So I will be getting my first atv soon but it came to my attention that these machines require lots of maintaining. So what will I need to do/check before i go riding and after I go riding. I also heard that you need to replace the chain occasionally, how could I tell when I need to replace it, Is there anything else I would have to check like the chain. Also I've never had experience with an atv before

 

what atv do you have? what type of riding will you be doing? what type of climate is it exposed to?

 

Oil should be checked, along with tire pressures, and brakes. Those would be my main concerns. Since it has a chain I'll assume it's a sport quad. Grease any fittings you find if they look dry. Make sure the clutch is working properly. It shouldn't be hard to shift or have a lot of play. Is this going to be a used quad or a new one? If used I'd go through all fluids and replace them. If new it should be taken care of by the dealer as part of the prep.

The chain needs to be replaced when you run out of adjustment and it's still too loose. Owner's manual will tell you how much free play should be in the chain. Chain drives I've had weren't too bad. Maybe every couple months I needed to adjust them riding 2-3 times per month. I liked a chain oil that Polaris had that had silicone in it. Seemed to last longer than other oils I used. I only kept one for two years and the other for one. I never had to replace the chains and they were both used.

 

Raptor 250, I will be riding through the woods mud water grass, climate is north east Ohio

 

It is a used Raptor 250, though it came from a Yamaha dealer

 

Get a 350 Yamaha Grizzly, all I do is change the oil and clean the air filter. It has the maintenance of a car.

 

Pretty simple quad with normal maintenance in all likelihood.

 

Having a rear chain sure ups the maintenance, my cousin had a 500 Scrambler it seemed like he was always lubing , tightening the chain and wearing out chains and sprockets plus the rear sprocket has little ground clearance and sure takes a big hit or two from boulders on the trail.