Keeping your Quad Bike or ATV safe and secure not only counts towards your insurance premium being lower but can also save on major heart ache too. I can completely back up this statement having had a Quad Bike stolen from outside the front of our house one early evening. And, as distinctive as your machine may be, many people would not even think twice if they visualized your machine go past with someone else riding it.

Always A Good Reason
The purpose of this article is to give you an insight into what it is you can do and how you can do it. Quad Bikes, ATV’s, Buggies and Mini Motos are just as sought after to the thief as motorcycles, scooters and dirt bikes. Because of the risk it is always advisable to make sure that the system you use to lock your machine is a recommended and approved mechanism.

The one main thing to remember is that if you have something that is visual to the average thief it should deter them from attempting to steal your bike.

Where To Go. – Most hardware or DIY stores will supply you with a quality lock and chain and in some cases they will have certain kite marked locks giving authenticity to the quality and grade. The main area’s to observe when purchasing a lock or chain is that they conform to the Insurance Classification of CEN4 or better.

For an insurance company to pay out if your quad bike is stolen, in most cases you will have to provide not just proof of purchase but in some cases they impose a photographic clause to prove that your Quad or ATV is or was secured. Anyone can prove that they have purchased a lock, but now they say you may have to prove that you were using it.

Standard Practise – If a lock is to Grade 4 Standard it has a hardened alloy shackle and body as well as the possibility of a removable cylinder so that the barrel can be re-set to match existing locks. For example if you purchased a top of the range lock for your Quad Bike or Buggy then the chances are that you can get the barrel removed and matched even to a door key. This for example would be a very good lock for something like a child’s quad bike from probably a 50cc Quad up to a 250cc depending on the value.

Upgrades Are Good – The main way that insurance companies rate a lock is by the variables of the key match and the grade of the materials used in manufacture of both the main body and the clasp. To maintain and keep a CEN 4 Grade the manufacturer should keep this variable key match to no less than 250,000 possibilities.

Some of the top manufacturers of locks for example, Abus, also manufacture locks that meet the classification of CEN Grade 5. To achieve this standard, again the quality of materials are tested and the variable key match is raised from 250,000 to 300,000. Using a CEN Grade 5 padlock would always be the best option for a performance road legal quad bike or off road quad bike where the value is higher than normal.

I hope that this is of help to you when deciding on what strength of lock is good for your machine.

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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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