Choosing the Best ATV for Beginners

Getting your first ATV? Getting one for you kids? Getting an extra for your friends to use when they come and play with you? Picking the right ATV for for beginners can be a little tricky, you want to get something useful and fun, but at the same time you don't want to give them too much power to handle. Destination Powersports is here to help you through these difficult choices.

Choosing the Right ATV

There are tons of ATVs out there, so how do you pick the one that's going to be a good fit for you? The first bit of solid advice we can offer is start small. Even though you may feel like that 250cc ATV is probably for kids, you don't want to get on the trail for the first time riding an ATV that's got more power than you can control, that's how you get hurt. Generally for adults a 250cc model is actually about right for your first ride, and while you may graduate to something larger in short order, an affordable smaller ATV is always good when guests come to ride. Kids should be limited to smaller ATVs, and so many manufacturers actually produce vehicles expressly for child riders. Features on these kid friendly ATVs include throttle limiters and automatic (CVT) transmissions, so they don't get frustrated by the clutch.

The style of ATV you choose will mostly a factor of where you prefer to ride. If you're taking on trails for long, slow paced rides, then you'll want to check out a touring ATV with a more comfortable seat, or a basic utility ATV with plenty of storage space for your extra gear. If you're looking for an ATV that serves up more aggressive performance and plenty of stomach dropping power, then you might be more inclined to ride a sport ATV with robust suspension to smooth out rough trails.

Brands to look For

There are plenty of brands that produce outstanding off road products, each offering something unique to your ride. Polaris® ® is one of the most popular off road vehicle manufacturers on the market, and they offer a huge selection of diverse ATVs to choose from. One of the most popular Polaris® lines, the Sportsman, also offers youth models for the kids. Polaris® also offers a unique take on ATV riding with the Polaris® ACE, an single rider ATV that operates much like a car, and is protected by a full ROPS (Rollover Protection Structure). Polaris® isn't the only one with some great starter ATVs though. Suzuki has a great lineup of low displacement all terrain vehicles that are ideal for kids, and Kawasaki, the legendary sportbike manufacturer, also makes a great selection of four wheelers that provide a comfortable ride, with engines as small as 300ccs.

Riding with the Right Gear

Having an ATV is great, but it won't do you any good without the proper gear! A good helmet should be your first priority whenever you ride, but having a good set of goggles as a backup to a visorless helmet is also important. Whenever you ride you should wear sturdy boots that provide ankle support, long pants to protect your legs from brush and rocks, and a set of sturdy gloves that protect your hands from trail debris but don't inhibit your ability to use the ATVs controls. Motocross gear can also be a good idea for kids, to help them soak up some of the initial bumps and bruises that are common when learning to ride.

This is just a glimpse on what we think on the subject, but now you have an idea on what to think about when it comes to picking the right style of ATV, the right brand, and what gear you will want to pick up to accompany your purchase. If you still have questions we encourage you to give us a call or swing by our dealership in Florida serving the areas of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral!