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Types of dirt bikes

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Matthew Bell
Types of dirt bikes

Dirt bikes are typically categorized into three groups: off-road, motocross, and street. Off-road bikes tend to have longer suspension travel, more durable components, high ground clearance, and a rugged frame geometry which allow them to withstand the rougher terrain found off paved roads or trails. Motocross motorcycles are designed for speed with less focus on ruggedness so they are more lightweight and agile than an off-road bike. Street bikes are mostly used for cruising on paved roads with low ground clearance and versatile design features allowing them to be ridden in varied conditions.

Off-road bikes are built for more versatile use than other types of motorcycles. They tend to be longer and heavier than street-legal counterparts with larger fuel tanks that allow them to traverse off-road over greater distances without requiring refueling stops. Because of their higher ground clearance, knobby tires often fitted, and long suspension travel (allowing the wheels to absorb bumps while riding), they typically have more durable components like chains, brakes, sprockets, and bodywork which tend to last longer than on normal motorcycles. The tires used off-road are manufactured specifically for this type of terrain; tires intended for street use do not perform as well on loose surfaces due to smaller tread blocks which increase rolling resistance on soft surfaces. Many dirt bikes also have a more upright seating position and wider handlebars to allow the rider to sit comfortably for long periods over rough terrain.

Motocross motorcycles are lighter, more nimble, and designed for speed and agility. They typically do not possess the durability and weight required to be ridden on unpaved surfaces like an off-road bike. Because they lack the longer suspension travel of an off-road dirt bike, motocross bikes tend to jump or crash less; this is because shorter suspension travel reduces ground clearance since it is harder to compress a smaller amount of spring or air with each wheel landing. As such, they are intended as a purely competitive machine with only one purpose: going as fast as possible around a dirt track. This makes their gearing less versatile and limits their performance on rough terrain. Many motocross bikes have also been designed to look more intimidating or aggressive in appearance than off-road dirt bikes.

Street motorcycles are mostly used for cruising along paved surfaces with low ground clearance and simplified design features which make them easier to handle in comparison to dirt bikes. Since they do not use knobby tires, they have lower ground clearance due to smaller tread blocks. They are also designed with shorter suspension travel that helps reduce the amount of lean when riding at slower speeds since they are meant for higher speeds compared to dirt bikes. Street motorcycles can often be ridden over rougher terrain however they tend to perform poorly in extreme conditions like mud or sand. Although some hybrids can serve as an off-road workhorse, most street motorcycles are designed to perform best on paved surfaces; this limits their performance on rougher terrain where knobby tires or suspension travel is required for more traction.

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