Which ATV Should I Buy? What to Know Before Making a Purchase

1 / 2

ATVs, or all-terrain vehicles, can be an exciting addition to your vehicle collection. When looking for your next ATV, it’s important to know what to expect and know what you are looking for. This buying guide will help answer:

What are all-terrain vehicles?
What type of ATV should I get?
How expensive are ATVs?
Do ATVs need maintenance?
Can I get help finding my new ATV?

Whether you’re looking for peak trail performance, racing on dirt tracks, or an off-road vehicle to help around the farm, there’s an ATV built for your needs and experience level.

What Is an ATV?

ATV stands for all-terrain vehicle. They are motorized four-wheel drive vehicles often used for racing and trail riding, though ATVs can be used for a multitude of purposes. ATVs are not meant to be used on paved roads or highways but are instead ridden on dirt, sand, gravel, or other types of rugged terrain.

What Types of ATVs Are Available?

There are multiple types of ATVs meant for different purposes, terrain types, and riding styles. It’s important to consider what your ATV will be primarily used for when choosing your next vehicle. ATV Trader recently conducted a survey of over 600 off-road shoppers about what they’re looking to purchase and what factors will impact their decision. Among the participants, 34% of those looking for an ATV want to use their vehicle for commercial work, while 50% would be using their ATV for farm work. Recreational riding scored 63% with hunting coming in at 36% with racing at just 26%. Wanting an ATV that will allow the rider to enjoy recreational riding in addition to helping with work will greatly impact what kind of ATV they will want to purchase.

Entry Level and Youth ATVs

For new or young riders, entry-level or youth ATVs are a good choice. They are often more affordable, easier to handle, and do not reach the same top speeds as other models. Youth models are smaller and frequently have more safety features. They are not meant to be ridden by adults. Adults who are new to driving ATVs or are looking for a more casual riding experience may enjoy an entry-level model or a full-size ATV that offers a more casual riding experience. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for a youth model and $3,000 to $7,000 for an entry-level model. Youth ATVs have lower power, between 50 to 125cc, and entry-level ATVs range between 125 to 250cc.

Utility ATVs

Utility ATVs, also known as utility quads, are powerful machines often used for difficult work, such as hauling or towing over rough ground. Utility vehicles are slower but have more powerful motors and a larger engine size. Construction workers, farmers, and hunters use utility ATVs for their work. You can expect to pay between $5,000 and $8,000 and reach 800 to over 1,000cc of power for difficult work, depending on the type of motor or engine.

Sport Quads

Sport quads are built to be fast and agile, with quick handling to race, jump, and go around corners easily. They are the go-to for speed racing and ground clearance for quad jumping. Sport quads are meant for experienced riders and are not recommended for new ATV drivers or racers. These vehicles range between $6,000 to $8,000 and use between 200 to 700cc for speed rather than power. Sport ATVs are not built to handle heavy work.

Side-By-Side ATVs

Side-by-sides, or UTVs, are built to hold multiple riders rather than a single seat. They can range in passenger size from two to four seats and may have cargo space on a single vehicle. These ATVs are roughly the size of golf carts with the power of a sports quad vehicle. They are used for a variety of purposes. They are most often used for adventurous trail riding or as work vehicles for fire, rescue, and the military in rural areas with rough terrain. Multi-person ATVs can be driven on trails but are not typically used for racing. UTVs have a wide range in price depending on their size and power, ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 for basic models.

Utility Sport ATVs

Utility sport ATVs are an in-between of utility and sports quads, utilizing higher power than sports quads and easier handling and higher speeds than utility vehicles. These ATVs are the most versatile, allowing riders to haul heavy loads and race recreationally with power between 250 to 800cc. They are also the most expensive type of ATV, typically ranging from $15,000 to over $25,000.

High-Performance ATVs

Riders looking for top speeds and acceleration prefer high-performance ATVs. Their large engine size is meant for momentum and a high level of performance on the most difficult terrains such as sand, rocks, and hills. They are similarly priced to utility sport ATVs and range from 350 to 700cc’s.

The most popular type of ATV that prospective buyers were considering in our survey is a side-by-side model meant for multiple people, followed by utility or utility sport ATVs. Only 16% of respondents were looking for youth, entry level, sports quad, high performance, or multi-rider ATVs. Nearly 44% of respondents are willing to pay between $5,000 to $12,000 for an ATV, which is a good price range for many basic UTVs. Up to 39% are willing to pay more than $12,000 and 17% are looking to spend less than $5,000.

How Much Do ATVs Cost?

A basic model ATV has an average retail price of $7,000 on the market but can vary widely depending on the type of ATV and the power of the engine. Used models are roughly $1,000 to $4,000 cheaper than buying new ones, depending on the model and signs of wear. ATVs with more powerful engines or added luxury or safety features are more expensive.

When budgeting for a new ATV, it’s important to remember to factor in other costs and fees associated with ATV ownership. Some areas require special licenses for ATVs, and registration and insurance are required to drive an ATV. These costs vary between locations, so check with your local licensing office. Trails, especially those in state or federal parks, often require permits to use that involve additional fees. Remember to include the cost of protective gear, such as a high-quality helmet, goggles, thick pants, boots, and gloves. Finally, factor in maintenance costs and any extra equipment you want to purchase.

What Accessories Are Available for ATVs?

ATV accessories can make riding easier, more comfortable, and more fun. Accessories for ATVs include:

Loading ramps for trucks and trailers
Ratchet straps for hauling
Battery charger
Winch for pulling a stuck ATV
Cargo net, rear box, or dry storage
Spare gas tank
GPS or satellite phone
Side mirrors
Hand guards
Phone mount
Cover when not in use

ATV Safety also recommends purchasing an ATV safety course and learning the golden rules of safe ATV riding. All-terrain vehicles can be dangerous when not ridden properly, when the rider is not wearing the right protective gear or following ATV racing rules.

What Type of Maintenance Will My ATV Need?

Just like any other motor vehicle, regular maintenance of an ATV is essential to maintain its peak level of performance. Regular oil changes, replacing used tires, and regularly checking and replacing spark plugs, worn shocks, shoes, brake fluid, and pads are needed for routine ATV maintenance. The amount of time and money spent on maintenance and repair jobs will vary depending on the type of vehicle and motor and how often and where the vehicle is ridden. Electric ATVs exist and require less maintenance, but there are few on the market at this time.

Need Help Finding Your Next ATV?

ATV Trader has a wide variety of new and used ATVs for sale in one place to conveniently browse and compare different brands and models. 77% of our survey respondents are looking for a new ATV, whether they are experienced riders or already own an ATV of another type. Find your next ATV at ATV Trader.

Sources

https://atvsafety.org/the-golden-rules/
https://powersportsmuskoka.com/year-round-atv-maintenance-tips/
https://www.atvtrader.com/?cmp=TraderInteractive
https://www.atvtrader.com/blog/2023/04/17/how-to-find-the-exact-atv-or-utv-you-want-on-atvtrader-com/
https://www.atvtrader.com/blog/2022/10/31/7-safety-tips-for-quad-jumping/
https://www.atvtrader.com/blog/2023/01/17/10-safety-tips-for-atv-racing/