So, you’re looking forward to that big off-road adventure that you’ve been planning with your friends, right? Just one major problem: you don’t have a ride. Oof. Well, there’s still time to get one, it’s just a matter of figuring out which is right for you given the current circumstances.
With that said, let’s take a look at a few types of awesome off-road vehicles and what they’re all about so you can get a better idea of what fits your style and your needs.
The All-Terrain Superstar: ATVs
ATVs are what many people like to call dune buggies. ATVs include three or four-wheeled bikes that use low-pressure tires. These vehicles are not street legal in some areas, such as certain states and provinces in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
However, they handle pretty well in any off-road environment, and their relatively small size makes them perfect for traversing dense forests and other obstacle-ridden areas. Still, you’ll need to take into account the fact that you won’t be able to carry all that much stuff. And, while the vehicle handles well, it usually doesn’t come with a roll cage in case you roll over, so you won’t be all that protected.
The Super Useful and Fun Monster: UTVs
UTV is short for “utility task vehicle,” but don’t be fooled by the name. Sure, it is for utility per se, but it’s also tons of fun to use. You can use it to ride on rough terrain, carry heavy equipment, work on your farm, carry up to eight passengers (depending on the model, of course), and tons of other stuff.
What’s more, UTVs have a wide variety of accessories (including but not limited to Can Am defender accessories) that you can choose from. In this sense, it’s as customizable as it gets, and it offers incredible protection thanks to its roll cage.
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles: ROVs
These are very similar to UTVs when it comes to design and functionality with an added advantage: they can reach greater speeds. Because of this, they are often used in off-road racing events, not so far off from how motorbikes are used in events like MotoGP and other similar ones.
Their performance and durability also make them ideally suited for a variety of outdoor recreational activities and work applications, much like a UTV. So, as you can probably tell, so far we’ve had our off-road vehicle types ranked from the most basic to the most advanced type. However, now we will be focusing on smaller off-road vehicles, mainly the ones most similar to motorcycles.
The Astonishing and Ludicrous-Fast Dirt Bikes
A dirt bike has a smaller engine to accommodate the smaller chassy that makes it as aerodynamic as possible for off-road environments. Many people consider them the heart of off-road racing for the simple fact that they are similar to the rugged motorbikes that people admire in motorcycle tournaments.
Dirt bikes originated in the United Kingdom. Races also started there, with trial events dating back to 1909. Actual races started happening in the 1920s. The trends started hitting the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. One of the most popular dirt bikes out there was the BSA.
The Bottom Line
There are multiple types of off-road vehicles that you can choose from depending on what you want and what you need. If you want something fast and agile on just about any type of terrain, get an ATV.
If you also want to work on your farm or carry more equipment, a UTV might be better suited to your needs. On the other hand, an ROV will work wonders if you want to do all of these things and also partake in some off-road racing action.
Finally, if all you want to do is just race, then a dirt bike will most likely be the only thing that you will need outside of the road.
