It’s a love, it’s a passion, it’s an ATV!

Four wheels and the power to go through every terrain. What more can you want from a vehicle?! The right question though is how to choose the right one. We’re happy to give you some helpful advice below!

What is an ATV

Before getting to the main question, let us get some facts straight: not every vehicle that looks like an ATV is one. According to popular classification, ATV machines, otherwise known as an all-terrain vehicle, a four wheeler or a light utility vehicle (with the cute short name LUV), is a relatively small vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires. It has a seat that is in the open as well as the handlebars for steering control. Usually it has room for one person - an operator, but sometimes there are ATV-s with an additional seat. These ATV-s are referred to as tandem ATVs. Safety gear is obligatory when riding an ATV.

An ATV can go successfully through all kinds of terrains. It is usually used to go through woods, sands and muddy ground. And although you won’t see it in most streets, it is street legal in most countries with a certain kind of permit and/or driver’s license depending on the laws of said country.

If you ask a speed and adrenaline passionate person though, an ATV is a way of life. This is why it’s extremely important to find the one right for you. Especially if you have come to the moment you want to invest and not just rent one for your outdoor adventures.

 

How to choose the right ATV

You have seen them, you have ridden them and you have inevitably fallen in love with them. The ATV-s are fascinating vehicles that are better than bikes for rough terrain and at the same time: give you that big shot of adrenaline you crave so much. And if you’re thinking about buying your first ATV, you probably have some questions.

First of all, you have to know if the laws in your country require a special permit for riding one and how big it’s engine can be. As well as that you might have to consider, if the laws forbid driving the ATV on the streets, you might need a special trailer and as such: driver’s license with a category for it.

Second on the list: it is important to figure out how big you want your ATV to be. Sizes vary vastly and differently sized ATVs are suitable for different things - and different people. For example - a shorter person might prefer a smaller (in size, not power) ATV, just so they can be more comfortable riding it. In reverse, a taller, bigger person will probably not be very comfortable on a small ATV. The same applies about your weight. So depending on your own size, you should try a few models in real life before finding one that suits you.

Size matters when it comes to getting your ATV around too. We talked about this a little bit before but here we’ll expand the topic. A big ATV needs a big trailer, and accordingly, a smaller one might need a smaller trailer. In addition, don’t forget to think about where you will actually park and store your ATV when you’re not driving it. An ATV with smaller dimensions might fit in a garage with your car or a shed, for instance, but a bigger one will require its own space. This is extremely important to think of if you live in the big city.

Speaking in numbers, there are 4 types of ATV-s: youth, small, standard and large.

• Youth ATV-s have dimensions between 50 - 60” long and 30 - 40” wide / 1.2 - 1.5m long, 0.7 - 1m wide.
• Small ATV-s fall between 65 - 70” long and 40 - 43” wide / 1.6 - 1.7m long and a little bit more than 1m wide.
• Standard ATV-s are even bigger: they go between 70-85” long and 43-45” wide / 1.7 - 2.1m and a little bit more than 1m wide.
• Large ATV-s are the biggest category. They go between 85-95” long, 45-48” wide / 2.1 - 2.4m long and 1.1 - 1.2m wide

These are the physical dimensions, but usually most people refer to the sizes of an ATV in regards to its engine and the cubic centimeters (cc) it has. They vary between 50cc youth ATV-s up to 1000cc sport ATV-s, but you can find almost anything in between.

Having said that, we come to the next factor in choosing an ATV: your own level of experience. It is very important you choose your vehicle accordingly because a too powerful ATV that can reach high speeds fast can be dangerous for you.

Some countries allow children to ride ATV-s and this is why there is classification based on the engine. These are not rules, but more like guidelines that you can follow, once again, according to the laws of your own country.

• kids 12 and younger can drive 50-70cc ATV-s
• kids 16 and younger can drive 70-150cc ATV-s
• experienced teens, smaller adults, brand new riders can drive ATV-s up to 150-300cc
• easy trail riding, new riders can drive an ATV between 300-500cc
• hard trail riding, larger adults, heavy work loads can be carried by ATV-s between 500-700cc
• racing, deep mud, hill climbing, experienced drivers can drive between 700-1000cc

Keep in mind - whatever type of ATV you choose, your primary reasoning should be based on your needs. If you’re getting it with the idea of having fun while driving around your favorite terrains, a small or medium engine ATV is perfect. If you need it for heavy work and for example, agricultural work though, you might want to consider a bigger and more powerful engine.

 

Other times and activities an ATV can be really useful at are:

• fishing and hunting trips
• landscaping
• snow plowing
• trail riding
• ranching
• transportation or luggage
• general utility tasks and more
• sport / racing events

 

This is why nowadays ATV-s are one of the most popular off road vehicles in the world.

Other types of details that you might consider when choosing if you need any type of additional features and accessories. Ask your local retailer that will be able to help you choose between all the options: snow plowers, winches, special wheels, racks and storage, bumper, night lights and more. In addition the newest models have a lot of tech included - GPS, steering assistance and tech for better comfort and control.

We know - it can be overwhelming but if you think about your needs before buying an ATV, it will serve you for a lot of purposes for a very, very long time.

 

Safety gear and measures when driving / riding an ATV

In order to enjoy your ATV you should keep in mind some safety measures and equipment. You should consider this when buying your first ATV from a financial point of view first and danger factor second. Our advice: think about taking a special ATV driving course before you jump straight on the seat of your new four wheel passion.

The price of the vehicle itself depends highly on four factors:

• Condition of the Vehicle
• Model Year and Mileage/Hours
• Features and Accessories
• Location you will be using it on
• Keep in mind an ATV requires additions depending on the terrain you will be using it on: special tyres, filters etc.

Apart from that, the equipment you’ll have to get is related mostly to items that keep you protected from natural conditions and from potential injuries in case of accidents.

This most importantly includes a helmet: and a good one - it can literally save your life in case of an accident on the road or off it. This is why you should invest in a good, comfortable, durable motorbike grade helmet.

Second: it’s a great rule to have eye protection - an obligatory accessory you should wear to protect your eyes from wind, particles and other potential threads. You can exclude them from this list only if your helmet has built-in goggles.

Don’t underestimate the power of good gloves. They are great for protection both of environmental elements and accidental injuries. 

In regards to clothing you always have to wear long pants. They will help against insects, small and bigger animals, branches and twigs and more. Overall, good quality pants will go a long way for you during riding an ATV on your trips in nature.

And speaking of clothing, think of a long-sleeved shirt or jacket. It works great as protection from snow, rain, sun, wind and injuries all the same. It’s a good idea to search for a jacket from waterproof material.

It’s also a good idea to choose protective gear for your body. Especially if you’re just starting in the ATV riding and driving. This will reduce the risks from injuries significantly - even if you get into an accident.

Shoes are super important too when we talk about riding an ATV. Since it’s an extreme activity that takes you often out of your comfort zone from an environmental point of view, you will need over-the-ankle boots. They are comfortable, they are durable and they can usually keep your feet warm and safe from the elements. At the same time - they’re super comfortable for driving.

Never make a compromise with this list of equipment and keep it up to date and in high quality. This way you will enjoy driving your ATV for a longer time while being safe - on all terrains.