ATV Escape

Login

Home

Articles

ATV School

ATVs 101....Start Here

Must Changes on an ATV

Written by ATV Escape Staff

Trails and tracks are waiting to be explored along with adventures waiting to be had, but before you take your ATV out to the waiting world, consider making sure it is ready to go. These following items are things to check on your ATV to make sure you have, or additions you might want to make. All of these things are covered in Common ATV Modifications, but merit their own article. None of us wants to spend money on things we don't really need, so these items are things you will really want to consider.

Skid Plates-Think a medieval knight (your ATV) in a battle without armor (skid plates). An ATV has a multitude of enemies on the trail or track it MUST be protected from. One small rock can catch your frame at a weird angle and cause a great deal of damage. No matter what ATV you have, you need to put skid plates on it if it doesn't have some. Plastic skids will NOT work. Some manufacturers put skid plates on their ATVs from the factory such as Polaris, but not all do. Just get on the ground and look for a protected covering that runs below the frame. The more it covers the better, but it needs to cover at least the drive line and frame. Tap on it to see what it is made of. Again ...think metal. Ricochet makes some very popular skid plates for all different models, but there are many kinds out there. One good hit from something on the trail, and the skids will pay for themselves, and still allow you to get home. They are worth every penny you spend on them.
Tires- Factory tires are one of the first things many people change on their ATVs, and with good reason. Tires are a common point of failure on ATVs. Traditionally standard ATV tires (especially on utility quads and side-by-sides) just aren't as tough as they need to be in the real world. If you are on land where you know the terrain, standard tires might be just fine. If you plan to trail ride you should consider getting 6 ply tires. The weakness of ATV tires is the sidewalls. They typically flex a fact which makes them prone to being punctured. Worse yet if you run tire sealer in your tires (which I would recommend), the sealer can't seal punctures in the sidewalls. I can tell you no matter what others say factory tires generally just don't hold up as well as aftermarket tires. I have punctured my factory tires in the sidewalls on 2 different ATVs. For trail tires Maxxis Bighorns and ITP Terra Cross tires seem to be the top choices. Both are 6 ply tires and very durable. Of course these tires will run you somewhere around $120 a each, so buying these right off may not be an option. Better tires are a great way to guarantee many an flat free ride, so if you can afford them, new tires are a good investment.
Tire Sealer- Putting tire sealer in your ATV tires is a must. The cost is minimal, and it is very effective for punctures on the bottom of the tire. Slime is the brand most people use, and you can get it at Walmart, Home Depot, Academy Sports, and automotive stores.