Different Types of ATVs
Posted on Jun 03rd 2015
ATVs: ATVs come in many different shapes and sizes. The different types of ATVs are designed and manufactured for different uses including racing, pit-vehicles, recreation, hunting, ranching, military, emergency services and industrial.
While the most common type of ATV is of the four-wheeled variety, there are also ATVs that come with three, six or even eight wheels. There are now environmentally friendly ATVs that run on batteries.
Size Does Matter: ATVs range in size from 50cc children’s ATVs up to 700cc Sport quads, 800cc Utility ATVs, and some over 1,000cc. Measured in cubic centimeters, much like motorcycles, the engines of ATVs are very similar to their two-wheeled cousins.
Aside from the number of wheels and different sizes of ATVs, they differ widely by intended application. The most popular types of 4-wheeled ATVs are the 4WD Utility ATVs, Sport ATVs and Side-by-Sides, referred to commonly as SxS.
Utility ATVs: Utility ATVs are the most popular type of ATV. This type of ATV typically has short travel suspension, a big motor, and more accessories designed for working or hunting.
Utility ATVs are used throughout industries such as agriculture and ranching; where repairs, feeding, and other tasks are regularly performed. They are also very popular with hunters who travel tough terrain, often carrying heavy equipment and supplies. Electric ATVs are becoming popular with hunters because they are more quiet and stealthy for sneaking up on game.
Many Utility ATVs are ridden at recreation spots such as desert OHV areas and on private property. Some are bought as a tool, but often see just as much recreation time; which makes them a very economical purchase.
Sport ATVs: Sport ATVs are the second most popular type of ATV in the USA. Ranging in size from 250cc up to 700cc, these All Terrain Vehicles are lightweight with gutsy suspensions to eat up jumps, bumps and turns. These quads can be highly modified and enhanced with thousands of accessories to alter style and performance.
Sport ATVs are much quicker than their utility twins. Extra care goes in to designing them to be as light as possible with very responsive engines. Sport quads are used in sanctioned racing because of their speed and suspension advantages over other different types of ATVs.
Side-by-Side ATVs: Side-by-Side ATVs are sometimes referred to as Rhinos. They’re like golf carts, only with suspension equal to that of sport quads and larger, more powerful motors. SxS ATVs are able to go places you might not have thought possible.
SxS ATVS are becoming the most popular ATVs in small, rural communities. Some towns allow them to be registered for highway use. They are used as “pit vehicles” at races and other events to provide more versatility in transportation and mobility. Fire and Rescue and the military often modify them extensively for their specific applications.
Children's ATVs: Children’s ATVs are much smaller than the other types of ATVs. They typically come between 50cc and 125cc. They have virtually no suspension, little power, and an automatic transmission if any gears at all.
Youth ATVs are geared towards riders no previous riding experience. Children’s ATVs are usually limited to 150 lbs total pre-passenger weight, depending on the manufacturer.
You can always educate yourself about all-terrain vehicles and other motor vehicle technology on the MotorsHiFi site, located on the web at www.motorshifi.com. Here you can go to get your dream vehicle.