What's better, an ATV or a pit bike?

Today, motorsports is increasingly winning the hearts of all age categories, from very young 4-year-old pilots to fairly mature people over 30 years old. And besides the love of drive and speed, they are united by the difficulty of deciding what to choose - a pit bike or an enduro, a motorcycle, an ATV, a scooter. In this publication, we will consider the pros and cons of each type of technology, and on this basis we will try to give advice on what is better.

What is a pit bike?

Today, this term refers to small off-road motocross motorcycles that are popular among those who want to try their hand at motorsports, but are not sure whether they can do it.

Among the strengths of pitas are::

affordable price;
compact size and light weight;
wide range of models, incl. children's specimens;
ease of operation and high safety;
opportunity to use in professional sports.

The main disadvantage is that they can only be used on special tracks or off-road, because... in Russia, equipment certified as sports equipment does not have a vehicle passport (PTS), and, therefore, it is impossible to obtain a driver’s license to operate it, and without them, traffic police officers can constantly apply penalties.

There are many opinions on what to choose from, and we will answer the most difficult questions, what is better, a pit bike or an enduro , and what to choose, a pit bike or an enduro , at the end of the article.

Next, we’ll look at pit bikes paired with various types of motorcycles.

Second step: speed indicators

We have already noted that ATVs are not as fast as motorcycles. This is logical - pit bikes weigh less, have higher dynamic performance, and less resistance to oncoming air flow. It will not be difficult to accelerate them in a straight line in a few seconds. But the question is: is this speed important in off-road conditions? If you are an athlete - of course, if you are a tourist or amateur - not especially.

ATVs are slower. Typically, the speed of utilitarian vehicles does not exceed 70-90 km/h. But they are not designed for racing, their main task is to overcome off-road conditions and pull loads, and quads do this job perfectly well. By the way, sports models of four-wheelers are also quite fast - they can drive 130 km/h, but they are not suitable for off-road use.

So, if speed is important to you, choose a pit bike; if practicality comes first, choose an ATV.

What is better, a pit bike or a scooter?

If you look from a financial point of view, then the scooter wins here - it is a little cheaper, prices start at 10 thousand rubles. However, do not forget that for this money you will buy “so-so” equipment - it will most likely be a tired Chinese who will be capricious and often break down.

So, what is better, a pit bike or a scooter ? If we talk about the possibilities of movement, the situation here is twofold: on the one hand, you can move on a scooter on public roads, since it is registered with the traffic police. But, accordingly, to drive it you need a license of category M, A1 or A, depending on the number of cubes in the engine, which can only be obtained from 16 or 18 years old - and this is the other side of the coin, because pit bikes can be ridden from 4 years.

Scooters are inferior to pits in terms of drive and adrenaline. After all, a pit is a specialized technique for racing on sports tracks, motocross and off-road driving. But if this is not important for you, and what is more important is to quickly and easily move around the city without wasting time in traffic jams, then buy a scooter.

Disadvantages of pit bikes

Mini motorcycles are not suitable for riding on hard and fast ground. Unlike a four-wheeled ATV, a pit bike lacks stability and is almost impossible to ride in a normal stance.

Other disadvantages of mini motorcycles.

Cooling is air-oil, so the engine quickly overheats. Dirt stuck to a hot engine can “stick”, and it will be very difficult to wash it off.
Pit bikes don't work well in mud. If there is a need to use the bike for riding in slush, you need to improve the protection of the engine from dirt. We should not forget about air cooling.
Many models are equipped with Chinese carburetors.
Vibration often causes the bolts to come loose and need to be tightened.
There are restrictions on geometric cross-country ability: mini-motorcycles “don’t like” snowdrifts and don’t ride well in loose snow.
Riding low bikes is a dubious pleasure. When riding tall and heavy models, even an experienced rider can fall and be seriously injured.
The oil needs to be changed frequently. On average, the oil change period is 20 engine hours (during normal riding, it has to be changed approximately once a month).
Pit bikes are very loud.
Immediately after washing, the mini-motorcycle may not start for some time.

Particular care must be taken when getting on a bike for the first time: the mini-motorcycle has a short wheelbase and a fairly high-spirited engine.

What's better, an ATV or a pit bike?

The most important advantages of a pit bike over an ATV are the following:

more mobile;
the price is half as much;
eats less fuel;
no need to obtain a driver's license.

The main advantage of ATVs is their high cross-country ability; it’s not for nothing that they are called all-terrain vehicles. Therefore, if you are over 16 years old and need to constantly conquer difficult off-road conditions, this is the equipment for you.

By the way, it should be noted that, despite the mandatory availability of licenses (and not ordinary ones, but issued by Gostekhnadzor and intended for tractor drivers), ATVs, just like pit bikes, do not have the right to appear on public roads.

Advantages of ATVs

Such vehicles are deservedly popular. Their main advantages include the following:

High cross-country ability. They overcome any rough terrain - rocky soils, coastal zones, hills, fields, forest belts. The light weight of the vehicle only improves the quality of the all-terrain vehicle.
All-weather. Rain, snow, puddles, washed out roads - all this is not a problem for an ATV. The textured tread provides reliable grip on any road surface.
Versatility. Can be used not only for tourism, entertainment or hobbies. This transport is especially in demand on farms. It is even used for plowing land, transporting goods, mowing lawns, and removing snow.
Compactness. Due to the small dimensions of this type of motorcycle, there are no problems during storage or transportation. It can be moved using a small trailer.
Excellent technical characteristics. Despite its modest size and equipment, the vehicle can accelerate to 70-80 km/h. Models with a powerful engine even exceed the 100 km/h mark.
Maneuverability and controllability. Even a child can get behind the wheel. It’s not for nothing that there are so many models on the market for young riders from 5 to 16 years old. Compact dimensions significantly increase maneuverability.

The ATV has both pros and cons

Even a non-professional can handle repairing this equipment. The simplicity of the device allows you to independently eliminate minor defects or carry out easy tuning.

What is better, a pit bike or a motorcycle?

Having considered above the advantages and disadvantages of a pit bike over scooters and ATVs, we come to such serious equipment as motorcycles. Let us note right away that they differ in type and class, this is the first advantage of the motorcycle over the pit.

If, in general, we compare which is better, a pit bike or a motorcycle , then we need to start from several parameters:

Dimensions. Motorcycles are heavier in weight and larger in size. Let us remind you that any pit can be easily placed in the trunk of a minivan.
Engine power and displacement. Although motorcycles also differ in these indicators, depending on the class, in general, the equipment is more powerful. For example, the engine power of a Suzuki cross-country motorcycle with 125 cc is 12 hp, and on a BSE pit bike with an engine capacity of 125 cc – 8.8 hp.
Price. The cost of motorcycles is an order of magnitude higher than pit bikes. For example, the price of a motocross motorcycle is 80-150 thousand rubles, a good pit bike can be purchased on average for 40-60 thousand rubles.

Judging by people's reviews, the majority note that the pit is good for beginner motorcyclists and athletes, and for people who have been in the sport for several years, an adult bike or a motocross motorcycle is preferable.

What to look for when choosing?

When choosing a motorcycle, you should pay attention to the following:

Engine. This is the heart of any car. The power and speed that the vehicle can develop depends on it. Both indicators depend on engine size. The larger the cubic capacity, the more powerful the motorcycle. Beginners should not chase impressive numbers, since a large engine is difficult to control. The optimal option for pit bikes is 125-190 cm, for ATVs – 125-150 cm³.
Equipment. It all depends on the purpose of purchasing a motor vehicle. If it is needed only for light tourist trips and riding outside the city, the simplest configuration is sufficient. Hunters and fishermen will benefit from models with a full range of options.
Dimensions. When choosing a vehicle, it is necessary to take into account the age and size of the future rider.

What to look for when choosing?

What is better, pit bike or enduro?

Before making a comparison, let's say a few words about enduro - what it is and what its features are.

The name comes from Lat. indurare – hardy, patient, one of the first off-road motorcycles got it. Today, there are three directions in this class of technology - racing, touring and combined, each of which is very popular, because... combines good cross-country ability, a powerful engine, high strength and endurance of suspensions, but at the same time it belongs to the category of vehicles, i.e. You can easily drive on it on public roads, naturally, by first obtaining a category A license (issued from the age of 18).

Fourth step: comfort, safety

Interestingly, in terms of safety, motorcycles and ATVs are not particularly different. Of course, quads are more stable, but they can also turn over, especially if they are not used correctly. But if you can get out from under a light pit bike without much difficulty on your own, then it will be difficult to get out from under an overturned quad bike without outside help, especially if trouble happens to an inexperienced rider. There is a chance of injury in both the first and second cases, but the large weight of the ATV can cause more serious injuries.

In terms of comfort, motorcycles are, of course, inferior to four-wheelers. The rider does not need to constantly strain and maintain balance. Naturally, particularly difficult sections will need to be ridden in a standing position, but otherwise the ride will be much more comfortable than on the pit. Of course, we are not talking about budget models with “wooden” shock absorbers: they will provide no more convenience than a two-wheeled vehicle. But advanced configurations allow you to travel with maximum comfort. In addition, quadrics can easily carry two riders and additional cargo in addition, a motorcycle cannot boast of this.

Should I choose a pit bike or an enduro?

Thus, we again come to the conclusion that enduro cannot be used by children and teenagers; moreover, it has more complex controls and a high price, which is also an obstacle for young motorcyclists.

If we talk about adult pilots, for whom the price factor is not too significant, then enduro is more functional - you can ride both off-road and in the city, easily avoiding traffic jams, thanks to the high and narrow design, and much faster, for example, on a motor 250 cubic meters can easily be heated at 100 km/h.

At the same time, a pit bike is lighter, more mobile and maneuverable, and if you don’t want to travel in the city on motorcycles, then there is absolutely no point in paying many times more to ride off-road.

Summing up, I would like to say that the best technology is the one that most fully meets all the requirements of a person and solves the tasks assigned to him, and what exactly it will be can only be determined by its future owner.

First step: appointment

Any equipment is purchased for a purpose, and what you ultimately acquire depends on the purpose. If you need a device for fun country rides, extreme sports, maybe even for ski jumping, choose a motorcycle. A fast, playful, maneuverable, lightweight pit bike will be an excellent choice and is guaranteed to provide an adrenaline rush.

If your goal is fishing, hunting, or long-term tourism, you should take an ATV. A four-wheeler will not give you high speed, but it will provide the ability to transport significant cargo, for example, fishing or hunting gear, a tent, and other camping supplies. In addition, long trips are much more comfortable on a wide, comfortable ATV seat than on a narrow pit bike seat.

Types of two-wheeled iron horses

Motorcycles also come in several types. Sports and cross-country models are designed for competitions and fast driving. The most expensive models have the ability to reach speeds of more than 300 km/h.

Classic models are distinguished by their straight fit, comfortable design, and ease of use. The classic is time-tested, it is not very fast. Even inexperienced drivers feel confident on the road in such a vehicle. Choppers are a separate type of bike. An imposing driver's position, aggressive design and an elongated steering wheel are their main characteristics.

Differences in the purpose, status and design of a pit bike and a motorcycle

The most important difference: a pit bike is not a vehicle, but a sports equipment. And this means that:

it cannot be registered like a motorcycle;
it cannot be used on “regular” roads;
you don't need rights to it.

The pit bike itself is a lightweight mini-motorcycle, previously used to service racing motorcycles in competitions to quickly move around the track. But later, in the 1970s, it was separated into a separate class of equipment, and is now used for several types of sports disciplines:

freestyle - tricks performed in ski jumping;
motocross - racing on prepared tracks, usually over a short distance;
enduro - off-road racing.

And even later, pit bikes for enduro and motocross began to be produced separately. For enduro they are made more all-terrain, and for motocross they have a larger wheel diameter.