5 Types of ATVs: What to Pick?

Apr 11, 2022 — Up here in the Great White North, not all terrain can be traversed and explored by motorcycle alone. Much of the time, we need something a little more heavy duty and rugged.

ATV riders have all our respect; the wilderness is their playground. Even more than that, the scope of ATV riding extends past leisure, whether it be providing emergency services, ranching, hunting, or military. Though the 4-wheeler is more popular, 3, 6, and even 8-wheeler versions are also available. Then, there’s the Side by Side, the sport or high performance quads, and even children-sized ATVs.

If you’re new to the all-terrain world and you’re thinking of trying these amazing machines out for yourself, or if you’re a more seasoned rider just browsing for your next project, here are some different ATV types that won’t fail to impress.

The most common type of quad is the Utility ATV. This model usually has a short travel suspension, a large engine, and additional attachments intended for work or hunting. They also end up seeing as much leisure time, which isn't always a bad thing.

Some examples include the ever popular Polaris Sportsman 570, ever practical Yamaha Grizzly, and ever robust Can-Am Outlander.

Sport Quads commonly range in size from 250cc to 700cc, are lightweight enough to zip through trails while maintaining a solid enough suspension to withstand some punishment. Basically, what they lack in towing capacity, they make up for in wheelies.

Needless to say, sport quads are used in licensed racing, or even unlicensed racing for that matter – no that wasn’t us you saw ripping through your back yard the other day…

Some common examples include the Yamaha Raptor 700, Suzuki Z400, and Honda TRX450R.

Side by Sides have that sport quad suspension but are usually much larger, and have a small wheel-base. With their capacity to transport passengers and freight, these workhorses can get you and your friends to places you never thought feasible. They are also used as "pit machines" in competition to provide more agility and flexibility. To outsiders however, these events will probably just look like oversized golf cart racing.

Side by sides are quickly becoming the most common type of ATV in small rural communities, and some popular options include the Honda Pioneer 1000, Kawasaki Mule Pro, and Polaris RZR XP.

Youth ATVs are, as their name suggests, smaller than most types of ATVs. They typically range in size from 50cc to 110cc, with some models daring to reach the incredibly high range of 125cc. They have little to no fuel, are usually restricted to weights of no more than 100 to 150 lbs, and either have an automatic drive or no gears at all. Basically, they’re vehicles bought to teach the little ones all about the fun of riding an ATV, so that they may one day graduate to a full-size.

There’s still much fun to be had on these. Just grab a Power Wheels Dune Racer or a Razor Dirt Quad 24V, and watch the kids fight over who gets to ride first.

Ah the legendary All Terrain Cycle… This deadly motorized tricycle will oblige riders to hang from one side when making quick turns if they do not want to get seriously hurt. It really doesn’t take much to flip these over, and if you’re not familiar with the quirks, you’re in for a rough time. But if you are, and if you’ve got the protective gear, it’s actually quite the thrill.

In 1986, ATC production was banned due to safety concerns. However, if ever you have an appetite for destruction, popular options include the Honda ATC 90, and its more dangerous brother, the Big Red.

So, now that you already know the different types of ATVs and some models, what would you pick? Please don’t tell us you’re in the market for an ATC, but if you are, let us know what the insurance costs are like!