JC Whitney.com

What to Remember When Buying an ATV

If you are considering purchasing an ATV, you should be aware that they are a big investment. Aside form the initial cost that can run from a few hundred dollars for an older used model to $5,000 or more, you also have top maintain your ATV just like your car. They require oil, gas, and eventually you will have to replace broken parts.
Buying an ATV is not a decision to be taken lightly, and you must consider your needs to determine which ATV is right for you. If you are a beginner, you should start with an inexpensive simple model that will give you practice riding. After you are comfortable, you can upgrade to a more advanced model. You will also need safety gear such as a helmet, gloves, and goggles. Some accessories are not necessary for the casual rider such as winches, unless you plan on using your ATV for work purposes.
Before you buy your ATV, think about what you want out of your ATV experience. You may want to ride for fun, to experience the outdoors and be a part of the excitement. You may want to use your ATV to haul things or help with other work such as plowing snow. You may find that your ATV can be both fun and useful. The reason you are purchasing your ATV should be the deciding factor in which type you buy. If you want it for fun, a light model without all the accessories will be fine. If you want it for work purposes, you should look into getting the accessories you need such as a winch, plow, and hitch. You will also be better off going with a heavier model that is designed for work.
The type of engine you want in your ATV is also decided by your purpose. A 2-stroke engine takes a mix of oil and gas and is better fit for riding for fun. A 4-stroke engine is better suited as a work horse. You will also have to decide which type of transmission you want, an automatic or manual. ATV’s with an automatic transmission are easier to drive just like automatic cars.
If you have experience driving a manual transmission, you may prefer the control that a manual transmission offers. You can also get a semi-automatic transmission, which is a cross between the two. You can get advice on which type is best for you from your ATV dealership or online.
You will also have to decide which type of starter you want. Some ATV’s have an electric start, some have a kick start, and some have a pill start. While this is not the most important factor in choosing an ATV, it can make a difference. If you prefer ease of use, an electric push button start is best for you. With a kick start you have to push a lever with your foot located on the bottom of your ATV.
A pull start operates the same way as a lawnmower where you pull a cord to start you ATV. You should do plenty of research before deciding and be sure to get an ATV that fits your needs.

Size Matters When Choosing Youth ATV

If your child wants an ATV, you may be hesitant because of safety concerns. While many injuries occur every year, many of them are preventable if children take the proper safety precautions and ride the correct sized ATV. It may not seem like the size of the ATV would matter much, but when it comes to kids and ATV’s, size does matter. Children should not be allowed to ride an adult sized ATV for many reasons.
Large ATV’s take a lot of strength to control and usually have more powerful engines that allow them to go much faster then youth ATV’s. Children should have the opportunity to hone their driving skills on a smaller, slower ATV before they graduated to an adult sized ATV when they are older, stronger, and more experienced. ATV’s can be a source of great fun and a worthwhile hobby for children.
They should always be supervised when riding and wear appropriate safety gear. Many places required minors to wear helmets by law and prohibit them from riding adult sized ATV’s. Even if this is not a requirement in your area, it is still a good idea and will keep your child safe while pursuing their ATV hobby.
Children and pre-teens (ages 6-12) should ride an ATV with an engine size of 70cc or smaller. There are larger models for teenagers, and while age should be a factor in which ATV you choose for your child, other things such as maturity, size, and strength should also be taken into consideration. A smaller child who is 16 should still ride a smaller ATV, and while this may not be optimal for them, it is imperative for their safety. Your child should only drive an ATV that they can comfortable handle.
When buying an ATV for your child, you should make sure it is the correct fit for them. Your child should be able to reach the ground with their feet, without standing on their tiptoes. They should be able to comfortable reach the handle bars without having to overextend their arms. Their arms should be slightly bent as they have a firm grip on the handle bars. They should also be able to reach the ground with their feet and have their legs slightly bent. Getting your child an ATV they can comfortably control is important and will help to keep them safe.
As well as age and size, your child’s maturity level also plays an important part in what type of ATV you buy them. You will have to consider if your child can shift gears or would do better with an automatic transmission.
If you want to retain control over your child’s ATV, whether you think their driving skills need some work or they will have problems following rules, you can consider getting an ATV with a remote switch to turn off the ATV of your child gets into trouble.
Buying an ATV for your child is not a decision to be taken lightly. You should make sure your child knows that an ATV is not a toy and can be dangerous. Make sure they ride an appropriate sized ATV and always wear protective gear.

ATV Accessories

Having the right accessories for your ATV can heighten your riding experience and make it more enjoyable. Accessories can also serve a utilitarian purpose and help you to complete tasks such as hauling loads and carrying heavy equipment. They can also add to rider safety by protecting against abrasions from trees and reducing the risk of falls.
ATV’s serve many purposes, most of which can be aided by the right ATV accessories. The purpose of your ATV will determine which accessories are right for you. Safety equipment is essential for all riders, ramps will come in handy for most riders, and hitches, wenches and racks are a must for those who use their ATV’s for work purposes.
Every ATV owner should have safety equipment. Safety gear is an essential accessory and can prevent serious injuries. All riders should wear goggles, helmets, and gloves as well as rugged pants and a jacket to protect against abrasions. Many states require minors to wear safety equipment and even if your does not, no one should ever ride without proper safety accessories. Safety accessories for your ATV include bumpers and heavy duty covers.
If you ever travel with your ATV an indispensable accessory is a ramp. A ramp will make loading and unloading your ATV from your truck or trailer easy and safe. Do not be tempted to use some old 2×4’s as a ramp as they will be likely to break under the weight of your ATV and are not safe. Another crucial accessory for your ATV during transport is tie down straps. Make sure you buy heavy duty straps that will secure the weight of your ATV to your truck or trailer. If you travel often, you should think about buying a trailer made specifically for your ATV as it is a safer way to transport your ATV than in the back of your truck.
If you ruse your ATV for work purposes or just want to have the ability to tow things if the need arises, a hitch is an important ATV accessory. You can pull virtually anything with your ATV if it has a hitch from other ATV’s to wagons and carts. This can prove very useful if you do a lot of yard work or have heavy things to transport around your property. Winches are also useful accessories to have whether you do work with your ATV or not. With a winch you can pull your ATV easily out of the mud or pull other stuck ATV’s.
Some ATV accessories improve the look of your ATV including ground kits and custom made body parts. If you want to make your ATV unique and customize it to your liking, these accessories are a good way to do it. Make sure whatever accessory you buy is compatible with your ATV and that you can actually use it.
Most casual riders can go without some of the utilitarian accessories and others can benefit from them greatly. Even if you don’t get a lot of extras with your ATV, make sure you have safety equipment and always ride safely.

Use ATV Riding Gear For Your Safety and More

ATV riding gear was originally designed to keep riders safe. While today this is still its primary function, many ATV riding gear manufacturers have begun to add style to their products. ATV riders can now display their affinity for ATV’s by wearing their favorite gear and look great. ATV riding gear is versatile and now is multifunctional and can be a part of a person’s everyday casual attire.
Many ATV riders buy riding gear for the purpose of safety while riding and to wear out and about as a fashion statement. Many manufacturers look at riding gear more as a line of clothing than simply utilitarian equipment. They design ATV riding gear including jackets, pants, and gloves with style in mind so that riding gear can be worn in a variety of situations. A riding jacket will look fine over jeans and even riding pants look cool with and ordinary shirt on top.
Having great looking ATV riding gear will do more for you than expand your wardrobe. When you look good, you have confidence and this will help your riding performance. The more confident you are, the better you will perform. If you often ride with friends or belong to an ATV group, having members who have the same style of riding gear will help to unite you and form a bond of comradery. Racing teams often dress alike to support each other and sport similar styles.
While looking good and dressing as a part of a team can help in driving performance, safety is the number one purpose of ATV riding gear. Every rider should wear a helmet, gloves, and specially designed pants and tops, especially f they are riding competitively. A helmet is the most obvious and important piece or riding gear. A helmet can be designed with style in mind, but it should also be high quality and meet all safety standards. The array of colors and design for ATV helmets are astounding so you are sure to be able to find a helmet that is both safe and stylish.
Gloves are another important part of a rider’s safety gear. They help ATV riders keep a firm grip and protect fingers and hands form scratches and abrasions. An ATV rider’s pants should also be designed with safety in mind. Durable riding pants will not rip easily and will keep riders from injuring and scraping their legs in the event of a fall and suffering other abrasions. A heavy duty riding jacket will also serve to protect a rider’s upper body from similar injuries. Wearing protective clothing and driving safely are the best ways to prevent injury while riding an ATV.
Always pick riding gear that is of the highest quality. Because there are some many styles and choices, finding ATV riding gear that is both strong and stylish should not be a problem. The internet offers the best selection of safe ATV riding gear that will also make you feel confident and will integrate well into your everyday wardrobe.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers