The Ins and Outs of ATV Ownership

The Ins and Outs of ATV Ownership

By Gary Faith

As a kid, I was fortunate enough to be able to ride a 4 wheeler all over my family’s acreage. My father had found a hot deal on a “retired” racing quad. This ATV was purchased with the idea of being a do-all type of vehicle but mostly used to make deer hunting easier. It was 2-wheel drive, fast, and had loud aftermarket exhaust. It was not long until the old man had “modified” the exhaust to quiet it down and put a rack on the front for hauling deer and whatnot. It would be hard to put into one article the adventures we had with this ATV. One thing for certain is this ATV was not built for the majority of tasks that we asked of it, but for the most part it did the job.

I love the idea of making what you have work, but it sure is nice to use the right tool for the job. A 2wd ATV made for racing is not best suited for hauling deer, stands, and people around the woods. When approaching the market to purchase a 4 wheeler it’s good to think through the whole process of what this machine is going to be used for in its lifetime. With this train of thought, I try to keep several things in mind.

Safety is the first and most important topic. Mainly because its good to keep that topic in front of your mind when using an ATV. Next, what is the intended use of the 4-wheeler? Then comes, what type of accessories and implements do you think you may need in addition to the ATV? When it comes to making a purchase, do you want to buy new or used? Once you are an ATV owner, what type of care and maintenance will be encountered during ownership? Lastly, what are some things you need to keep in mind at all times when owning this machine?

First and foremost before your purchase, safety needs to be stressed. ATV’s are fun but powerful machines, and they need to be treated with respect and operated safely. I would stress that riders wear helmets and adhere to their state ATV rider laws. Specifically for Iowa, it is required for riders 12 to 17 years of age to take an approved ATV riders course and carry that certificate with them when riding. This applies for ATV riders in public areas, but it is a good idea for anyone that is going to operate the machine to have taken a safety course. I cannot stress this subject enough and it is important to always keep safety in the front of your mind.

Buying the right ATV for your type of use is very important to consider. Brands are a whole separate consideration, but the main thought is what is going to be the primary use of this ATV? Is it going to be used to drive slowly around open trails? Or will it be used to pull a small no-till drill and plant food plots in the interior of a timber? The type of use will dictate the type of machine. For example, to pull a no-till drill you will need an ATV that is 4-wheel drive and has at least an 800cc engine. While a smaller less powered engine may work, it is going to struggle to pull any type of implement that is going to break ground or drag it thru broken up soil. On the contrary, if you were going to use it for trail riding, I would still recommend getting an ATV that is 4-wheel drive but you can get away with a smaller engine. Generally, having more power than you need is better than not enough, but with the increase in power, so does the price generally.

Before settling on an ATV, it is important to take into consideration the accessories or implements that you will want to use with it. First, how are you going to haul this ATV from point A to B? If it is going to fit in the back of your truck, you will need to get some sort of ramp to be able to help you load it. If hauling in your truck bed is not an option, then you will need a trailer. If your quad is powerful enough to tow, what type of implements will you attach to it? Food plots for whitetails is a great way to put an ATV to use. A small disc, a leveling drag, a no till drill, and a pull behind mower are just a few that you can pull with an ATV. A front mounted winch can also come in handy if you are going to be out riding alone. This can be used for not only pulling you out, but for moving heavy objects and obstructions. Another accessory to consider is a basket or container of some variety to carry smaller items in while riding. It’s important to keep both hands on the wheel and having a container to hold small items while you ride will help with this.

So you have determined what you are going to use the ATV for, now it comes to actually purchasing one. The price can vary greatly depending on the options and quality that you want. New or used, the size of the engine, the type of shifting, 4×4 or not, different types of steering, etc. will all help determine the price. This is where putting in your own research is going to pay dividends. There are a lot of pros and cons to buying new or used. Pros to new include having a warranty, getting to pick out exactly what you want, and being able to get financing in order to help pay for it. A con is you’re paying a new dealer price. For buying used, a pro is you are able to shop around and potentially find a good deal. The online market place is vast for used four wheelers and there are many different ones to choose from. Its important to not get in a hurry with your purchase, and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A con for used, is you are potentially buying someone else’s problem that does not have a warranty. Another option is to look into buying a wrecked ATV and fix it up yourself. This option may not be for everyone, but it can be a great way to save some money.

So you have a four-wheeler and it is all outfitted with your accessories. Now it comes time for care and maintenance so you can make your investment last. For the most part, these machines are easy to maintain. Periodic oil changes and basic maintenance, like new brakes, are required as the wear dictates. It is important to keep an eye on the fluid levels, such as oil and coolant; between the times you service the ATV. It is critical to check these often, especially before heavy use.

Another thing to pay attention to if there is any grease points that can be serviced with a grease gun. This will help prevent squeaks and premature wear on parts. One hidden cost that we have found over the years is maintaining tires. Driving through the trees and on gravel roads is a recipe for flat tires and it’s much cheaper to be able to patch them yourself. It will pay dividends to keep a small tire repair kit around and a portable air tank handy. As for storage, it is always better to keep the ATV stored inside. If that is not possible, it is a good idea to have a small cover to throw over it. It is incredible the dilapidation that takes place on the body panels and seats to vehicles that are left out in the sun and weather year round.

The last topic is some of the things that need to be kept in mind when operating an ATV. Safety is a broad subject, but several things seem to stand out over years of having driven an ATV. One area is to pay attention to is the angle of the ground at which you are driving on at all points. Uphill, downhill, or side hills all present their set of challenges. A second point is to know where your body weight is sitting in reference to the machine. For example, if you are on any sort of side slope, you need to have your body weight shifted to the uphill side of the ATV to prevent a roll over. It only takes a small pitch on a side hill to throw that balance off and this can result in the situation getting out of hand quickly. Another point along those same lines is to pay attention to the conditions of the ground you are driving on. If the ground is muddy, wet, or frozen it can be much easier to lose control of the vehicle. Things can happen very quickly, so it’s important to pay attention at all points. I just cannot stress safety enough so please take it seriously when operating.

ATV’s can be used as an extremely versatile machine and also are a lot of fun to own and operate. It is important to find the right one for the applications that you are going to use it for. I hope you can take some of this information with you and use it for when it comes to thinking about purchasing an ATV. Everyone out there be safe, good luck, and have fun!