Advice on Choosing and Buying Quad Bikes

Let’s start with a brief history of the quad bike.The first quads can be traced back to 1893 when Royal Enfield built and sold the first powered quadracycle, moving forward to the 1970’s when Honda started to make trikes and quads based on their motorcycles. Nowadays the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV or Quad) has become a rapidly expanding global commerce, Apache, Quadzilla, TGB, Falcon, Hymoto, Kazuma and Quantum are all serious contenders in supplying the demand for these vehicles.

They manufacture quads for Sports, Utility, Race, Farm and quads for children (let’s not forget kids love the thrill of riding quads too). With safety a prime concern and to make sure these bikes are made to very strict guidelines, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have classified quads as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tyres with a saddle straddled by the rider. The UK classify quads as a low vehicle with four wheels and a mass less than 550 Kg. Completely useless and boring info. So let me offer some useful guidance on the key areas and help you choose a great quad bike, so you can buy in confidence!

Firstly, what do you intend to use your bike for? A simple question but it requires careful consideration. By far the biggest quad bike market is the utility sector and these bikes are work horses and need to be reliable with winches and towing brackets etc for farming needs. They tend to be road legal with, lights, requiring insurance, registration and mot’s.

A full driving license is required to ride quads on the road, or a pre-1999 bike license. Buy with care, it can very costly to convert a quad, to make it suitable and road legal. A cost of £500 is typical.

If you intend to only use your quad for recreation and racing, it need not require to be road legal. However, be very careful of importing your own quad bike from abroad, there are some very cheap and dangerous quads for sale. You will end up disappointed and stressed.

Secondary, do you need to focus on performance or features, such as engine size, 4WD systems, transmission, brakes and suspension.

Do you need full time 4WD, some quads have switchable drive systems offering a 2WD option. (To help save on tyre wear.)

Transmission, do you opt for manual or auto boxes, Auto clutches? 2 or 3 speed quads are suitable for beginners and children. 5 speed forward with reverse are available on more powerful quads and utility.

Drum or disc brakes, top of the range quads will offer triple caliper disc brakes

Suspension, gas stocks, single or dual swing arm?

Enclosed foot wells or pro peg nerfs (foot guards)?

As you can see the list can be endless, so the very best advice is to go to a reputable dealer, who will listen to you and offer the best advice from years of experience. There are plenty of good dealers, choose one who will offer to build a strong relationship with you, who will pick up the phone and offer excellent aftersales service.

Here at proppa our excellent team are happy to talk to you. Our aim is to supply you with the very best advice and service, sharing the duty of care towards children and inexperienced quad bike riders. We will encourage you visit quad bike trails, challenges and race tracks to experience first hand amazing fun quads can be.