4 Wheel Drive Zone

As urban sprawl and suburban growth continue to crowd us more and more, the allure of open trails and roads less traveled becomes more and more appealing. While hiking and cycling offer a needed respite to many, others are drawn to the power, speed, versatility, and fun offered by all terrain vehicles. Unlike motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (ATV’s) sit on three or four wheels, and are easy enough for almost anyone to operate. Further, all terrain vehicles are easy to understand once you know a few simple basics.

Technically speaking, an all terrain vehicle is a small, open, three or four wheeled vehicle that is designed for off road travel. Those in the market for an ATV will quickly notice the paucity of three-wheeled versions on the market. Due to safety reasons - the three-wheelers had a tendency to tip over easily - only four-wheeled all terrain vehicles were legally produced from 1987 to 1997. Although it is again legal to produce the three-wheelers, very few have been produced.

Aside from the wheel configuration, all terrain vehicles can be divided into two distinct camps: sport models and utility models. Utility models are generally designed to haul small loads on racks or on attached trailer beds. While they may have an engine displacement similar or identical to a sport models, they are designed for more power and less speed. Sport models, on the other hand, are smaller, lighter, and faster, than their utility counterparts. Able to reach speeds as high as 90 miles per hour, some sport models are faster than many full sized cars.

With all that speed - literally at your fingertips - owners and operators of all terrain vehicles need to remember to put safety first. With engines as large as 800cc’s, these vehicles can be extremely powerful and they can accelerate quickly, making it easy to tip them over. While driving an ATV can be fun, functional, and exhilarating, it can be dangerous as well. Each year there are thousands of injuries, and hundreds of deaths, related to all terrain vehicles.

Despite the dangerous track record, all terrain vehicles can be safe and fun for those who follow basic safety precautions. With precautions in place all terrain vehicles provide a fun and fuel efficient way to hit the road, trail, or even hauling things around the farm. Lightweight, easy to store, fast, powerful, and fun; all terrain vehicles have earned their popularity through their utilitarian and recreational qualities.

If you are in the market for purchasing tires for your all terrain vehicle (ATV), there are several factors for consideration. There are a great variety of tires on the market and it is quite easy to become overwhelmed at the sheer number of choices available from different brands. In order to find the best tires for your specific ATV that meets your needs, consider these three points:

1.) Tread:
When it comes to tires, the most important attribute is the tread. Different tires have different types of tread that make the ATV appropriate for navigating different types of terrain. If using the improper tires, accidents are more prone to occur, so ensure you seriously contemplate the uses of your ATV in order to find the appropriate tire tread.

For individuals planning on spending time in the mud, it is strongly recommended that you purchase mud tires. These tires have a unique tread that is angled from the inside to the outside. The tread itself is quite large, usually measuring about one inch high, and allows the ATV to better grip muddy ground, so the vehicle is less likely to become stuck. Mud tires also work well on different types of terrain, but the tread is more prone to become worn quicker if driven on hard surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, or hard packed dirt. Furthermore, due to the tire tread, the ride is not nearly as smooth as with other tires.

Generally speaking, most ATV owners choose trail or all terrain tires. These tires are most likely to handle all types of terrain while allowing the rider a stable and smooth ride. However, these tires are not designed for one specific type of terrain and are not used for muddy environments due to their tread. However, these tires offer the most stability, so they are the safest and should be chosen if the ATV rider will mainly stay on hard trails.

If you plan to spend exorbitant amounts of time in the sand, choose a sand tread for your ATV tire. These tires have a unique tread that uses a scoop to funnel the sand beneath the tires so that the ATV does not become stuck. Keep in mind that sand tires cannot be used for any other purpose except sand, as they have minimal stability on other terrains and will rapidly wear on hard surfaces.

The final option for tire tread is the knobby racing tires designed to take high speeds on flat, hard surfaces. These tires should only be used for racing, as they are inappropriate for any other type of riding due to their lack of stability and flat top tread.

2.) Size
Tire size is measured three ways: width, height, and height of the sidewall. All of these sizes should be taken into account depending on your wants for a ride. Tires with too small or too great a diameter should be avoided, as the ATV is under the most pressure, so there is a greater potential for damaging the vehicle. Furthermore, narrow tires tend to sink in mud, but may provide you more stability on hard packed ground. Finally, the height of the sidewall should depend on the type of terrain over which you plan to ride, as short sidewall tires have a greater ground clearance, but are less flexible.

3.) Shape
It may seem strange to look at the shape of the tire, but there are two options: round or flat. Generally, sport ATVs come with flat tires, while utility ATVs come with round tires. The difference is the stability and the speed. Usually, ATV owners choose round tires, since the ride tends to be softer and the shape tends to perform better in muddy terrain.