Street Bike vs Dirt Bike

When you shop for a bike, you'll need to decide which type you want. There's the street bike (commonly called the motorcycle). It's designed to cruise down the highway leaving other motorists eating your dust. Then there's the dirt bike. It's made to deliver thrills and adrenaline rushes in the backwoods. Each style offers unique advantages, which we discuss below. When you're ready to check out models in person, visit America's Motor Sports Madison. You'll find us in Madison, Tennessee.

Size

Looking at the two vehicle types, you'll notice a key difference right away: their sizes. Dirt bikes tackle difficult terrain and need to remain agile to do so. That's why they have a smaller frame. Usually, they'll be stripped down to the essentials (no extra features weighing down their performance here). A smaller and lighter bike is easier to push through obstacles and dirt bikes need to be easy to maneuver.

A motorcycle faces a different challenge since their terrain is generally smooth and easy to ride. Their obstacle is the other motorists on the road. When a small vehicle (like a motorcycle) rides near a larger one (like a semi-truck), it gets heavily affected by the drag of the bigger motorists. That's why motorcycles are built with a larger frame. They run big and bulky so they can stay somewhat stable in spite of drag.

Tires

These two vehicles conquer different terrain and they need different tire features to do so effectively. Dirt bikes have to cut through ragged debris and unstable surfaces, so their tires need to offer plenty of traction. They often include extra nobs, a more flexible carcass, and a slimmer width.

Motorcycles, on the other hand, don't have as high of traction needs. They can expect to ride over a relatively smooth surface. Their tires tend to focus on being wide and smooth to optimize performance.

Frame

A dirt bike frame runs smaller and lighter. Usually, they're built with hard plastics (rather than metal). This allows the frame to be more flexible and easier to handle.

A motorcycle frame runs larger and heavy. They tend to be made with metal (rather than hard plastics). This keeps the frame sturdy and stable. As a bonus, it boosts the style as well!

Seat Position

Riders adopt different positions when they hop aboard a motorcycle versus a dirt bike. With a dirt bike, the rider spends a lot of time standing. Their seats lean forward, making it easy to transition from sitting to standing and visa versa. 

With a motorcycle, you'll spend your time sitting. No standing here! These seats tend to be further back to facilitate a comfortable, seated position. But there can be some variation among different motorcycle models, so it depends on the type of bike.

Suspension

Dirt bikes are traversing difficult, choppy terrain. They need a high amount of suspension to avoid an unbearably bumpy ride. Their hydraulic tubes and spring shocks are adjusted accordingly.

Motorcycles don't need quite as much suspension. In fact, too much can make the ride bouncy in a different way (and you risk bottoming out on the road). A motorcycle usually has tighter shocks to absorb the city street bumps without being too much.

Whichever bike is your style, you can find it at America's Motor Sports Madison. We offer a range of new and used inventory available. Our friendly staff can help you find the ideal model for your budget and riding lifestyle! We also operate a parts replacement and service department if you need your bike adjusted. We proudly serve those in Madison, Henderson, and Lebanon, Tennessee.