What keeps someone from using a honda shadow or cruiser type motorcycle from going off road? Why is a dirt bike more desired for that?

What keeps someone from using a honda shadow or cruiser type motorcycle from going off road? Why is a dirt bike more desired for that? - 1

Nothing stops a person from riding a shadow or similar but they are not made for that; shocks may bottom out and so on

Ground clearance, suspension travel, weight, tyres, power delivery, gearing. All are factors determining how well a bike is suited to terrain.

You can go off road on any bike. It will be a question of how far you get over increasingly rough ground.

Update: I forgot the most important thing - The rider! An experienced off roader can do far more off road than a novice, just go steady. And most importantly TRY NOT TO USE YOUR FRONT BRAKE! It will lock up in an instant on slippery surfaces like grass, the steering goes and the rider does as well.

I was in Thailand years ago, riding around the north near the border with Myanmar (Burma) on a Kawasaki KX250 off road bike. No roads to speak of, rough tracks at that. On one section of steep hill I slithered my way past stuck pickups and 4 wheel drives in torrential rain. I reached the top and relaxed, I got off the bike to enjoy the view and a drink, congratulating myself mentally on my skill. BEEP BEEP, I jumped to the side as a Honda C90 step through flew past with a whole family on board. Somewhat humbled I realised that I was not as skilled as I thought I was.

You could ride a cruiser type bike off road (google Dirtquake for people racing them on dirt ovals).

If you wanted to ride down a gravel track to reach a campsite you could probably manage it at a slow speed (try to keep moving at all times though), you could even ford a shallow stream; muddy rutted tracks would be more of a challenge, once in a rut you will find it very difficult to get out and eventually you might ground the footpads on either side.

You will find that a relatively smooth road tyre is a horror show on mud (but less so on gravel). The major limiting factor though is going to be when you get stuck and have to push it or pick it up - after a few of those you will be wishing for a nice, light 250.

Nick Sanders (google him) has ridden round the world on an R1 and holds the record for being the fastest rider.

Weight, ground clearance, traction, suspension travel.

One time on dirt with a street bike and you'll see real fast why its NOT a good idea… The smooth tires for highway won't get any traction and if you hit some sand… You'll drop it.

I once saw a guy on a Goldwing try to go up a gravel road. Halfway up he spun the rear wheel and tried a three point turn on the hill, on gravel. He got it sideways on the hill, on gravel. It took four guys to recover the bike after he dropped it sideways on the hill, on gravel. Ya gotta have enough traction for your feet, too, dude.

Take a old Harley with the old pattern Beck block tires and see how far you go on gravel road- or alaskan hiway, might find experienced riders there. BMW /5s were used for desert racing with proper tires, that was before the GS series. Depends on rider, actual cruiser and equipment. Remember the old Super Glide doing Reno desert 400 runs? Honda Shadow 500 with proper tires was also used and came in 2nd or 3rd in class couple years back- and time was less than 10 minutes difference. Old Harleys were designed for gravel roads as well as smooth streets. Shafty riders remember R69s and 750s doing central American run starting in Seattle, ending up in Belize as 1/2 way, finally meeting in Paruguey.

Seating position, suspension & gearing all very different on a trail (or a standard)
Yes you can ride a cruiser on dirt. Biggest issue is that with the seating position it's hard to move your weight around as needed & take the shocks of big bumps with your legs rather than your but.

Crusers are about 800lbs to 900lbs you do not want that much mass falling on your legs Dirt bikes are about 200lbs to 400lbs
yeah you can fall and still break a leg but with 400lbs less you might get away with less injuries