I've ridden dirt bikes for over 20 years. My last bike was an XR400 from '97 until October '05. Then I bought a quad (KFX400), and do not miss the bike at all.

Like others have said - a big factor will be what your riding buddies ride. For the most part, a bike can ride anywhere a quad can ride, but not necessarily the other way due to varying trail widths.

If many of your trails are very rocky, I'd suggest a quad over a bike.

The fun factor is just as great, just a little different.

As for the speeds, my XR probably topped out at 75. I was clocked by GPS at 71 before I ran out of room.
My KFX400 will probably do at least 65, but not sure - I haven't clocked it yet. That's plenty fast.

Rick

 

I prefer the quad for the open desert (big tires just float better in sandy washes), and a dirt bike for more technical type trail riding in the mountains. I had a set of utility quads, but I am selling them off to finance the dirt bikes, because I just prefer a light little bike to a very heavy utility in the technical stuff.

So, ask yourself what kind of riding you will do. If you will ever venture up into the mountains on rough single track trails, then I suggest the bike. If you are just going to cruise around down in the lowlands, the sport quad if going to be your best bet.

 

z400, best all around quad for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$44

 

I've got both.. and for me the quad is a lot more fun!!! plus you've got a mobile barstool wherever you go!

 

Like people have said before, get what your friends have. I have both a quad and a dirt bike and if i am riding my and they are riding bikes i am always jealous. And visa-versa.

 

I agree with everybody else, get what your friends have. However, I do prefer a sport quad. I live on Long Island, N.Y., and all of our riding is done at night, to stay away from the cops. Dual purpose dirtbikes have headlights, but quads are just easier to ride at night & it takes less work to ride them........

 

yeah i used to race bikes and i just got a quad resently. i think that the quads aer much more fun and you can just go out and ride on any terrain and you dont have to woryabout stuff like that that you do on a bike. you said something about you ride on grassy feilds. if ur going to be doing that i would most definately go with the quad.

 

Ok i have to comment on this one because i just went through the same delima.. I bought a yamaha 700 raptor and also have a Honda XR 650 dirt bike. I would definately get what most of your riding friends have. The atv is a blast, also it is more fun in the wisconsin winter, but if you like to go fast thru the woods, go with the dirt bike,, I dont care what anyone says i've been riding dirtbikes for over 30 years and NOTHING can touch a quick bike on the trails in the woods, it's lighter more powerful and much more nimble.. The atv on the other hand is much easier to drive fast if your a beginner, especially in the sand. I dont have enough hours on the raptor yet to say for sure if I made the right decision, but like I said before, stick with what your buddies are riding, you don't want to be the only quad with a bunch of bikes and vice versa.

 

I have been the quad guy riding with bikes, I have been the bike guy riding with quads, it tanks. If you ride with other people get what they have. Each have their strengths & weeknesses. When I was the quad guy riding with bikes the trails were wide open and I could not even follow their dust cloud. When I was on a bike the trails were half boulders half loose shale-y rock depending on the spot, the quads glided over everything while I manhandled that bike between being high centered on the rocks.

 

quads are less matinence