| Before you buy a used quad, you should | | | | sure to pay close attention to the |
| consider a few of important factors in | | | | A-arms and areas where the frame |
| your decision making process. One of | | | | intersects and check the welded areas |
| these decisions is what type of ATV is | | | | for any breaks or cracks. Any rusty |
| appropriate for your needs. Of course, | | | | areas should be looked at closely for |
| there are ATVs available for utility, | | | | cracks. Minor damage can usually be |
| sport, racing, or a combination of | | | | repaired by welding and repainting the |
| purposes. ATVs are available in 4x4 | | | | affected area. |
| models and 2x4 models. In addition, the | | | | Using a jack, raise the front end of the |
| size and displacement of the quad should | | | | bike and shake the handlebars to check |
| also be considered. Last but not least, | | | | for play. Also, grab each wheel and try |
| for most of us, our budget also plays a | | | | to move it in and out, up and down, and |
| large role in choosing an ATV. | | | | from side to side, looking for any play, |
| After you have done your research and | | | | meaning possible worn wheel bearings or |
| you suspect you know which ATV or class | | | | ball joints. Next, jack up the rear of |
| of ATV is right for you, I suggest you | | | | the bike and perform the same checks on |
| go to your local dealer and sit on the | | | | the rear wheels. |
| newest version of that bike, just to get | | | | Check the oil, look for dark, black, or |
| acquainted with the size and overall | | | | "Chocolate milk" oil. |
| feel of the quad. In most cases, older | | | | Also, check the oil to make sure proper |
| versions of the new bikes generally have | | | | levels are maintained. Also, check to |
| the same characteristics and feel. | | | | color of the oil. Dark, or black oil |
| Next, in conducting your search for a | | | | could be a sign it hasn’t been changed |
| used bike, you should consult multiple | | | | in a long time. If the oil is watery, |
| sources in an attempt to locate your | | | | and looks like chocolate milk, water has |
| best deal. Most importantly, ask other | | | | leaked into the oil. Also, look for any |
| ATV riders for opinions. Use the ATV | | | | small metal flakes in the oil. |
| Source message board and other outlets | | | | Check the front and rear brake pads, |
| for rider opinions. This will usually | | | | rotor, and brake fluid. Also, check for |
| provided an unbiased opinion of an ATV. | | | | any broken or cracked cables. Engage the |
| When looking for a bike, I suggest | | | | parking brake and make sure it is |
| beginning your search online, including | | | | functioning properly as well. |
| the “classifieds” section of this | | | | On 4x4 ATVs, inspect the CV joint boots. |
| website, Internet auction sites, and | | | | If there are any cracks, breaks, or |
| other sites devoted to trading used | | | | places where water could penetrate the |
| ATVs. Also, don’t forget about your | | | | boot and cause expensive repairs. Also, |
| local newspaper classifieds section, as | | | | remove the front and rear differential |
| many people still prefer to advertise in | | | | plugs and inspect the oil. Again, if the |
| the print media. Your local ATV | | | | oil looks like chocolate milk, water has |
| dealership may be another source for | | | | contaminated the fluid. |
| used ATVs, as many dealers will allow | | | | You should also inspect the air box and |
| trade-ins of older quads toward the | | | | air filter. Look for evidence of water |
| purchase of new bikes. In most cases, | | | | in the air box. Water trapped in the air |
| these ATVs have been inspected by their | | | | box could result in costly engine |
| service department and might even come | | | | repairs. Changing the air filter is an |
| with a short warranty. Dealerships will | | | | important part of ATV maintenance, make |
| vary, so check their policies on used | | | | sure the filter is clean and in |
| bikes. | | | | relatively new condition. |
| When you find that bike you are | | | | Inspect the chain and sprockets for rust |
| interested in, one of the first things | | | | and wear. |
| you should immediately notice upon | | | | Look at the chain and sprockets for wear |
| approaching the bike is the condition of | | | | and rust. The teeth on the sprockets |
| the plastic. Of course, the condition of | | | | should not be worn, bent, or crooked. |
| the plastic has no bearing on the | | | | There should be no rust visible and ask |
| mechanical condition of the bike. | | | | the owner how often the chain and |
| However, it may be an indication of how | | | | sprockets where lubricated. In addition, |
| the bike has been treated or if it has | | | | inquire as to how often all of the |
| been involved in any serious wrecks. | | | | fluids where changed and service |
| Also, ATV plastic is expensive and if | | | | performed. |
| the bike you are looking at has cracked | | | | Ask the owner if he still has a copy of |
| or broken plastic, you should keep in | | | | the owner’s manual and if the bike has |
| mind the replacement cost and use this | | | | a clear title. You should check to see |
| as a price negotiating point. | | | | if a title is required in your state. In |
| Check the condition of tires. Worn tires | | | | some states a bill of sale with the |
| could be a safety hazard. | | | | vehicle identification number is |
| Another one of the first things you | | | | sufficient. The vehicle identification |
| should immediately notice is the | | | | number is stamped on the ATV engine. |
| condition of the tires. Again, ATV tires | | | | Finally, start the ATV and check the |
| can be expensive and worn tires can be a | | | | headlights, taillights, and engine shut |
| safety hazard on the trails. Before | | | | off. If it’s a 4x4, engage the 4x4 and |
| hitting the trails, your ATV tires | | | | make sure it is working properly. You |
| should be in good condition. While you | | | | should ride the ATV and determine if the |
| are looking at the tires, check out the | | | | bike is pulling to the left or right. |
| rims for cracks, bends, or warping. | | | | Also, check for sufficient power and a |
| You should also look for are any tears, | | | | responsive throttle. |
| rips, or separated seams in the seat. | | | | There are a lot of reasons a seller may |
| While riding, the seat is often put | | | | wish to sell an ATV. Of course, the best |
| through heavy stress due to constant | | | | scenario is to find a seller who simply |
| body movements by the rider. As a | | | | never had time to ride the bike and the |
| result, ATV seats sometimes tear or come | | | | bike is still in new condition. Also, as |
| apart. However, these can usually be | | | | previously stated, buying used from a |
| repaired or a seat cover can be | | | | dealer is also a good option as these |
| purchased. | | | | bikes have usually been professionally |
| Carefully inspect the stress points of | | | | inspected. However, this is not always |
| the frame, including welds and A-arms. | | | | an option, so older, more “broken |
| Now that you have inspected a few of the | | | | in” bikes sometimes become the only |
| easily viewable areas, get some help and | | | | option. In any case, the tips described |
| carefully raise the front of the bike | | | | in this article should be used as a |
| and place the bike onto the rear grab | | | | simple guide in an effort to help avoid |
| bar. With the bike in this position, | | | | a potential money pit or a new piece of |
| inspect the undercarriage of the ATV for | | | | lawn art. |
| any apparent dents or frame damage. Be | | | | |