The Beginner's Guide to ATVs

“ATV” stands for all-terrain vehicle, and it was developed initially in Japan in order to maneuver up the mountains and more difficult terrain during the rainy seasons. Many Japanese men used the vehicles as farm-to-town vehicles instead of the traditional cars and trucks, mostly due to its versatility. It began to be used more as a recreational vehicle as well, and the Japanese decided to sell and promote the ATV overseas in America. The ATV first came to the United States in the 1970’s, and though it was promoted as a vehicle for fun and excitement, its other uses were quickly discovered. Racing became popular among ATV riders. Hunters and farmers began using the ATVs to get into areas that were not accessible by trucks or tractors, and thus the market for ATVs began to grow. By the late 1970’s and early 1980’s other motorcycle companies such as Kawasaki and Yamaha had their own ATV models on the market.

 When Honda engineer Osamu Takeuchi developed the first ATV, many different vehicles were examined, and many different wheel configurations were considered. However, an ATV with three wheels gave the driver the maneuverability that was desired, as well as the stability not offered by the two-wheeled motorbike. The heavy utility use that developed in the 1980’s encouraged the addition of another wheel, and the first four-wheel ATV was introduced in 1984. By 1988, the industry agreed that safety statistics were strong enough to warrant the permanent addition of the fourth wheel, and manufacturers no longer sold three-wheelers.

Selecting Your ATV

The first step in choosing an ATV is determining the primary use for the vehicle. There are many models and makes available on the market, and each is targeted toward a more specific purpose. For those who wish to ride recreationally along backwoods trails, at a moderate pace, there are the entry-level four-wheelers. The engines aren’t particularly powerful, and some may feature automatic transmissions. Even those that do require shifting usually do not utilize a clutch. These models are perfect for those who are physically smaller or those who do not wish to handle a larger vehicle. If one were going to use the ATV for use around the yard or farm, a utility ATV would be recommended. These models can haul, pull, push, or carry anything from a small tree stump to a fallen deer in the woods. They feature great traction and strong engines, and, therefore, can also be used on the trails. They fare better on rougher trails and mud bogs then the recreational models do, and the frames tend to be bigger, so larger individuals may prefer a utility model. The utility models can be bought with four-wheel or two-wheel drive.

Quad racers will be looking for different feature in their ATVs. Sport ATVs were built to race. Their engines are fast, their bodies are light, and their suspension is perfect for all those things that racers love. They are great at jumping, maneuvering around tough corners, popping wheelies, and getting through rough terrain. Most of the sports ATVs use a manual clutch with a five-speed transmission. The high-performance ATVs are one cut above the typical sport ATVs. They accelerate faster, climb hills better, and jump higher than the less expensive models. The engines use four-stroke engines, making it as fast as possible. They do have lower ground clearance and less ability to get around trails, so these high performance ATVs are definitely to be used on the tracks. 

Before You Ride

A person buying an ATV will also need to purchase some standard safety equipment as well, before taking that first ride on the new quad. The most basic is the helmet. Every driver and rider of an ATV should wear a helmet, as head injury is the most common cause of death during an accident on an ATV. A good pair of riding gloves is an advantageous addition to your safety equipment while riding. They can absorb vibrations in the handlebars, which will add comfort to the ride. They will also serve to protect from rocks and debris that may skip up from the tires and onto the hands. Riding boots provide better traction and protection than usual shoes or boots while riding. Goggles are nearly a necessity when riding. It is very common for things to come up into the eyes when riding such as bits of rock, leaves, branches, and bugs. Goggles can protect the eyes from these things, consequently keeping the driver safer by allowing him to keep better control of the quad. It is also recommended that drivers and riders wear long sleeve shirts and pants to protect the skin from debris while riding.

So, the ATV is bought, the safety equipment is ready, the gang is gathered, and the trip is going to begin. There are a few things to consider, however, before going off into the woods on an ATV trip. For instance, the driver should check all the fluid levels in his vehicle such as oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, and gas. Be sure that all the parts of the quad are in good working order such as the brakes, battery, and lights, and that your tires have the proper air pressure. A four-wheeler is a heavy thing to push out from the woods! Pack a small emergency kit with water, a first aid kit, a tow strap, tire repair kit and pump, a flashlight, cell phone, and map or GPS if going into unfamiliar territory. Plan out the route with the riders involved. Plan where to stop and rest, a good place to get some water, or maybe a good stopping place for lunch break. One should not go into the woods alone when four-wheeling, if one finds it a necessity, be sure to take along a cell phone with a charged battery in case there is trouble, and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Choosing a Place to Ride

Once the rider chooses his quad and gets his safety gear in order, he needs to decide where he wants to ride. It is always legal to ride an ATV on one’s own property, but a driver probably should secure permission from a landowner before venturing onto another’s property with an ATV, even if he has permission to hunt on the property. ATV’s can cause damage to limbs and branches, the land, and streams. Riding of ATV’s on a public road system is not allowed, even if the ATV has plates, and even if the driver is over the legal driving age. Many local areas have ATV trails mapped out through the back woods areas, and many local organizations will hold races for charity purposes.

There are many popular places around the country that cater to ATV riders. In Alabama, they have the Kentuck ORV Trail, with 23 miles of riding through the area, containing four trails that contain both easy and more challenging areas. California boasts the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, which consists of 19,000 acres, divided into “use zones” that dictate what kinds of vehicles may be driven in which areas so as to minimize the damage to the terrain. Camping is also allowed in the park, and there is a small racetrack there as well. Those in the Midwest can enjoy the Badlands Off-Road Park in Indiana. This privately owned park near Attica has 800 acres of extreme trails, mud, and pea-gravel hills. This park features kids’ track as well for those just beginning to ride. There are many sites available on the Internet that can provide riders with safe, enjoyable quad riding all across this country.

• ATV History: This history of the ATV is given from the standpoint of Honda, the first developer of ATVs, both in Japan and the United States. It traces its development and transitions through the years.

• A history of ATV: This timeline of ATV history marks the first showing of the ATV in the United States and picks the important hits throughout the years and highlighting the competition among the top manufacturers.

• ATV: Facts About ATV: This article offers an extensive history of the ATV as well as jargon of the industry and a timeline of introduction of particular models.

• How to choose the right ATV: The various kinds of ATVs are discussed on this site, helping the first-time ATV rider an idea of which quad may be best.

• Today's 4-stroke ATV Engines: ATV riders interested in racing will enjoy this overview of 4-stroke engines. It explains how much, and what kind of, power a rider will need for his particular use.

• How to Choose ATV Tires: For those who currently own an ATV and find themselves needing new tires, this site goes over some of the things to consider when replacing the ATV tires.

• ATV Safety Institute: The ATV Safety Institute offers eight things to remember before riding an ATV. Links are provided to rider training, rider gear, library/safety tips, as well others.

• ATVs Can Be Deadly For The Young And The Reckless: An extensive article offering safety tips for ATV riding as well as statistics on ATV accidents. It explains the important elements of riding an ATV and what each rider should remember, relative to his age.

• ATV Accidents: This 2005 article examines the rise of ATV accidents involving children under 18 years old. It offers a list of recommendations for safe recreational use of ATV use.

• All Terrain Vehicle Association - Where to Ride: The All-Terrain Vehicle Association introduces the reader to various locations in the United States to ride ATVs. Reviews are given of particular areas as well as advice on whether or not to register your ATV and any other laws the rider may need to be aware of in a particular state.

• Places to Ride ATVs | ATV Trail Riding, Racing: The quad racer will find locations and rules for the races across the country on this site.

• ATV Trails: This site gives riders locations of trails around the country on which to ride their four-wheelers. Pictures and videos are also included.

• ATV Pathfinder.com: One needs to become a member of this site in order to access all the information on ATV trails and races across the U.S., but membership is free.