Is an ATV a Type of Bike?

The short answer is no. A bike (motorcycle) is not an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). While dirt bikes are off-road motorcycles, some ATVs have two wheels and aren’t motorcycles. A dirt bike can drive on a public road with a motorcycle driver’s license. In contrast, ATVs aren’t street-legal in Canada and the United States.

Recreational and Utility All All-Terrain Vehicles

The most significant difference between recreational vehicles and utility vehicles is what they are used for. Recreational ATVs are for trail riding on different types of terrain. Most have four wheels, but some are three-wheeled ATVs. It depends on what it’s used for. Two and three-wheeled ATVs have better maneuverability for trail riding. 

What Is a Quad Bike?

Not to be confused with utility terrain vehicles and side-by-sides, quad bikes are four-wheeled vehicles in the recreational class. Understanding the differences between all-terrain vehicles and quad bikes can be problematic if you don’t know exactly what type of vehicle you’ll need for your off-road adventure. Many people use “ATV” and “quad” interchangeably as an umbrella term for any vehicle with four wheels. However, using the terms interchangeably can be misleading. 

• If you hear quad as a replacement for ATV, it’s probably about a sport ATV or a recreational vehicle. Users likely started calling ATVs quad bikes because they are four-wheeled motorcycles. 

• Quad bikes have straddle seats and handlebars like traditional motorcycles. 

• Not to be confused with dirt bikes, quad bikes have higher top-speed capabilities than ATVs. 

• An ATV can be a quad, but a quad isn’t always an ATV. Many recreational trail riders use these four-wheelers as weekend toys and have higher top speeds than most ATVs.

Quad Bike Safety

The most significant risks, especially among beginners, are rollovers during cornering and high speeds. Quads have more possibilities for injury because most weekend adventure seekers want to go fast. Quads have handlebars and single-seat center mass engines that will roll over if not driven safely. 

Closing Thoughts

An ATV isn’t a bike or a traditional motorcycle. An ATV is a four-wheeler with wide balloon-type low-pressure tires that mould to uneven surfaces. Don’t confuse ATV off-road vehicles with quad bikes. Additionally, don’t forget to think about four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. For more detailed answers, talk to the experts at FFUN Motorsports Saskatoon today.