ATV Buying Guide for Beginners
Curious about the world of powersports, but not sure where to begin when shopping for an ATV? The market is saturated with hundreds of great models, each with their own unique blend of power and features designed to make your ride safe and comfortable. It can be challenging to determine what features you should prioritize in an ATV if you’ve never owned one before.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. American Marine & Motorsports, located in Shawano, is your Wisconsin ATV dealer. Below, we’ve created a buyer’s guide to help you with the process of finding the perfect ATV for your beginning rider status
What Do I Need to Look For in an ATV?
First, you should think about how experienced you are with riding ATVs. Maybe you’ve borrowed a friend’s ATV or rented one before now so you know the ropes a bit, but maybe you’re completely brand-new to the experience and you have no idea what you’re doing. As a novice, it’s best to stick with an ATV that is smaller and lighter in weight so that it’s easy to steer and navigate. Less powerful engines are best for beginners as they’re figuring out how to handle the power of an ATV.
Approximately 250cc should be the limit for your engine capacity when you’re new to riding an ATV. If you’re buying a model for your child, then you’ll need to opt for a youth-oriented model that has the safety features and power limits necessary to keep kids safe.
The type of ATV you get will depend on how you intend to use it. If you’re riding trails, then you want comfortable seating that lets you ride for hours. Those who hunt will want a more utilitarian ATV that can be outfitted with a gun rack and extra storage space. For those who do work and need dependable transport on off-road worksites, a stronger ATV with high hauling capacity will be necessary. Those who want to compete or ride in a sporting capacity should look into sport-oriented ATVs instead that offer more power and speed.
Which Brand Should I Buy?
There are dozens of popular powersports vehicle brands, each with its own merits. The brand of ATV you buy will largely depend on your personal preferences or the recommendations of friends and family. And of course, the brand doesn’t matter nearly as much as the features that the ATV is equipped with, so don’t go with a popular brand if it doesn’t meet your qualifications. You can always talk to the staff here at American Marine & Motorsports to learn more about some of our favorite brands and recommendations.
What Type of Riding Gear Should I Get?
Equipping yourself with the right riding gear to be safe and responsible while off-road riding is essential to your safety. First and foremost, you’ll need a helmet designed for extreme sports riding. There aren’t a lot of powersports-specific helmets on the market, but motorcycle and motocross helmets are both good options. If the helmet doesn’t have a full face mask, then you’ll need to wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris. Riding gloves and riding boots with good treads that go up to your ankles are also good options. For younger riders, chest plates can help to protect them while riding.
We hope these tips prove helpful to you when you’re looking for your first ATV. Ready to go shopping? Visit our website to take a look at our full inventory of new and used ATVs for sale. We even offer financing options to help you fund your powersports purchase. American Marine & Motorsports proudly serves the cities of Green Bay and Appleton, WI.