There’s no limit to how long your all-terrain vehicle will last or how far it can go. Some models can last over 20 years. However, ATVs, UTVs, quads and side-by-sides get hit with more dirt and debris and encounter more obstacles than your typical on-road vehicle. With new models costing between $2,000 and $15,000, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure your investment has a long lifespan. Use these tips to keep your ride going strong for years to come.
- Practice Safe Riding
Nothing will damage your vehicle like getting into an accident, so do everything you can to avoid one. Even minor fender benders, scrapes and bumps can damage essential internal components. Many accidents are caused by riders losing control.
Wear a full-face helmet with a visor or a half-face helmet with goggles to see clearly, hiking boots with slip resistance and gloves to keep a firm hold on the handlebars. When riding in a group, pair your helmets with off-road headsets to connect hands-free. Mount the device onto your gear and speak to the receiver to talk to your companion without looking away or changing your grip. If you feel yourself losing control, they can give you tips and move out of the way to prevent a collision.
- Inspect Before and After Every Ride
Any outing can change the vehicle’s condition. Unlike motor vehicles, which need maintenance at regular intervals, an ATV can go from “like new” to “needs repairs” after a few hours of rough riding. Give your four-wheeler a thorough once-over before and after hitting the trail.
Practice proper quad maintenance by lubricating parts, checking and changing fluids, servicing the engine and more. Clean off dirt and mud at the end of each day to prevent rust. Check tire pressure and adjust the psi according to the terrain. Remove objects from the tread to improve traction. Create a checklist and keep it near your ATV as a reminder. Take your ride to a mechanic at the start and end of the season to stop minor inconveniences from becoming full-on headaches.
- Stick to the Trail
Accidents also happen when you ride your ATV where it doesn’t belong. Venturing off-trail exposes the vehicle to more debris and obstacles and reduces traction, increasing your risk of getting into an accident. It also endangers the natural environment and makes it harder for the park rangers to find you in an emergency.
Follow the trail markers and avoid taking any unnecessary risks. Rising sea levels, torrential rain and high humidity can flood low-lying areas, making them dangerous to pass. Submerging the underside of your ATV in water can clog the exhaust, forcing burnt air and fuel back into the engine. This can lead to rust, overheating and engine failure. If you want to wade through rivers and ponds, use a kit to raise the exhaust above the water level.
Check the weather and ask the park ranger about riding conditions before riding. It’s never a good idea to go off-roading when the ground is anything but dry. Rain, snow and fog reduce traction and visibility, increasing your chances of slipping and hitting obstacles head-on. Sometimes, knowing when not to ride is the best thing you can do.
- Invest in Foolproof Storage
Not riding can also degrade your ATV, depending on how it’s stored. Moisture, extreme temperature changes and airborne debris can lead to rust and clogs. Pests can nip at electrical wires, tire treads and brake pads or lodge inside your quad’s nooks and crannies. A poorly built shelf can dump heavy equipment, chemicals and whatever else you have lying around the garage on the vehicle.
Your ATV will likely spend some time in storage when not on the trail, especially in the winter, so spend the time and money to keep it safe. Insulate the room or area from humidity, moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Invest in pest control or use a wrap to cover the entry points. Lock the room securely and use surveillance to keep intruders at bay.
- Consider ATV Insurance
You shouldn’t have to think twice about taking your ATV to the shop or replacing a damaged part, even if you’re short on cash. Serious off-roaders use insurance to cover the cost of repairs. Recent estimates show that the average ATV insurance policy costs $40.75 to $237.77 per month.
Low-cost policies tend to have a high deductible and may only cover bodily injury or property damage, which won’t help you get your vehicle fixed when you’re low on funds. If you spent $10,000 or more on your ATV and ride continuously during the season, get a policy with comprehensive coverage to ensure you can get your ride serviced by a professional.
Your ATV can tackle all types of terrain, but it will inevitably succumb to the effects of time. Servicing the quad regularly and riding at the right time and place will delay its degradation for as long as possible. Don’t let the elements or preventable mistakes ruin your ride to make it last for the foreseeable future.
