1) Purpose

Are you up for a sport that will give you the thrills? What about a sport that lets you witness some of the most amazing and interesting landscapes while you’re at it? Having an ATV lets you experience all that! First, you got to be sure what would you be riding your ATV for. It can be for racing purposes or a recreational activity with family and friends or even for hobby purposes. All of it will give you an experience of your lifetime!

2) Budget

Ask yourself how much are you willing to spend on your ATV. Give yourself a budget range. That way, you will not be restricted to only a few options. If you are not sure what minimum range to start with, here’s a secret; good off-brand or Chinese ATVs will start with a minimum cost of about $600 plus and you can get a good 110cc ATV to start with.

3) Off-brand ATV or Branded ATV

I bet this is your one main deciding factor that keeps you going back and forth. Here is the truth, Chinese ATVs or off-brand ATVs has since been improving tremendously on their quality and technology. No longer are the days where people are shunning away from these ATV types because now the usability and even technical specifications of Chinese/Off-brand ATVs are in fact on par with those branded types. Branded ATVs comes with a high price, some of which even starts off with a minimum of about $3000 plus. It has always been a battle to choose between Chinese/Off-brand ATV and branded ATV but my advice is, have an open mind and explore on both options! You may even see why many of the ATV riders out there are getting off-brand or Chinese ATVs as compared to the branded ones nowadays.

If you are new to this sport, there is nothing to worry about! Everyone has to start somewhere, and you just started yours here. The good news is if you are already thinking on answering the above 3 questions, you should get yourself an ATV. Live your life to the fullest and make it happen!

You and your ATV are made for each other. Enjoy the ride!

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Digging your own anchor is a last resort, but when you find yourself in a desperate situation, miles from civilization, it may be your only option. Here’s how you can make your own winch anchor if the situation calls for it.

If you’re adequately prepared for times like this, most likely you have a shovel stashed in your ATV or truck. Pull it out and start digging. The depth of the hole will depend somewhat on the size and weight of your vehicle and just how good you’re stuck. The deeper the hole, the sturdier your anchor will be. At minimum, it should be deep enough to fully cover an object the size of your spare tire and rim.

Dig the hole directly in line with the stuck vehicle, if possible, and far enough away from your quad or truck to spool out a decent length of cable for a maximum power pull. Spool out the cable ahead of time to measure the distance if you’re unsure where to start digging. Taking the time to plan out where your dead man needs to be is better than making the hole too close or too far away from your vehicle and then having to dig a new one.

A broad, weighty object makes the sturdiest dead man winch anchor, such as a log, large rock, or spare tire. If you carry a spare, you have a heavy, solid object on hand without scrounging around for a log or other large object. The size of the tire corresponds to the size of your vehicle and, if buried deep enough, should hold fast as you winch out.

Attach a chain or tree strap to the anchor and bury the log or tire deep in the hole, angled away from your vehicle for greater resistance during the pull. Fill in the open areas with dirt and pack it down solid. Hook up your winch to the chain or strap and you’re ready to start the recovery. After you winch out your vehicle, make sure to retrieve your makeshift anchor and fill in the hole. Leave as little trace of your digging as possible.

Instead of burying a heavy object, you can also drive in long stakes or axles. They should be at least three feet in length to reach deep enough into the ground. For a solid anchor, pound in several stakes, one behind the other, at an angle away from the line of pull. The stakes must be deep enough and the ground dense enough to sustain the force of the pull or the winch will yank the anchor right out and all your work will be for nothing. This can also create a potentially dangerous situation if the buried anchor pulls free and rockets toward you or your vehicle.

After driving in the stakes, connect them with a chain or strap, and attach the winch hook to the strap as close to the ground as possible. If you have trouble pulling the stakes back out, try winching them out by pulling at the same angle as the anchor.

As you can see, digging a dead man takes time and hard work and is not going to be your first option, but when it comes down to walking back for help or making your own winch anchor, now you have the option of getting out on your own without the embarrassment of calling in the rescue squad.

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Even though the law does not state that you have to wear a helmet, there has been many calls for it to be a legal element when riding or using an ATV or Quad Bike on public roads. It is in our opinion that should anyone ride a machine of any description that can reach speeds of over 25mph, a helmet should be compulsory.

Which Helmet To Use – The easiest way to define which helmet to use would be to use the same system that is in force for two wheeled machines – that being anything used as protection for the head should carry the BSi Safety Kite Mark. This way you know that the helmet has been tested to the standards for use on the road.

Full Face – Open Face? – There are obvious differences between helmets and each one carries it’s own issue. Open face helmets are good for head protection but should anything hit you in the face whilst riding you certainly know about it. Even at low speeds of 25-30mph the impact of a “fly” in the face can cause bruising and even flesh wounds.

A full face helmet is the completely opposite – they offer good protection to the head and, if the visor is kept lowered then any insects or dust, stones being thrown up by other vehicles will not danger your face.

There are many helmets on the market today that not only offer great protection but also have the looks and style that even the most modest of trend setters would wear.

The strangest part to all of this is that should you use an ATV or Recreational Vehicle whilst working, then you need to meet safety standards at all times. If for example you worked in the road repair industry and used an ATV as a traffic calming solution, you have to wear a helmet to meet the current regulations for health & safety at work.

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The majority of this section seemed to either be dark colours or camouflage, but which ever one it may be you need to make sure you have some High-Visibility points so that you can be seen whilst riding at night.

Below are just some of the market leading concepts in the high visibility section.

Arm Bands
It doesn’t take much to cast the mind back to doing your cycling proficiency test at school to remember some of the tips given by the road safety officer about “Being Seen At Night.” The arm band is one of the easiest items to wear and offers great visibility to vehicle approaching from the side – for example when parted at a junction. The costs involved in buying something like this are minimal.

Body Strips
Much like arm bands, the body strip is again easy to wear and gives great visibility from both front and rear. If worn with the arm bands it’s safe to say that you would have extremely high visual impact on traffic coming at you from any angle. Costs, well again these are pretty economical and would cost you no more that about £15-20 depending on the size/manufacturer.

Waist Coats
Now we are not saying that these are the trendy alternative to wearing body belts or arm bands, but they certainly are light weight and can be stored easily under the seat on pretty much any ATV or Quad Bike. With a Velcro fastening system on the front and High Visibility strips and the front and rear, this style of garment is possibly one of the better ways to be seen at night. Costs between £15-20.

Jackets
We all see these day in day out when passing anyone working on the road gangs or building sites. Not only are these High Visibility but they come waterproof too. They have fluorescent stripes on the arms, front and rear panels and even the collar. (depending on manufacturer) These are great for night riding and not only give you a great presence on the road but are very warm and dry. Costs between £35/40 – £100 depending on manufacturer.

To summarize – the levels of visibility offered with these types of apparel vary. The costs agin are very much the same – but how can you place a cost on safety?

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What we have prepared below is some basic guidelines for the buyer and hope that this makes enough logical sense that it gives you some idea on what to look for and how to find it.

Pre-Owned Quads & ATV’s

Even though someone advertises their Quad Bike or ATV as “GOOD CONDITION,” it is always a good move to make sure it is “AS DESCRIBED” before you part with your cash. Most advertised machines are usually out of area, so if you decided to buy it based on pictures and description then you should need to be sure your happy with the seller.

Over the last few years there has been an increase in the sales of NEW & USED Quad Bikes, far greater than Motorcycles, so it is always good practice to make sure you either see the goods before you part with your money, or that you have an independent holding facility retain the funds until the vehicle has been viewed if it is being delivered by courier.

Pre-Owned or Pre-Loved?
There is a massive difference between these two statements, and one of them does get used out of context all too often. The one thing you should always consider is a Quad Bike or ATV will be used for one of three reasons:

* Work Horse – That has got to be one of the best ways of describing the fact that it was purchased for a purpose. No matter whether it is a Farm/Utility Vehicle or for getting round a large estate, both use the same description yet, can be completely different in the way they are used.
* Just For Fun – Again, yet another open ended answer that can be completely flattering in one respect, yet the other side of the coin could spell complete abuse. It may have been a fun machine for one person, or the whole of the local town or village, so make sure you define the terminology with the seller.
* Used to get from A to B! – This one is a complete mine field. Was he just commuting backwards and forward to work on the road, or did he work on a Quarry? The reason you ask is that with some of the Chinese imported Quad Bikes, the moving parts are not as reliable as their Japanese blood lines. For example, the shock absorber on a Yamaha would be completely different to a Kinroad and would last probably 10 times longer if used off road.

The trouble is, no matter what it says in the listing when someone is selling a quad bike, it is there for one reason – to sell the bike. Most of the time people can be honest, but then you will always get the ones who wish to try and sell something that isn’t anything like what they described in the advert.

Did you find this article helpful?

For anything related to the Quad Bike Industry there is only going to be one place to go – http://www.myquadbike.com

No matter what it is you are trying to find, a New Quad Bike to a Fuel Filler Cap – all will be available on a site you can trust. With information spanning all sections of the industry from Insurance, Finance, Where to Ride, Safety, Security and A List Of Dealers that are recognised as Industry Specialists, you’ll always find something interesting.

Also we have a comprehensive blog so, if you want to make your point known or ask a question then you have a point where you can do it. Visitors to the blog is increasing every day, so make sure that you pop by and leave us a comment.

It would be much appreciated if you could rate this article, so that other who come along can, at a glance, make sure that what we write is worth reading. Should this not be the case, then please feel frr to contact us regarding the article that you have shown interest in.

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A basic set of grip warmers cost about 140$ and the installation time is about an hour. Anybody can do this it is simple and straight forward. First you have to remove the existing grips off your ATV. An easy way to do this is by taking a razor blade and slicing an opening from the top to the bottom. Then peel them off. If there is any glue or rubber left on the bar it will have to be cleaned off. Using the razor blade it can be scraped off or sanded off with sandpaper. Now you are ready to install the new grip warmers on your ATV. To help you slip them on spray some WD-40 on the bar handles of the ATV. Slip them on with force.

The thumb warmer has a little pad that will stick to the throttle lever. Make sure it is as clean as possible. Then place the sticky side of the heating pad against the throttle lever and press on it. Place the shrink wrap over the whole throttle lever not just the heating pad. Heat it with a heat gun if you have one, for about 20 sec. or else use a hair dryer. The shrink wrap will shrink to mold perfectly the shape of the ATV’s throttle lever.

Find a good place to secure the wiring around the handle bars of the ATV. Test to see if it is Free. Move the handle bars from side too side to make sure that you have the liberty to make big movement and that the wires don’t get stuck or kinked. Once you have found the best place tie them with the cable ties supplied in the kit.

Finally place the controller boxes on the ATV in a place that you can read and have access easily. Most control boxes have a setting for the grips and another for the thumb warmer. Some have a temperature range that can be adjusted and others only have the on/off settings.

So this is it’ your grip warmers should be installed in less than an hour. Spring is a good time to profit from the sales on the left over winter inventory. You are now ready to go out and enjoy your ATV.

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Maintaining your Quad Bike – ATV – Buggy – Minimoto between the manufacturers service schedules is very important and should be second nature to the owner of the machine. If you own a Children’s Quad Bike then it is always good practise to show the child some How Togeneral maintenance. By this we do not mean how to remove a spark plug from a quad bike or top up the oil on a minimoto – more the checking parts are tight and not lose or broken.

How To – Maintaining A Quad Bike – Minimoto – ATV – Buggy
One of the first tips we always tell people is to make sure that when you are carrying out periodic inspections or maintenance to make sure that you wear protective clothing. Some of the lubrication oils and grease compounds can be irritant – so making sure that you have good protection on your hands is always a must. There are manufacturers of Latex Gloves that will supply direct from the internet and can be purchased by single boxes or in multiple units. These on a whole including delivery at today’s prices (please check date of article) should not cost you any more than £11 or £12 per box. Box sizes vary but an average box contains between 250-300 pairs depending on manufacturer and the size of glove.

Due to the ferocity some Quad Bikes – ATV’s – Buggies – Minimoto’s can be placed under it is always good practice to do an inspection before the machine is taken out of the garage or storage area. Some machines that look like replica’s of bigger machines do not have the quality of suspension that the large versions have. As well as this, some of the moving parts on the smaller machines are obviously under fair amounts of strain in short bursts leading them to have a temperature shift that will in time cause possible weakness to the materials. Most 50cc Child’s Quad Bike’s lack a rear suspension unit at all and this also includes Children’s Mini Motorbikes – Children’s ATV’s etc. This is not just 50cc Children’s Quad Bikes but can also be seen on 90cc Quad Bikes and 110cc Quad Bikes too.

Parts that are recommended for periodical inspection are pretty much the external moving parts and this can be a particular task or format to follow before the machine is taken out – possibly once a week or fortnight. Another good reason for making sure these periodical inspections are carried out is that it is your responsibility to your children to make sure that even though they wear the safety clothing, that the machine is up to scratch making sure the possibility of failure is at it’s minimum.

Most if not all Children’s Quad Bikes have area’s where things can be done to decrease any failure risks, these are as follows:

Periodical Quad Bike Maintenance
Always make sure that you de-grease the chain and sprocket regular and use a quality spray silicon wax or oil to keep the chain up to scratch. These items can be purchased from any Quad Bike Parts Store, motorcycle dealer or cycle shop. Never use new or old engine oils as these are not for exterior use and can be harmful to wildlife.

Make sure all wheel nuts are checked for tension. You can use a tension bar but before you do, check the user manual to find the tension settings before hand. An over tightened wheel nut can be just as dangerous as a lose one. When removing wheels for any reason, it is good practice to make sure that when replacing the wheel nuts to use a copper grease. This will keep both stud and nut in good order.

Depending on the size of your quad bike or atv, will dictate whether your machine has disc or drum brakes. Should you have drum brakes it is always good practice to again, make sure all external parts are free from rust or dirt – once clean you can spray these with a small amount of silicon oil keeping the movement good. Should your Quad Bike have disc brakes the always check that the parts are free from dirt or stones which can prevent inadequate operation or complete failure. DO NOT SPRAY THEY DISCS OR BRAKE PADS with any oil or silicon based products as this can cause stopping distance changes.

Braking Systems and Linkages.
Most cables for braking and throttle linkages are much the same from Quad Bikes ATV’s, Minimotos or Buggies – Check to make sure they are not trapped or damages in any way and should there be a none smooth operation with any cable you can use normal 3in1 bike oils to keep them lubricated. Some Small Quad Bikes will have both brake levers on the handle bars whilst others may have one hand brake on the handle bars and the other as a foot brake on the right hand side of the machine.

Electric start – Kick Starts.
If your Mini quad bike / ATV / Buggy or Minimoto has an electric start then it is standard practice to make sure that the battery is checked regularly for damage, leakage or just to tighten the terminal connections. A standard copper grease can be used on battery connections and prolongs the life of the terminals.

Fuel Hose – Fuel Pipe.
No matter what it is, this is again one of the more regular inspections should your Quad Bike have them. Some Child Quad Bikes are battery powered so will not have fuel lines, but ones that do should be checked for perishing – splits – cracks on regular intervals. Some of the cheap Child Quad Bike, Child ATv’s, Child Buggies and Child Minimoto’s can use materials that on first inspection look as good as something used on an Adults Quad Bike or ATV yet will be more than likely a much inferior product.

Plastic Panels – Mountain Brackets.
Plastic panels get knocked and bumped more times than not. To save the chances of your child being involved in a small accident it is always good to check the maintain brackets and bolts that hold the panels on. Even though most panels are flexible, when bumped or knocked can appear to be good on the face, but underneath the bolt system can be working lose.

Handle Bars.
The studs on the handle bars are very sturdy and rigid but again should be checked often. Even though they may seem a part that does not need much adjustment the can always come away and fall off. This can dramatically affect not only performance but also over the rider and how he/she controls the machine.

Summary
Always keep on top of your machine maintenance as it is something that will prolong the life, safety and pleasure whilst riding. For more information and to receive our monthly updates regarding Buying Quad A Quad Bike – Quad Bike Safety Tips – Selling A Quad Bike and lots more please go to the website at the bottom of this article and sign up for the monthly newsletter.

We have been involved within the motorcycle and quad bike industry for the last 9 years. Through this time we have imported quad bikes and buggies, traded machines to and from dealers to now showcasing the most comprehensive website the Quad Bike Industry has ever seen.

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But, does it occur to you what matters most when you ride your ATV? In this article, allow me to share with you the “SKY” tips that you should keep in mind before you get that engine started.

1) SAFETY!

ATV rides can be fast and can go up to a very high speed, therefore it is greatly important to ensure that you equip yourself with appropriate gears especially for your head. Complete yourself with a helmet and body protector whenever you get on your ATV. You deserve to enjoy your ride in the safest way possible. Remember, Prevention is always better than cure!

2) KNOW-YOUR-COMFORTABILITY!

Make sure you choose an ATV that complements well with your body built. If you are of a small or medium built, you may want to consider choosing an ATV (small or medium size) that fits you perfectly so that you will feel comfortable riding it. For someone with a larger built, it is advisable to get a bigger ATV so as to achieve the ultimate comfortability and enjoyment while riding. This also helps in controlling your ATV when overcoming those challenging corners and big jumps during your rides. It is all about being comfortable while you are on the wheels!

3) YOURSELF!

And of course, what really matters most when riding your ATV is YOURSELF! You have to be in the right state of mind when you want to max it out with your ATV on the tracks. In that way, you will feel good about yourself and trust me; your ATV will “feel” good and works great too! With that, you and your ATV will definitely be on SKY-high performance!
The above are just a few great tips that I ought to share with ATV riders out there and that includes you! And whenever you are on the ride, just remember that the SKY (Safety, Know-Your-Comfortability & Yourself) is the limit! Have a great ride!

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As far as 2008 was concerned the Grizzly did pretty well against it’s competition. The big question was would the 2009 model see people with their begging bowls out looking to change? As nice as last years model equivalent was, the 09 Grizzly 700 EPS does growl more that it’s bite!

So is it a case of “Bigger is Better?

“The 09 Grizzly – Undressed – Just because the NEW 700 Grizzly is the lightest in it’s class did it mean that they down tuned the horses to release more of the beast? Yamaha seem to think not and they have a big belief that it has made the handling far better than ever before. It seems hard to get to grips with that idea – throw a paper aeroplane into the wind and it gets beaten heavily – reduce the weight of an ATV so when you throw it at some big sticks it handles better – i’ll take a back stand on that one and let the money talk.

So what’s this EPS system really like? I was lucky enough a few years ago to test drive a new model Vauxhall that had EPS and the only fault I found was at night time when you had the full disco and light show going, that extra strain on the battery for the EPS system made a significant difference on the horses pulling the chariot. Is this why they have made the Grizzly even lighter?

Sliding away from one gizmo to another – the on command 3-mode drive system seems to be the winning point here, the drive ability is far smoother than ever before – the 4 stroke engine does seem to react well and give a very smooth delivery right through the range. Do they have the rights to say “This is arguably the ULTIMATE utility ATV power source?” Sorry to say this – but they have!

What a great way to bring the Sushi home for the kids tea!

With a huge list of colours – GREEN – BLACK – BLUE – RED – CAMO which one would you aim for?

No matter what Quad Bike – ATV – Buggy – Minimoto your looking for, you’ll be sure to find something special through us. As of April 5th 2009 you can start to see why the industry has a new focusable place for information.

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The number of options available for your first off road winch can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t understand the pros and cons of each feature. You want to make sure you get the right winch for your vehicle, or you could end up just as stuck as before. If you’re a first-time buyer, there are four basic design options to consider:

1. Rated Line Pull
2. Line Speed
3. Cable Type
4. Solenoid Mounting

The first factor you’ll need to consider is rated line pull. If you buy a winch that’s too small for your vehicle, you’ll have a tough time getting unstuck. If you buy one that’s too big, you’re going to add excess weight to your front or rear bumper, which can throw your vehicle off balance as well as slow you down.

The rated line pull is the maximum amount of force that your winch can handle. You can calculate the minimum rated line pull by multiplying your gross vehicle weight by 1.5 (GVW x 1.5 = minimum rated line pull). Notice that this is only the minimum rating you’ll need. Depending on how you use your winch, you may need a higher line pull. For example, if you’re a mud hole addict, keep in mind that the suction force of the mud requires a greater pulling force to get you out.

The second consideration is line speed. How fast do you want to winch out? Line speed depends on the gear train in your winch. The two basic types are planetary and worm. Planetary includes multiple gears for a faster pull; however, it also generates a greater amount of heat. Worm uses only two gears, which makes for a slower pull but less heat.

Third, you’ll need to decide between steel and synthetic cable. Both types of cable have their advantages and disadvantages. Steel winch cable requires less maintenance and can withstand a greater amount of heat. On the downside, burrs from the steel can gash your skin if you’re not careful, and a steel cable creates a dangerous whiplash effect if snapped under load.

Synthetic winch rope is lighter, safer, and stronger but requires more care and attention and can weaken if rubbed over sharp objects during the recovery process. The type of cable you choose depends on a number of factors, including the terrain you cover and the weight you’re willing to add to your vehicle.

The last consideration is how the solenoid, also known as a contactor, is mounted. Integrated or remote are your two options. Integrated solenoids are built into the winch itself and provide greater protection; however, the added space they take up may require you to modify your vehicle if your mounting space is restricted. Remote solenoids mount separately, offering greater versatility. The remote option is more popular because it allows you to install the winch in a tight space and mount the contactor elsewhere.

Perhaps the best part of any off road winch is the freedom it gives you to ride harder. So with your vehicle ready for the worst nature can dish out, you’re free to dig for the bottom of that mud hole or conquer the mother of all boulders without the fear that you’ll be stuck there forever. With a quality ATV or recovery winch, your vehicle is ready for bigger and better off road adventures.

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