Dirt bike vs quad vs sxs? Which one

[Boarmaster]

I used several 4 wheelers for decades. When the main one I ride finally took a crap and not worth repairing I bought a SxS. I been using it for 2 years. I wish I would have bought one long ago.
For my purposes riding around deer hunting in the woods of Alabama it really works great. Its so nice to have that bed to haul deer and other things. Its comfortable and has a roof and windshield to keep the rain and cold air off me.

My old Polaris 800 atv got the job done but just not like this SxS does it.

I still have an old Honda foreman I keep as a spare machine but I never even used it since
I got the SxS. I will never go back to a 4wheeler.

 

[Uncle Goonie]

Ever checked out a Surron? Electric bike with some pretty good range and more suspension than a mountain bike but less than a dirt bike. I think the range is 50-70 miles depending on model, thats about the same as my dirt bikes. If a quad or sxs can make your terrain I'd prefer one of those, or a beater pickup/jeep. If those bigger rigs can't fit I'd prefer a surron or a dirtbike, assuming you can ride either well.
Honda quads have been better than great for me, have had older aircooled ones and the newer power steering/IRS ones too. Quads used for duck hunting and daily farm use. For a dirtbike, if this is it's only use I'd prefer an aircooled honda/yamaha/kawasaki in the 150-250cc range.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

One thing not mentioned is a winch. I had a winch on my Polaris 500 and I have one on my Rhino. They are mandatory in my opinion.

 

[IdahoElk]

It all depends on the trails you're planning on going down, I have to use a trail bike because Where I go it's all single tracks.

 

[jhm2023]

I've never attempted to use a dirt bike because it seems less than ideal for anything practical besides just playing. I've used both 4x4 ATVs and SxSs for hunting. Both have their pros and cons. Most SxSs are large and unable to get into the areas I want. They also exceed some fed lands due to being too wide or too heavy. 4x4 ATVs can't carry enough gear and meat and they flat out suck in steeper terrain, even when unloaded.

The best type of machine for hunting to bridge the gap in my opinion, is a 6x6 ATV. It's narrow enough to get into the nasty tight places, falls within the width and weight requirements of some fed lands, has plenty of cargo capacity to carry gear and up to an entire bull moose. Also, due to the extended wheel base and extra set of wheels, it easily scales steeper terrain within reason and also takes way more effort to get stuck and rides incredibly smooth, which is nice for a bad back on long trips.

 

[Fatcamp]

The bike is going to provide the most adventure. I say you go for it.



Seriously, though, are you an experienced bike rider? Offroad? Solid set of skills involved there.

 

[rootacres]

No experience on a bike but the idea of taking a spill with a small fortune worth of stuff strapped all over my body doesn’t sounds like fun and getting a heavy load out sounds even worse. SXS are great but occupy space and usually require a trailer which could cut your drive in short. I have a 650 Honda Rincon ATV. For solo hunts I think it’s great. Fits in the bed of the truck, so no trailer needed. It’s fairly narrow, has 4 wheel drive, 4 corner independent suspension, not super heavy, and a winch. Something many don’t talk about is a bunch of Honda products (and maybe others, I haven’t shopped quads/sxs in a while) have actual transmissions, no belts. So low range, 1st gear is nice for torque but even better for descending steep trails without having to ride your brakes. Brake fade on some of those long runs is legit.

 

[outdoor_matt]

I think an ATV fits right in the middle perfectly. Ive got a small Yamaha 350 thats great for getting in and out of tight spots and can still handle a decent load. Super cheap to maintain, will fit in the back of a truck bed, if it gets stuck can basically lift the back end and swing it over. Sometimes I wish for a bit more power or space, but it costs nothing to run.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

If you're not already very proficient and capable at riding dirt bikes on single track then I would recommend very strongly against that. Especially if you're planning on throwing weight on your back, you will crash and hurt yourself in the first quarter mile. No doubt in my mind.

Get a 4 wheeler and call it done.

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

Whats the budget?

quads seem to chase you down when something goes sideways.
SxS's are cool. Everybody I know who has one, is always fixing them though.
I am all about the dirtbikes. But think they would be a PITA to hunt from.

I'd be tempted to find a $5k-ish tacoma, toss $2k worth of gears and lockers at it. Nother couple grand in suspension and tires.

Be into a damn capable rig with both heater and a/c, that can also go down the freeway for $10k.

It is amazing how capable a pickup is, when you dont care about it....

Around here the only Taco to be had for 5K would be a parts truck. No way would you find a driver for that. No way.

 

[Fatcamp]

Have you even looked? It wont be a cream puff that you can take your mom to church in. But for a woods truck who really cares ? Am seeing straight axle toyota's that are getting down in price as well. I'd toss ball joints at all the tacomas just for piece of mind and party on. High mileage really wouldnt concern me considering the rig might see 10k miles a year...

Heres about 4 minutes worth of searching.

$3250, needs a weekend worth of work

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$5500

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$5k has E-locker. Needs a weekend worth of work.

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$5k

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Its an '85 for $8k but is geared, locked with dual cases

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$6k

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$5700

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$6500

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$6800

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We don't have those here.

 

[Speaks]

I have a quad and a side by side. Overall use skews slightlyside by side, hunting use skews slightly quad. Can just get it more places.

 

[jimh406]

Midsize Polaris Ranger is useful to carry supplies, firewood, tent, tree stand, targets or a deer, etc. I'd go with that.

 

[Fatcamp]

Buy a plane ticket an drive it home?

I sold a cheap f350 a few months ago. Guy drove the thing near 13 hours home

That's what I'm thinking, but it's more like 25 hours. And when it grenades on the Interstate I could just take a bus from there.

 

[KSAaron]

I have a Ranger XP 1000 and love it but have a new spot to hunt that won't allow a trailer to be driven in easy. Loved the idea of an e-bike but just seems to limit what you can do. Shopping for a 4 wheeler now that will fit in the bed of the truck.

 

[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.