Quads, or four wheel All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are, by definition, vehicles with four low-pressure tires that are straddled and maneuvered via the use of handle bars. These vehicles are generally considered illegal to drive on regular roadways in most states throughout the United States, but some countries have variations that are now considered road worthy.
Quads were first introduced by Suzuki back in the early eighties and have steadily grown in popularity since then, so much so that many families throughout the United States own their own recreational quads. While the initial outlay in cost may be steep, and race quad parts that allow upgrading and sustaining the continued use of the all-terrain vehicle an expense, the fun value is unrivalled.
The QuadRunner line of ATVs that Suzuki introduced in the ‘80s ranged from the mini 50cc engines to the dominant 250cc engines. However, Suzuki’s dominance in the market was soon rivaled by competitor Honda, who retorted with an aggressive machine: the TRX250R FourTrax.
Since then, both companies, along with a slew of others, have continued to upgrade and rebuild their machines, giving the public a wide assortment of vehicles to choose from. And while some vehicles have been dominated a particular arena in the market—for example, Yamaha’s Banshee 350, which was was a favorite with sand-duners until its safety record got it banned in the United States—the choice of vehicle is as open and varied as the riders themselves.
Today’s market is split between two areas of ATVs: sport and utility vehicles. Sport vehicles are two-wheel drive models that rely on a low center of gravity and greater traction to achieve higher speeds. The fastest ATVs have been clocked at 80 mph. These vehicles are easier to handle and require less human energy to run.
The big brother of the sport ATV is the rugged utility ATV. These monsters are built for any type of terrain the driver wishes to brave. While there are obvious exceptions, utility vehicles can move over most land surfaces and are built to get from Point A to Point B without regard to speed. That isn’t to say that utility ATVs are slow by any means, but that their purpose is different. Many people use this second form of ATV for hauling or for use during hunting. Ask any owner and they will tell you a dozen uses they have found for their ATV, but when push comes to shove, the main use is to have fun.
If you can afford to buy an ATV and upkeep it with regular maintenance and race quad parts, then the pleasure from riding across dunes, mountains, or prairies will be one of the best ways to spend your free time.