Choosing the Right Bike – Part III

Dirt bikes and motocross bikes have a lot in common, but the two styles address different goals. As always, consider the kind of riding you intend to pursue in order to select the type that's right for you.

Trail

Dirt or trail bikes are designed for just what the name suggests - riding along trails, most of which are dirt. They can be used around town, but they wouldn't be comfortable for long rides and there isn't much room for a passenger.

Trail bikes are small, lightweight and have great suspension for absorbing the shock of bumps, rocks and short falls off low cliffs. Engine sizes are on the smaller size, but often have high torque for hill climbing. Single-cylinder motors are the norm. Ground clearance is considerably greater than a cruiser or touring motorcycle.

Sometimes referred to as a dual sport or Enduro motorbike, tire selection is important. Consider where you'll do most of your riding: forest, beach, desert, back roads, hills, etc. Windscreens can be attached, but it's unusual. Dirt bike riding is often at slower speeds and no one is expected to be in front of you throwing gravel in your face.

Honda has been making trail bikes for 40 years now, and their latest models encompass everything they've learned about engines, suspension, handling and more over that time.

Motocross

Like dirt or trail bikes, motocross bikes are lightweight and have high ground clearance. But here all the attributes are taken to an extreme.

Motocross engines tend to be smaller than that of trail bikes. Traditional two-stroke engines keep the weight to a minimum. These bikes are built for fast acceleration, so they sport 5 or 6 speed gear boxes with close ratios.

To get the weight as low as possible, even stop lights and headlamps are frequently removed. Suspension is stiff, almost non-existent in feel. Motocross bikes are built for racing, and usually off-road or multi-level rather than just a simple oval track.

Aerodynamics isn't important, since the bike won't be travelling at highway speeds, but the streamlined look is still there.

Achieving comfort plays no part in the design and there's never room for passengers. Handling and maneuverability are everything. Races are won by the ability to navigate turns and low hills as quickly as possible.

When you can't stay on, don't worry. These babies are rock solid. They're built for tumbles and spills. The rider may never get up again, but the bike most certainly will.

Forget about accessories. No one is going to hang a saddlebag on these hummingbirds. They buzz and zoom, dart and dash. Even a mirror would be an unnecessary distraction. No one has time to look behind when the road ahead is hairpinned and steep.

Honda makes award-winning motocross bikes, but they've been duking it out with Kawasaki for the title of champion for decades. Both manufacturers make solid competitors.

Choosing the Right Bike – Part IV