Alright youve convinced me I think ill wait a while longer and try to purchase a used Polaris Trailblazer, ill do it the right way rather then the fast way. Thanks for all the help.

 

Hay Dragginbutt, what you are saying is true however this "kid" will be 18 in a few years and may not have mom and dad around to say yea or nay with what he does. ATV's are made for the dirt just like dirt bikes, but LOTS of people put dirt bikes on the road like LOTS of people up here in the mountains of Arizona put ATV's and UTV's on the road. I drive my ATV to work almost every day, threw town along with all the motorcycles, cars, trucks and even mopeds. What I have over a moped is that I can actually get across and into traffic safely because a 500 or 700 is a little more powerful than a 150cc or whatever they put in them. There are standards that must be met to legally use an ATV on City streets (heck, we even take them on the local freeways though I would not take one on a Federal Freeway...it's not fast enough to keep up with 75mph.) We follow the laws and drive with traffic just like everyone else. I'm not suggesting he buys one and jump into traffic but he may get an inkling of the sort in a few years...that's up to him. Arizona doesn't have a helmet law either, but I still wear one.

I don't want anyone getting killed either but I can't tell you the last time I heard of someone getting killed ridding a quad on a city street. I think this must take into account where you live. Is it in a big city, small one, little country town? We don't know where he lives exactly other than he is in Florida also. I do hear about people getting killed while ridding trails. In fact a co-worker of mine was killed on his ATV about three weeks ago while ridding in the mountains. He wasn't wearing a helmet and it cost him everything. I guess my point is, in my opinion, if the ATV is equipped properly as it should be under the law it's no more dangerous on a city street than ridding a motorcycle. Quite frankly I would feel a lot more naked ridding around on a little moped than my quad when traversing the pavement.

A agree he should do it right and buy something more suitable for his size but already stated no more than $650 can be spent. He does have a lot of learning to do. Oda 6 needs to take it slow with whatever he buys.

 

ask any arizona law enforcement officer and they will tell you atv vs. car accidents are nile. just doesn't happen! i still get a big kick watching quads and ruvs ride down the center of town without being harassed.

 

Yea, it's nice to be able to load up the gear on the ATV and not have to load it on a trailer for transport. Pack on the gear and drive strait threw town out to the trail head. Ride all day and then drive home all dirty, tired, and happy. Heck, even come back in from a completely different direction and go home. No truck to go back to. Maybe stop to top of the tank so she's ready to go to work on Monday.

 

In the desert, Ok I'll agree with you... however I believe this kid is in Florida... My daughter lives in South Florida too, and every time I visit, there is someone killed around Miami on an ATV. The traffic there is way different than in AZ. Many more cars, and hazards and ATV's on the road is frowned upon. Drivers just do not see them. As one who has ridden street bikes since I was a kid, I know from personal experience that when you are in a city/urban setting, the drivers of cars are not lookinf for motorcycles or ATVs, and even though they may be looking directly at them, they will not see them.

The ATV is capable of achieving incredable traction.... and on pavement, get it the least bit sideways and the tendency to roll is very high. I doubt anyone will argue that... The point is, the kid is looking for advice, and when we give it to him, we have to take into consideration that he has little to no experience with these things. Local laws may allow them to be ridden on the road, but in most cases in the East at least, when they are allowed on the roads, they must be ridden slowly, and can only be used ot get to trail heads, or into town for gas etc. And must take direct routes... Go too fast and you will attract unwanted attention from the local law enforcement who is charged with keeping a lid on errent activity. The last thing they want is to have someone from out of town get hurt, as it will also hurt the local economy as well.

 

Dragginbutt: I agree, I would not ride an ATV threw downtown Phoenix or Tucson...just for clarity sake, I live in the mountains. House sets at about 5,500ft above sea level. City is about 45,000. Not to big not to small, still an easy going atmosphere that has escaped a large part of the U.S.

I understand what goes in AZ may not be good for FL. I don't live there and more than likely never will. As for getting sideways on the pavement and rolling...sure that can happen especially with inexperienced riders. Ride like an idiot and get hurt no matter where you are. With all the ATV's on the road up here, have never seen it or heard of anyone rolling on pavement and that would have to be, I assume, because most that do ride threw town know what they are doing and ride responsibly. Deferent part of the country with different terrain, different laws and more people. All that said you are certainly the one who can give better advice on what goes on in Florida.