All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs for short, are built for fun and work. If you’ve never owned one before, you’re most likely wondering which one is right for you. So, we found 10 ATVs that you should watch out for.
The Best All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering SE+
The 2022 version of the Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering SE+ has really nothing new to offer. However, it’s still the same comfortable, efficient, and powerful all-terrain vehicle that’s ideal for riding on rough trails or doing chores around the farm.
It’s equipped with an efficient 722cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. It boasts of low- to mid-range torque, while being environment friendly at the same time. Suzuki’s advanced fuel injection system delivers precise mixture of air and fuel, resulting in superior fuel efficiency and throttle response.
Suzuki’s QuadMatic automatic transmission is probably one of the best in the industry, and you’ll find it in the 2022 KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering SE+. It’s easy to operate and offers an alternative way of slowing down the ATV to increase the lifespan of the brakes.
There are push-button controls for you to easily select between 2WD, 4WD, and differential-lock 4WD. With a front differential lock and double wishbone suspension, the KingQuad 750AXi ATV remains stable on the road and is able to make smoother turns.
The KingQuad 750AXi is capable of carrying around 200 pounds of cargo and pulling things as heavy as 1,322 pounds. To protect your cargo from damage, Suzuki provided high-impact covers for the racks.
The ergonomic design of this ATV is difficult to ignore. You’ll like the narrow engine and fuel tank width because it’s comfortable on the hips and knees.
Yamaha Raptor 700R
Even after all these years, the Yamaha Raptor 700R has remained the leader of sport four-wheelers. It’s one of Yamaha’s best-selling ATV models because of its easy handling and versatile features.
Compared to the Yamaha’s YFZ450R, the Raptor 700R is more comfortable and easier to ride in a variety of environments and terrains. Its 686cc single-cylinder engine packs a lot of power and torque to handle a wide range of conditions, but is effectively cooled with a liquid coolant for a more stable and silent performance.
The Raptor 700R is great for people who want to delve into the off-road world but want to hop on an ATV that’s comfortable and safe. It has high-end and fully adjustable shocks to give you better control and for a smoother ride.
The front suspension of the ATV is equipped with an independent double wishbone suspension, which is currently one of the best suspension systems on the market. At the back, it’s equipped with a cast aluminum swingarm suspension system. With the help of fully adjustable shocks and premium suspension systems, the Raptor 700R is going to be a lot easier on your body and can remain stable on any tough terrain.
Christini AWD 450 Explorer
The Christini AWD 450 Explorer is a street-legal dirt bike that’s equipped with a 450cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. With an engine that produces crazy riding power and speeds, make sure you’re a professional racer or have prior experience riding a 250cc dirt bike before thinking of getting this one.
When it comes to how it looks, the Explorer will surely impress you. Its new black frame, wheels, and motor look sharp and tight. You might even mistake it as a modified version of Honda’s CRF450x.
But what’s really impressive about this dirt bike is it has a patented 4WD system. Thanks to its patented all-wheel drive, it seamlessly delivers power to the rear and front wheels to ensure superior grip on any surface conditions (mud, sand, snow, gravel, etc.).
CFMoto ZForce 950 Sport
If you’re looking for a reliable ATV but you’re on a budget, the CFMoto ZForce 950 Sport provides incredible value for your money. It has a long list of standard features that make it perfect for your weekend adventures and hauling light loads around your property.
The engine of the ZForce 950 Sport is a 963cc engine with BOSCH electronic fuel injection that creates 70 horsepower and 60 pound-feet of torque. It has an average tow capacity of 550 lbs. In general, it has a very decent power and acceleration, although the engine might reach full power too fast for your liking.
The newest addition to the ZForce 950 Sport is its driving modes: Eco mode and Sport mode. Some riders don’t find any significant difference in performance between the two. But all in all, they help improve its performance and acceleration.
When it comes to rider comfort, this all-terrain vehicle does a great job. The adjustable gas shocks are effective in absorbing big bumps. The seats are made of textured and grippy rubber, so you don’t need to worry about sliding around while cornering.
Polaris Scrambler XP 1000 S
The Scrambler XP 1000 S is a monster on the off-road trails. Polaris made a few improvements on the 2022 XP 1000 S: a new suspension setup a stronger and wider 4×4 platform for more suspension travel, a ProStar engine with 89 horsepower, and a redesigned chassis with a larger main-frame tubing.
To absorb the vibrations from the rough road, the 2022 XP 1000 S is equipped with fully adjustable shocks from Walker Evans. The arched and high-clearance front A-arms give its suspension system additional 14.5 inches ground clearance, making it capable of overcoming large obstacles and deep ruts, without losing stability.
It also has On-Demand AWD to help you tame more terrain. With this at your disposal, you don’t have to worry about loose or slippery surfaces. When it senses your tires are losing traction, it immediately engages all four wheels to increase ground grip and provide maximum forward traction during acceleration.
Can-Am Renegade X MR 1000R
Equipped with a 91 horsepower engine, Can-Am claims the Renegade X MR 1000R is their most powerful all-terrain vehicle as of yet. Its 54-millimeter throttle body and Siemens VDO fuel injectors ensure quick engine response to the throttle to feed your need for power and speed.
This ATV gives you the ability to shift between the two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). And like Can-Am’s Outlander X MR all-terrain vehicles, the Renegade X MR 1000R comes with the Visco-4Lok system. With just a push of a button, you can now lock the four-wheel drive to distribute equal power to all four wheels of the ATV. As a result, you’ll get amazing traction.
Polaris RZR Pro XP
If you care a lot about aesthetics, the Polaris RZR Pro XP won’t probably catch your attention. Its plastic components can be a turn-off, but its cockpit features and performance are worth the consideration.
The RZR Pro XP is available in different options—all of which have a powerful 181-horsepower engine. That brings us to its hauling capacity of 740 lbs (336 kg). To ensure you won’t run out of fuel, don’t forget to fill up its 12-gallon tank, which can ride anywhere between 20 and 50 miles per hour.
For an ATV this intense, your comfort and safety are of utmost importance. It’s designed with 22 inches of suspension travel to absorb all bumps, as well as RZR’s DYNAMIX Active Suspension. This suspension system automatically adjusts the shocks to increase rider comfort and help the Pro XP stay stable on challenging terrain.
Yamaha’s YXZ1000RR SS XT-R
The aggressive exterior design of the Yamaha’s YXZ1000RR SS XT-R isn’t the only thing you’ll love about it. Top-notch bodywork paint finish, Maxxis Carnage tires with an aggressive tread design, beadlock wheels, improved undercarriage protection, premium WARN winch—it’s safe to say the YXZ1000RR is ready for the challenges the off road has to offer.
The YXZ1000RR SS XT-R has a 998cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline three-cylinder engine with 12 valves. It’s fed fuel from a 9-gallon tank through Yamaha’s Fuel Injection (YFI) system, which offers precise fuel delivery. Its engine revs high, adding more to its top speed.
Honda Talon 1000R Special Edition All Terrain Vehicle
The Talon 1000R Special Edition might not be the fastest on the market, but its build quality is what you’ll usually expect from a Honda. In fact, its cylinder head design is the same one as in Honda’s lineup of championship-caliber motocross bikes, specifically the CRF450R.
It’s equipped with a 999cc engine that gives out 105 horsepower and an average mileage of 80 miles per hour (mph). That amount of engine power is normally enough for ATV drivers who aren’t adrenaline junkies. The automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in Talon offers two automatic shift modes, Normal and Sport, and a manual paddle shift capability for improved fuel efficiency and smooth acceleration.
Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 eS ATV
For the Teryx KRX 1000, Kawasaki worked with Fox to create an all-terrain vehicle with one of the smoothest and most intelligent rides on the market. Fox’s Live Valve shock monitors different aspects of this four-wheeler, such as the steering angle and throttle inputs, and then automatically adjusts the shock’s compression as the terrain changes. You can customize it by selecting any of its three modes: Normal, Firm, and Soft.
The Teryx KRX 1000 has a powerful 999cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-stroke, eight-valve engine, which receives fuel from its 10.6-gallon fuel tank. But what good is a powerful engine like this one if it can’t take a beating? So, Kawasaki used first-class and thick-walled materials and adequately protected essential parts to make sure you can enjoy the Teryx KRX 1000 in any terrain, without worrying about it falling apart.
4 Factors to Consider When Buying an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
Just like buying other kinds of off-road vehicles, there are so many brands and choices for all-terrain vehicles that it leaves you feeling overwhelmed. To help you make a better-informed buying decision, here are four of the things you need to consider when getting one of them.
1. Your Experience Level
Probably your first priority when choosing the size of your all-terrain vehicle is your experience level. This will make sure you stay safe when you hit the trail.
For instance, it’s not a good idea to ride an ATV with a 1000cc engine if you have no previous experience of riding this type of vehicle. It’s too dangerous.
The best ATV for children 16 and younger should have a 50cc to 150cc engine. For experienced teenagers or newbies, it’s usually safe to hop on a 150cc to 300cc ATV. Adults who have a larger body frame or plan to race on hard trails can ride on an ATV with a 500cc to 1000cc engine.
2. Your Purpose
By knowing what you’re going to use it for, you wouldn’t subject your ATV to activities that exceed its design specifications. Below are just a few ways you can use an ATV:
- Camping
- Farming
- Hunting
- Landscaping
- Lawn raking
- Pulling heavy equipment
- Snow plowing
- Trail riding
Suggestion: Don’t choose just one purpose. Think about how you’re going to use it in the future, so you’ll end up with a multi-purpose ATV that matches your unique needs.
3. Engine Power
You don’t always need a powerful engine, unless you’re a professional racer or a seasoned ATV driver. In the case of beginners, a less powerful engine is usually better because your ATV is less likely to topple over due to rapid acceleration. And since the maximum possible speed is lower, there’s a lower chance of you crashing your ATV while you’re getting the hang of it.
4. Features You Need
It’s much easier to figure out the accessories and features you need once you know your purpose for owning an ATV. Do you need power steering? Do you plan to get an ATV with a twin cylinder engine or a single engine?
If you want to customize your ATV, there are plenty of aftermarket parts and accessories that you could choose from. Some of these include bumpers for added protection, wheels for specialized purposes, shovel and winches to get you unstuck, and racks/baskets for hauling gear, just to name a few.
