I can give you some first hand experience w/ riding dirtbikes and atvs together. Its a bummer. My fiance' has an atv and I have CRF450. I like riding w/her, but unfortunatly the atv is just not as fast in the woods and even open trails as a dirtbike. Consequentaly I end up leaving her behind, and we all know its no fun putting around by yourself.(I also need to comment that my fiance' is a very able pilot, and by no means slow by atv standards! ;) ) I think that you'll be alot more happy w/your decision if you get the motorcycle. My soon to be father in law owns an Xr650 and loves the bike. If left stock it is very smooth and mellow down low in the rpms, but if you later decided you want more "umph!" there is amazing potential available for next to no money. The KTM is another very good option, just a little harder to find. Your definately gonna have a biased opinion on a Dirt bike site, but I really do think that a motorcycle is a better decision. If your brother has an ATV then by all means an atv would be a better choice, but if he has a motorcycle there is no comparison. Good luck, and whatever you decide I hope your happy w/your decision. :thumb: