Having an ATV gives numerous advantages and can bring a lot of pleasure. However, to buy an ATV, time must be invested, especially when it is the first ATV purchase, to be sure to make the right decision. There is a few key factors that must be considered and if the time is taken to study these factors, it can have quite an influence on the advantages and the pleasure that you will get out of your ATV.
1) When, where and how often do you expect to use your ATV?
A few questions :
What will your ATV be used for?
How and when do you expect to use your ATV?
On which type of terrain will you use your ATV?
Like many, you might come to the conclusion with the widespread principle that it is as important to have the time to use your ATV than buying the good ATV, because the regular maintenance of the ATV takes some time and many activities for which people use their ATV imply having free time.
On the other hand, maybe you consider the ATV as a way to optimize your productivity or to easy your work. A major part of the ATV drivers use their vehicles for their job. For exemple, many ATV are used on family farms, for prospecting, by the local public services, for search and rescue and for leisures.
In fact, many Canadians consider the possibility to become part of the increasing number of ATV driver as a unique opportunity to participate in a sport that offers many leisure occasions for family and friends.
For many ATV drivers, the region and the terrain on which you want to use your ATV are as important to consider as the ATV use at the time of the purcahse and when you begin to drive it. For exemple, if you are thinking of using your ATV in an arid and hilly environement like dunes, you might want to purchase a vehicle a little ligther than the average. That way, you will obtain a bigger maneuveribility and a better suspension, which will give you more driving comfort.
On the other hand, if you intent to use your ATV in wooded region and/or to tract heavy loads, a heavier machine with 4 wheels drive might be a better long-term investment. You can purchase an ATV built for utilitary tasks like towing a trailer or other equipments, to pull tree trunks or to transport your camping/fishing equipment.
Is it general said that there is four diffent types of four-wheeled all terrain vehicles :
Sport ATV
Utilitary sport ATV
Utilitary ATV
Young ATV
2) Which kind of engine and wheeling system would be the more appropriate for you?
There is two principal range of engines on ATV, - 2-stroke engine and 4-stroke engine. If you want punch, the 2-stroke engines generaly offer more to the driver than the 4-stroke engines. They work with a mix of gazoline and oil that lubricate the engine's cylinders' walls.
On the 4-stroke engines, it is not necessary to add oil and gazoline. Many people says that they do not offer as much acceleration than the 2-stroke models, however they are less noisy and give excellent performances.
About the wheeling system, there is also two principal range between which you must choose from : 2 wheels drive or 4 wheels drive. Generally, the machines with 4 wheels drive are utilitary vehicles. Thus, if you want to clear snow from your driveway or to tract trees trunks, you will probably choose that type of vehicle. A 2 wheels drive ATV is usually ligther and a bit more maneuverable.
3) Which kind of gear box would be the more appropriate for you?
Generally, there is 3 types of gear boxes on the ATV market : manual, semi-automatic and automatic. The manual gear box is activated through a clutch lever on the handlebar, which works like a gear changing lever in a car. One pull the clutch lever then one switch gear with the gear switching pedal. The automatic box works like the one on a car, with an acceleration pedal and a break. The semi-automatic gear box is more and more used on ATVs. The gear switch are done with the foot or by an electronic device built on the handlebar. To activate the gear switch, one stops accelerating and one switch to a higher or lower gear.
4) Which ATV fits you physically?
The ATV security professionals recommend to take in consideration the physical proportions and the strength of the driver of the ATV. It is necessary that you make sure that the ATV is in accordance with those criterias, that way, you will be assured to be able to control the best of the machine. By taking into account your height and your strength when you purchase an ATV, you will be able to drive it at its best and have even more fun.
Here is a few reflections relative to the physical height and to the stength :
The heel of the right shoe should rest in correct position on the running board of the ATV or firmly on the footrest. Ideally, a relaxed movement of the foot in the down direction should activate the break. Be careful for contacts with engine components and the exhaust. When you are sitting in a normal position with the hands on the handlebars, your elbows should be slightly folded, between the forearm and the superior part of the arm. If your arms are tight to reach the handlebars, it generally means that you will have more difficulty in controlling the steering. Check that you are not leaning forward, in a driving position that is not natural, to compensate for the lenght of your arms.
It is strongly advised to measure, in standing position on the footrest of the ATV, the distance between the ATV seat and the seam of the crotch of your pants. It should be a minimum of 7 to 15 centimeters. Driving on hilly or uneven terrain, this distance allows the driver to stand up and to absorb the impacts by bending his/her legs. This distance can also reduce thedriver's risks to be accidentally ejected over the ATV's handlebars after being hurted by the seat on a hilly course.
Your thumb should easily activate the acceleration control when your hand is comfortably laying on the handlebars. Make sure that you perfectly control the accelerator when you turn the handlebars at the maximum use position. When you are hand is comfortably laying on the handlebars, with your fingers extended, check if the first joint of your middle finger can easily go further than the break control. You must be able to activate the break and the emergency switches in case it is necessary. The leg, between the hip and the superior part of the knee, should be more or less on the horizontal. The handlebars must be easily moveable without touching your leg or your knees.
5) Is an ATV suitable for a kid / young?
It is strongly advised that every drivers respect the following restrictions regarding to age and capacity : less than 70 cm3 – 6 years and older ; 70 to 90 cm3 – 12 years old and older ; more than 90cm3 – 16 years and older. Kids should ALWAYS be supervised and receive instructions on the safe use of an ATV. There is many recognized formation programmes on ATV driving and we suggest that every new driver sign up for a driving formation course.
6) Which price do you want to pay for your ATV?
The basis rule is to set how much you want to spend and what your maximal budget is. Your calculations must includes taxes, registration expenses, insurance and, if need be, transfer of property. A wise person purchasing its first ATV might wish to compare the advantage of buying a brand new vehicle, with warranty, dealer's support and leading-edge technology with the advantages of buying a seconhand ATV allowing the buyer to save the depreciatio value but in loosing the warranty, the dealer's support and the financing possibilities.
7) Which financing possibilties do you have?
Talk to your dealer or your banker about the possible financing options to see if there is special financing incentives that could help you purchasing your vehicle. Also check the renting options and other purchase options that your dealer could propose you.
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