ATV Escape

2-Wheel or 4-Wheel Drive

As with any other options to consider when buying a 4-wheeler, whether or not to get 4 –wheel drive is a big one.  As always, start with how you are going to be using the quad.  Is it going to be primarily for work, trail riding, mud riding, sand dunes, technical trail riding, or a combination of these things? Again, the rule I live by is to err on the side of "more than I need" rather than "not enough."

A 2-wheel drive quad will go many places.  I have seen 2- wheel drives go through some decent mud, climb some steep hills, and have no trouble climbing to some places I didn't think they would go.  Depending on where you go and what the terrain is like, you may not need anything more than a two-wheel drive.  Smaller 2- wheel drive quads are light and can be maneuvered fairly easily.  They also are easier to steer, generally speaking, as they are lighter in the front-end; when 4-wheel drive is engaged with a locking front differential in tight turns, the wheels can fight the steering you are trying to do (power steering comes in handy here).   Most 2 –wheel drive quads are smaller models, as most if not all of the bigger ones come only in 4-wheel drive models.  If most of your riding takes you only down hard-packed trails, through small mud holes, and up the occasional steep hill, then a 2- wheel drive quad should do well for you.  However, if you do much riding in any kind of serious mud, will be climbing steep hills, ride trails taking you into off-camber situations, and will be climbing over rocks much, then you need a 4-wheel drive quad.  There is nothing worse than being out on the trail and stuck all the time.  Steep hill climbs should be of more concern than mud.  Be sure and read the articles under riding techniques regarding hill climbs, but be sure to consider this factor greatly when considering the 2 and 4-wheel drive question.  There are plenty of hills in the back trails which are steep and washed out.  Many of these hills do not enable you to get any real momentum before you start up them.  You need all 4 wheels pulling when climbing hills like this.  With 4-wheel drive you can get up these hills slower by crawling up them, which allows for more control.  Going too fast may result in hitting an object like a rock and causing the front-end to pop up.  This can result in rolling over backwards, which is a worst-case scenario you don’t want to experience.  You also will need 4- wheel drive if you will be in off-camber positions where one wheel will be off the ground.  This is particularly true when you add hill climbs to off-camber situations.

Again think about what kind of riding you will be doing the majority of the time.  Once you have figured that out, you can decide whether you need a 4- wheel drive quad.  If you are buying a quad which is going to be a “take you everywhere” quad, then 4-wheel drive is a must.  It is always better to have a little more than enough than not enough.

Carburetor or Fuel Injection

In the last few years, manufacturers have gradually shifted from carburetors to fuel injection in 4-wheelers and side-by-sides. This march continues and will continue as the years progress. We will hit the highlights between the carburetor and fuel injection (the basics), and then we will talk about applications.

Carburetor

A carburetor mechanically mixes the air and fuel before the mixture goes into the motor. When you press on the throttle, it allows more air and fuel into the motor, causing it to go faster. A carburetor does not take into account elevation or temperature when allowing fuel and air into the motor. This is where the primary differences between carburetion and fuel injection occur. Since a carburetor doesn't take into account elevation differences (where the air has less oxygen in it), without re-jetting (link to re jetting in the atv index), a carburetor will allow too much fuel into the mix for the amount of oxygen in the air, and the ATV will not run right or not run at all in the mountains. Obviously there are ways around this problem, but you will have to make mechanical changes to fix them.

Advantages

1. The Standard- For many years this has been the reliable standard on ATVs. It works and has worked well for years.

Disadvantages

1. All the advantages of fuel injection.
2. Re-jetting for elevation changes
3. Hard to start in lower temperatures
4. Having a choke

Fuel Injection

Fuel injection or electronic fuel injection (many times called EFI) allows a computer to determine the precise amount of fuel and air mixture required by the engine for the amount of throttle you are applying. Fuel injection takes into account elevation, outside temperature, engine temperature, and other factors to create the right fuel mixture. Fuel injection is very efficient from a fuel consumption perspective, and will allow you to squeeze the most miles out of your gallon of gas (which is becoming very important as gas prices go up).

Advantages

1. Turning the key and it starts
2. No manual choke
3. No re-jetting
4. Applies the power consistently and smoothly
5. Adjusts automatically to elevation and temperature changes
6. As fuel efficient as possible

Disadvantages

1. Newer technology (on ATVs): Not as tested as carburetors
2. Has been more expensive (that is changing)

Summary

For the money, we would go with a fuel injected ATV. It is becoming the standard in the industry, and the power delivery and ease-of-use is better. It is a system where you turn the key and it starts no matter where you take it. If your use is going to be in the mountains at higher elevations, then you would want to get fuel injection or you will have to re jet your ATV when you travel to those higher elevations.

Engine Braking

This really only applies to automatic transmission ATVs. Engine braking or downhill assistance refers to the transmission keeping the belt (or equivalent) tight, so the engine will help you descend hills with the least amount of brake possible. There are now secondary systems on the market called different things from different manufacturers which also help you descend hills without using much braking. This is important if you are using your ATV for more difficult trail riding which will include hills. Some base engine braking systems are great and nothing more is needed. Other engine braking systems are not good, and you definitely need a more advanced option. Every manufacturer approaches this differently, and it is important to talk to other ATV 'ers, read reviews, and talk on the forums about brands and systems if you will be doing lots of advanced, technical trail riding. For regular everyday use, any of the standard systems will do the job for you.