ATV and Dirt Bike Riding

quad bikes1 ATV and Dirt Bike Riding
When you’re out cruising the trails on your ATV or dirk bike, it is imperative that you take great care to respect the area where you’ve been allowed to ride. Over the course of the last few years, negative publicity has come against riders of quads and other recreational vehicles as a result of those that did not respect the boundaries of private property. Many issues such as terrain damage, vandalism, and excessive littering have made land owners understandably apprehensive about allowing riders to use their land.

The first and most important guideline for riding on private property is to respectfully ask for permission from the land owner. Remember that he/she is doing you a big favor by providing a quality place to ride your bike. You should never ride on someone’s land without their explicit permission, and never ride on “assumed” permission. If you’re lucky enough to be allowed to use the land for your riding pleasure, be sure to honor the rules set forth by the land owner – for example he/she may not want you riding at certain times, or smoking on the land, etc.

Furthermore, you should always leave the land as you found it. For example, if a gate was closed when you arrived, make sure it is closed when you leave. Also, you should take any opportunity to leave the area better than when you arrived. If there is litter present, clean it up. Taking a little time to help out will show the land owner that you’re willing to make a contribution to the area and he/she will be more liberal about letting you use their land.

Tearing up the land by riding your quad or dirt bike is rude, and is certainly bad riding etiquette. Respect for the property of others should be your primary concern. You can reduce this by refraining from riding through some areas with softer terrain such as meadows, streams and certain steep hills. Along the same lines, it is advisable to also exercise caution if you happen to be riding on populated dirt roads. If you end up damaging roads, you could incur a considerable fine if you’re held liable to fix them. 

Respect for the environment should be a priority and extra care should be taken when riding through wooded areas. Plant and animal life is precious and carelessness can cause damage that is irresponsible and unnecessary. Remember, you’re riding in their world, not the other way around. Furthermore, if an area of the woods is clearly shown to be off limits, obey the signs and stay out of those areas. Observing these guidelines and acting as a mature, responsible, respectful rider will help you gain the trust of those who decide whether your bike gets ridden or remains parked.



About the Author:

Jim Buchanan is a writer for Powers Honda. For more information about Honda please visit http://www.powershondaparts.com



Types Of Mini Bikes

Mini bikes are the latest craze throughout the world, with more and more people getting involved in the mini bike scene. So are you wondering whether or not to get a mini bike? Well there are several factors which must be taken into account beforehand.

Firstly, do you know exactly what a mini bike is? Mini bikes are miniature replicas of larger motorcycles, most have a petrol engine, and are usually 39cc or 49cc although many of these pocket bikes are now being produced with a higher engine displacement, in some cases up to 200cc. Mini bikes are capable of very high speeds, with the slowest bikes still being able to easily reach 35-40mph.

Well now you know what a Mini bike is it is time to decide whether or not they are for you. If you think you would love the feeling of riding at 40 mph, inches from the ground then you have found your ideal sport! Mini bikes are a great way of getting into motor racing, as they are relatively cheap with all the spills and thrills of racing larger bikes.

If you are still interested in buying a mini bike then you must ask yourself what you want from it. For example are you buying a mini bike to ride around with your mates? Or are you buying it to become the next Valentino Rossi? Well whatever your needs, there are certain regulations which must be taken into account.

Mini bikes are illegal when ridden in a public place, and can be crushed if used illegally. So if you do not have any private property or a track which you can go to then maybe you should rethink buying one. If you are still up for getting into the craze, then you are ready to decide what type of bike you want to ride. There are so many different types of mini bikes available so you may get lost. So what do you want a mini bike for?

If you want to race the bikes in a league then the mini bike you buy must comply with regulations and must therefore be a race certified mini bike, these are usually more expensive than other bikes on the market but are far greater quality with more parts and performance bolt ons available. If racing these mini bikes is not for you then you can look at the more affordable mini motorbikes, these are just as much fun, but do not come with the large price tag. These bikes however must be used on private property, with the owners permission, or you could face prosecution. Alternatively there are open races set up where bikes like this will be allowed to enter.

There are many different types of mini bikes available for you to buy so selecting the correct style depends on what you want the bike for. The most common style of mini bike is the small road style mini bikes, also known as pocket bikes or mini motos. These have road tires and look like road racing bikes. Usually these bikes do not come with any suspension and a very low ground clearance so make sure if you want a bike like this then you have a smooth, flat surface to ride on.

The next style of mini bike is the mini dirt bike, these are smaller versions of larger dirt bikes, they are built for going off road with larger wheels and more suited tires, as well as a more robust build. So if you want a mini bike which you can ride around a field all day then a mini dirt bike is probably the best choice. If you want a comfortable bike with a cool image then I think it is fair to say that the best mini bike for you will be a mini bike chopper, these look great with the looks of the larger choppers available today. These are commonly seen at bike shows, with a lot of the bigger bikes and do not look out of place.

Finally, if you do not feel too steady on two wheels then maybe a mini bike quad is the answer, these are tiny quad bikes, about the same size as a mini bike but with four wheels. These also usually have the same engine as most smaller mini bikes. These are great if you prefer riding quads over motorbikes. If you are still unsure and need more information on which mini bike will be best for you then visit www.minimotosgo.com and get some more great advice.

Riding ATVs

If you have experienced all terrain vehicles in action, whether it was for sport and/or utility purposes, then you know the reason behind the growing popularity of their use. ATVs can perform multiple tasks very effectively and because of this they appeal to a diverse audience. For many of you, your ATV adventures have just begun. Whether you plan to rent ATVs for recreational riding or are thinking of buying your own for a farm utility vehicle, there are several aspects of quads that should be taken into consideration in order to find the best four-wheeler for your money.
Nearly anyone who knows what ATVing is also knows that the sport appeals largely to a young population. This known fact is also the root of much controversy. Many people protest the use of ATVs by children under 12 and others even believe teenagers under the legal driving age should be banned from driving ATVs. There are actually no strictly enforced regulations or age limits for riding ATVS.
Court cases have ruled with requests that ATV manufacturers print a recommended age limit for certain size engines. Manufacturers now recommend that ATVs with engines larger than 70cc are for ages 12 and up. A 90cc engine is recommended for 16-year-olds and up. These recommendations are not enforced, which frustrates some people, however, ATV manufacturers continue to make ATVs for the young crowds. Several companies have released an ATV model for riders as young as six-years-old.
The age limit is ultimately up to you, but no matter how old you are, it is important to find the right ATV style to ride whether it is a rental or your own. If you have a choice when renting ATVs, find one that suits your comfort with respect your weight and height. Rentals are typically for sport riding; therefore the ATVs will have a light design with less body plastic in comparison to a utility ATV.
Utility ATVs have a few features characteristic only to its classification. They are always the ATVs with a larger body and most utility quads have racks for equipment carrying. The suspension on a utility ATV is generally stiffer than the sport styles because you need a smoother ride when carrying a work load.
Sport and sport/utility ATVs are those used for racing and thrill riding. The suspension on these styles is longer to endure hard landings. SUV ATVs may still have small carrying racks for work as well, but the sport styles have as little body material as possible for speed. All ATV styles have a common characteristic, which is their ability to endure rough rides on the toughest terrain.
As you familiarize yourself with ATV riding you will learn which quad styles suit your body and riding type the best. ATVing is similar to many consumer products in that it is wisest to try them out first hand in order to make the best decision. If you are trying ATVing for the absolute first time, start with a smaller engine, just to get the feel, and then move up as you gain confidence.