CHOOSING YOUR OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE
The last thing you want after buying an off-road bike is to find out that your new acquisition will not allow you, legally, to go where you want to go! Before shopping for one, it is important to determine your intentions and what you expect from your motorcycle!
Whether you are an off-road motorcyclist beginner or an experienced one, fuelled by a new motivation to leave the asphalt surface, be aware that you are facing the same danger: a lack of information...
Before beginning your quest for technical comparisons characterizing the variety of off-road motorcycles now available on the market, you should consider the practical criteria that, by default, will provide you with a natural selection of available products! Your background, your motorcyclist profile and your strongest intentions will lead you to consider a particular model of off-road motorcycle rather than any other.
Keep in mind that it is the responsibility of motorcycle dealers to inform you about the products in their showroom on a technical level. Your responsibility is the practical side! Demystify the different categories and consider the ones that guarantee you'll be able to ride exactly where you want to ride. This way, you'll avoid any disappointment.
The goal of the "Be off-road, not off-track!" initiative is to support you in this sense. While you can list the intentions and motivations that lead you into the off-road adventure, the FQMHR takes care of providing you with the useful and essential information that will allow you to know how to get there. Feel free to consult it!
To facilitate the process, we provide you with a small practical grid that will allow you to have exchanges and discussions with amateurs, bloggers, salesmen and other like-minded people who will also be able to help you choose an off-road bike. Once you are well informed and aware, you will be able to make a smart purchase!
- First fill in the fields that describe your motorcyclist profile;
- Then select the statements or words that appeal the most to you;
- Review the features of the various categories of off-road motorcycles;
- Try to see which category you are best suited for.
With the explosion of offerings on the market, you will notice that you can use a motorcycle for several purposes. Some off-road motorcycles have features that allow you to ride in several environments, but with advantages and disadvantages that have to be evaluated and considered, depending on your primary interests.
In Quebec, off-road trail vehicle users must entirely abide by the following conditions in order to comply to regulatory standards:
- Be 16 years of age or older;
- Hold a skills certificate issued by an authorized agent of the government (for 16 and 17 year-old riders);
- Have a trail permit issued by the FQMHR;
- For a registered off-road vehicle: Hold a Class 5 driver's licence (automobile) or Class 6D driver's licence (moped/scooter);
- For a registered on-road vehicle (dual-use): Hold a Class 6A or 6B driver's licence (cylinder capacity of 400 cc or less) or 6C driver's licence (cylinder capacity of 125 cc or less).
[ ] Beginner
[ ] Intermediate
[ ] Advanced
Class of driver's licence: [...........................................................................]
Number of years of experience: [...........................................................................]
[ ] I am only interested in the closed-circuit park network.
[ ] I am interested in Enduro X competitions.
[ ] I am interested in trail-riding only.
[ ] I want to tackle ascents, descents and rough terrain.
[ ] I want to ride long distances on a trail.
[ ] I have to travel short distances on the road to get to the trails.
[ ] I have to travel long distances on the road to get to the trails.
[ ] I want to go on an adventure trip.
[ ] I am interested in MX competitions.
[ ] I am interested in both closed-circuit parks and trails.
[ ] I want to venture into narrow and uneven trails (single track).
[ ] I want to tackle wide trails, climbs and descents on hard and slightly rough terrain.
[ ] I tow my bike to go to the trails.
[ ] I want to travel long distances on the road, paved or not.
- Approved for road use;
- Designed for driving on the road or on trails**;
-
Prioritizes the proper gear necessary for off-road requirements:
- Small to medium displacement engines;
- Studded tires usually mounted on spoke rims;
- Specialized suspension;
- Smaller and more rigid saddle.
- Lightweight and reliable;
- Agile on trails with steep climbs and descents;
- Limited capacity for luggage transport.
- Hold a class 6A or 6B motorcycle driver's licence depending on the engine displacement;
- Hold a valid registration certificate issued by the SAAQ;
- Comply with the Highway Safety Code.
**Trail practice: A trail permit sticker must be securely placed on your bike.
ON-ROAD DUAL-USE PROFILE
This sporty road bike is equipped with the necessary assets to leave the asphalt behind! It offers the necessary comfort for road intervals and long-distance adventure travelling. In terms of ergonomics, it provides an optimal driving position to cope with the diversity of use it allows.
- Approved for road use;
- Designed for driving on the road or on trails**;
-
Prioritizes equipment necessary for off-road requirements:
- Medium to large displacement engine;
- Multi-purpose surface tires;
- Specialized suspension;
- Larger capacity fuel tank;
- Double saddle providing comfort for longer distances.
- Suitable for wide trails with climbs and descents on hard and slightly sloping terrain;
- Larger capacity for luggage transport.
- Hold a Class 6A motorcycle driver's licence;
- Hold a valid registration certificate issued by the SAAQ;
- Comply with the Highway Safety Code.
**Trail practice: A trail permit sticker must be securely placed on your bike.
-
Outfitted with the necessary equipment to meet the requirements of off-road circuits:
- single-cylinder, 2 or 4-stroke engine;
- flexible suspension;
- studded tires.
- Offers a more flexible engine than the motocross-type motorcycle;
- Lightweight and easy to handle;
- Can be enhanced with the equipment and accessories required* for trail use**;
- Devoid of any equipment required by the Highway Safety Code.
- Off-road registration certificate issued by the SAAQ;
- Third-party civil liability insurance of at least $1,000,000;
- Respect a maximum noise emission rate of 98 decibels;
- Valid driver's licence (for trail driving);
- Must be carried on a trailer for transportation;
- Comply with the respecting off highway vehicless Act (Ministère des Transports du Québec).
*Trail equipment and accessories: white headlight, red tail-light, red stop light at the rear, rear-view mirror firmly attached to the left side of the motorcycle, speedometer, licence plate securely attached to the rear of the motorcycle.
**Trail practice: A trail permit sticker must be securely placed on your bike.
-
Outfitted with the necessary equipment to meet the requirements of motocross circuits:
- single-cylinder, 2 or 4-stroke engine;
- high-travel suspension;
- studded tires.
- High-strung engine, excessively efficient;
- Lightweight and easy to handle;
- Devoid of any equipment required by the Highway Safety Code.
- Off-road registration certificate issued by the SAAQ;
- Third-party civil liability insurance of at least $1,000,000;
- Must be carried on a trailer for transportation;
- Closed-circuit and competition use;
- Comply with the Act respecting off highway vehicles (Ministère des Transports du Québec).
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