Dirt bike vs quad vs sxs? Which one

[mtnbound]

Obviously if money and space were not the issue sxs would be an easy choice for me. Anyone have different experiences? Leaning towards a quad or even a dirt bike for this season simply because I have a couple thousand acres of private I hunt that’s all uphill with only 1 road in the bottom. Thinking a dirt bike would be better suited for the narrow steep mountain handling vs something like a sxs or even a quad when trying to ride between trees and rocks up a ridge

With only being 1 road at the bottom and you mention steep and narrow a bike is probably best but that’s if you have the skill to ride in those conditions. Keep in mind packing out an animal with a bike also takes skill. If you are planning to build trails then great but if the plan is just to go cross country all of the time I would recommend a better plan.


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[OregonSteeler]

I ride quads and dirt bikes but would love a SxS.

The quad I have is a beast on the trails (Suzuki King Quad) and it amazes me how little maintenance it takes. The one issue I have is that no one else has a quad so I always ride alone. If I had a SxS, I could take others.

I have a RM250 2-stroke and I can't imagine it being useful for hunting situations. Way too loud, fast, and temperamental. Plus I'd have too much fun riding and forget that I was supposed to be hunting...

It all depends on your financial, social, and hunting needs.

 

[Flyjunky]

The pro/con has already been well stated but the terrain matters.

I have a sxs but a quad would be nice sometimes. My dad and I always hunt together so it’s nice to ride together.

I will say, as a former jeep owner, no way in hell I could have taken a jeep down some of the trails we’ve been on.

 

[EastHumboldt]

You have to be damn good on a bike to pack out an animal. The other thing to think about imo is are you gonna be able to pick that bike up with a boned out deer on it? Or half an elk or whatever. Cuz the likelihood of dropping it goes way up packing weight.

 

[BigNate]

I've only used a bike and a quad. As mentioned a bike can be taken on single track trails that a quad can't.
The bike is much trickier to ride when wearing a heavy backpack.
The quad is better for bringing out an animal. Can be used in low range, and can handle worse conditions. It can roll over on you, a bike flops.

 

[Snowwolfe]

SxS and Jeeps are to big for my use. My vote for the last 20 years is for a 6x6 ATV. Used to own Polaris Big Bosses. This time around went with a Can-Am 1000 Outlander 6x6. A 6x6 will go places a 4x4 ATV wouldn’t dream of attempting plus is way better at hill climbing.

 

[Elk97]

Riding a dirt bike with a heavy pack (meat) is really difficult and dangerous, I'd rather walk.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

I’m in a similar boat with deciding on whether to access a spot with an atv or pickup next fall. I have accessed the site with a truck 2 times in the past but it’s getting pretty grown in. I got the scratches to prove it. I like the truck for holding everything and locking but the atv might be faster to get in to the area with.

Currently leaning towards using the truck again.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

fwiw..its ok to trim some of that brush back every so often

I was planning on packing a small saw this year as I will be alone. Last year I just stopped and my dad pulled it out of the way on the real bad stuff. Good to know trimming some small stuff isn’t a big deal though.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have rode all three and I currently have a Yamaha Rhino. I use it around my place all year. Put a blade on it and plow snow or move dirt & gravel. Take it hunting and can put an elk or a couple of deer or antelope in the tilt bed. Also keeps the rain & snow off me and my hunting partner. For me no problem on my choice.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Riding a dirt bike with a heavy pack (meat) is really difficult and dangerous, I'd rather walk.

Ain’t that the truth.

 

[SloppyJ]

For a do it all type rig, it's hard to beat a good quad. But if you're running larger trails, the sxs would be nice. I'd love to take my bike hunting but I just don't feel i could ride it correctly with a 40lb pack and a rifle hanging off my back. Like someone else said, one wrong move and you're going down hard. But it is the most nimble.

 

[Maverick1]

Even if someone gave me a brand new dirt bike, I would turn around, sell it, and use the money for one of the other options.

 

[Gravel Road]

If it is truly steep and narrow, none of the 3 choices sound fun. I've had dirt bikes, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers and side by sides and steep terrain without roads suck with all of them. If there's a road at the bottom, use it, then hike up.

 

[Czechsix]

I've got4x4 and 6x6 SxS, dirt bikes, and quads, and rokon 2x2's. If it was really steep terrain, ridge runs and stuff like that, and I was going to use the vehicle to pack out stuff - I'd go with the Rokon hands down. It's not fast, and it's not quiet, but it'll get you there and back. Low enough you can plant both feet on the ground, you can add racks to them, and if you really want you can also add a small trailer, or drag an ahkio.

 

[OSU]

If it fits get a side x side. Avoid the belt driven ones and get one with a real transmission. Everyone I know who owns one with a belt ends up getting sick of replacing them and ends up selling it or stops using it. I don't even own one and I am sick of hearing about how crappy the belts are.

 

[406flyfish]

I’ve had a SXS 50” for a few years now. It is nice to have it fully enclosed and a heated cab. The ability to carry a passenger is a plus.

However, a UTV is substantially more weight than a ATV. You’re not going to upright it if it tips over like an ATV. Also, I find myself stuck in certain snow conditions, where my friends on quads can simply air down their tires and carry on.

 

[MallardSX2]

A quad with beat juice loaded tires is really the way to go.

 

[Thess87]

I have all 3 and the only reason I would take the bike is if I was hunting in a place where the width restriction kept me from taking one of the others.

 

[Davyalabama]

I looked to see if you added any information. That's a tough one to call, to me the dirt bike would be first off my list. You stated you are going in between trees and over rocks going up a hill? That's going to be a very short wheel base sxs to do that, it can be done depending on your terrain.

ATV, going up and down a hill, you're going to need ballast - front going up, rear coming down. Then, if you have a good animal on the back after a kill, the ballast will be different again. However, a good 4x4 atv with power steering will be very maneuverable.

SXS will mitigate all the cons with the ATV, but may not get between trees.

Me, I prefer a sxs, gets where I want to go, does it with more comfort and less chance of problems with hills or my worse terrains for me.