ATV Tech Tip: How to set-up a home-based ATV repair shop
September 1, 2010 ATVs are machines, so they’re eventually going to break down. By nature, though, ATV riders are mechanically inclined, so they’re able to perform many of the repairs. With the right tools and equipment for ATV repair, it’s much easier with a shop layout that promotes efficiency.... [Read more]
ATV Tech Tip: How to choose new ATV tires
As an off-roader, tires are an important part of your life. Here’s a quick guide about how to read a tire sidewall and make an educated decision the next time you need to purchase new hoops for your ATV. ATV tires are sized in inches with the format of overall diameter by width by rim size, for example:... [Read more]
ATV Tech Tip: How to make an ATV battery last longer
August 21, 2010 There are few things more frustrating for ATV owners than dead batteries and flat tires. Here, we’ll talk about how to make an ATV battery last longer so you’re more likely to get trouble-free starts every time you head out to the trail or back 40. Correct setup is key to... [Read more]
ATV winch tips
In 2001 I was six years into a seven-year stint working at a Minneapolis-area Polaris-Yamaha dealership. Our ATV sales were booming as new quads went out the door as fast as they’d arrive from the factory. We sold more than 1,200 ATVs that year. Buyers often added a few accessories to their four-wheelers... [Read more]
ATV Tech Tip: Loosening stubborn hardware
August 6, 2010 If you ride an ATV, chances are you’ll eventually have to repair the machine or one of its accessories. Those repairs usually go well for people who are mechanical and have the right tools for the job, but occasionally quad repairs are a pain in the neck due to a stubborn bolt or nut.... [Read more]
Corning’s Gorilla Glass: UTV Windshield?
As I logged in to my Yahoo account Monday morning, I noticed a story about a 1962 product from Corning called “Gorilla Glass”. The Yahoo Gorilla Glass story essentially said this old invention may now find new life as a virtually indestructible dent- and scratch-proof glass for flat screens... [Read more]
ATV Tech Tip: Diagnosing no spark or weak spark from an ATV ignition
A gasoline engine needs three things on order to run: fuel, compression and spark. Missing fuel or compression? That’s usually easier to track down and probably due to a mechanical problem like a dirty carburetor. Low compression is also a mechanical issue a technician can see and wrap his or her head... [Read more]
ATV Riding Tip: When to use Low range
Ever wonder when is the right time to use Low gear on a CVT-driven ATV? Here are a few tips to help decide. These tips are based on our experience with the machines and from what we’ve seen recommended in a few owner’s manuals over the years. Low range provides more torque from the engine while putting... [Read more]
Understanding ATV Oil Viscosity Ratings
Oil is the blood that keeps an ATV engine pumping. It creates a film to lubricate and separate the parts and reduce wear. It also removes heat from an engine. OK, so you know an engine needs oil in order to function, but what do the numbers and letter on a container of oil mean? Viscosity is the measure... [Read more]
Riding Tip: Save a CV Boot
It seems that torn CV boots on four-wheelers are inevitable. The damage is most often caused by brush or twigs that pierce the part when driving through brush. Grease on the outside of the boot is a sure sign it’s shot, and that means it must be replaced to prevent damage the CV joint inside. To... [Read more]
