Dirt bike vs quad vs sxs? Which one

Thess87 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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.

Boarmaster · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 14, 2025

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 · Mar 15, 2025

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 · Mar 15, 2025

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 · Mar 15, 2025

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 · Mar 16, 2025

Steve300xcw said:
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.

Steve300xcw · Mar 16, 2025

Howdoyoulikemenow said:
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.

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