How to Choose an ATV

If you're looking for a great way to have some fun as a family, it is hard to beat a day on the trails. 
With an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), you can enjoy the great outdoors, spend some quality time with your family or just get away from it all.
With an ATV, you can enjoy miles of trails as you bask in the beauty of nature. Whether you ride through your local state or national park or just hit the trails in the woods beside your home, you can have a lot of fun for not a lot of money. 
Compared to the cost of many other hobbies, ATV riding is a relative bargain. All you need is some basic equipment and enough gas to head down the trail.

SHOPPING ADVICE
If you are in the market for an ATV, you need to know what to look for, and that means assessing your needs and thinking about how you will use the equipment. 
If your eventual goal is to compete on your ATV, you might want to look for a higher level of equipment than if you just plan to hit the trails. If you want to take long excursions, you'll want to look at fuel capacity and range. You should also consider how comfortable you feel while riding it.
But no matter what type of ATV you choose, it is important to learn to ride safely by taking a training course and following the established rules of the road.
Riding with other more experienced ATV owners can be a big help as well, and joining a local club is a great way to learn from the experience of others while enjoying your new equipment even more. 
By joining a local ATV club, you can find out about some great local trails, get riding tips from experts and find new ways to enjoy your new hobby.

TYPES OF ATVs
All-terrain vehicles generally fall into a few categories.
The first is the youth model. These smaller, less powerful ATVs are designed for children to be able to ride with their families using automatic transmissions.
Next is the basic four-wheeler, which is designed to be affordable, easy to ride and ideal for first-time ATV owners. Many people get a four-wheeler as their first ATV, but they're more limited in challenging terrain like deep mud and large rocks.
Utility quads are designed for hard work like towing, snowplowing or hauling cargo on front- or rear-mounted racks. They can be accessorized heavily to do a specific job in difficult terrain. Sport-utility quads add a level of performance to their practicality and are becoming more popular because they're useful for work and very fun to ride.
Finally, some ATVs are designed strictly for sports and fun. They're the ones with long-travel suspensions, powerful engines and lightweight construction that helps them jump, slide in corners and tackle rough terrain.

COMPETITIONS
Some ATV riders will want to take things a step further, engaging in fun and friendly competitions with other ATV owners. There are competitions held all across the country for ATV owners, from races and endurance rides to safety competitions. 
If you want to learn all there is to know about riding an ATV, you can show off what you've learned while winning prizes and making new friends at these competitions.

SAFETY TIPS
— Buy an ATV that is the right size for you. Never let children ride ATVs designed for adults.
— Invest in a helmet specifically designed for ATV riders. Always insist that all members of your crew wear their helmets.
— Practice safe towing when moving your ATV.
— Always ask permission before riding on private land.