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Tips For Purchasing The Best Pre-Owned All Terrain Vehicle

June 5, 2009

Deciding on buying a new or used all terrain vehicle requires serious thought before you lay out the cash. Before rushing out and buying the first atv you come across, there are a few hard and fast tips you should follow.

By following the pre-owned atv purchasing advice below, you can help ensure that you won’t be laying down your cold hard cash for someone elses problem.

First, check out the tires. If they’re worn out or full of plugs and patches, this could indicate abuse or lack of proper maintenance. Are the treads in good shape? If they’re in poor shape, expect to shell out a lot of money for new atv tires.

It’s always a good idea to take a friend with you when looking at an ATV. If it can be done, find a way to lift the ATV so you can see the underside. Make sure to look at all the shock points and check for any rust or damaged areas. This includes cracks in the frame. Look for signs of fresh paint.Fresh paint, mismatched paint, new parts or fresh welds can all indicate recent repairs.

If you’re {buying|purchasing} a used 4×4 atv, check out the cv joint boots. If they are cracked, this can allow water to get inside. This will cause rust and lead to major damage, which leads to major repair cost!

You’ll also want to check the oil level in the pumpkins. Chocolate colored oil, or milky looking oil, means water. Discoloration can mean severe problems on down the road.

Don’t over look the sprockets (if equpped). This can indicate extreme use. The same is true if the sprockets have a hook appearance. Wear on sprockets can mean they need replaced, as may the chain.

You’ll want to check the wheel bearings for excessive wear. This is where a set of jack stands will come in handy. Do this on the front and back. Worn bearings can lead to spindle damage.

Another area you’ll need to check is the tie rod ends. This is done by checking for excessive play in the handle bars when moving them.

Always pay particular attention to the air box. You can find it beneath the seat by removing it. Dirt or water inside the air box is bad news.

Don’t forget to check for rust in the gas tank. You check for this by taking a flashlight and shining it into the tank. Rust can decrease the life of your engine dramatically.

Check the electrical system by turning on the lights. You also should make sure any cigarrete lighter plug works. These are used for accessories.

Once you’re done checking out the machine, take it for a ride. Listen for any unusual noise. Note how it handles and be on the lookout for any loose parts.

Make sure there is a spark arrestor on the exhaust Many owners remove these. However, National Forest and other public trails require spark arrestor’s to be in place. Owners without them can be fined and prevented from riding in these places.

Another important thing you want to check is the age of the atv itself. You may be able to pick up older atv’s inexpensively, but many times you’ll have difficulty in locating cheap atv parts for these older machines. If you can try to stick with atv’s that are only a few years old.

By following these used atv buying tips and you’ll increase your chances of purchasing a quality used atv that will give you many years of service. They’re not hard to follow. You just need to remain focused and don’t let the Seller pressure you into making a rush decision or ignoring the tips above.

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