Why Are Motorcycles Street-Legal But Quads Are Not?

Almost the entire quad community has this question: “Why are quads not street-legal and motorcycles are?” Someone with little knowledge and never test-ridden a quad may consider a motorcycle a more dangerous ride.

Someone who has just a general perception of what it is like to ride a motorcycle may consider riding a two-wheel vehicle more dangerous. To a certain extent, it is true. Motorcycles only have two wheels and cannot self-balance themselves while riding.

On the other hand, a four-wheel vehicle, like a car or quad, seems more balanced, stable, and secure. However, cars and quads are not the same.

Motorcycles are among one of the most common transportation modes around the world. Meanwhile, quads are only used for off-roading and recreational activities. The question still seems to be valid: why are motorcycles street-legal and quads aren’t?

Continue reading this article to learn the logic behind why quads are not road-legal.

Quads have four wheels, which is different from cars. They are also known as All-Terrain Vehicles ( ATVs ) and are mainly used for off-roading.

They may have a two-wheel drive (2WD) or a four-wheel drive (4WD). A 4WD quad offers better traction for overcoming challenging off-road terrains.

Quads are equipped with low-pressure tires, and they use handlebars for steering.

They are widely used for outdoor activities, like camping, trail riding, and other off-road adventures.

Quads are not street legal due to various reasons. They cannot be declared street-legal because they have four wheels like cars. Also, the number of wheels isn’t the only problem here when comparing quads with motorcycles.

A vehicle requires a lot of other things to become street-legal. Even if motorcycles fail to comply with traffic laws, they cannot be taken to the road.

For instance, there are dirt bikes that are not street-legal. These dirt bikes, mainly quads, are not street-legal because they do not have the required safety features.

For quads to become street legal, a list of equipment is required, as you do for cars. These are:

• Seatbelts

• Airbags

• Headlights

• Tail light

• Turn signals

• Horn

• Windshield wipers

• Reliable braking system

• Bumpers

A quad with all these safety equipment and features will become closer to a car. This is why a road-legal quad seems to be impossible.

So, a four-wheeler, according to the law, is considered a car. And for a car to be road-legal, it must have all the equipment mentioned above.

Another factor that makes quads highly unsuitable for road use is their instability. Quads are not very stable at high speeds, particularly when turning. They are good as long as you are riding in a straight line.

However, as soon as you turn the handlebars for steering, there is a better chance that the ATV quad will flip over.

Steering is a major problem with ATV quads, and why are they dangerous for road use?

ATV quads are also not fully covered like cars. They are exposed and open, making riders prone to severe injuries in case of an accident.

Quads are also quite heavyweight and are more likely to flip over when faced with challenging obstacles or turning tight corners at high speeds.

Due to having an open design and being heavier, the risk of injuries is greater while riding an ATV quad. A collision with another vehicle can be fatal, especially if you choose to ride the quad on the road.

Motorcycles are designed and built to comply with road laws and regulations. They are made to be ridden on paved roads. They come with road-biased tires. They also have headlights, turn signals, tail lights, reliable braking, handling, and other safety features.

Motorcycles have everything required for safely operating on public roads. If a motorcycle doesn’t have the required safety equipment, like dirt bikes, they are legally prohibited from being taken on roads.

According to the law, motorcycles are a separate entity. They do not fall under the definition of cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a motorcycle as:

According to research and statistics, ATV quad riders are more prone to getting seriously injured in a crash than motorcycles. Almost 50% of quad riders who meet an accident are more likely to die due to getting severely injured.

Approximately 50% of ATV quad riders ended up in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) after the accident. Quads are unsafer than motorcycles. They are not as maneuverable and stable around the corners and at high speeds.

The main disadvantage of quad bikes is that riders consider them more stable due to having four wheels. Because of the perception that four-wheel vehicles are more stable and balanced, they ride quads above their limits.

ATV quads are not very stable and flickable. They can easily lose control while steering, especially at high speeds, and are more prone to get into an accident.

Quads are not only different from motorcycles but also very different from cars. It doesn’t mean they should be road-legal like cars because they have four wheels.

Quads do not have the basic safety features and equipment. They do not have a strong braking system. Also, they are not built as strong as cars, due to which they are more prone to meet an accident.

The accidents on ATV quads can also be more fatal and can cause severe injuries. Therefore, in most US states, quads are not street-legal. However, before you take the ATV quad on the road, check with your state and city laws.

Some US states allow ATV quads to be ridden on the road. However, they must meet safety criteria. On the other hand, motorcycles have two wheels, and the rider must balance them. However, they are still safer than quads.