Deciding on whether or not buying a atv requires serious thought and a long hard look at your finances. Before rushing out and buying the first atv you come across, there are a few hard and fast tips you should follow.
By following the used four wheeler purchasing tips below, you can help ensure that you won’t be laying down your cold hard cash for someone elses problem.
The first thing you’ll want to do is check out the tires. You’re going to check to see if they’re worn. This could indicate tires that need replaced or an ATV that has been abused. Also, if the tread is worn down, you’ll looking at the purchase of four new atv tires!
It’s always a good idea to take a friend with you when looking at an ATV. If it can be done, find a way to lift the ATV so you can see the underside. Make sure to look at all the shock points and check for any rust or damaged areas. This includes cracks in the frame. Look for signs of fresh paint.Fresh paint, mismatched paint, new parts or fresh welds can all indicate recent repairs.
If you’re {buying|purchasing} a used 4×4 all terrain vehicle, check out the cv joint boots. If they are cracked, this can allow water to get inside. This will cause rust and lead to major damage, which leads to major repair cost!
Check the engine oil as well as the oil in the differentials. Chocolate colored oil, or milky looking oil, means water. Discoloration can mean severe problems on down the road.
Don’t over look the sprockets (if equpped). This can indicate extreme use. The same is true if the sprockets have a hook appearance. Expect to replace both the chain and sprocket if you find either of these.
If you can get the front end up on jack stands, check the wheel bearings by moving the wheels in and out and side to side. Do this on the front and back. Shot bearings can eat up your spindles. This usually occurs when you’re at the furthest point away from your pick up point.
Move the handle bars back and forth to check for worn tie rod ends. These can be expensive to replace.
The air box is one place many used atv buyers fail to check. On most models, the air box is beneath the seat. Dirt or water inside the air box is bad news.
Don’t forget to check for rust in the gas tank. You check for this by taking a flashlight and shining it into the tank. Rust in the gas tank isn’t good news. It means there was water in there at one time.
Check the electrical system by turning on the lights. You also should make sure any cigarrete lighter plug works. These are used for accessories.
With the Sellers permission, get on the machine and take it for a spin. Listen for any unusual noise. Note how it handles and be on the lookout for any loose parts.
The exhaust should have a spark arrestor. Many owners remove these. However, National Forest and other public trails require spark arrestor’s to be in place. Owners without them can be fined and prevented from riding in these places.
Another important thing you want to check is the age of the atv itself. You may be able to pick up older atv’s inexpensively, but many times you’ll have difficulty in locating cheap atv parts for these older machines. If you can try to stick with atv’s that are only a few years old.
Follow these used atv buying tips and you’ll increase your chances of purchasing a quality used atv that will give you many years of service. They’re not hard to follow. You just need to remain focused and don’t let the Seller pressure you into hurrying up or skipping over a some of the tips above.
