Any members have ATVs/Quads? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Any members have ATVs/Quads?

M

mimico_polak

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We've got the sleds thread, but don't recall seeing an ATV/Quad thread on here (unless it's really lost).

What do you all recommend for a ATV/Quad for a beginner? Mainly looking so I can take the little guy with me (4) and go around the Simcoe County Forests. Was thinking of a dual sport, but feel like I'd like to include my son in the fun. Those are close to the cottage and can make our way there through some other trails. I think the closest trail is like 1km away from our cottage where the snowmobiles run, I assume ATVs also can...but never checked.

Nothing crazy, thinking sub 800cc. As far as my research says it's best to have an 4WD instead of a 2WD like the Yamaha Raptor style.

I understand the need for a trailer also, was thinking of a regular 5x9 or something to be picked up so it'll fit. Odyssey should tow it no problem (3500lbs rating) but the WRX has no rating in North America...1500lbs in Europe.
 
I have only ridden 4x4 quads (including some with switchable 4wd). Solid meh from me. Good utility vehicles but I don't find them fun. Maybe the 2wd ones would be more interesting.

It's really hard to go wrong with a Honda 300 to 500 cc. Not at all exhilarating but simple and reliable.

I haven't ridden newer ones, but Yamaha 800 ~2010 is good for ~65 mph but it does not feel good wide open. Almost like a bike over an expanded metal mesh bridge. Just a slow orbit that lets you know that things can go wrong at any moment.

As with all toys (except sleds), I prefer a proper manual gearbox. Most come with CVT now. It works, but sucks the last ounce of fun out.

If you are going to play in the mud make sure you have a winch. They are heavy and you are not going to pull it out by hand.

I second steve's suggestion for family dirt bikes. Way way more fun.

I did learn an important lesson while giving a kid a ride on a sled a few weeks ago. The guy I borrowed the sled from had learned the hard way to keep a finger behind the throttle. He had a kid grab the throttle and not let go. ATV with a thumb throttle has the same issue. I was that kid many moons ago and jumped a ditch with my uncle on the back.
 
You can't assume that quads can go where the snowmobile trails are.
I let snowmobiles cross my land because they ride on the snow, quads make a terrible mess of the landscape, I would kick them out or charge them with trespassing if they were to start abusing the snow trails.
 
Remember that you are technically not allowed to carry a passenger on an atv unless it is specifically built to carry two.
Currently in Ontario it has gotten very difficult to get any dirtbike under 150cc insured for liability for offroad use. That is making it impossible for kids to ride anywhere except private property.
Desjardins has always been the go to for offroad insurance but they won't insure anything under 150cc anymore either.


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If it's mainly for taking a passenger I strongly suggest getting a proper two-seater ATV (Can-Am Outlander Max or Polaris Sportsman Touring 570). Not just that it's a legal 2-up rig, but it's also much more comfortable for you both.
Finding them used they're also more often taken better care of as well as owners tend to be older.
Don't get fooled that bigger is better. I recently sold our Sportsman 800 that was a fine rig but was a big tank in the trails and a smaller one would have both been more fun and less tiring to ride.
I have a dirtbike as well and sold the ATV because the only time it got used was to plow the driveway as it wasn't anywhere near as fun as the dirtbike. My friends kids all prefer dirtbikes as well but yours could be different.
Another word of advice, if buying used, skip anything that has homemade or aftermarket mudding snorkels/etc.
 
Trials said:
You can't assume that quads can go where the snowmobile trails are.
I let snowmobiles cross my land because they ride on the snow, quads make a terrible mess of the landscape, I would kick them out or charge them with trespassing if they were to start abusing the snow trails.
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My parents do the same thing. Lots of the trails near my house are winter only. Obviously some are year round and I think simcoe allows you to travel on most roads now (with some rules and restrictions) so you can travel instead of trailer.
 
GreyGhost said:
My parents do the same thing. Lots of the trails near my house are winter only. Obviously some are year round and I think simcoe allows you to travel on most roads now (with some rules and restrictions) so you can travel instead of trailer.
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About that. There's some areas I've actually seen ATVs driving with actual blue plates on a road. Was driving through Innisfil a few weeks back out for a drive, and saw 2 or 3 ATVs driving like a car.
 
Check out the ofatv.org for some good info on what’s allowed for riding in Ontario.

From what I’ve read you pretty much need a factory 2up to legally take a passenger on the trails, especially if you wanna go on a organized club ride..the old days of a regular ATV with storage box/passenger seat are fading away.
You would have to double check what’s allowed in the simcoe forest but if you want something for a passenger and not a typical utility quad check out a polaris razor sidexside, quick kijjji search seems to find them around $10,000-$15000, which is a new 2up quad range.

I picked up a new polaris 570 in 2019 when you could still get good end of season deals, COVID changed that and not many clearance deals now.
I bought new cause the used market with beat up 5 plus year old quads where still only a grand or so off what I paid new..
 
Kawyman said:
Check out the ofatv.org for some good info on what’s allowed for riding in Ontario.

From what I’ve read you pretty much need a factory 2up to legally take a passenger on the trails, especially if you wanna go on a organized club ride..the old days of a regular ATV with storage box/passenger seat are fading away.
You would have to double check what’s allowed in the simcoe forest but if you want something for a passenger and not a typical utility quad check out a polaris razor sidexside, quick kijjji search seems to find them around $10,000-$15000, which is a new 2up quad range.

I picked up a new polaris 570 in 2019 when you could still get good end of season deals, COVID changed that and not many clearance deals now.
I bought new cause the used market with beat up 5 plus year old quads where still only a grand or so off what I paid new..
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IME, SxS are even less fun than quads but obviously more family friendly. They are huge if you are trying to put them down an ATV trail and heavy if you get them stuck. There's a loop near my parents where on part of the trail, the SxS is teetering on two wheels with the roof lightly touching a bank to keep you from going over. That is the only line through that corner on a SxS. An ATV would have options so you wouldn't be so close to the edge. If covid ever ends, I will throw a gauge on the dash to figure out the angle.
 
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