Electric vs gas dirt bikes
Almost everything with a gas motor today can be found with an electric alternative. For our part, we’re all for electric solutions, as they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than gas-guzzling vehicles of any kind. But if you’re in the market for a dirtbike and are choosing between a battery power option and a gas-powered one, then you might be wondering if there are any trade-offs. Well, let’s get into it.
Electric Dirt Bikes
Electric dirt bikes are overall a lot more simple than gas. Not in construction, but in operation. These bikes are usually powered by a lithium battery and come with everything you need to charge it out of the box. Simple plug it and when it’s full, you’re ready to go. They have a lot less moving parts when compared to a gasoline-powered alternative, which often translates to fewer malfunctions and fewer repairs. And because there is no combustible fuel, there is no choke or kick-start mechanism to get the bike going. Which means they are quieter as well, which will make your neighbors happy. Generally, the only noise they make is the slight hum of the motor and the rotation of the chain.
Batteries are generally more cost-efficient than gas, too. You don’t have to worry about refilling them or having noxious and messy gas on hand. Simply make it a habit to plug in the bike when you’re done and should be good for each new ride. Which will save you a lot of money over time. Electricity tends to be cheaper than gas. When it comes to distance, though, there can be a bit of a tradeoff. Kids bikes are usually cheaper and for more casual riders, so they tend to have a range between five and ten miles. But if you go for something more premium, you can get somewhere around 30 to 40 miles out of it. On top of all that, electric bikes are easier to use, so they are better for beginners. So if you are just looking to get your feet wet, better to start here. We recommend looking into the Segway Dirt eBike x160 or x260 to start.
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Gas-powered dirt bikes
Gas-powered engines have been the standard for about one-hundred years now. It hasn’t been until recently that we’ve been able to make and utilize batteries with enough juice to compete with them. On top of that, they can take a beating. Allegedly. Gas-powered dirtbikes are often made of robust material that is meant to hit the trails and hit them hard. Every dirt bike should be able to handle rough roads, but gas-powered ones seem to have a particular reputation for it.
There are also two engine configuration types when looking at gas dirt bikes: two-stroke and four-stroke.
Two-stroke engines tend to be lighter and consume less fuel but can have more back-end smoke. On the other hand, four-stroke engines consume more fuel but also have a lot more power. Generally, the bigger the engine the more efficient they are and the faster they can propel the bike. So if you’re looking into racing, that’s something you’ll want to keep in mind.
Another good thing with gas is that all you have to do is fill the tank and you’re set to ride. So if you like going to remote places where you don’t have easy access to electricity, gas is a bit safer of an option. If you do run out of fuel, simply pour in some more. Speaking of smelly gas, that stuff gets into the air and isn’t good for the lungs. The relative output is small, but you don’t want you or your kid to be casually standing near one, especially in an enclosed environment such as a garage.
Gas-powered dirt bikes are also a lot louder than electric dirt bikes. For some, this is a drawback. For others, it’s appealing. There are riders that feel the rumble of the engine beneath them is a representation of the power have at their disposal and might like to roll around on a noisemaker rather than a more silent alternative.
And then, as we mentioned before, gas bikes have more moving parts, which means repair tends to be more frequent. So if you don’t want to learn how to maintain and fix a complicated combustion engine, it’s best to steer clear.
The choice is yours
Now that you have a more clear understanding of the differences between gas-power and electric engine dirt bikes, you can make a choice that is best for you. For our part, we always lean towards more environmentally friendly options. Among our favorites come from the innovative minds at Segway. They offer dirt eBikes among their other clean energy mobility products. Check out what they have to offer here, and happy riding.