| Let's face it, not everybody has the cash to put out | | | | well-finished as the big name brand machines. |
| for a top of the line Honda or Yamaha ATV, an Artic | | | | The major kicker, however, is parts availability. With |
| Cat, Bombardier or Polaris. And even the smaller | | | | any kind of a machine which is subject to rugged |
| models are relatively expensive. But you still want a | | | | conditions of use - that is why you want an ATV |
| ride so you keep looking around. | | | | after all - things will break. No matter how hot the |
| There are used ATVs and you can save some | | | | name, how good the quality control, how high the |
| serious coin by picking up a used model, if you're able | | | | price, when you bounce off rocks and slam the |
| to determine why it's being sold and what it's | | | | ground, launch a quad airborne, run through mud and |
| condition really is. The nature of ATV trekking and | | | | sand and generally have a really good time, you are |
| racing isn't the gentlest of activities and an ATV can | | | | going to get breakage and plain old mechanical wear, |
| age remarkably rapidly because of extreme stresses. | | | | tear, fatigue and eventual parts failure. |
| Maybe the seller is telling you the truth when he says | | | | Getting parts to fix up your Chinese ATV could be a |
| he only did some flat trail and sand riding a couple | | | | nightmare. Maybe they'll come in six weeks, six |
| times and never ever went muddy or airborne. Or | | | | months, maybe never. So before you put down one |
| maybe not. | | | | cent, do your absolute best to ensure that the dealer |
| You need a competent mechanic to check out a | | | | - or some dealer you can get to easily - really and |
| used ATV and even then he or she isn't going to be | | | | truly has parts. Ask him to show you what he keeps |
| able just how stressed and close to the breaking | | | | in stock. They want to sell you a quad so they may |
| point some parts may be. So while you may be | | | | stretch the truth some. Check on the internet, see if |
| getting a great deal you may also be looking at some | | | | you can find other people who've bought the model |
| unanticipated repairs, real soon now. | | | | you're thinking of and find out what their experiences |
| Recently a variety of Chinese manufactured ATVs | | | | have been. |
| have become available. These ATVs are generally | | | | Buy a model that you know is being sold fairly widely. |
| much cheaper than comparable well known brands. | | | | That doesn't mean every seller will have parts, but |
| Usually there are fewer models and smaller engine | | | | there's a better chance that a supply chain will exist |
| sizes. The smaller ones may be ideal for a child's first | | | | and that you will be able to get parts relatively |
| ATV and the low cost makes it more practical in that | | | | quickly. If you are going to be an occasional rider, a |
| sense. There are also now some bigger models | | | | Chinese ATV may offer you a whole lot of machine |
| suitable for adults. | | | | for a lot lower price and the parts and service issue |
| A plus is that the engines tend to be cloned versions | | | | would be slightly less important. However, if you are |
| of Japanese engines which means that the designs | | | | going to be using it daily, if it's essential to your work, |
| are basically decent. | | | | then you need to be very very sure of the quality, |
| There are some problems however. Quality control | | | | the warranty and service and parts availability. |
| can be a major issue with products from some | | | | Doing your research first can make the difference |
| Chinese factories, so you need to be very clear on | | | | between getting yourself a great deal versus sliding |
| what kind of warranty you're getting. Generally you'll | | | | into a no-ride nightmare. |
| also need to accept that these machines are not as | | | | |