How to Choose an ATV
Author: Michael Page
It never ceases to surprise me how many ATV owners do little research before visiting a dealer or buying an ATV for sale online. Are they mad? A little research will ensure you don't make the same mistake and enable you to get the machine that best fits your needs, abilities and budget. The more research undertaken the happier you will be with your purchase. More times than I care to remember I have made a purchase only to find a couple of weeks later a product that would have suited my needs much better. You simply can't afford to let that happen with an expensive product like an ATV or Four Wheeler.
The first thing to consider is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your ATV? If you haven't previously owned one don't forget to make an allowance for the ancillary equipment that you'll need e.g. helmet, boots and gloves etc and a proper training course. Your budget will determine whether you should buy new or used although my preference would always be a used ATV as there are plenty of great deals available ATVs available and you don't take such a hit on vehicle depreciation.
The next most important consideration is the intended use of the ATV. You are unlikely to want a 4 stroke 4x4 if you are looking for a machine that is suitable for racing. Likewise you won't want a 2 stroke lightweight racing machine for towing things around the farm. This might sound obvious and it is obvious but I've lost count of the number of times I've seen machines bought that did not meet the owner’s requirements (especially online purchases).
So for towing and farm work check out 4x4 machines. These are the most expensive new so a used ATV can save a couple of thousand dollars but remember to use the checklist below to make sure everything is in order before you buy. In my opinion Arctic Cat make some of the best 4x4 machines.
If it’s a speed machine that you’re looking for you'll want to be looking at Yamaha and
There is also a need to take account of your local riding conditions. Where do you intend to ride your ATV? If you don't know check out the local trails and see what sort of machines your fellow riders are using. Get their opinions. An interesting all round machine that suits quite a few different environments is the Polaris 400 4x4 which has a 2 stroke engine (very unusual in a 4x4). A great all round ATV for most trail blazers. Its biggest limitation is push and pull where a 4 stroke engine definitely has an edge due to its greater torque.
What riding experience do you have? Make sure that the machine you buy matches