Quad bikes (or ATVs), traditionally used for off-road driving and sports, are becoming popular as a vehicle for hobby and agricultural work. Whatever your reason for riding, if you are a beginner and looking to buy your first ATV, you will have a lot to think about. In this guide, we'll go over some of the most important questions you should ask before deciding which ATV to choose. And to find out how much an ATV costs, visit our website.
Choosing the right vehicle
The idea of off-road racing is exciting, but before beginners start riding, they need to get used to the feel of riding an ATV. Despite having four sturdy wheels, ATVs are not intuitive and can be surprisingly difficult to control.
Most of the steering and control comes from body position and weight distribution across the vehicle. For this reason, it is extremely important for beginners to choose an ATV that will be comfortable for their height and comfortable to drive. This is especially true for younger riders who may need a more compact bike. One of the first things to consider is the type of activity your ATV will be used for:
- 350kg lighter ATVs for young riders
- 400kg is a typical ATV for general use
- 550 kg - cargo carriers
Despite the large seating space that people might assume is intended for a passenger, most ATVs are designed to carry only the driver. The extra space is for you to change lanes to control your motorcycle. Your vehicle may become unstable with an additional driver or load for which it was not designed.
Tires
Choosing the right tires for your terrain is essential to getting the most out of your ATV in terms of handling and cornering. This is also very important for safety, as tires can affect braking sensitivity. If you're going to be riding on the roads, it's important to fit road tires as they're designed to provide increased traction on flat surfaces.
Motor size
The size of the engine should be dictated by your requirements and experience so that you can comfortably handle your new motorcycle. While thrill-seekers might like the idea of big engines (705cc-1,000cc), they are far from ideal for beginner riders. 450cc and 500cc motorcycles cc are still powerful, but have much better handling on terrain where control is required rather than acceleration.
Two- or four-wheel drive?
While 4WD ATVs are great for towing and riding in hilly terrain, they are often much heavier and more difficult to handle than two wheelers.
For inexperienced riders, two-wheeled ATVs are a good opportunity to gain experience before switching to a more powerful vehicle.
