4 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying ATV

All-terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or Quad Bikes have risen in popularity over the last few years. If you are looking to investing in one, there are a few things you should keep in mind, to make sure you buy the one that is right for you.

The Purpose

Before deciding which ATV to buy, it is important to know why you want to buy it. Is it for agriculture use? Or is it for leisure rides? Knowing why you want the vehicle will help you to narrow down the size and type of ATV that will be best for you. It’s important to note that each type of ATV is designed for a specific purpose as they are not easy to control and require you to move around and spread out your weight while sitting to be able to properly maneuver the vehicle. The extra space on the seating area of the ATV is usually made for this purpose, not for extra passengers.

Used or New

If you know why you want an ATV and have narrowed down on which one you want to purchase, it’s better to look for a used one, as opposed to a brand new one, as they are likely to be in great shape and cost you half as compared to the new one. Quad bikes, or ATV, are known for their sturdiness and rough handling and can be in active use for over two decades while still maintaining its quality.  A new Honda TRX 250 can cost somewhere between $4000 to $5000, while a used one can cost half of that. But, before purchasing a used ATV, make sure you research and ask the appropriate questions such as, ‘how long have they owned it’, ‘how often did they ride it’, ‘when was the last tune-up?’ etc. to know the history of the vehicle before investing and purchasing it.

Tyres

Whether the vehicle is new or old, it is important to check the tyres and see if they are up to standard. Conduct a quick visual inspection by checking the tyres and seeing if the tread pattern is prominent. Treads are extremely important in the tyres as they provide the vehicle with the grip and friction needed to accelerate, stop and even turn. If the treads seem to be worn out and flat, giving the tyre a smooth look as opposed to having ridges, then they will need to be changed immediately. As they will now be slippery and will not offer the same safety and control you expect. Further, check to see if there is a pattern in the wornness of the tyres. Do the front tyres look more worn than the back, are the right-side tyres smoother than the left? If so, it is likely that the vehicle’s alignment is not correct, and it will need to be looked into before the vehicle be used on any terrain.

Two-Wheel or Four-Wheel

Most would want to opt for a four-wheel ATV, as they look cooler and the image of you driving it is more aligned with what you have imagined. However, the choice comes down to the purpose of buying the ATV, A four-wheel ATV is going to be heavier and harder to control. Unless you have a lot of experience or are going to be using the ATV in uneven terrain, going up and down, or pulling a heavy load, then choosing a two-wheel ATV is likely to be more appropriate for you. It will be considerably lighter and far easier to control, especially in levelled terrain.

Regardless of which ATV you choose, make sure you thoroughly research your options and know all the safety features you should keep in mind when going to purchase it. It is important to note that not all ATVs can be used on regular roads legally, there are only a select few, and you are likely going to need to buy insurance for the vehicle as well, so remember to add that cost in your budget.