After slugging 24 ounces of Mountain Dew and downing some sugar-infested donuts, the caffeine and glucose-induced alertness finally kicked in as we headed north to the St. Croix State Forest near the Minnesota and Wisconsin border.

It was our first “real” ATV ride of the season in the upper Midwest. Sure we had spun some rubber elsewhere in the country, but it was our first ride of the year with our own staff ATVs that we were able to ride near home. We had been to the area before. We’d used a portion of the ATV trail on some rides during our first couple of ATV Trials events. We liked the trails so much, we decided to go back.

The St. Croix State Forest offers 45 miles of trails. ATVs and dirt bikes are allowed on the trails. They are rated as difficult, which are suited for intermediate and expert ATV riders. Throughout the state forest there are five separate parking areas, one campground and five primitive camping areas. The Boulder campground is located on Rock Lake. A forest road, which is available for use unless posted closed, leads from the campground to the forest trails.

A Rocky Mix

We got lucky choosing the day we planned to ride. It had been a rainy spring, but it was a perfect, sunny day with temperatures reaching the mid-70s.

Our starting point was in Danbury, Wis., along the Gandy Dancer trail. The Gandy Dancer trail is an old railroad line turned into a multi-use trail. Technically, it begins in St. Croix Falls, Wis., and ends in Superior, Wis. However, only a portion of the trail is open to off-road vehicles.

We crossed the St. Croix River via a high wooden bridge checking out the views along the way. Once on the other side, we were in Minnesota. After clicking through all the gears as we sped up the Gandy, a left turn brought us to some twisty trails and the St. Croix State Forest OHV trail system. We decided to ride on a 15-mile loop and sped off on our two sport quads and one sport utility ATV. With the recent rain, we dodged puddles and maneuvered through some deeper and unexpected standing water. On this loop of the trail system there’s one other thing that does make it for intermediate riders – rocks and lots of them.

Most of the rocks are medium sized and most ATV riders can ride over them, which adds to the fun. There are long sweeping turns, switchbacks and hill ascents and descents that make the trail fun and challenging. The trail is narrow in spots so riders must use caution and watch for oncoming traffic. We shot around the loop three or four times, resting at our starting and ending point.

Low on gas and near lunch time, we rode back into town. Once our machines and we were fueled up, we ventured back out. This time, though, instead of doing the loop again, we turned onto a 7-mile feeder trail. While we remained mostly dry during the morning, that wouldn’t be the case in the afternoon. The trail was wider and smoother, but littered with more puddles. We steered around what we could, but often had to blast through them. And, those who’ve ridden a sport quad before know they don’t offer much protection. When we reached the end of the trail at a parking lot, we were soaked, and not looking forward to the wet ride back. We brought it down a notch as we made our way back to our starting point. After clicking off several miles and with our wet gear, it was time to call it a day.

The St.Croix State Forest trail system treated us right. And on the Monday we visited the area, we met only three other ATV riders and two dirt bike riders on the trail. Not bad considering the area can get congested on the weekends that sometimes spills over into the week. With the riding done, the exhaustion of a good day’s ride set in on our drive home. This time, though, we didn’t need any sugar or caffeine to keep us awake. It was definitely time to rest.

John Prusak is Group Publisher of ATV Magazine and Snow Goer magazine. He has more than 15 years experience riding snowmobiles and ATVS and just as much experience writing about them. Come along on many other riding adventures at http://www.atvmagonline.com/category/destinations/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Prusak

Firstly when trying to decide which one I wanted to try I went and talked to a few of the people who have experienced Quad Bikes for many years. Once I had got all the basics of which ones to look at, off I went with my legal credentials so that I could test drive a couple of bikes to see what they were like.

Yamaha had only recently swapped the old 660 none fuel injection for the 700R fuel injected single overhead cam – and boy how different they would be when tested side by side.

The 660 I tried had done about 2000 miles and sounded like someone had thrown small stones into the exhaust system whilst it sat on tick over. But, as soon as you lifted the revs from the idle 800rpm that small tinkering noise disappeared.

I donned my helmet and gloves and off I went, rolling tamely down the road to get a feel of the response, handling and general road holding of the bike. First impression was that it felt very soft and moved around on the front end a fair bit, but this could be rectified for sure, and for only a few pounds.

Having gone through some lanes and over a couple of fields I found it was great fun, had all the guts needed and did run very well on different surfaces.

Within an hour I was back at the dealership begging for the 700R as my thoughts were very much: “Given the small faults I had found, they would have managed those easily on the new model!”

Wrong!

The engine did sound remarkably different and, had only covered about 300 miles less than the 660 I rode earlier. Again, slid on my lid and off I went taking the same route as earlier.

Oh my god, Yamaha had done something wrong surely – this Quad Bike had the handling like Bambi on Ice!

It was awful to ride in a straight line and needed some serious modifications to keep it from snapping at the front and directing me into the side of the road – surely this had been adjusted wrongly and the apprentice had set the tracking wrong?

It appeared not to be the case. After returning to the dealership I talked seriously with the technical guys and they confirmed the horrible nature of the handling and told me to try a “modified” version to get the true feel.

luckily, one was at hand and within minutes I was back off and testing something which looked the same yet probably looked a little lower – but that was it.

This was so different, you pointed it and it went the direction you wanted it to. How amazingly different from my earlier experience, this bike didn’t leap around and was far more stable on the road plus, you could feel the front end lifting as you accelerated away.

Off road was a complete hoot, you had the feeling of complete stability when pushing the back end out as you turned and with no fear it would lift on one side.

My mind was made up, I returned to the dealer and placed my order that day. These are the modifications that were done to the test bike I took out:

* Both the front and read shocks had been wound in nice and tight so there was very little rebound .
* Two inch spacers had been placed on the back wheels creating the stability
* Both the front and read suspension had been dropped by three inches. This was what stopped the front end from grabbing the tarmac so heavily making it feel like you were going into the ditch>

The total cost of the adaptations was just short of 180GBP – and probably the best money I could have spent on the bike.

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Buying a used ATV can be challenging, but if you take the right steps you can find a great deal. Here are some helpful tips when you are in the market for a used ATV:

-Know Who You Are Buying From
-Perform a Thorough Inspection
-Test Drive the Vehicle
-Get Everything in Writing

Know Who You Are Buying From

When you are in the market for a used ATV it is important to know that you are buying the vehicle from its owner. The easiest way to determine ownership is by the title. The owner should be listed on the title and/or the registration. You can verify the identity of the seller by checking their driver’s license or identification card. If you don’t take the precaution to verify who you are buying from, you could lose all of your money and possession of the vehicle too.

It is important to make certain before any money changes hands that you are actually purchasing a vehicle from the owner of record.

Perform a Thorough Inspection

It is a good idea to take the ATV to a mechanic you can trust, and have them perform an inspection. This way if anything is defective they will be able to tell you up front. The owner of the ATV should have no problem allowing for an inspection if the deal is straight forward. Another approach is to buy the vehicle, but with a 30 money-back guarantee, pending a mechanic inspection. Most states already allow 30 days to change your mind if you buy an ATV from a private sale. Check your state for their rules.

Having a mechanic perform a thorough inspection of a used ATV can prevent you from spending a great deal of money, after you buy it.

Test Drive the Vehicle

A lot of promises can be made when looking over a used ATV for sale, so it is always a good idea to take it for a test drive. Nothing can reveal potential problems better then a good spin around the block. Whether it might be engine problems, suspension problems, or steering problems, a test drive will reveal them almost immediately. Unless you are willing to purchase a vehicle site-unseen, you should always take it for a test drive before laying out any money.

A test drive is the quickest method you can use for determining any potential defects that a used ATV may have.

Get Everything in Writing

Almost every state has strict guidelines when it comes to the transfer of vehicles. When you begin the negotiating process for a used ATV make sure to look over the paperwork, and verify that it is in order. Otherwise, if the paperwork is cloudy, you may find it difficult to secure the title, or registration in your state. If the seller makes warranty for the vehicle make sure to get it in writing, and have it initialed by a witness. This is necessary because some sellers have very faulty memories of a sale, after you cart off the ATV.

When buying a used ATV getting all the details of the sale in writing, including warranty or sale conditions is the best way to protect your interests.

Another great way to get a good price on an ATV is to browse online auctions. Check out GIO Bikes for great ATV auctions including a 110cc ATV.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Whitmire

When to Replace Tires

Snow and Ice Tires

Mud and Dirt Tire

Hard Surface and Water Tires

When to Replace Tires: There is a host of different riding conditions, including snow, ice, mud, dirt, and hard surfaces, so having tires that are in good condition, and making sure they are the right tires for the right conditions, is important. Keep in mind that all tires are not designed to excel under all conditions. If your ATV is equipped with the right tires for the environment in which you are riding it will enhance rider safety and performance.

Wear and tear or a change of riding environments should prompt ATV riders to consider replacing their tires with newer and more suitable tires.

Snow and Ice Tires: An ATV that is expected to perform in conditions that include snow and ice has a set of challenges unlike other environments. Not only is traction a major issue, but moving the snow out of the drive path in an efficient manner is crucial for top performance as well. Those tires you now use which are rated for mud or dirt may perform adequately under those conditions, but don’t assume they can do the same under cold, snow or ice conditions.

An ATV should have tires rated for snow and ice if you expect your vehicle to perform safely under those conditions.

Mud and Dirt Tires: The ATV rider who finds they are frequently navigating through mud and dirt should have tires that can perform properly in those conditions. The tires should be able to not only maintain traction but displace mud at a rapid rate. If the tires are not suited for mud and dirt then performance will suffer and bogging down of the vehicle will be experienced. Mud and dirt presents their own unique challenges for riders, but the right tires will eliminate problems.

Mud and dirt presents the ATV rider with a specific set of problems that the right tires can solve effortlessly.

Hard Surface and Water Tires: When riding on hard, slick surfaces that may be soaked with water can change riding conditions quickly. If you find you are riding on these kinds of surfaces frequently you may end up in quick trouble if your tires are not designed to handle them. But, if you have the right tires, that have been designed to handle these kinds of conditions, then you have nothing to worry about. Make certain you know under what conditions your tires are rated.

Hard, slick and wet riding surfaces can present unique challenges of the ATV rider, so having properly rated tires for these conditions is necessary for safety and performance.

A great way to get a good price on an ATV is to browse online auctions. Check out GIO Bikes for great prices on an ATV including 110cc ATVs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Whitmire

Riding Gear

Safety Gear

Navigation Gear

Survival Gear

Suitable Riding Gear: One of the accessory categories that will help to make any off or on-track ATV experience enjoyable is suitable riding gear. The conditions in which you are riding can be as diverse as the track or trail conditions and having suitable riding gear is important. If you don’t have proper wet gear a trek can get real uncomfortable, real quick. Being prepared for various weather or track conditions with suitable riding gear can enhance any excursion.

Riding gear is an essential ATV accessory that can help make any trek enjoyable even if weather conditions change.

Safety Gear: Another essential ATV accessory category is safety gear. It is crucial to not only have proper safety gear but to actually wear it too. Riding can be dangerous and perilous depending on conditions, and so safety gear is important to protect your body. Full safety gear including, boots, shin/knee guards, gloves, chest protector and helmet will help to keep you safe should you crash or take a tumble while riding.

Safety gear today may be considered and accessory, but every serious ATV rider should consider it mandatory.

Navigation Gear: Today the navigation gear that is available to the average ATV rider is quite sophisticated, and surprisingly affordable. If you make it a habit to venture into territory that is new and unfamiliar it is a good idea to have a GPS, map, or on a minimum, a compass. Having these accessories is a great precaution against getting lost, but also make sure you know how to use them properly too.

Today, sophisticated and affordable navigation accessories are available to keep any ATV rider on track.

Survival Gear: Trekking out into the wilderness for a ride on your ATV with only the clothes on your back is not a good idea. This is how many riders end up in trouble. A trek should always be planned and your ATV should be equipped at least with the minimum of safety gear should something go wrong. Essential on board safety gear would include tools, flashlight, food, water, and a basic first aid kit. An onboard safety kit can be purchased with all of these essentials included.

One essential category of ATV accessories that should be on-board every vehicle is survival gear, just incase of a breakdown, accident or emergency.

Before setting out on the trail always check to be certain that your essential ATV accessories are available, and in good working order. These accessories are designed to keep you and your riding party safe, so you can concentrate on an enjoyable riding experience.

A great way to get a good price on an ATV is to browse online auctions. Check out GIO Bikes for great prices on an ATV including 110cc ATVs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Whitmire

While we enjoy using 4×4 ATVs to plow snow and tackle mud bogs, we also love to let loose and just ride for fun. And there’s nothing like carving the dunes or dicing through the trees on a lighter weight sport quad or the freedom they provide.

Here are four sport quads between 330 and 400cc that are capable of providing a great joyride or day escape. Each packs more punch than the small entry-level models and is less intimidating than the larger displacement speedsters and race-specific quads.

Honda TRX400X

This sport quad was the talk of the industry a decade ago, but that was a different time and 450cc sport quads didn’t exist! Despite its age, the 400X (the artist formerly known as 400EX) has proven itself to be fun, reliable and affordable! Its 2005 upgrades included a sportier look and reverse to make it more convenient. Then in ‘08, it received a sleeker fender package and new seat.

Powered by an air-cooled single-cylinder 397cc four-stroke, the 400X doesn’t quite pack the hit or zip as Suzuki’s Z400, but it’s darn close and every bit as enjoyable. While the 400X could benefit from the addition of electronic fuel injection, the 38mm piston-valve carburetor has proven to be reliable and provides a smooth throttle pull.

Its narrower 45.5-inch width and 32.5-inch seat height make runs through heavily forested trails quick and controllable. Aggressive cornering and big jumps can overmatch the front preload-adjustable Showa shocks. However, while we’d love to see better front shocks, complete with piggyback reservoirs, we understand this machine’s affordability would diminish. The fully adjustable rear shock offers 9.1 inches of travel and does an admirable job of soaking up hard hits.

At 408 pounds wet, the steel-framed 400X is considered “heavy” for motocross racing, but it’s capable of tackling milder tracks in stock form. Aluminum wheels and an aluminum swingarm reduce the weight somewhat. The 20-inch rear Ohtsu tires are decent at supplying traction and work well in muddier and sandy conditions, but could be stronger.

The 400X has one of the industry’s best chain adjustment systems. Triple disc brakes are standard and provide ample stopping power, yet aren’t as instant as some sport quads we’ve ridden. The newer seat is less plush but
is also more refined – with a slender front section and wider rear edges – for sport riders. Since its ‘05 redesign, the 400X has continued to rise in price (up $500).

With the current state of the economy, model saturation and sport quad sales figures continuing to decline, we wonder if the 400X will remain in the lineup or follow the 250R into Honda heaven.

Polaris Trail Blazer 330

Polaris categorizes the Trail Blazer 330 as an entry-level ATV and we agree. Although, its weight, displacement and overall size may be too much for some first-time riders, its automatic transmission, power, full floorboards and single-lever braking make it easier to ride than the other three quads in this group. Plus, a host of 2010 upgrades have improved this machine.

Updates were made to the plastic, seat, lighting, suspension, chassis, disc brakes, master cylinder and fuel gauge. Visually, it’s easiest to see the changes to the modern plastic, taller seat and the brighter front headlight, which was borrowed from the Outlaw and has 28 percent more power. Owners should also notice the more convenient remote fuel gauge even if they fail to realize the fuel tank’s capacity grew .75 gallons.

It’s also easy to spot the Trail Blazer’s new stance. New floorboards are fashionable and functional and contribute to its improved ergonomics. The seat is more contoured and longer and its height increased an inch, up to 35 inches, due to thicker seat foam and a new suspension. It could be the most comfortable seat in the sport quad market. The ground clearance declined from 5.5 inches to 4.75 because Polaris added a beefier eccentric protection skid plate, which it calls “much improved.”

On paper, the 330 is also three inches taller. That’s partly due to the incorporation of the half-inch taller Sportsman handlebars that are designed to better accept a windshield and other accessories.

Beneath the plastic, the suspension and chassis also went under the knife. Sportsman front struts (castings), with separate front spindles for mounting the wheels, replace the old front-end setup. Also, the shocks have new springs to improve the ride. Polaris engineers made the chassis stronger, improved the engine mounting and alignment and increased the skid protection. Braking action was altered by using the Sportsman calipers, larger brake discs and new master cylinder, which upped the bleeding capacity. The machine is also an inch wider, but retains the same A-arms.

The 329cc four-stroke engine does OK for lighter riders, but feels sluggish for heavy riders, especially when the quad’s 492-pound dry weight is factored in. However, the Trail Blazer better accommodates larger riders due to its overall dimensions. But then again, Polaris didn’t design this ATV to break any speed records or contend for honors on an MX track. It was built for convenience, ease of use and cruising terrain and other moderately challenging trails. The Trail Blazer has always produces stable cornering and can be fun to wheelie if the Carlisle tires find enough traction.

Suzuki QuadSport Z400

Although the Z400 is the most expensive 400-class sport quad, it’s the most comfortable and loaded with features. Electronic fuel injection was added last year giving the Suzuki improved throttle control and stronger, more efficient acceleration. There’s nothing wrong with a quicker 400, right? For anyone not looking to compete in a motocross race, this is the Suzuki sport quad for you. Even if you do want to race it, the removable headlight, suspension and stronger steel-alloy chassis should appease you.

The resilient 398cc single-cylinder four-stroke has the most thrilling power and is the lone liquid-cooled mill in this quartet. It fires electronically and is outfitted with a nearly bulletproof five-speed transmission with reverse. I’ve ridden the Z400 with a group of 450 machines and, although underpowered, its abilities, speed, controllable powerband and comfort levels all made me forget about its power disadvantage.

At 46.9 inches, the Z400 is the widest of these four ATVs and has the best stock suspension. Despite its advantageous width, the four-stroke remains a stable stalwart in the dense woods and can carve through trees like a love-hungry 10-point buck. A 31.9-inch seat height helps it rail corners.

Fully adjustable piggyback shocks supply excellent suspension travel figures and superb tuning capabilities. The linkage-type rear end, with it’s lightweight aluminum swingarm and single shock, offers 9.1 inches of wheel travel. Up front, the fully independent A-arm suspension offers 8.5 inches of travel and tracks very well – point and shoot! In addition, this machine feels lighter on the trail than its 425-pound curb weight would suggest.

Ergonomically, the Z can appeal to riders of various sizes and shapes. The Z400’s signature T-shaped seat may be the best platform in the business and is definitely the most copied. The larger 46mm foot pegs aid in supporting
boots for aggressive racers and weekend warriors alike. The 20-inch rear tires are great for casual woods riders and admirably supply a good balance between straight-line traction and sliding.

For those who enjoy a custom look, Suzuki offers a limited edition Z400 with special graphics and black wheels, for an additional $200. The Z400 is in a similar predicament as the Honda 400X, seeing huge sales figures early on in
its history and market saturation more recently. However, the Z400 is Suzuki’s trail machine not the QuadRacer 450, which targets MX racers. Plus, the addition of EFI gives it a technological edge over the other guys.

Yamaha Raptor 350

The Raptor 350 dates back to 1987 and the Warrior nameplate, yet it’s still living off a 2004 redesign and its new name. And the fact that it shares a lot of parts with its big-bore brothers, the Raptor 700R and YFZ450, and has a unique package also help. Yamaha has confirmed the 350 Raptor will return to its lineup for 2010.

The hearty, two-valve, 348cc, air-cooled four-stroke has just enough muscle to put a smile on your face, but can eventually leave you wanting more. Reverse gear has also been a strong selling point for the Raptor, even though it has the trickiest reverse lever to operate in this group. The Raptor’s six-speed transmission is also unique to the industry.

Surprisingly, at 396 pounds (wet), the Raptor is the lightest quad in this group. Even so, it can feel heavy and slightly underpowered when the trails require all-out speed. On the forest trails, however, the 350 is better than average partly due to its thin 43.1-inch width.

That skinny design and a dated suspension can also make it more challenging to control for inexperienced riders. And the five-way preload-adjustable shocks can only do so much to slow body roll. Some of the handling quirks are also due to the Raptor’s tires; especially the rear treads which have a more rounded profile and are often slide happy. The hydraulic discs do the job and I’ve always enjoyed the flip-type parking brake.

Unfortunately the Raptor’s size may be its biggest detractor. It’s the shortest (length-and height-wise) and the narrowest machine in this group and has the shortest wheelbase. This ergonomic configuration can make some riders taller than 6 feet feel cramped.

For more articles like this as well as the latest ATV news and reviews, please visit atvmagonline.com.

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Honda produced the first All Terrain Vehicle in 1970 with the name ATC90. It was a three wheeler ATV and initially people described it as “a funny vehicle”, but later on the craze of the people towards these ATVs creped up and at the same speed the production!! After this innovation Honda produced numerous models of ATVs and all of them were rewarded with higher appraisal. These leaps and bounds in the ATV sector made Honda King of the sport and utility oriented ATV industries and also the top producers and earning makers.

One of the best products that Honda ATV has ever produced is the Sportrax!! The plus point of this type is that it is used for the sports and utility both type purposes. The sports ATVs are the vehicles that are produced for the racing and fun making purposes and the Utility ATVs are used for the powerful towing purposes. They are comparatively larger in sizes.

The products of Honda ATVs are impact resistant body type’s vehicle with quite light weighted materials. The steering power in all the vehicles is easier that makes the longer driving simpler and without tiring effect. Seat quality of the models are always given concern as the person who sits for longer must feel ease and it is done with nice quality and luxurious cushion types softy material that gives pleasure to the driver.

The sporty materials are kept so light weighted that even climbing on the sand dunes becomes easier and speedier. Honda is also famous for the speed of their vehicles and the same trend is continued in the ATVs also. They are having the swifter speed and are the top most speed producers in all of the producers. Experienced riders really enjoy the rides and also the fun that is produced by the adventurous journeys!!

The Sports ATVs of Honda are having some dashing and dazzling features like independent suspension, electric start and shaft drives. These are the common features and the models like TRX700XX, TRX450R, TRX400X, TRX300X, TRX250X, TRX90X are the smashing ones and highly popular in the ATV lovers. These sports models are also the top selling models of industries.

The Utility ATVs are the toughest vehicles and capabilities and bulletproof reliability are some of the most dashing and dynamic features of Honda. Along with the Honda utility ATVs, you can get some of the revolutionary features free like the Electric power steering, TraxLok selectable 4WD, belt-less automatic transmission and Independent rear suspension. These are the most common features of Honda vehicles that are never found in other brands with the similar models.

So, there is a higher sense of technology Excellencies and supremacies in any of the Honda products. Honda is one of the top manufacturers in the ATV industries.

Just visit http://www.atvforcheap.com and make your dream of having an ATV for Cheap made by top manufacturers at your place true with mesmerising prices and fantastic quotes. This is truly the stunning offer that can rock your adventure seeking nature for sure!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnarc_Roy