The whine of the engine, the thrill of the race, and plumes of dust flying everywhere - it's a dirt bike race and it's so exciting! But what are dirt bikes and where do they come from? What makes them different from street-legal motorcycles and why do the boys go crazy for them?

Dirt bikes are as old as motorcycles themselves. The first motorcycles were just bicycles with an internal combustion engine attached to the wheels to make them turn. This was not so complicated as making the first cars and trucks. While some people began to specialize motorcycles to follow roads, others continued to make motorbikes meant for use on roads and out in the fields. It was just necessity and choice that made the difference.

For a motorcycle to be street legal, it must have lights, a horn and other important attachments to make it safe to ride in towns or around other vehicles. Helmets should always be worn, either on motorcycles or dirt bikes. In general though, off-road bikes don't have to meet the same legal requirements as motorcycles.

It's not that hard to turn a dirt bike into a street legal machine. With a few attachments, dirt bikes can easily adapt to the streets. That's an important thing to be able to do, since they are so popular. But it's the things that can't be changed or rather, won't be changed that appeal to the real dirt bike enthusiasts.

The suspension that a dirt bike requires is going to be very different than what a motorcycle will need for traveling on streets. Dirt bikes are used on more rugged terrain than motorcycles are, and the suspension will be what keeps the bike intact as well as makes the ride endurable for the rider. Whether it's a muddy field or a sandy desert, a dirt bike has to endure a good deal of bouncing and landing. Suspension makes all the difference in this regard.

Dirt bikes also have very little bodywork to them. Their design is simple and hardier than with motorcycles. Ground clearance is important because of the difficult terrains a dirt bike might have to cover. Where a motorcycle can be stylized for looks and leisure, a dirt bike is all about taking a beating and getting back up. Dirt bikes often end up rolling over or falling to their sides, hopefully without pinning their drivers to the ground.

Dirt bikes can be used in many different ways. A rally race or 'rallies' require the cyclist to travel long distances on a bike that is street legal or nearly there. Fuel tanks on rally bikes will be bigger than on other types of dirt bikes. Motocross races will use bikes that have no lights or indicator instruments, and riders will run a course that includes many jumps. Track racing is usually done in an oval track and bikes will have no brakes, no real suspension and two gears at the most. Trials will push a rider's ability to balance and ride with precision, rather than pushing the limits of a bike's speed. Each of these race types has its own style of bike it uses.

People who ride dirt bikes seem like daredevils in the eyes of the rest of the world. Usually someone who rides a dirt bike will have proper safety gear and a helmet and will be quite safe. Still, comparing that style of bike to a motorcycle makes it just seem riskier. People who ride motorcycles are as different and yet as similar as those who ride dirt bikes.

Are you looking for a great hobby? Look into getting a dirt bike for that hobby. There are many types of dirt bikes to look at online. Head online now and find out more.

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