Snowmobile vs Dirt Bike, What's more fun/enjoyable?

[glmtnapex]

Hi All!

I took a ride today in the Grand Lake area. We got about 3-4 fresh inches on the higher areas out of this last little storm. It wasn't the most epic day of riding I've had, but between the 'hero snow' and the fact I had to take it easy because I was by myself, all in all, I completely enjoyed myself, I even managed to find a cool new meadow.

During this enjoyable ride, I got to thinking about a transaction I have in the works. I'm trading my Kawasaki Ninja for a nice KTM dirt bike. I rode dirt bikes a lot when I was a kid, but never here in the mountains. I'm wondering which activity I will enjoy more, snowmobiling or dirt biking. I personally think it will be tough for me to enjoy dirt biking more than snowmobiling. Do you guys and gals that already do both activities have a favorite? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

 

[snengineer]

Dirt bikes = Less money, Less time consuming, Long season 8-10 months

Sleds = More money, More time consuming, Shorter season 6-8 months


The reason people love sledding more is when its good its hard to beat. Mtn Snowmobiling has a much higher ceiling fun factor then dirt biking, but its not like that all the time. You have to make it happen, that's why it takes a bigger commitment to really reach those highs more often.

 

[Martlee]

I vote for dirt biking as you can combine more activities such as camping and hiking as well as get more people to join such as kids ,parents, and spouses.

 

[Dogmeat]

They both have their high points.

It has always been way easier for me to go dirt biking than snowmobiling ... way less hassle, rarley pull a trailer, etc.

I love sledding, but dirt biking is a lot easier on the pocket book.

With that said, I just picked up a 2014 KTM 300 XC-W and I can't wait for summer now even though the best part of the snow season is right now

So yeah, they both have their high points

 

[christopher]

doesn't have to be one or the other.

 

[Jermbob]

Living in Grand Lake like yourself its really easy to go snowmobiling, same with dirt biking. For me there is no comparison, sledding takes the cake. Dirt biking is a close second though, hard to beat the ease of getting out especially if you go plated.

BTW, do you live right down the road from me? Black trailer with a ski doo sticker on it? I'm over on Tallaqua. Beers?

 

[Dogmeat]

doesn't have to be one or the other.

I really wish Timbersled would make their SX kit for the big enduro bikes. That kit is the way to go IMO.

 

[glmtnapex]

Living in Grand Lake like yourself its really easy to go snowmobiling, same with dirt biking. For me there is no comparison, sledding takes the cake. Dirt biking is a close second though, hard to beat the ease of getting out especially if you go plated.

BTW, do you live right down the road from me? Black trailer with a ski doo sticker on it? I'm over on Tallaqua. Beers?

As a matter of fact, yes. Good call. I'll be working at The Rapids Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights this week. Stop in and I'll buy you a 'Shirley Temple'.

 

[Dam Dave]

Why choose.......I ride both and a street bike, can ride all 3 on the same weekend this time of year

 

[glmtnapex]

Why choose.......I ride both and a street bike, can ride all 3 on the same weekend this time of year

I'm not asking anyone to 'choose' between the two. I'm asking which you enjoy more and why. As soon as I complete my transaction/trade (and the snow melts) I will be able to compare the two as well.

 

[backcountryislife]

Last summer I rode bikes about an hour a day from home, and then whatever I could on weekends, LOVE dirtbikes. That said, even though I can ride right from my house, spend way less, have less hassles, & go some amazing places, I'll take sleds any day.

I don't go sledding to ride trails, I go sledding for the "unlimitedness" (yeah... that's a word yo!) of it, because the only limit is your ability & what your eyes & brain will show you as possible.


I imagine that riding in true desert on bikes is likely similar, but I've never been, so not sure.

I'm looking forward to mid April, when I can ride bikes during the week around here, and then go up the road & ride sleds on the weekends!!

 

[stingray719]

Sold all the dirt bikes. I have a couple big cruisers for highway riding and snowmobiles for winter, and as said here in Colorado the seasons do overlap.........

 

[kingofthemountain]

For me, actually riding them is very comparable on the levels of entertainment. They both make loud noises and go fast. However, the ability to be able to go anywhere I want not following a trail makes snowmobiling considerably more enjoyable. I've ridden a snowmobile so many incredible places that you could never get a dirtbike to and I would never have the time or patience to hike to. That's why snowmobiling is my favorite. However, dirtbikes are cheaper and easier for sure, plus you can go almost year round. I never enjoy it as much as sledding but the convenience and cost make it a very close second.

 

[Vailguy]

I picked up a 450EXC a couple years ago to hit the trails in the off season.
the reason dirt biking is better.

1. chance of ghost riding in the trees and bashing in your front end in is less.
2. dirtbike is easier to move, relocate in the garage, load on the truck.
3. dirtbike can actually be used for transportation if licensed.
4. 4 stroke dirtbikes have a great powerband and don't feel like moving a tank like a 4 stroke sled.
5. if you have kids, a dirtbike can be easier for them to ride then a heavy sled.
6. they sip fuel in comparison.
7. dirt biking is performed in typically better weather.
8. When was the last time you had a stuck dirtbike and had to roll it over?
9. The cost barrier to entry is less.
10. The mountain doesn't occasionally try to eat you on a dirt bike.
*bonus* for those Colo front range riders. Rampart is a great place to temp your fate for a head on collision with morons.

Having said that dirtbiking takes off the summer shakes for sledding. To me there is no comparison. dirt biking is the methadone of sledding heroin.

 

[Dogmeat]

*bonus* for those Colo front range riders. Rampart is a great place to temp your fate for a head on collision with morons.

Having said that dirtbiking takes off the summer shakes for sledding. To me there is no comparison. dirt biking is the methadone of sledding heroin.

Hence why we ride past Rampart and get on the trails to the south

It is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier to enjoy dirt bikes if you have a plated one.

way less *******s

 

[Zone28M7]

If you take the "ease" factor out then nothing beats sledding. It's not even close...if you're into trail banging all day it's better on a bike but the reason sleds are special is because you can reach those 'hard to reach' spots while riding in three feet of fresh. No contest

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[Dam Dave]

I'm not asking anyone to 'choose' between the two. I'm asking which you enjoy more and why. As soon as I complete my transaction/trade (and the snow melts) I will be able to compare the two as well.

I enjoy them all, each for different reasons

 

[seth25]

PJ must be missing if he hasn't joined this conversation yet.

 

[rick5150]

I grew up in Southern CA my old man used to have a race/service performance shop doing watercraft bikes and quads.... rode the desert and Glamis sand dunes my whole life every holiday and long weekend was spent in the desert or glamis riding and jumping. I still make it out to glamis about once a year (live in MN now)
That said I've also drove or rode in or raced about every action offroad category there is...raced quads and of course rode them in the dunes quite a few times, raced yamaha rhinos for awhile and of course the desert and dunes, also driven a few 500+hp sand rails in the dunes doing wheelies up and down hills, got to ride in a 800hp offroad truck, mud trucks rock crawling broncos, years of riding race sea-doos and jet skis

I started riding snowmobiles in 2012 and did my first trip in the mountains almost right away and since then will basically only ride in the mountains...for me ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I've done gives me the feeling of powder boondocking days in the mts...NOTHING

for an extreme type of rider i really think this is the best sport, the most enjoyable, and by far the best scenery..... mtn snowmobiling showed me what epic really was

 

[Martlee]

For me riding dirt bikes is more enjoyable because of the people I ride with and others in the sport. They don't give a rat's *** whether you are riding alone or with an avalanche beacon or weather your backpack is with you or on your sled/bike. People on this site for instance are way too uptight on how/where/how you dress/where you store it riding. It is none of any ones business on all that. It is my life. Dirt bikers are less likely to push their views on someone else. Sorry I don't invest in the thousands of dollars worth of gear to sit in my garage 9 months per year. It is probably worth it for some of you but not me. Just my opinions.
Marty