Underground Journal

Quad Bike for Beginners: A Quick Guide for Selecting an ATV

Determining the quad that suits your purpose and riding style is the first step in buying an ATV. The following are discussions that might help beginners decide the type of quad to purchase.

Transmission: Manual or Automatic?

All major manufacturers offer both manual and automatic transmission. Automatic transmission on quads has greatly improved over the last few years; however they don’t provide engine braking. This is important when descending hills or reducing speed, as engine braking allows you to slow down rather than relying on the brakes alone. This helps especially when brakes lock up on downhill runs. On the other hand, automatic transmission is great for going up hills. There is minimal delay compared to manual machines. If you intend to use your quad for a lot of utility work or variably climb steep inclines, pick the manual. If you do not like shifting gears, stick with the automatic.

Two wheel versus Four-wheel-drive.

Unless you intend to use your quad off-road, especially where you experience plenty of snow, mud and swampy areas, getting a four-wheel drive quad is the obvious choice. Four-wheel-drive quads offer you year-round use of the machine. If the quad is intended more for road use, four-wheel-drive is not necessary unless you want to maintain the flexibility of using your quad off road. Unless you can afford to have both types, many serious riders like that flexibility. The four wheel-drive bike adds an element of security when that chance to ride through dirt and snow and it provides better control while climbing or descending. If you can afford the price difference and intend to use your road quad for an occasional off road adventure, the four-wheel-drive is preferred by most. If you intend to spend more time on the road and a limited amount of off road riding time, two-wheel drives are fine.

Engine displacement

While the engine size on a utility quad is not a major factor, it plays a pivotal role a with sport quad or a road legal quad. If sport quads are your thing and this is your first time buying an ATV, it is recommended that you start out with a mid-sized engine. You don’t need to get the biggest quad. It’s not very often when a 300cc engine will not go where a 500cc would. While a large engine provides a larger frame and greater speed, being a first time user it is logical to provide yourself a foundation and step up to a larger bike if you still feel the need to. If the quad bike is for someone very young (6-12 years old) then you may want to consider looking into 50cc quad bikes. These are perfect for a child that is just starting to get into this great sport.

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