Essay on Quad vs. Dirt Bike
A quad and a dirt bike are very popular vehicles among customers, who enjoy active lifestyle and active drive. At the same time, the quad and the dirt bike, being both bikes in their essence, are quite different. What is meant here is the fact that they are both bikes, although their construction and power are different. This is why people choosing the quad or the dirt bike should take into consideration substantial differences that exit between the two vehicles and make the choice on the ground of personal preferences. This is why it is impossible to estimate that either the quad or the dirt bike is better. Instead, the comparison of the two vehicles can reveal substantial differences between them, while customers should make the choice on the ground of their personal preferences but it is obvious that the major differences between the quad and the dirt bike are determined by the different construction of the two vehicles and different purposes they were created for.
Both the quad and the dirt bike develop to be used in difficult conditions but they have different purposes for the dirt bike is traditionally used as a sport utility vehicle, whereas the quad is used for rides in difficult conditions. In fact, the quad and the dirt bike are similar in terms of the basis on the ground of which they are constructed. Both the quad and the dirt bike are motorcycles in their essence.
At the same time, the quad is more stable compared to the dirt bike while driving because it has four wheels compared to two wheels of the dirt bike. As the quad has four wheels it is easier to ride the quad than the dirt bike, while the risk of accident or damage is lower in case of riding the quad than in case of riding the dirt bike (Domino, 2009). In fact, the dirt bike has just two wheels and, therefore, the dirt bike is more vulnerable to external impact, such as the impact of wind that may affect the stability of the bike on the road or off road. The point is that normally it is easier to keep under control the four-wheel quad than two-wheel dirt bike.
On the other hand, the dirt bike is lighter compared to the quad but it can move more efficiently in narrower places compared to the quad. Therefore, it is easier to make maneuvers while riding the dirt bike than while riding the quad. At the same time, the lighter weight of the dirt bike does not always mean the higher fuel efficiency. As a rule, the dirt bike is used in difficult conditions, including sport events. Therefore the fuel efficiency decreases as the conditions in which the vehicle is used becomes harder. In this regard, the dirt bike is similar to the quad. In fact, the fuel efficiency can hardly be applied to either the quad or the dirt bike because they are not supposed to be destined for consumers, who care about fuel efficiency. Instead, the two vehicles are destined for drivers, who life riding them but in different conditions.
Remarkably the quad can pull a trailer that is more convenient for recreation, while the dirt bike cannot. In this regard, the quad is more functional since the driver can pull another quad or a trailer. This is why the quad is more convenient for recreation but, as a rule, the quad is used off road, as an alternative means of transportation, and often it is very convenient to use the quad to pull the trailer, for instance.
Furthermore, the dirt bike is more convenient for racing than the quad. In fact, the dirt bike is often used for racing and sport. At the same time, unlike sport bikes, the dirt bike is more convenient for off road races that makes it closer to the quad, which is very convenient to use off road. However, unlike the dirt bike, the quad is less convenient for races because its speed is much lower compared to the dirt bike, it is heavier and less convenient for high speed driving (Acosta & Rodríguez 2001). In contrast, the dirt bike has the construction that is suitable for races, including races off road, which make the dirt bike among those drivers, who like speed and races.
At the same time, the quad is more expensive than the dirt bike. The high costs of the quad compared to the dirt bike are determined by the complex construction, which is quite different from that of the dirt bike. Even though the construction of the quad makes it slower than the dirt bike but it adds the price of the quad consistently. In addition, the quad needs a more powerful engine than the dirt bike, which is consistently lighter and has a different construction. This is why the costs of the construction of the quad are higher and so is the price of the quad compared to the dirt bike.
In fact, the main advantage of the dirt bike is speed, while the quad is like a mini truck (Ganos et al, 1988). The high speed of the dirt bike is the result of the major purpose the dirt bike is constructed for. The dirt bike will never be used as a mini truck. In contrast, the dirt bike is used for high speed or active driving as well as for races. Instead, the quad is used for different purposes. As a rule, the quad is used for off road driving in difficult conditions, where the speed is of little, if any, importance, while the driving itself and driving skills are crucial as well as capacity of the vehicle and its off road potential.
Drivers can make more tricks on the dirt bike than on the quad. However, such difference is often quite subjective and the number of tricks a driver can make depends on his or her skills rather than on the vehicle. Nonetheless, from the physical point of view, the dirt bike is definitely more convenient for making tricks compared to the quad. In this regard, the difference in the construction of the two vehicles plays the determinant part again.
Some quads can be and are adapted to children as drivers, while dirt bikes are destined for adult drivers mainly and they cannot be driven by children, at least at the age under 16 (Brown et al, 2002). In fact, the dirt bike is not destined for driving by a child because this bike implies aggressive driving, while its safety is lower compared to the quad. In addition, it is always more difficult for children to drive a two-wheel vehicle compared to a four-wheel, like the quad. Moreover, quads have special modifications that are developed for children specifically. They have special seats and driving instruments and lower engine power that makes driving safer and decreases the risk of accidents and damages. Nevertheless, whatever the bike is, the quad or the dirt bike, drivers should always wear helmet and other special equipment, if needed, for instance, in case of races or sport competitions.
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that each vehicle is destined for its specific target customer group and customers should choose the vehicle respectively to their needs and preferences. This is why consumers should choose the bike respectively to their personal inclinations. In this regard, the dirt bike is developed for aggressive and fast driving on and off road, whereas the quad is destined for active driving and recreation off road but not for racing.
