ANSWERS to buying questions (FAQ)
#1
09-12-2012, 07:33 AM
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ANSWERS to buying questions (FAQ)
Every day brings a new question to the forums regarding buying an ATV. Here are a few answers.
1) Take time to think about why you are buying an ATV, what you want to do with it and where you will spend the majority of your riding time. These are expensive items to have sitting in your garage/shed, so having a good idea of what you are planning to do with it is an important consideration before you reach into the wallet and pull out the green stuff.
2) Are you or the person you are buying for physically capable of operating an ATV? This includes not only physical strength, but the ability to make good decisions under stressful conditions and have the ability to concentrate for longer than a few minutes. This is important when considering an ATV for a child.
3) Size and fitment matter. Do not fall into the trap of buying too big and expect someone to grow into it. That is a recipe for disaster and you are at even money that you will get someone hurt. Don't think that just because your buddies all ride 700's with all the trimmings that it is a perfect machine for you. Start with reasonable expectations and a smaller used machine first and upgrade as your skills and enthusiasm for the sport grow. It is a harsh reality to walk past that expensive ATV that doesn't get used taking up garage floor space.
4) Do not assume that your girlfriend/spouse/child/boyfriend etc would like to have an ATV. An ideal situation would be to seek out and find a rental unit first, and get them some training prior to making a purchase decision. Fear, especially in children is a hard thing to overcome. Be patient and proceed through encouragement, not ridicule.
5) Based on your answer to #1 above, decide which TYPE of machine you will need to operate in the environment you will be riding. Sport models can handle about 75 to 85% of the riding conditions that a 4x4 Utility can, but they can be a royal pain in that last 20%. Consequently a Utility machine really gets to show it's stuff when the going gets rough. Speed is a factor in some environments. Sport quads are generally lighter, more manuverable, but that isn't always an advantage. With all that said, be very careful to size the particular machine to the person. If the rider cannot sit comfortably without reaching forward to grip the controls, find a different machine. If they do not have the strength to operate the brakes for example, then you have a serious problem. The ability to shift gears of work a clutch is also a consideration, and there are machines that can address each. Trail comfort offered by IRS (Independant rear suspension) makes time spent trail riding much more comfortable. But sport riders who want to slide awound corners may find a solid axle more suited to their riding style.
6) Notice I have not mentioned brands? That is going to be a personal preference. I will say this though. Make sure you choose one that you can get worked on and parts for. Establishing a positive relationship with your local dealer is paramount to having a fun and enjoyable experience. All machines break. It is Murphy's law. Most of the time, it will happen in a very unforgiving and unexpected place/time. These are part of the deal and not always the fault of the manufacturer. Being able to service your machine will lower these inconveniences.
Hope this helps
1) Take time to think about why you are buying an ATV, what you want to do with it and where you will spend the majority of your riding time. These are expensive items to have sitting in your garage/shed, so having a good idea of what you are planning to do with it is an important consideration before you reach into the wallet and pull out the green stuff.
2) Are you or the person you are buying for physically capable of operating an ATV? This includes not only physical strength, but the ability to make good decisions under stressful conditions and have the ability to concentrate for longer than a few minutes. This is important when considering an ATV for a child.
3) Size and fitment matter. Do not fall into the trap of buying too big and expect someone to grow into it. That is a recipe for disaster and you are at even money that you will get someone hurt. Don't think that just because your buddies all ride 700's with all the trimmings that it is a perfect machine for you. Start with reasonable expectations and a smaller used machine first and upgrade as your skills and enthusiasm for the sport grow. It is a harsh reality to walk past that expensive ATV that doesn't get used taking up garage floor space.
4) Do not assume that your girlfriend/spouse/child/boyfriend etc would like to have an ATV. An ideal situation would be to seek out and find a rental unit first, and get them some training prior to making a purchase decision. Fear, especially in children is a hard thing to overcome. Be patient and proceed through encouragement, not ridicule.
5) Based on your answer to #1 above, decide which TYPE of machine you will need to operate in the environment you will be riding. Sport models can handle about 75 to 85% of the riding conditions that a 4x4 Utility can, but they can be a royal pain in that last 20%. Consequently a Utility machine really gets to show it's stuff when the going gets rough. Speed is a factor in some environments. Sport quads are generally lighter, more manuverable, but that isn't always an advantage. With all that said, be very careful to size the particular machine to the person. If the rider cannot sit comfortably without reaching forward to grip the controls, find a different machine. If they do not have the strength to operate the brakes for example, then you have a serious problem. The ability to shift gears of work a clutch is also a consideration, and there are machines that can address each. Trail comfort offered by IRS (Independant rear suspension) makes time spent trail riding much more comfortable. But sport riders who want to slide awound corners may find a solid axle more suited to their riding style.
6) Notice I have not mentioned brands? That is going to be a personal preference. I will say this though. Make sure you choose one that you can get worked on and parts for. Establishing a positive relationship with your local dealer is paramount to having a fun and enjoyable experience. All machines break. It is Murphy's law. Most of the time, it will happen in a very unforgiving and unexpected place/time. These are part of the deal and not always the fault of the manufacturer. Being able to service your machine will lower these inconveniences.
Hope this helps
#2
09-12-2012, 07:58 AM
and to add to the great advice above...
buy an atv that suits your height. I see too many tall riders cramped up on small or medium sized atv's and sport quads. A tall rider having his knees bent backwards at a 45* angle all the time creates a lot of stress and discomfort on the legs and back- Sitting on the seat with your feet in the footwell / pegs, your knees should be as if you were sitting in a chair almost 90*. Same goes while standing; If being hunched over is the only way you can grab the bars while standing on the pegs, you will eventually throw your lower back out.
Most atv's also have throttle limiters on them to allow a rider to get comfortable riding the atv at less than full power. This comes in handy if you're a big 200lb+ 6'+ rider who's new to the sport and would like to learn how to ride a full-size atv without the wheelie popping power at the rear wheels.
buy an atv that suits your height. I see too many tall riders cramped up on small or medium sized atv's and sport quads. A tall rider having his knees bent backwards at a 45* angle all the time creates a lot of stress and discomfort on the legs and back- Sitting on the seat with your feet in the footwell / pegs, your knees should be as if you were sitting in a chair almost 90*. Same goes while standing; If being hunched over is the only way you can grab the bars while standing on the pegs, you will eventually throw your lower back out.
Most atv's also have throttle limiters on them to allow a rider to get comfortable riding the atv at less than full power. This comes in handy if you're a big 200lb+ 6'+ rider who's new to the sport and would like to learn how to ride a full-size atv without the wheelie popping power at the rear wheels.
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