Dirt bike vs quad vs sxs? Which one

[Poeschel]

Honda trail 125. Geared lower with better tires. Semi auto transmission is easy to drive and low seat height lets you crawl through the woods

 

[BigBender]

+1 for SxS

 

[nphunter]

I have a different perspective than most. I want nothing to do with a SXS, you can buy or build an awesome Jeep or Toyota that will go in just as many or more places than a 4 door SXS for much less. The only place a ATV makes since over a vehicle is if your riding dedicated ATV trails or cross country. Motorcycles will go more places quicker and easier but you can’t carry as much. If you get in trouble on a bike you can step off or just lay it on its side, a ATV will roll or flip with you in or inside of it and often smash you. I’ve had 3 ATV crashes where I have been to the hospital or should have and zero motorcycle crashes that have sent me to the hospital.

If the land owner doesn’t mind off trail riding an ATV would be a good choice depending on how steep it is. If it’s really steep and has cow trails a bike can be great. If there are any open ridges a good 4wd pickup or jeep or SXS is a great tool.

 

[G-RAT]

Baited bears this spring on a ktm 150 xcw.
I like dirt bikes cause you can get to more places than a sxs.

 

[Weldor]

I have a quad and SxS plus my JKU, seems I use the JKU more these days. The Cam am rides better but the same old compliant Dust and dirt and mud. LOL. It takes longer in the Jeep to there but I'm dry and semi clean LOL.

 

[Steve300xcw]

View attachment 892311
Baited bears this spring on a ktm 150 xcw.
I like dirt bikes cause you can get to more places than a sxs.

That right there is one of the funnest bikes ever made IMO

 

[ReaptheHeat]

That right there is one of the funnest bikes ever made IMO

Agreed. Weighs ~215 lbs w/o fuel. Rode the EFI version years ago and was impressed with how smooth everything was.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Agreed. Weighs ~215 lbs w/o fuel. Rode the EFI version years ago and was impressed with how smooth everything was.

never looked up the specs on it. Just know they feel damn near like a toy compared to a 250/300

I have a '23 with a head and a bit of tuning done to it. That bike will make you a better rider. They are the ultimate ****-around bike

I wouldnt want to be stuck with only that bike though. Have had it in a handful of situations where on a 250/300 it wouldnt be an issue. But on the 150....well, you now have a situation. I'm a bit more careful in what I drop down into when I'm on the lil bike


I do find it odd how tall the 150's are. Mine is taller than both my sherco 250 and the last 300xcw I had.

 

[IdahoBeav]

I have a different perspective than most. I want nothing to do with a SXS, you can buy or build an awesome Jeep or Toyota that will go in just as many or more places than a 4 door SXS for much less.

A Toyota/Jeep is about twice the weight, and you're going to spend some money on the suspension if it is to ride as good as a SxS.

 

[rclouse79]

I bought a CRF 250F. Like everything else I had to temper my initial expectations. I first had to accept the fact my skill level was not sufficient to do some of the things I daydreamed about. At this point I am sticking more to four-wheeler trails and logging roads. I did add a cyclerack to it along with a bag to go on it. I just did a trip last weekend with my son that renewed my excitement about the dirt bike.
We went into a wilderness area on a rough jeep road. I was able to comfortably carry all of the gear I needed for a three-day trip including water. I put all of the heavy stuff in the bag on the rack and tried to keep my pack light. There were several places where I don't even think a four-wheeler could have passed, due to snow. It was also super slick to be able to drive around downed trees, although we did cut and remove about a dozen. One lesson I had to learn to hard way was to take my pack off whenever doing anything technical or off trail. My elbow is still healing from when I tried going up a steep section and my pack pulled me over after getting stuck. I think the rack would allow me to haul out an animal on a good trail as long as I stayed at a conservative pace.

 

[Steve300xcw]

A Toyota/Jeep is about twice the weight, and you're going to spend some money on the suspension if it is to ride as good as a SxS.

$8-$10k toyota. $2k will getcha gears and lockers on each end. Toss $5k at the suspension if you want. Thats more than I would spend, but I'm cheap. Could save a bit more if a guy knows how to fab, and source parts.

Still not an apples to apples comparison. But I'll take the quieter, sealed up pickup that can still run down the freeway if need be over a sxs. No it wont ride as good, but I'm not in any races either..

 

[IdahoBeav]

$8-$10k toyota. $2k will getcha gears and lockers on each end. Toss $5k at the suspension if you want. Thats more than I would spend, but I'm cheap. Could save a bit more if a guy knows how to fab, and source parts.

Still not an apples to apples comparison. But I'll take the quieter, sealed up pickup that can still run down the freeway if need be over a sxs. No it wont ride as good, but I'm not in any races either..

That's going to be an old and rough Toyota for only $8-$10k, and for $2k you might be able to buy the parts for the diffs, but if you're not doing the wrenching yourself, you're going to have to pay that $2k again in labor at a shop.

 

[nphunter]

A Toyota/Jeep is about twice the weight, and you're going to spend some money on the suspension if it is to ride as good as a SxS.

Not new sxs money. I’ve had all 3, a stock plain Jane 4 door side by side is not going the places a lifted jeep or Toyota will, aired down 35’s or 37’s absorb a ton of rocks and bumps and I’d argue outride a SXS. My bother in law on their new 4 door range couldn’t even follow me over water bars above my house without getting high centered and I was driving a new Taco with 33’s. A stock 2 door will out perform a 4 seater side by side most place. With trail with restrictions unless your on an ATV or older narrow SXS your illegal too.

I agree they can do well but for me anywhere they are both legal I’ll take a jeep or Toyota with 35’s all day long and be much more comfortable doing it. In most places I’ve been a jeep is legal almost everywhere a SXS is legal.

You can buy a built 4 door rubicon for less money than a stock plain jane ranger costs new. I just sold my 2009 rubicon with a long arm lift, 37’s, hydro steering and for 22K. I could hook on my camper and drive to Idaho and hunt with it and still outperform 95% on SXS on the trail. I’ve taken that jeep places where I thought my SXS would be ruined because the trail was all boulders and I dragged bottoms the whole time on the SXS but the jeep drove up it like it was nothing.






Tracks is the one place a SXS is nice, however there’s been a trend in people selling them and going with a side kick with tracks which is what i will eventually end up doing.

 

[Steve300xcw]

That's going to be an old and rough Toyota for only $8-$10k, and for $2k you might be able to buy the parts for the diffs, but if you're not doing the wrenching yourself, you're going to have to pay that $2k again in labor at a shop.

Oh it wont be a brand new pickup thats for sure. And I am sure it depends on your location. But for $8-$10k you can find a decent rig that isnt thrashed.


Just the other day I ordered an assembled 3rd for my tacoma. 5:29's and a spool, even bought the gear oil from them. Was $1,040 plus whatever freight is to ship my core back to them.

Will order the front next month. 5:29's and a spartan locker with gear oil is $1105. Plus whatever return freight is.

I'm not about to go learning how to setup gears. But swapping out an assembled unit? Thats not a big deal.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Tracks is the one place a SXS is nice, however there’s been a trend in people selling them and going with a side kick with tracks which is what i will eventually end up doing.

Lotta guys running sxs tires on the side kicks and samurai's as well. They all seem really happy with them

 

[Dakota Dude]

I own and have hunted off all three. I take the sxs if I can. It is the most comfortable, practical, and has real room for passengers. If you get an elk or bigger animal you don't have to take multiple trips down the mountain. If the trails are too narrow, I'll take the ATV. I've hunted with the ATV the longest. The ATV's biggest bonus is that I can just load it in the back of the truck and go. I keep the sxs garaged, so I have to put it on a big trailer and strap it down. That can take a bit of time.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

How are you guys chaining up the front on the Tacoma without interference? Spacers?

 

[Steve300xcw]

How are you guys chaining up the front on the Tacoma without interference? Spacers?

Really depends on your set up. I wont be running spacers...

Even with running a skinny 10.5 wide tire, chains are goona be getting close to important stuff. Tape measure will tell you whatcha need to know.

Think i'd drag my feet on doin that until I was running out of ideas.