I always here this quad is better on the trails or that quad is not made for the trails. Trails Trails Trails? Are trails hard packed dirt or can they be rocky with streams and mud? Okay are sport quads for trails or are sport/utility quads made for trail riding?

I currently have an 03 Vinson and am looking at getting a second ATV but I'm debating on another utility or something more sporty. Some of the new utility quads have huge amounts of power and can keep up with most sport quads and they are much more comfortable and can hold tons.

 

To me, it's a trail any time it gets narrow. In my posts, I usually make a distinction between TECHNICAL TRAILS (slow speed, very tight turns, rock strewn, etc.), TIGHT TRAILS (narrow, but not particularly technical), and more OPEN TRAILS (but still more narrow than a fire road).

A "TRAIL BIKE" needs to have nimble and agile handling to easily negotiate tight places, and should not be overly wide. You don't want to be on a "limo" out on a trail!

In choosing a bike, consider that a "trail bike" can also do quite well in open country, but a bike that is set up specifically for open country (a dune machine for example), makes a lousy trail ride.

 

To me, any path that's been worn down with constant use is a trail. Recon's right about there being different types of trails...just depends on what type of environment you ride in.

 

I rode with a few others many weeks ago on a trail that I thought you would call technical. Most of us had utilities but there were about thee on sport quads. I though the trail would be difficult for them but they seemed to keep up until we had to cross a small river, then they had to turn back. The only thing I can see that really held them back was groud clearance. I keep mine in 2x4 most of the time so that really isn't a problem unless you are in the sticky stuff.

I ride a Vinson and they are suspose to be one of if not the most sporty of the utes. I like it's sporty feel but it's a little rough on the tuff stuff because of the straight axle. I'm looking for something with a little more power but I'm not sure what to get sport or ute. I currently live in Alaska and a ute would be the way to go but I move around a lot and could end up in a place where they have the narrow trails you are talking about.

 

Ive always used the definition, if a truck can go down it, its a road, if it cant make it thru, then its a trail.

 

I consider sport utilities for trails like your bike. Trails are very vague terms i know to some people a old railroad that's been graded is a trail but to me it has have a little more excitement.
My perferred trails are trails that some people I know wouldn't use them because they are to rough.

 

Under 25 MPH , its a trail, 25MPH or more its a road.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

agreed. I like to go down trails that some are afraid of.. But its all fun.. lol

 

i take my cat and go thru stuff where you have to crawl thru and move branches and other times squeeze between trees
and i have had no trouble with the 650 ac as it is one of the wider quads, but i find it is very nimble and turns quick.

 

Outrage,
I think your Vinson will handle about any trail out there, i know my sons Eiger will & it's only a 400. Of course a lot of it depends on who's behind the handlebars. His Eiger is a very comfortable & nimble ATV & can run circles around my 650 AC on the tighter trails, & believe what you want , i'm no wuss. His Eiger did great at Moab & was usually leading the 3 650 AC's & a 660 Griz. in our group around. Myself, if i lived in Alaska, a sport ATV wouldn't even be in the picture, & i know they are great bikes, a lot of fun, exciting, thrilling, & can handle most trail situations. But in the really rough stuff, give me a sport/utility anytime. Regards, Jerico1

P.S. Outrage, seems as though your answer to a sport ATV was when they had to turn back at the river, didn't that tell you something, it would me.