New and Used ATV and Dirtbike Buyers Tips

by Dan Nitzel

Frequently at NOHVA events I run into people who have purchased new and used ATVs and dirtbikes.  In this article, I hope to maybe help a few people out by reflecting my prior experiences and views on purchasing a new or used machine.

When purchasing a new or used machine, decide for yourself what you want to buy - an ATV or dirtbike.  Keep in mind that this is an expensive sport and riding these machines ARE a risky activity.  Don=t get into the sport unless you are willing to assume some risk of injury.  For me, I=m willing to accept the risks as I really enjoy the challenges of riding, and enjoy being with good friends!

In my opinion, people just getting into the sport view dirtbikes more or less of a Aaction@ and Aracing@ machine over the ATV.  Dirtbikes are all over the media and certainly have more Acool@ appeal.  The new machines and even the dirtbikes of the last five or ten years feature some really incredible technology.  If you desire to get into motocross racing, a dirtbike is easier to ride.  For beginners, a dirtbike generally requires a little more skill in learning to operate it.

ATVs have been often viewed as a poky agricultural, hunting and easy to ride multi-use recreation vehicles with racks that nearly anyone, including really small children can operate with little skill.   However, that image is not at all real world reality.  Modern ATVs possess engineering advances that would have been unheard of just ten years ago.  Not only do they work harder, they play harder and more people are purchasing sport ATVs for play on sand and trails. Some of the new 4x4 ATVs handle as well as many of the sport ATVs did 10 or 15 years ago.   Recreational ATV use on public lands are over-whelming land and government resources, and riders are demanding more trails and facilities to support trails.   Powerful and light weight performance ATVs are in hot demand nationwide, all you have to do is visit the Headworks OHV Park or the trails at Halsey.  However, the rising accident rate among children on large ATVs, especially on utility 4x4 type machines is causing a national debate to ban the use of these machines by riders under 16.

Recently introduced into the market place are several different types of machines.  One of the winners is the two rider ATVs introduced by Bombardier.  It=s the first ATV specifically designed to safely carry two passengers.  All other ATVs are specifically designed to safely carry one passenger.  As these machines are under 50" wide, they are small enough to fit down regular ATV trails.

Side-by-side vehicles or UTV=s like the Yamaha Rhino are in the market place was well.  The Rhinos join the Kawasaki Mules and Polaris Ranger.  In Nebraska, these are classified as golf cart type vehicles, and not ATVs as they have steering wheels and weigh in over 900 pounds.  They exceed the national ATV width limit of 52" and cannot be used at popular areas like Headworks or on ATV trails at Halsey.  I expect them to continue to exist in their small sector of the market but not really catch on in the recreational market place as they are too big and cumbersome for public trails.  

There are a number of go-cart type vehicles being sold, but these generally lack the power and suspension to travel through sand very long before they break down.  Some mini-dune buggy vehicles  being sold that are described as ATVs, but these are generally over 52" wide and thus to wide for public ATV and dirtbike trails.  In Nebraska, these are classified as golf cart type vehicle, and not ATVs.  An ATV in Nebraska is described as a motor vehicle that is straddled, with handlebars and weighs less than 900 pounds. 

Reflecting upon my own experience here, if I were to add up all the money I=ve spent on the sport over the last 20 or so years, it would probably exceed $200,000.  I’ve owned nine ATVs and two dirtbikes. 

I currently own two Yamaha sport high performance ATVs (YFZ450 and Raptor) and have owned ten ATVs since 1985.  I recently purchased a new Suzuki DRZ400s dual sport dirtbike.   I started out on and learned how to ride on a small YFM 200 and soon traded for a Warrior.  The little 200 scared the heck out of me at first, but I got used to it.  I learned how to better my riding skills by reading Dirtwheels magazine and traveled to Denver to buy my first helmet, boots, chest protector and other riding gear.  It=s smart to start out small and move up after you learn some riding skills. 

  My new DRZ400 is my second dirtbike.  My first one was a Yamaha 600T and it was a real pain to kick start.  The DRZ400 has electric start and is licensed for the street.  I sold the 600T right after I purchased it, as there were no non-sandy trails to enjoy nearby and I had a heck of a time kick starting it.  I generally have not had a great deal of experience with dirtbikes but I am finding the DRZ400 a real joy to ride as I learn to navigate with it.  I consider myself to be one of the few “older” people to by a dirtbike in the state, as I just turned 50 this year.  The DRZ was my 50^th birthday present to myself. 

While dirtbikes are not for everyone, I like the performance sport ATVs as they are light weight (under 375 pounds dry) and excel on trails and in sand play.  The sport ATVs do quite well on moderate rocky trails.   Even though I=ve rode many, I=ve never owned an large utility ATV with racks, 4x4 or automatic transmission as they are just too heavy and big for my taste.  But 4x4 is great on dirt, in mud and on very rocky trails. 

In Nebraska, for every one dirtbike sold there are about seven ATVs sold.  It can be confidently said that slightly more than half of the ATVs sold in Nebraska are used for recreation at some time, while almost all dirtbikes are used strictly for recreation.  As far as safety is concerned, ATVs have more injuries per 10,000 hours of use because there are a lot of parents allowing their children to ride adult sized ATVs with no supervision or protective gear.  Take out the kid factor, and I suspect that ATVs have a lower injury rate than dirtbikes.   Every day I receive news about someone getting killed using an ATV, and good share of the deaths involve children under the age of 10.  Safety equipment such as a helmet is largely ignored on ATVs among all age groups while dirtbikers seem to be a little more safety conscious.   Must be the cool factors with the gear?

If you new to the ATV and dirtbike sport, don=t go out an buy the biggest, baddest sport machine out there just yet.  My advise is to buy a used machine of mid-range performance.  Get used to riding a less powerful machine as it is easier (and safer) to learn.  If you purchase and ATV, take an ATV Safety Institute ATV RiderCourse to learn how to safely operate your ATV (www.atvsafety.org ).   If you purchase a dirtbike, attend the Dirtbike School (www.dirtbikeschool.com).  Both of these are GREAT courses for those who are new to the sport.  Links to these web sites are available from our web site at www.nohva.com .

Which is better in Nebraska for recreational riding, the ATV or dirtbike?  The answer here is simple, the ATV is king of the trails in Nebraska as most of our riding areas are located in very sandy areas.  Nebraska has the largest area of sand dunes in the western hemisphere.  Sand is about the only natural resource that Nebraska exports.  Nebraska has even have exported train loads of sand to Saudi Arabia.  The area of sand dunes in Nebraska covers 2/3rds of the state and is considered inactive at this time as they are covered with grass and we are in a wet cycle as far as our climate is concerned.  

Two of the most popular places to ride in Nebraska consist primarily of loose sand.  While most all dirtbike riders seem to detest sand, a few hardy riders really LIKE sand.  They have mastered the skills it takes to ride sand with grace and like to stay in shape riding sandy trails.  Dirtbikes excel in rocks, dirt and narrow trails, and really popular in the mountain states.  If I lived in Colorado and could only own one machine, it would probably be a dirtbike over an ATV.  In Nebraska, I’d favor the ATV over the dirtbike. 

Which is better for racing in Nebraska, the ATV or dirtbike?  I=d have to go with the dirtbike, as it=s easier to jump and most tracks are designed with dirtbikes in mind.  But moto-cross ATV racing is really catching on in the eastern half of Nebraska led by Yamaha YFZ450's, Raptors, and Honda TRX=s.   ATV drag racing is popular in Nebraska as we get over 200 riders for our jamboree drag races. 

What should I look for in a new ATV or dirtbike?  The Internet offers outstanding resources for those who wish to gain knowledge about what to buy.  But the best place to start is a good dealer that offers a staff that Aride@ both ATVs “and” dirtbikes.  There are dirtbike dealers with sales staffs that kind of raise their noises at ATVs.  And there are ATV dealers that raise their noses at dirtbikes.  Ask a few questions and you’ll be able to tell which they prefer.

Don=t hesitate to visit Headworks, Halsey or Sutherland on a weekend and ask riders questions about their machines.  Most owners LIKE talking about their rides. 

If I purchase at a dealer, what about the price?  When you are at the dealer and on the sales floor, make sure the that the hang tag or sticker price is the out the door price plus sales tax.  Some dealers charge shipping, handling and documentation fee=s on top of the price shown on the show room floor. 

          With the exception of my very first ATV purchase, I=ve always purchased a new machine at or below the retail price including shipping and assembly with no extra fee=s slipped in.  Retail prices of all machines are shown on the manufacturers web site. 

          Only on my first purchase did I get conned into paying an extra $500 in shipping and assembly fees just before the final paperwork was completed and  after I agreed to purchase the machine.    I knew no better at that time.  Let your fingers do the walking and check out the dealers listed in this newspaper.  Ask for the Aout the door price@ including any assembly and shipping fees, other fees and taxes. 

          Reasonable documentation fee=s of $20 are only fair with any purchase if they are used for courthouse title fees and the filing of a lien when a loan is involved.   Some dealers give NOHVA members a discount, ask about that as well.  Often times you can dicker for a better price on the machine or Apackage deal@ on the machine if you purchase some accessories with the machine.  Depending upon the dealer AND the popularity of the machine, some will deal.  Don=t expect a discount on a popular fast selling machine.  Sometimes dealers have some models selling for discounted prices.  These are machines that have been discontinued from the manufacturer, purchased at a dealer auction or traded new.  These can be great buys, don=t over look them. 

What about dealer financing?  Most new ATV and dirtbike purchases are financed. I finance mine at my credit union or bank but most people finance them at the dealers.  Most dealers offer financing through the manufacturers or local banks.  These are great options for buyers and people with good credit can often get a interest rate special offer through the manufacturer. 

Be real careful with offers to finance you machine “in house@ meaning you make the payment to the dealer and they carry the loan unless you have no choice or if you know the dealer real well. Dealers make big bucks on in house financing often charging high interest rates.  I=ve heard stories of the dealer adding Acharges@ to in house accounts after the sale and sometimes bumping up the interest rates before the loan is paid off. 

          What should I look for on a used ATV or dirtbike?  The best machine to purchase is a machine that was owned by someone you know or from a dealer who knows who traded it in.  The appearance of the vehicle generally tells the machines history and four strokes almost always have fewer engine problems than two strokes. 

          If it looks like new, then it=s probably safe to assume that it was well cared for or not ridden much.  Look for worn paint, dull or broken plastic, and make sure the frame is straight.  Check the frame under the engine.  If most of the paint is there, then it=s probably been ridden carefully.  If there are dents and scratches, who knows where it=s been.  A stock front bumper in like new condition is a good sign that it was treated decent as are stock fenders and other metal parts.  Check the wiring around the engine and check to see of many nuts or bolts are missing.  Missing nuts and bolts are a good sign that someone who doesn’t=t frequently work on ATVs or dirtbikes has been messing around with it.    Aftermarket or bent handlebars usually mean it was rolled, flipped or crashed.  Original brake and clutch levers and their mating parts in good condition are a good sign.  Avoid machines that have seen a lot of water action, like riding in rivers a lot as water becomes trapped inside frames, and rust from the inside out. 

          An after-market exhaust may indicate that it was raced, which isn=t all bad.  Tons of tasteless stickers and weird modifications is often a sign of irresponsible behavior.    Some brands of machines hold up much better than others.  I=m not going to get into what used brands are the best because I can=t really tell you.   If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it is most likely a duck.