On & Off-Road Motorcycles: Understanding the Differences
Are you looking to make some significant changes in 2024? Here at Hap’s Cycle Sales, we want you to experience the thrill of getting out and experiencing life to its fullest potential -- on a motorcycle! There are various cycles; some are built for three city streets, and others are made especially for adventures off the beaten path. Commonly referred to as street bikes and dirt bikes, their names are relatively self-explanatory regarding utilization. However, other notable differences sets these cycles apart from one another. Today, we’ll be explaining these in further detail.
Frame
Even if you’re unfamiliar with the intricacies of motorcycles, it’s relatively easy to spot the differences between a street bike and a dirt bike based on the frame alone. Motorcycles made for maneuvering around the city limits tend to be made of aluminum and are relatively close to the ground. On the other hand, dirt bikes are usually made of hard plastic that can maintain their structural integrity if the bike and rider take a tumble in the dirt. Dirt bikes tend to have an elevated ground clearance to avoid roadblocks and obstructions.
Tires
The differences in the terrain on which street and dirt bikes travel are as different as night and day. For this reason, their tires are specifically built for their purposes. Street tires tend to be smoother and composed of a soft rubber compound. Because dirt tires need to handle more challenging terrain, they tend to have deeper treads to maintain traction and are composed of thick rubber compounds.
Suspension
You might not notice this difference right away, and unless you ride a bike, you might miss it altogether. Similar to the car sitting in your driveway, a street bike has a much stiffer suspension that allows it to maintain stability at high rates of speed. In contrast, a dirt bike’s suspension tends to be looser. A loose suspension allows a dirt bike to handle the hills and twists and turns a rider might encounter off the pavement.
Choose the Right Bike at Hap’s Cycle Sales
Choosing the right cycle might seem difficult, but at Hap’s Cycle Sales in Sarasota, you’ll find that we make it easy. Whether you travel on the city streets or the dunes and dirt, we’ve got the perfect bike for you. Visit us today at 2530 17th Street to learn more. We'll see you soon!