination of brilliant street performance and off-road utility with the ability to tour long distances over paved and unpaved roads. A dirt bike may stand up to the most-challenging terrain, but an adventure motorcycle offers the rider much more versatility – when the pavement ends the adventure continues.

DIRT BIKE OR STREET-LEGAL MOTORCYCLE: HOW TO CHOOSE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU

Riding any motorcycle can be great fun, but choosing the right option for you depends on what kind of fun do you want to enjoy.

A dirt bike is best for:

A rider too young for a driver’s license.
A rider with good access to off-road riding opportunities and isn't interested in riding on streets.
A rider who wants to explore far off-road on rugged trails or forest roads.
A rider interested in off-road competition.

An adventure motorcycle is best for:

A rider who wants to explore both paved and unpaved roads.
A rider who wants to tour over any road surface with a passenger and luggage.
A rider who prefers the comfort of an upright seating position.
A rider who prefers rugged style.

Below are some areas to consider when comparing dirt bikes vs motorcycles that are street legal.

Licensing: In most states, no license is required to ride a dirt bike, because there’s typically no traffic on the trails and dirt bikes are designed to tip over with minimal damage. This makes a dirt bike a great way to learn the basics of riding, especially for a person too young for a driver's license. Conversely, you do need to pass an exam or take a training course to get your motorcycle license to ride a street-legal motorcycle. The professional instruction you’ll receive by taking a certified training course, such as the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Beginner Motorcycle Course, will help you learn the skills you need to ride anywhere – on the dirt or on the street – with confidence while avoiding the bad habits many self-taught riders may pick up with confidence while avoiding the bad habits many self-taught riders may pick up.
Cost to Own & Features: Because it has fewer features and power, a dirt bike is generally less expensive to purchase than a street or adventure motorcycle. However, dirt bikes are bare bones compared to the extensive features of an adventure motorcycle. Adventure motorcycle features include not just the basic lighting and safety equipment required for street riding, but also convenience features such as cruise control, a navigation system, and on some models audio and luggage, all of which add to the street-riding experience. Dirt bikes also require less insurance and do not require registration. Most states require street-legal motorcycle riders to carry basic liability insurance and to pay for registration.
Riding Access: A dirt bike can negotiate the roughest trails and steepest climbs, terrain few street motorcycles can negotiate. This offers a great opportunity for exploration and adventure. However, you’ll need access to dirt to ride a dirt bike – either trails where riding is permitted, an OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) park or riding area, or a motocross track. And because you can’t ride a dirt bike on the street, you’ll probably need to transport the bike in a truck or on a trailer to reach the trail.

Conversely, adventure motorcycles are made for on and off road, so riders don’t have these same worries. Aboard an adventure motorcycle, when the pavement ends, a rider can keep exploring on unpaved roads and improved trails.
Distance and Versatility: You can’t ride a dirt bike on the street, so they’re much less versatile than street-legal motorcycles. Aboard a street-legal motorcycle you will be able to cover much longer distances and tour from state to state with luggage and exceptional comfort. A street-legal motorcycle can also be used for everyday transportation and commuting.
Share the Adventure: Most dirt bikes are a solo machine and are not meant to be ridden with a passenger. Many street-legal sport and adventure motorcycles are designed to carry a passenger, so you can explore together.

While dirt bikes are a part of the motorcycle family, as you’ve learned there are many differences and similarities between dirt bikes and street-legal motorcycles. To learn more, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealer.