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Taking Care of Your Road Bike vs Dirt Bike

If you favor two wheels over four then it is likely that you have both a road bike and a street bike. Street bikes are ideal for commuting and getting from A-to-B while road bikes are good fun for off-road usage. These are not the only differences between these bikes and it is key that you know how to look after both types to keep them in the best possible condition.

Key Differences

One of the most obvious differences between street and dirt bikes is the size. Dirt bikes have a smaller and lighter design so that they are easier to control, which is crucial when you are travelling on off-road and uneven surfaces. Additionally, dirt bikes will have off-road tires to amplify traction on gravel, dirt and other surfaces. Suspension is another major difference with dirt bikes needing a system that can absorb impact when riding over obstacles.

Street bikes, meanwhile, tend to have larger tanks allowing them to travel greater distances. When it comes to performance, you will find that street bikes are geared to move effortlessly at high speeds while dirt biles will require extensive use of the clutch to remain in the same gear. In terms of steering, street bikes do not need much steering to control the bike and often simply leaning is enough to control the bike.

Looking After Your Bikes

As you can see, there are many differences between road and dirt bikes. Fortunately, a lot of the maintenance is the same. You will need to regularly perform tasks like topping up the fluids, testing the lights and checking the tire pressure, tread depth and condition. Dirt bikes tend to get dirtier as they are used off-road, which means that they need to be cleaned regularly otherwise the vehicle could become damaged.

Insurance

It is also important that you have insurance in place for all of your bikes. Fortunately, this is easy enough with a multi bike insurance policy. This allows you to have two or more bikes covered under the same policy and will provide financial protection against theft, damage and fire for all of your bikes. As with car insurance, there are various levels to choose from so you need to consider your needs and budget when choosing bike insurance.

Many people have both street and dirt bikes and it is easy to see why. Dirt bikes can be great fun and used for offload purposes while street bikes are a good option for generally motoring, but it is vital that you know how to look after both types of bikes to keep them in the best condition at all times. This post should help and hopefully help you to get the most out of your collection.

Jeff Campbell