Tips For Picking The Best Used Four Wheeler
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 pre-owned atv purchasing advice below, you can help ensure that you won’t be laying down your cold hard cash for someone elses problem.
What do the tires look like? 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. Are the treads in good shape? If they’re in poor shape, expect to lay out several hundred for new atv tires.
It’s always a good idea to take a friend with you when looking at an ATV. It’s important to look at the underside of the ATV. You’ll have to find a way to raise the machine to do this. 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 or mismatched paint can mean recent repairs.
If you’re {buying|purchasing} a used 4×4 four wheeler, 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!
Take a look at the oil level in the differentials. Chocolate colored oil, or milky looking oil, means water. This could lead to a whole host of problems.
Don’t over look the sprockets (if equpped). This can indicate extreme use. The same is true if the sprockets have a hook appearance. Wear on sprockets can mean they need replaced, as may the chain.
You’ll want to check the wheel bearings for excessive wear. This is where a set of jack stands will come in handy. 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.
Another area you’ll need to check is the tie rod ends. This is done by checking for excessive play in the handle bars when moving them.
The air box is one place many used atv buyers fail to check. You can find it beneath the seat by removing it. What you don’t want to see is a bunch of dirt or water inside the air box. This 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.
By following 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 making a rush decision or ignoring the tips above.
One Response to “Tips For Picking The Best Used Four Wheeler”
By Kristi C on Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
I must say, don’t be afraid to buy pre-owned. I bought a 3 year old quad for over 1/2 the cost of a new one. What a great deal! Runs like a charm, I haven’t had one complaint. Just be sure to give it a good look over before you buy. This kind of purchase should not be an impulse buy.