Hey WarriorManiac,
My buddy and I used to ride dirt bikes together all the time. This weekend I went out on my quad, and him on his bike, and for the first time he asked to ride the quad, so I let him. After about an hour on his dirt bike, I was wanting my quad back, but he didn't want to give it up. Finally I got it back. I like dirt bikes, and often I even miss my CR, but I like the quad so much more. Somethings are better on the bikes, but most are better on a quad (like just stopping and getting off, not worrying about finding a tree to set it up against, for an example, or how about mud quads are fun and easy to plow through tons of mud, when I was on my CR my tires would slip, then my feet would slip, and then I was laying on my side, and couldn't get up!). Dont worry about dirt bikes, just enjoy your quad.

 

I too have the same problem bikes or quads ??? that is until last summer when my buddies KX500R bucked me off wheeling down a gravel road in 5th gear , then I was reminded how much I like 4 wheels under me. Although when we go hill climbing there are some tight hills that only the big bore bikes can make it up. But I still have aches and pains 6 months later ( I'm sure we all do ) that remind me why I now ride quads.....

 

WarriorManiac,

Now you have gone and done it. You should have never jumped on one of those bikes. The power is addictive. I bought a brand new 00 yz426 in 00 and I owned a 99 400ex at the time. I rode that 400ex for almost 2 years up to that point. I parked the 400ex and only touched it in the winter. Now, I am a biker first, and a quad rider second. I bought a Raptor, because of the power, and it helps. This year I bought an 02 yz426, and ran it all summer. I will be on it tomorrow in fact.....

Now let me preface the next section. I don't ride mud holes, and I don't just ride fire roads. I like to push my limits, twisty trails, climbing, pits, and small jumps (no 50 footers for me). So just cruising through the bush, looking at leaves isn't for me.

It is much easier to ride a bike fast. It's lighter, more powerful, better suspened, and easier to throw around. When I had cracked ribs on both sides of my chest (hockey injury), and I figured I would ride the Raptor. I couldn't get it 20 feet without pain. I rode my 426 that whole weekend, with much less pain. You would think that the bike would beat you up. The suspension these days is incredible. Not to mention that you can steer and control the bike much easier with that much power.

Wipeouts are much better on a bike. I ride alot of sand / gravel pits, and have seen alot of nasty crashes on quads where the quad really does alot of damage to the rider. A bike has less tendancy to roll, and if you ride in the sand or pits like I do, the bike actually gets very little damage. You roll down the hill (or up the hill depending on the wipeout), but the bike generally falls over.

Jumping is a blast on a bike. The suspension allows you to soak up mistakes and jump higher / farther.

But, the bike is useless in frozen dirt or frost conditions. (Ice riding is another story). That is why I keep the Raptor. I can ride it all winter (except in deep snow), and the 'greasy' conditions of early spring and late fall. Not to mention, my wife rides it in the summer.

But to answer your question, I would buy a quad first and a bike as an add on. I need to ride year round. If I could only have one toy, it would be the Raptor. But given the choice I would own both.......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

RM