Seven Tips for Buying a Used ATV or All-Terrain Vehicle

Is an ATV a special type of vehicle or a type of motorcycle?

While the ATV itself is recognizable literally from the first second, the legal status of this vehicle was not regulated until recently.
Gaps in the law meant that it was impossible to punish drivers for dangerous and harmful driving in forested areas. However, the different ways in which these vehicles were registered and classified into different categories meant that the police had problems when trying to regulate quad bikes by law. Before the new approval rules, ATVs were registered as motorcycles, mopeds and even farm tractors. The decision to classify them into separate categories was selective - elements of equipment, for example, a handlebar, belonged to a bicycle, an engine - to a scooter, a wheelbase - to a car.

ATV license is an important detail

Currently, ATVs are registered as "other vehicle" with the subtype "quad bike". This classification results in ATVs being subject to special legal regulations.

Disadvantages of pit bikes

Mini motorcycles are not suitable for riding on hard and fast ground. Unlike a four-wheeled ATV, a pit bike lacks stability and is almost impossible to ride in a normal stance.

Other disadvantages of mini motorcycles.

1. Cooling is air-oil, so the engine quickly overheats. Dirt stuck to a hot engine can “stick”, and it will be very difficult to wash it off.
2. Pit bikes don't work well in mud. If there is a need to use the bike for riding in slush, you need to improve the protection of the engine from dirt. We should not forget about air cooling.
3. Many models are equipped with Chinese carburetors.
4. Vibration often causes the bolts to come loose and need to be tightened.
5. There are restrictions on geometric cross-country ability: mini-motorcycles “don’t like” snowdrifts and don’t ride well in loose snow.
6. Riding low bikes is a dubious pleasure. When riding tall and heavy models, even an experienced rider can fall and be seriously injured.
7. The oil needs to be changed frequently. On average, the oil change period is 20 engine hours (during normal riding, it has to be changed approximately once a month).
8. Pit bikes are very loud.
9. Immediately after washing, the mini-motorcycle may not start for some time.

Particular care must be taken when getting on a bike for the first time: the mini-motorcycle has a short wheelbase and a fairly high-spirited engine.

ATV Technical Review

Registering an ATV as a vehicle means that it is subject to the same legal regulations as a regular passenger car, both in terms of technical inspections and in terms of rights and responsibilities. The driver must travel on roads designed and adapted for this purpose, including in the forest. ATV drivers are not permitted to drive in any forested areas.

In fact, given the engine power and suspension structure, ATVs are cars and therefore require regular annual inspections. The same elements are checked as in any other vehicle used for movement. The cost of such an examination is the same amount as an inspection of a small car - a smart car, for example. If the ATV is correctly registered, in accordance with the latest changes in the acts, then the driver has the right to ride on it.

ATV with trailer

The following elements are checked: brakes, shock absorbers, possible “failures”, lighting, condition of tires, mirrors, etc.

If the ATV is stopped for inspection, the driver must have:

• certificate of registration together with proof of valid technical tests;
• document confirming vehicle insurance
• driving license of the appropriate category (depending on registration).

Pros of ATVs

ATVs allow you to ride cross-country all year round at a speed of 60-70 km/h. In terms of speed and drive, models from the BRP brand (USA) are considered the best. All ATVs of this company are equipped with a Rotax engine. This is a reliable motor that allows you to drive for a long time and cover long distances.

Almost all models are equipped with a reinforced rear subframe made of aluminum. This allows the vehicle to be used on complex expeditions and to transport heavy loads. At the back there is a stainless steel guard.

BRP ATVs have high ground clearance. If equipped with a lift kit, they are able to drive through deep snow and mud, move over sand pits, fallen trees, and walk well through undergrowth.

The BRP Can-Am Outlander 650 X MR goes almost anywhere – even where you can't walk. It sits on wheels only in floodplains of rivers, and in swamps with fatty, alluvial or soft soil. It has a spacious winch bucket, goes smoothly, and doesn’t feel any potholes. This ATV is an indispensable tool for hunting, but can also be used on the farm.

Who, where and when can use ATVs?

If the ATV falls into the category of “other vehicles”, it is worth remembering that in order to drive it you need the correct document - a driver's license. Therefore, it is unreasonable to purchase ATVs that are accessible to children and allow them to ride independently on public roads. If we are dealing with a light ATV, an AM driver's license is required; for another model, a category B or B1 driver's license is required.

The ATV can be used on all designated communication routes, except expressways and highways. These vehicles will pose a danger to other participants on these particular roads. As already mentioned, ATVs can ride in the forest, but only on marked and adapted trails. Otherwise, the police or forest inspectorate has the right to punish the driver.

It is worth knowing that according to the law, you also need to drive an ATV only with a protective helmet, and in this way the “quad” is similar to a motorcycle. If a minor is traveling as a passenger, he must also wear a helmet and the speed must not exceed 40 km/h. If an ATV driver does not follow the rules of the road or his vehicle is dangerous while driving, he will face the same consequences as if he had a regular passenger car.

Preparations for the summer season were carried out at the municipal headquarters. The Department of Transport at the regional police headquarters is, among other things, reviewing boats and ATVs that are equipped with blocks and will be used for several weeks.

Quad bike in nature

April is the month when the Department of Transport of the regional police headquarters carries out, among other things, a technical inspection of ATVs before the start of the summer season.

Police use four-wheeled vehicles mainly in places where even an off-road vehicle cannot reach - in the coastal zone of lakes and rivers. Officers serve in the woods, where they most often chase other ATVs, mopeds, and car drivers.

Is it worth buying an ATV? Personal experience.

Buying an ATV is a real event. It’s not like going to the store for bread. There is a burden on the budget, doubts, desires, plans and expectations.

As personal experience shows, expectations and plans run counter to reality. And today I will share my personal experience and feelings after 3 years of owning an ATV.

Let me start with the fact that I am an ordinary, average Russian with a family, children and a dacha to boot. Which I go not only in summer, but also in winter. Although, of course, it’s rare to get out there in winter, but it happens. Well, naturally, working for an ATV supplier, I couldn’t help but acquire this machine for my country needs.

In my dreams, I imagined how we would ride an ATV every weekend. Drive around the area, discovering new, unexplored places, which, by the way, are very picturesque in our area. How a quadric will facilitate the process of moving your loved one to a store in the nearest village. How will grandma go picking mushrooms and stop lamenting that her legs hurt from walking for a long time in the forest?

But these are all dreams...What about reality?

After the appearance of the ATV, we rode every weekend. All my friends came to visit. Everyone who wanted to ride a quad and find out what it is. And the neighbors were not far behind. In the end, everyone rode. They mixed up the mud, traveled around the nearest area and... that's all.

After a month, the fervor began to subside. And a month later, the quad was standing in the barn and no one really remembered it. He just got boring like any other “toy”.

And everything would be sad if not for the second wave.

After winter, we began to actively travel to the dacha again. There was no longer that emotional rise to the ATV. Well, it's good. But somehow the desire to go for a ride began to come on its own. Either the three of us, my husband and son, will go to the river, then we will drive to an abandoned landfill, or we even decided to go on a “long drive” - 72 km to the Oka with a picnic on the shore. And sometimes in the evening we’ll put our son to bed, leave grandma to guard, and we’ll rush off in a four-wheel drive into the night field to look at the stars. Yes, and dad got the hang of taking out construction waste on it, with his neighbors, who also have quads, he began to ride around the area, although before he had no attraction to his neighbors.

In general, the ATV now has a life, although not very bright, but still.

Actually, what am I leading to and what is the conclusion?

And the conclusion is simple. If you have the opportunity to buy a toy and forget about it in a month, then of course take it. Well, if you are a dreamer like me, then know that emotions pass. And if there is at least some kind of housekeeping for the ATV, that’s very good, it’s not a waste of money. Well, or you are an active person in life and at least a couple of times during the summer you gather your thoughts and ride around the area, consider that your expenditure was not in vain. An ATV provides many opportunities to diversify your usual life, the main thing is not to be lazy, but many people have a problem with this.

Well, I would also note as a small plus in the quadric’s karma - this is that when you are trying to gather friends at your dacha (and as you know, the older people get, the harder they are to climb and the more often laziness wins), then the quadric will play his role and he will play on your side!

Let's summarize.

If you can buy it and forget to eat it, take it.

If there are business matters that are difficult to solve on your own, take it.

If you are an active person and can’t sit still, take it.

If you also have children and they are just as active and open to the world, take it.

If you are not an ardent lover of outdoor activities, a spot on your clothes causes a squeamish shiver and you appear at the dacha a couple of times during the summer and your budget is “not rubber”, then it’s not worth it. He's not worth it.

I hope my personal experience will allow you to make the right and optimal decision whether to BUY an ATV OR NOT.

And finally, I wish you to live an active and vibrant life. Overcome the inherent laziness of man and discover something new every day!

Author: Kuznetsova Olga

YACOTA Marketing Director

What does the law say about riding ATVs?

Under the current rules, each ATV is treated as a separate machine - an ATV or light ATV (as well as a three-wheeled motorcycle and a moped). This includes light trikes and tricycles. These vehicles moving on public roads, in residential areas or traffic zones must be technically sound and registered, and the driver must have with him a document confirming the right to drive, a registration certificate and a document confirming the conclusion of a civil liability insurance contract.

If the vehicle is registered as a light four-wheeler (with a curb weight not exceeding 350 kg, a maximum speed not exceeding 45 km/h, an engine power of less than 50 cm3 and a power plant power of less than 5.4 hp), then the driver must have the right to drive category AM (gives the right to drive mopeds and light ATVs). To obtain this type of “license,” you must be over 14 years of age, pass a medical examination, complete a course, and pass a state exam. Or simply take a driving course and successfully pass the state final exam.

Children's ATV

If the ATV is registered as a moped, motorcycle or agricultural tractor, the driver, depending on his age, must present a moped card or a driving license of category AM or a driving license of the corresponding category (motorcycle, agricultural tractor).

To be able to drive a quad bike of any power and engine capacity, you must apply for a Category B1 or B driving licence. Category B1 also allows you to drive a moped, and the age you must reach to be able to apply for it is at least 16 years old. As with the AM category, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination, take a driving course and pass a state exam.

New ATV. Collected in Ukraine, but so far in a single copy

Brief information about ATVs

An ATV (or all-terrain vehicle) is a vehicle on four wheels with low-pressure tires, a seat for the driver to sit on, and a handlebar for steering, primarily intended for off-road driving. ATVs are divided into two types specified by the manufacturer. Type I All-Terrain Vehicles are all-terrain vehicles designed for use by one driver without a passenger, while Type II All-Terrain Vehicles are designed for use by one driver and one passenger and also have a body.

Today, new models of ATVs are still being produced, designed for 2 or 4 people and used to solve practical problems. The first creator of this type of transport is Henry Ford. His model was not quite similar to the all-terrain vehicles we are used to, but it is still a prototype of modern vehicles.

Speed ​​and terrain

When transporting a child under 7 years of age, a four-seater speed limit should not exceed 40 km/h. Registered and insured ATVs may be driven on any public road, residential area or transportation zone, but are prohibited from driving on portions of roads designated as highways or expressways.

According to the law, if the owner, user or driver who:

1. permits an untrained person to operate a vehicle on a public road or area to the extent that proper driving performance is achieved;
2. allows a person who does not have the necessary permits to drive a vehicle on a public road;
3. allows a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs to drive a vehicle on a public road or in a residential area;
4. permits the movement of a vehicle on a public road, despite the absence of the necessary documents confirming the vehicle’s permission to move,
5. allows the vehicle to be driven on a public road, despite the fact that the vehicle is not properly equipped with the necessary devices and tools, or is equipped but with those that are not suitable for its intended purpose;
6. allows the vehicle to be used in a manner inconsistent with its intended use.

- subject to a fine.

Positive features of ATVs

• Passage of any terrain . This car is capable of driving a road of any complexity, it can be: fields, hills, coastal zones, forests, rocky areas, deserts. All your obstacles will be behind you. Since an ATV is light in weight, its cross-country ability is therefore easier compared to cars.
• Use in all weather conditions . The ATV can handle spring puddles, snowy hills or a summer road; it will travel everywhere without problems. It will handle any road thanks to its large and textured tire patterns that provide excellent traction.
• Use in solving utilitarian problems . On an ATV you can not only travel through the harsh terrain of our planet, but also work by improving it a little. Thanks to an all-terrain vehicle, you can dig up the ground, transport the necessary cargo, harvest crops, mow lawns, or remove snow.
• Compactness . Due to its small size, it is easy to take with you when traveling. The ATV can be easily transported in a car trailer.
• Excellent traction forces . Today, many models have been developed that are in no way inferior to cars in technical parameters. The average speed of the all-terrain vehicle is 70-90 km/h.
• Maneuverability . Thanks to its small dimensions, the machine is easy to operate.
• Repair . Due to the simple design, it will take a couple of hours to repair the equipment.

Children on quad bikes

It is the responsibility of parents to supervise the proper use of ATVs by their children.

A child under 10 years of age cannot operate any vehicle on a public road, unless he or she is riding a bicycle under the supervision of an adult. However, there is no direct prohibition on driving a vehicle off a public road. However, the Road Traffic Act, which applies to road traffic outside public roads, where the legislator specifies that provisions should be applied if necessary so as not to endanger the safety of participants in that road traffic. In the case of a child, driving an ATV is a threat to his health and life. A child of this age is certainly not physically or mentally capable of operating such a vehicle.

In addition, in accordance with the law:

1. Whoever, as a result of gross violation of the obligations arising from parental rights, allows a minor to commit an act prohibited by law, as a criminal offense, including a tax offense, a tax offense or an offense and indicating the demoralization of the minor, he will be subject to a fine or reprimand.
2. If a child is driving an ATV and the law was violated, then responsibility will be transferred to the adult parent, and he will be subject to punishment in the form of restriction of freedom, a fine or a reprimand.
3. In the cases indicated above, if a minor caused damage through his act, adult parents will have, in addition to general responses to the Law, to compensate for the damage - both material and moral.

If a child causes a real threat to human life and health by driving such a vehicle with the consent of parents or other adults, such persons are subject to criminal liability. They could face up to 3 years in prison.

What to look for when choosing

It is important to approach the choice of a good ATV with great responsibility, because your safety while riding and cross-country ability depend on it. After reading the selection recommendations from experienced users, we identified the following parameters:

1. Engine capacity. Determined based on the needs of the device owner and area of ​​use. Devices with engine capacity from 100 to 600 cm3 are available for sale.
2. Power. It has a special influence on the engine speed at a certain moment and helps determine the weight of the load that the ATV can support.
3. Volume of the tank. Fuel consumption for ATVs is 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers. This parameter affects the range and duration of the trip. If you ride close to home, then a volume of three liters will be enough. In other cases of planned long trips, it is recommended to purchase models with a tank volume twice as large - 6 liters.
4. Pendant . The soft running of the device and user comfort while driving depend on it.

Quad bike in the forest

In accordance with the provisions of the Law on Conduct in the Forest Zone, the movement of cars, sleds and mopeds in the forest is only permitted on public roads, and forest roads are permitted only if they are marked with signs allowing traffic on these roads. This does not apply to disabled people using vehicles adapted to their needs. Failure to comply with the above rules may result in a fine.

The most expensive ATV

You should think very carefully about purchasing an ATV. It should be remembered that the vehicle itself is not dangerous, but its use unreasonably creates a threat. This is a fast and maneuverable vehicle, so one test drive is enough for the trip to end in tragedy.