Discount ATV and Parts

At first glance, it's easy to tell Utility and Sport ATV's apart, and many people will eliminate one class of these quads solely on appearance. However, other than size, there are some important differences between Utility and Sport quads that you might want to take into consideration when you are looking for a new ATV, or the next time you go riding.

If you're looking to do some work, or take a quad deep into uncharted wilderness, a Utility ATV with a winch is probably the best choice for you. Although Utilities are perhaps not as extreme as a Sport quad on level ground, Utility quads can crawl over or through terrain and mud that would swallow a Sport quad alive. Although the additional size, weight, and low end torque, not to mention the optional four wheel drive, give utility quads a huge edge in dicey terrain, there are many other features that allow a Utility get through the really rough stuff. Many Utilities have a locking differential to climb out of deep mud holes and other situations where traction is a problem. The differential will either make all the wheels turn at the same speed or shift torque to the wheels that aren't slipping. Most Utility quads also have independent suspension on all four wheels, allowing it to keep in contact with the ground and keep you in control no matter where you're at. In most utilities, the suspension is tuned to give a soft and predictable ride that insulates riders from bumps on the trail. These features draw many people to Utility quads, especially if they plan on using it for hunting or work around the farm. However, many people overlook Sport quads, even though they may be more suited for their riding style.

If you want to have the power and performance to simply pull away from your buddies on the trail, or carve a corner like you never thought possible, you should try a sport quad. Sport quads are engineered for quick acceleration and bursts of speed. Sport quads are designed to run hard for optimal performance, and can stand up to hours of high-speed riding. The gearing is aggressive and the suspension is stiff for digging into corners, which is one of the complaints that many people have about Sport quads. You can adjust the tension and range of your suspension to give you a stiffer or softer ride, but if you soften the ride you will inevitably get more body lean and less performance. One factor not to be overlooked is the ease of getting a Sport ATV airborne and landing it gracefully. Some people can land jumps that put them over 100 feet in the air or do a back flip with small and maneuverable Sport ATVs. Although you may not feel up to flipping an ATV under any circumstances, hitting jumps is a lot of fun once you get comfortable.

Utility quads were originally designed to be worked, but recent years have seen Utilities get a lot sportier and more suited to recreational riding. Sport quads are also getting more user friendly, which gives them more appeal. Although each category of ATV has its advantages and disadvantages, in 2006 Yamaha made a very successful attempt at bridging the gap between Sport and Utility ATV with their 450 Wolverine. The Wolverine combines the best features of both classes of ATVs. It is a light ATV with sport-like handling, but it has four-wheel drive and is balanced for high speed performance. It also has the comfort and low-end power for rough terrain.

Essentially, Utility and Sport quads have different angles on how to have fun off-road. Sport bikes are designed for all-out speed and handling, while utilities seem like a Cadillac in comparison. They are bigger, heavier, slower, but much more comfortable to ride. The type of ATV that is best for you will depend on your riding style, how far you want to push your quad and what kind of obstacles you want to use to test its limits. However, with the popularity of Yahama's Wolverine, you can expect to see several crossover ATV's pop up from more manufacturers in the next couple years.

Since ATVs were introduced over four decades ago they have continued to grow in popularity. The sense of danger the rider feels is part of their appeal. However, these dangers are very real and in 1988 the ATV Safety Institute was formed to address these ATV dangers. They offer education and training for all ATV riders, which most states now require.

ATVs started out with only three wheels. It wasn't long before manufacturers realized that an ATV with only three wheels was too risky since it had no center of gravity point. As a result, the four wheeler soon followed and accidents were expected to dramatically decline. While four wheelers have brought about less accidents, there is still a cause for safety concerns when it comes to ATVs. Even though ATV Manufacturers strive to make their ATVs safer year after year, accidents still happen all too frequently.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the ATV industry have implemented a series of action plans to improve the safety of ATVs. They now have rules that allow only certain age groups to ride ATVs based on the engine size. The problem with this is that many ATVs are manufactured in Asia and Italy and other countries that are not required to abide by US laws.

Because the CPSC cannot control the safety guidelines in regards to the ATV industry, they have decided to focus on age restrictions for ATV riders. However, this can vary from state to state as each state can set their own laws. There are some states that now have laws to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from riding an ATV with a 90cc engine or greater, while some states do not allow anyone under the age of 16 to operate an ATV at all.

There are some who criticize setting age restrictions as a safety measure. Some feel this type of law is unfair since some teenagers are the same size and just as strong as many adults. Others argue that to improve ATV safety, children should be trained at an early age to drive an ATV. This would give them more experience by the time they become young adults.

The most important thing to remember about ATV safety is that it begins with you. Make sure you always wear the proper safety gear including a helmet whenever you ride. Never ride by yourself. Do not push your limits beyond what you feel comfortable with. And please never ride if you have been drinking as it is just as dangerous as operating a car when you are under the influence.

Visit my website to learn more about ATV Trail Safety.

One of the most important things you can do to stay safe while riding an ATV is to wear an ATV helmet. However, wearing a helmet that does not fit properly is just about as bad as not wearing one at all.

Making sure you get a helmet that will protect your head means more than just putting one on for a minute to check for the proper fit. There are some things you can do to make sure the helmet size you choose will protect your head in the event of an accident.

You should choose an ATV helmet that is snug. Snug does not mean tight, you should not have to fight to get the helmet on. On the other hand, it is too loose if it slides over your head easily. The helmet should give a little resistance as you pull it on or it can move during an accident and will not protect you.

No matter how much you move, your helmet should stay in place. When you are looking for the perfect sized helmet, you should shake your head in all directions to see if it moves. If the helmet moves at all, then it is not the right size for you. Now matter how much you move your head, the helmet should not move. Instead, it should grip your head comfortably without pinching.

Another way to check for the right sized ATV helmet is to secure the chin strap. Once the chin strap is adjusted and secure, the helmet should not come off no matter how hard you try to pull it off. If the helmet comes up even a little then it is not the right size for you. You can try adjusting the closure for a more snug fit, but if the helmet still moves, then you need to pick a different size. After the helmet's chin strap is securely closed, the helmet should not move at all no matter how much pressure is applied.

A lot of people think that buying the biggest ATV helmet they can find will offer more protection. However, this is not true. A properly fitting helmet will protect you much better than a large one. If a helmet is too large, you will end up adjusting it while you are riding. This is unsafe and will cause you to have an accident. When you are shopping for an ATV Helmet always remember to go for the best fit.

If you are thinking of buying an ATV Helmet online to save money, make sure you know what size you wear first. An ATV Helmet that fits correctly can save your life in an accident.

No matter which model of ATV or UTV you ride, how you get from one side of a mud hole to the other is basically the same. You need to make sure to enter the mud hole at a good rate of speed so you will not get stuck and have to be towed out. With a good rate of speed you can slide across the mud hole even if you can't get traction.

While you want to hit a mud hole at a good rate of speed, don't make the mistake of applying more gas if you lose traction. If the mud starts flying it sometimes means your tires are spinning too fast. By getting your tires to spin at a slower speed they may be able to bite into something enough to grab some traction. Applying more gas will only make things worse.

If you have a hard time maneuvering through mud holes, you may want to try having at least one tire on solid ground. This will give you something to grip. You can accomplish this by either straddling the ruts so that your ATV stays on higher ground or by having at least one tire outside of the mud. If you are going to try this it is important to keep in mind the depth of the mud hole. If it is too deep, your ATV can tip over in the mud.

When you are dealing with mud, the tires that have more weight over them have a better chance of getting some traction. Shifting your weight from side to side can sometimes put enough weight on one of your tires so you will get enough traction to free you from the mud.

Having a four-wheel drive ATV is the easiest way to get out of a mud hole. However, not even four-wheel drive is enough if the mud is too deep. If you plan on riding where there is alot of deep mud holes, you will want to add some upgrades to your ATV.
An exhaust extension and snorkel kit will keep your engine from sucking in the mud and other debris. A good set of Mud Tires, which have more rigorous tread, will help you get more traction to help you get out of the mud hole.

The most important things to remember when you are riding through mud holes is to come prepared and stay calm. Knowing a number of ways to get those tires grabbing instead of slipping will make your time on the trails more fun and less stressful. And if all else fails, a winch or a tow rope can get you out of the mud hole you are in so you can hurry and dive into the next one.

If this is your first ATV purchase and you are not sure if you will enjoy riding or if you want to buy an ATV that is too expensive when new, buying a Used ATV will save you money.

Knowing what to look for in a Used ATV will ensure you get a great deal on an ATV that you will enjoy for years.

1. Look over the cosmetic condition of the ATV. Chances are if the ATV has cracked or broken plastic, or is in anyway beat up cosmetically, then the ATV has probably been abused. How the ATV looks is a great indication of how it was cared for.

2. Inspect the ATV's CV boots. You should not find any tears. The CV boots are expensive to replace. Since they are usually overlooked during routine maintenance, you will want to make sure they are in good condition.

3. Compression check. If possible, you will want the Used ATV to have a compression check before you buy. The pistons create pressure. If the ATV has lost compression, then the pistons are losing the pressure around them. If they are losing pressure, then the ATV does not have the power it once had.
A compression check is most important for a two stroke machine.

4. Check the fluids. When you check the fluids, make sure to look for dirty lubricants as well as excess metal shavings. They can be indicators of abuse or from a lack of careful maintenance. Ask if the seller has records of any scheduled maintenance that was performed on the ATV.

5. Make sure that any aftermarket accessories have been installed correctly. If the accessories have been installed by the factory or the dealership, then you should not have a problem. However, you should look for ones that have been shoddily installed by the owner.

6. Electrical problems. While most ATVs that are over five years old will have some sort of electrical problems, they are kept to a minimum if the ATV was stored in a garage or other indoor facility. If there are alot of electrical upgrades, make sure that they are installed correctly and are not causing other problems.

Most importantly, make sure you are comfortable with the seller. If the seller of the ATV seems to be hiding something, nervous or elusive, do not be afraid to walk away. It is better to be happy with your ATV purchase rather than feeling pressured into buying. A better deal will come along!

When you are looking for a Used ATV, Ebay is a great place to start. Ebay is one of the safest ways to buy online. Ebay and Paypal have buyer protection policies to help ensure you make a safe purchase. Be sure to ask the seller any questions you have, read the listing completely to be sure of what you are buying, and research the seller to make sure they are credible. Read their feedback, don't just look at the feedback score. See what any negative comments were. See if they have received a lot of praise from buyers, and if so,what type of item was sold.

If you do your research, you will be able to get a great deal on a Used ATV. Be sure to visit my website, Discount ATV and Parts to see a complete listing of Used ATVs available on Ebay right now.

Check back soon as I will be adding more information on ATVs and their upgrades.