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