| Dirt bikes and motocross bikes have a lot in | | | | extreme. |
| common, but the two styles address different | | | | |
| goals. As always, consider the kind of riding | | | | Motocross engines tend to be smaller than |
| you intend to pursue in order to select the | | | | that of trail bikes. Traditional two-stroke |
| type that's right for you. | | | | engines keep the weight to a minimum. These |
| | | | bikes are built for fast acceleration, so |
| Trail | | | | they sport 5 or 6 speed gear boxes with close |
| | | | ratios. |
| Dirt or trail bikes are designed for just | | | | |
| what the name suggests - riding along trails, | | | | To get the weight as low as possible, even |
| most of which are dirt. They can be used | | | | stop lights and headlamps are frequently |
| around town, but they wouldn't be comfortable | | | | removed. Suspension is stiff, almost |
| for long rides and there isn't much room for | | | | non-existent in feel. Motocross bikes are |
| a passenger. | | | | built for racing, and usually off-road or |
| | | | multi-level rather than just a simple oval |
| Trail bikes are small, lightweight and have | | | | track. |
| great suspension for absorbing the shock of | | | | |
| bumps, rocks and short falls off low cliffs. | | | | Aerodynamics isn't important, since the bike |
| Engine sizes are on the smaller size, but | | | | won't be travelling at highway speeds, but |
| often have high torque for hill climbing. | | | | the streamlined look is still there. |
| Single-cylinder motors are the norm. Ground | | | | |
| clearance is considerably greater than a | | | | Achieving comfort plays no part in the design |
| cruiser or touring motorcycle. | | | | and there's never room for passengers. |
| | | | Handling and maneuverability are everything. |
| Sometimes referred to as a dual sport or | | | | Races are won by the ability to navigate |
| Enduro motorbike, tire selection is | | | | turns and low hills as quickly as possible. |
| important. Consider where you'll do most of | | | | |
| your riding: forest, beach, desert, back | | | | When you can't stay on, don't worry. These |
| roads, hills, etc. Windscreens can be | | | | babies are rock solid. They're built for |
| attached, but it's unusual. Dirt bike riding | | | | tumbles and spills. The rider may never get |
| is often at slower speeds and no one is | | | | up again, but the bike most certainly will. |
| expected to be in front of you throwing | | | | |
| gravel in your face. | | | | Forget about accessories. No one is going to |
| | | | hang a saddlebag on these hummingbirds. They |
| Honda has been making trail bikes for 40 | | | | buzz and zoom, dart and dash. Even a mirror |
| years now, and their latest models encompass | | | | would be an unnecessary distraction. No one |
| everything they've learned about engines, | | | | has time to look behind when the road ahead |
| suspension, handling and more over that time. | | | | is hairpinned and steep. |
| | | | |
| Motocross | | | | Honda makes award-winning motocross bikes, |
| | | | but they've been duking it out with Kawasaki |
| Like dirt or trail bikes, motocross bikes are | | | | for the title of champion for decades. Both |
| lightweight and have high ground clearance. | | | | manufacturers make solid competitors. |
| But here all the attributes are taken to an | | | | |