Often referred to as “the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the World,” one would be hard-pressed to not find an ATV trail or activity they wouldn’t enjoy in Moab, Utah. In fact, you’d have to pretty much despise the outdoors all together.

The thousands of miles of ATV trails in and around Moab present rock crawling enthusiasts with some tough challenges and the most breathtaking scenic back drops in the world. Names such as “Hell’s Revenge” and “Metal Masher” suggest what lies ahead, and these are some of the easier ones!

ATV trails are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. ATV trails with rankings of a 3 will have some tough obstacles, but there are usually by-passes for the timid, and a 4 ranked trail may require a winch or a whole bunch of friends with a rope. So you say you want to see what a 5 ranking has to offer? Well, you’re just asking for trouble.

Get your feet wet first. Take a ride up Porcupine Rim and take a peek into John Wayne’s back yard. From the top of the rim, you’ll look down on monumental valley where many Hollywood classics were filmed.

Moab thrives on outdoor junkie tourism. While you’ll definitely want to check out the ATV trails, don’t be afraid to partake in other activities that you’ll find advertised up and down Moab’s main drag. Mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, Jeep and ATV rentals, rock climbing, skydiving and scenic boat rides down the Colorado River can all be found here. Canyoneering trips with High Point Hummer and ATV come highly recommended. You’ll tackle some of the toughest trails in a Hummer H1, and rappel down a 120-foot arch into Negro Bill’s Canyon. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

There’s plenty of room for everyone in Moab, whether you plan to camp or stay at one of many area hotels. The restaurants are also top notch. Avoid the usual fast food joints and check out the local tastes. The beer cheese soup and microbrews at the Moab Brewery are a must! The burgers at Eddie McStiff’s are excellent and the Drunken Noodles at Singha Authentic Thai Cuisine will jolt your chapped lips.

Moab sits at the top of our must-do off-road vacation list. And there’s always something new and spectacular to see or do every time we return.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Kaiser

At about 3.79 million square miles, the United States is a vast nation – the world’s third largest by land area. The diversity of our terrain provides off-road riders with an all-you-can-eat buffet of ATV riding choices available for the taking -deserts and dunes of the southwest, towering peaks in the Rocky Mountains, dense forests and the countless lakes of the Midwest, stunning views from atop the Ozark Mountains and the colossal riding areas of the rolling Appalachians.

If you live in the Western United States or want to travel out there for a change in your ATV riding terrain, here are six great spots in the Pacific U.S. region to get you started.

Imperial Sand Dunes

Perhaps the most famous off-road destination in the country, and one of the most popular ATV riding areas in the world, the Imperial Sand Dunes (frequently called Glamis) of Southern California near the Mexican border includes approximately 118,000 acres for off-highway vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, sand rails, side-by-sides and trucks.

Riding the Imperial dunes for the first time is daunting, with difficulty ranging from easy to white knuckles. Getting lost is a concern, as the terrain is always morphing, and the scenery blends together. The payoff is riding in an endless desert paradise seemingly designed exclusively as a high-speed ATV riding oasis.

Mojave Desert

A spectacular getaway for residents of the Southwest, and anyone looking for a change of pace, the Mojave Desert in California contains some of the greatest high desert riding in the country. Terrain varies from enormous valley stretches to mostly treeless hillsides that bring riders thousands of feet above the desert floor. Don’t let the extreme weather scare you off. Springtime in the Mojave is particularly delightful, as the desert is bursting with life and blanketed by bright patches of wildflowers.

Mount Hood National Forest

There’s a reason you periodically hear of exploring hikers trapped on Mount Hood in Oregon – the view and extreme high-altitude experience is worth a little risk. If you go by atv and stay on the marked trail system, you can get a similar thrill without having to pack and carry camping gear, and you’ll probably make it out alive at the end of the day.

Mount Hood is incredibly beautiful, and the above-the-clouds (in some cases) ATV trails offer riders great variety and make for a very amusing and scenic ride. This is dream-like riding on a grand scale.

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area

Located along the beautiful Pacific coast in Southern California just north of Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach’s Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is a popular ATV destination for sand dune riding right on the ocean coast. Formerly known as the Pismo Dunes, Oceano is a geologically unique location. The prevailing ocean winds create uncommon riding conditions, but all riders must exercise extreme caution in spotting dangerous slipface drop-offs.

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

As California’s largest State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), Ocotillo Wells has more than 80,000 acres of desert that’s open to off-highway exploration, which is a gargantuan amount of riding possibilities. Even better, Ocotillo is affordable: no fees are collected for camping or day use, and camping is permitted for up to 30 days a year – so stay a while!

Key attractions include the eroded Blow Sand Hill, the 200-foot-high Devil’s Slide, Barrel Springs sand dunes, the unusual Shell Reef and Pumpkin Patch sandstone concretions.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Like no other place on the planet, the Oregon Dunes bring fantastic dune riding, the Pacific Ocean and pine trees together in one remarkable spot. The dunes start at the sea and, at points, stretch two miles inland and reach up to 500 feet above sea level.

The continent’s largest expanse of coastal sand dunes, approximately half of the Oregon Dunes are open to motorized vehicles. Campgrounds, staging areas and several annual events make this a top ATV destination.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Prusak

1. Dampen the winch cable. During winching, it’s a good idea to lay a coat, blanket or even tie a bag to the wire cable to dampen it in case of failure. If it fails and you don’t do this, the wire rope could potentially become a high-speed whip – crack!

2. Off the hook. When feeding the winch cable (whether its wire or synthetic) back into the winch, never hold the hook (clasp). Warn includes a Warn-signature red hook strap with all its winches. Hold the hook strap when feeding the cable. If your winch doesn’t have one, get one! Warn sells replacements.

3. Add a rock guard sleeve. If your winch cable isn’t protected from sharp objects, add a sleeve. This small open-ended rope “sock” looks like a gray Chinese finger trap, but is a wise addition. In the event you must winch over rough, jagged rocks or other obstacles with sharp edges, the sleeve protects the cable from fraying and damage. If the cable is frayed, replace it.

4. Wear gloves when winching. This rings especially true when working with a traditional wire cable. If there is a barb or fray anywhere on the cable, you’ll know it as soon as your finger get jabbed and the blood flows. Winching gloves, which Warn also sells, will prevent this accident waiting to happen.

5. Go wireless. Whether it’s cell phones, computers or winches, wireless systems are all the rage. A wireless winch operates within a 50-foot radius of your vehicle and improves your recovery options. It has an automatic shut off mechanism and fits in a holster on the handlebars.

6. Go with a roller fairlead when using a snowplow. Because of their frequent lifting and lowering of a plow blade, a winch cable always seems to be moving in and out of the winch. With a standard Hawse fairlead, the cable can be subject to damage, especially if the fairlead already has damage or grooves. A roller fairlead has a large center drum and two side drums to protect the winch rope/cable during plowing.

7. Purchase an accessory pack. Warn offers a winching kit that it says “doubles your pulling power.” The kit includes two shackles, snatch block, two tree trunk protectors and a Cordura nylon carrying case. This kit also simplifies individual winching, in case you need to use a tree to get your quad unstuck.

8. Choker chain. Not for your dog, silly, but rather for your quad. If you love to rock crawl, a choker chain is an essential tool. This device lets a sturdy, sharp rock be used as an anchor.

9. Cover that winch. A winch cover, much like and ATV or boat cover, protects the investment that’s underneath it. Keep dust, sand, ice and other debris off your winch by adding a cover. Warn’s neoprene winch cover resists water and cracking.

10. Go with the Multi-Mount. Warn’s versatile winch carrier can be moved from the front or back of an ATV or even your dad’s quad to ensure you get out of trouble. The carrier fits inside model-specific front and rear mounts and attaches using a 50-amp Quick-Connect wiring kit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Prusak

Kids’ quad bikes are also known as mini ATV or youth quad bikes. Both young children and adults love the idea of quad bikes. There is an adventurous side in everybody. Kids always want to own what they see adults like their parents using. However kids cannot be presented the same vehicles adults drive, but can certainly be given a mini ATV. It will be the perfect gift to your kids this Christmas.

Kids’ quad bikes are available in different models and colours, which is great considering children tend to be very choosy about their favourite colour. On average these bikes are about 44˝ in length and 28˝ in width. Seat height is about 24˝, though this varies according to age group. A 50cc bike will be best suited for kids of age 6 – 11. A 90cc or more will be fit for age group of 12 years and above.

The kids quad bikes are electric start with a four stoke engine. These are available in two and three speed transmissions. Some of the models come with auto clutch. The brakes used are most often drum brakes that are fitted on the front and rear of the bike. Many latest models have disc brakes which are excellent for these bikes.

These quad bikes come with a safety cut-out switch and throttle resistors. It simply means that these safety kits will ensure control on the speed. They will keep a check on extra power supply. The maximum speed attained by quad bikes is approx. 20 to 30mph. The footwells are fully enclosed to ensure safety of feet.

When purchasing these items for Christmas you need to make sure that you take the time to build them correctly and check them over before you let your children ride them as it is their safety that is at stake. I know what it is like when your children are excited and eager to use their toys but this is important and care must be taken to keep your children safe this Christmas. When you do eventually let them out please make sure you have all the safety equipment required like boots and a good quality helmet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Weaver

Everywhere my eyes wandered in the Black Hills of South Dakota looked like a big, glossy photo in a coffee table book. From chalky-sienna cliffs to robust pine forests, picturesque views are commonplace. The ATV riding was anything but. Our ATV riding group wanted to experience a South Dakota adventure, so we booked plane tickets and flew into the Rapid City airport one hot autumn afternoon. Before embarking upon our ATV ride, though, we contacted a local South Dakota ATV riding club, the Off-Road Riders, to guide us through the territory. The ATV trail system in this area is expansive and unmapped. So, with the promise of lunch, the good people of the Off-Road Riders Association took us for a ride.

Upon landing at the airport, we knew we had left big-city urban sprawl far behind. The airport stood alone amidst a backdrop of hazy sky and the Black Hills. We collected our gear from the luggage conveyor and loaded into a 15-passenger van. We drove from the airport through Rapid City, which is the most urbanized of the places we visited in South Dakota. It looks much like a town anywhere across the country, complete with strip malls and fast food restaurants. We then drove through Deadwood, a town with oodles of character. It boasts saloons with sawdust-covered floors, casinos and an “Old West” feel out on the cobblestone streets. Here we felt like gunslingers as we saloon-hopped and dined at Kevin Costner’s restaurant (yes, that Kevin Costner).

After a quick bout of sightseeing, we lodged in Lead, South Dakota. Lead is a stone’s throw from the buzz of Deadwood, and is a quaint settlement, nestled into the steep hillsides of the Black Hills. The morning after we’d arrived in the Black Hills, we had a fleet of ATVs waiting for us. But, to get to the quads and the planned riding area, we had to drive about 30 minutes to the town of Nemo. The great thing about this section of South Dakota is the towns are generally close together, so a short, half-hour trip could get us to a different locale.

The base camp for our ATV ride was the Nemo Guest Ranch, which offers cabins, snacks and outdoor adventure.The ranch also features horse stables for outdoorsmen who prefer four-legged rides to four-wheeled ones. Of course, we opted for the latter. Our first ATV adventure of the day led us across the highway from the ranch and straight up, so it seemed. We maneuvered our 4WD quads through narrow gates, around an eternal forest of trees and up the Black Hills. The scenery here is best enjoyed when not seated on a running quad – looking around while riding will get an ATV rider in a heap of trouble quickly.

After struggling our way up the hill for about an hour, we pulled off the ATV trail for a rest and some water. As we shut our quads off, we noticed a cave nestled below the beaten path. We carefully stepped down into the cave, which wasn’t easy in riding boots. The warmth of the day evaporated with every step downward and the shade and moisture in the cave gave us a chance to cool down. We rested only briefly in the cave, because our excitement to see what awaited us on the ATV trail spurred us back into action. We climbed out of the cave, hopped back upon our quads, re-helmeted and rode upward.

We motored up the ATV trail, encountering dead-fall logs and massive rocks along the way. Every foot of this trail presented a challenge requiring uninterrupted focus. There weren’t many chances to take in the surroundings, so we recommend making frequent stops to enjoy the landscape. As we crawled to the top of the mountain, at an elevation of around 4,000 feet, we again pulled off the ATV trail. The view was dizzying and beautiful. The lush pine forests stretched forever below us, and the hills swooped up gracefully from the valley where the Nemo Guest Ranch stands. With the clear, blue sky as a background, the view was astonishing. Looking down, though, was more of an adrenaline rush – the thought of falling from that cliff still jerks me from sleep every once in a while.

It took us an hour and a half to reach the highest elevation, and the descent took almost twice as long. That may seem mixed up, but trust us, going down isn’t always as easy as going up. This is not an excursion for first-time ATV riders. The downhill trail had us gripping the bars tighter than normal. And our eyes bulged in a couple of sections. And, I muttered a few things in my helmet during some hairy moments that I’m glad no one else heard. As we descended, we rode over piles of fallen logs and skidded and slid our way down the trail. Just when we thought we could catch our breath after the log slip-and-slide, we reached a step-down rock section. The rock walls of the hill were tight. There was enough room to fit a quad through this pass with about two inches of extra space on each side. Every step down, a total of six, was about a foot-and-a-half steep, which caused the ATV to teeter on its front wheels with each drop.
We wouldn’t let the Hills intimidate us, though. We focused on conquering them without being conquered ourselves.

In fact, we were so focused, and so deep in the wooded heart of the trails, that we didn’t notice storm clouds gathering above us. After the rocky steps, another log-fall section opened up before us, and the sky above unleashed a rain storm. The freshly watered logs rolled and slipped under the tires of our ATVs. The trail was tough when it was dry, and a steady rain made it even more difficult. Thankfully, the rain lightened just as we survived the last log fall and found a fire road to ride. After struggling over slick logs, slippery rocks and muddy trails, the soft, semi-wet sand of the fire road was a welcome relief. We rode this part of the trail exponentially faster than the technical parts. And, the sunshine returned to dry our gear before the ride was over.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cassandra_Clawson

If you are looking for a Quad Bike Dealer in the UK today, you may have noticed many websites that on the surface look like a reputable business, but if you dig deeper you find out that they are not all good with service or back up should your Quad Bike fail.

One of the key factors when you find a website for a Quad or ATV Dealer is make a written note of the business name, as well as the website url. The reason I say this is because you can use Google to search for information or people who may have had problems with the company previously.

A good Quad Dealer will be recognised in respect they are an Official Franchise or partner of a particular manufacturer of Quads or ATVs. Not just because they have the logo or emblem of the manufacturer on their website will it guarantee they are an official UK Quad Bike dealer.

There is a fine line between some one selling Quad Bikes or ATVs just for profit, and one that will supply you with a vehicle that will have the sales, service and quality back up you deserve as a customer. The largest problems come with importers of Bikes and Buggies from China.

Some, and not all Chinese Quad Bike and ATV manufacturers will deliver a quantity of spares and accessories to the buyer buyer within a container. This is to support the buyer with service should they get any issues. The other side to the coin is not all manufacturers operate in this way.

This is where problems start!

As there is no written information regarding the back up and warranty of the machine, if you dont purchase through a reputable business then you may find it difficult to claim should the bike fail you at any stage.

Try Before You Buy!
Before you purchase a Quad or ATV always keep the following points in mind and hopefully, you should keep the right side of the fence making it easier for you long term.

• Always check the business name of the seller on Google
• Search the domain name using Google and check for issues being reported against the business
• Use more than one method of communication to contact the dealer, phone and email
• Make sure they carry a comprehensive package of spares for service
• Make sure you get the warranty facts in writing from the seller

Just from following these few tips, it should keep you on track to a happy and safe experience with your purchase. The majority of faults are not caused by parts failure, and more to do with failure to fit them correctly in the first place.

Because business sites can be created from a template, websites can rise and fall within a few months. If at any stage you have a concern about a delaer, you can look up using a method called whois. Whois is a service offered to the domain industry that keeps the data stored on certain types of domains.

Within the data should be the name of the business or person who registered the domain in the beginning, with possibly address details and contact methods, email and phone. Make a note of these and keep them just in case you need to contact the seller in future. Alternatively, look for a comprehensive list of Quad Bike dealers within a reputable website!

My Quad Bike is a site where reputable dealers advertise their Quad Bikes, ATVs and Buggies. To find more information on Quad Bike dealers, go to the Quad Bike Dealers section on My Quad Bike for a comprehensive list of UK based dealers.

The first and most important thing to avoid any accidents is to make sure you buy a good quality quad bike. A lot of accidents are caused due to faulty parts and breakages. By buying a good quality well built quad in the first place you are at least minimalising this risk. This does not mean they need to be expensive just ask lots of questions to assess the quality such as warranty, guarantee, parts stocked, manufacturer etc.

Secondly you need to make sure you are buying a quad bike of appropriate size, I know you want to look at something they can grow into but this is not always the safest option. You would be better off buying one they can ride safely now and looking after it well and then part exchanging it for a bigger quad bike when they are ready. Ask yourself the following questions: Can they get on and off it easily? Can they reach the handle bars? Can they turn the steering? Can they reach the brake, clutch or accelerator?

Thirdly you need to look at the safety feature on the quad. Does it have a kill switch? Some kids quad bikes have remote control kill switches so if your child gets into trouble on the quad you can push a button on a remote to kill the engine and they role to safety. The one thing you have to be careful of here is that sometimes these remotes have a range so if they get to far away they wont work, it would be like trying to change the channel on your TV at the bottom of your road! The safest way is to have one that is operated via a cord so that you can hold it and give them more line as they gain in experience. This way they have to circle you and stay near. These helps teach them throttle control, braking and importantly to be observant! Another great safety feature on children’s quads is a throttle screw. This is a screw that can be wound in or out to regulate the amount of throttle they have available to use therefore you can restrict them to 2 mph until you are confident they have the hang of riding a quad.

Fourthly, ride it somewhere sensible. Do not use footpaths,roads or bridleways. Visit a quad centre or speak to a local farmer or land owner and use it in the middle of the biggest field you can that way if you child has any issues on a quad bike they have much longer to think for themselves and bring the quad under control.

Finally probably the most important point make sure that when you buy the quad you buy well fitting good quality quad accessories and safety equipment. The things you really must have are a helmet with goggles or vizor, gloves and ideally good quality boots. You are also able to purchase body armour which protects from stones and minor impacts. Again make sure these items are good quality and fit your child well.

• You will suffer penalty points on your licence when you receive it should you not have one. This alone will go against you when you try and insure any vehicle in the future.
• Should you be caught in possession of a machine with an engine that can be driven or ridden without a licence or insurance, then the machine can be confiscated by the police – and not returned unless you provide the correct documentation to authenticate it’s release.

Road Laws are regulated by each individual country by a motor division of the government, like DVLA in the UK. These departments set the regulations, and once set, they are easy to break should you not have the complete details.

What you will find below is a comprehensive guide to what the requirements are for ridding either a Quad Bike, ATV or Buggy on the public roads within the UK.

Three and Four Wheeled Vehicles
The legal requirements for this section are as follows:

• Anyone over the age of 17 can ride a Utility Vehicle ie: Quad, ATV or Buggy as long as you have a category B1 on your driving licence and the vehicle is not in excess of 550Kg.

NOTE: The only time you can ride on of these vehicles at a lower age of 16, is when you are in receipt of disability living allowance graded at the higher rate.

Vehicles in excess of 550Kg:

• Anyone over the age of 17 can use a Utility Vehicle ie: Road Legal Quad Bike, ATV or Buggy, should they be in possession of a FULL UK Car Drivers Licence, Quad Bike Insurance and a valid Ministry of Transport Test Certificate. (M.O.T)

NOTE: Should you be claiming full disability living allowance, the same DOES NOT apply as stated above. The break point in the law is 550Kg.

The only major concern is that most vehicles, utility or otherwise exceed the weight restriction in the UK which makes it difficult to find a machine that is not restricted in this way.

ATVs have become an extremely popular recreational and practical vehicle for many campers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone working out in the wild. These products are easy to use and extremely durable to elements. They can be ran through streams, covered in dirt, and driven over rocks. They’ll keep going with a great amount of speed and a smooth ride. These products for all their benefits are also incredibly light and small, so they are easy to transport to and from the home and can fit down small trails out in the wild as well. Though they are great on their own, many people find that these vehicles need a few extra accessories to make them really fun and useful for whatever their purposes. Here are the top five ATV accessories to help you on your way making the most of your ATV.

Probably the most common is a large front bumper. These products are used to reinforce the strength of the vehicle as well as to provide a lot of practicality when using it out in the wild. These accessories provide a great deal of utility such as pulling extra weight also have other objects with tent posts tied to them for extra storage space.

Which brings us to the next best accessory for your ATV – the storage container. These products can be found in many different sizes and made to fit around many different parts of your ATV, whether the front or the back as well as alongside the fenders. These are usually heavy duty in construction, waterproof, and removable for easy and safe use.

In addition to accessories that go on your ATV, ramps are probably the most helpful accessory for owners. Many people don’t live near the wild where they ride their ATV, so they transport these vehicles by truck or trailer. Ramps allow the owner to easily move their ATV to and from their location without trouble and more importantly with safety.

Wenches are less common tools, but are extremely useful products. These products are attached to the front or back of your ATV and can be used to pull weight and even help you pull your ATV out of a ditch if needed just like a truck wench.

Finally, appropriate wear like helmets, goggles, and masks are also very important to keeping riders safe and comfortable. These products come in nearly every type of color and style, so you can stay cool looking as well as having all the benefits.

ATVs have become an extremely popular recreational and practical vehicle for many campers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone working out in the wild. These products are easy to use and extremely durable to elements. They can be ran through streams, covered in dirt, and driven over rocks. They’ll keep going with a great amount of speed and a smooth ride. These products for all their benefits are also incredibly light and small, so they are easy to transport to and from the home and can fit down small trails out in the wild as well. Though they are great on their own, many people find that these vehicles need a few extra accessories to make them really fun and useful for whatever their purposes. Here are the top five ATV accessories to help you on your way making the most of your ATV.

Probably the most common is a large front bumper. These products are used to reinforce the strength of the vehicle as well as to provide a lot of practicality when using it out in the wild. These accessories provide a great deal of utility such as pulling extra weight also have other objects with tent posts tied to them for extra storage space.

Which brings us to the next best accessory for your ATV – the storage container. These products can be found in many different sizes and made to fit around many different parts of your ATV, whether the front or the back as well as alongside the fenders. These are usually heavy duty in construction, waterproof, and removable for easy and safe use.

In addition to accessories that go on your ATV, ramps are probably the most helpful accessory for owners. Many people don’t live near the wild where they ride their ATV, so they transport these vehicles by truck or trailer. Ramps allow the owner to easily move their ATV to and from their location without trouble and more importantly with safety.

Wenches are less common tools, but are extremely useful products. These products are attached to the front or back of your ATV and can be used to pull weight and even help you pull your ATV out of a ditch if needed just like a truck wench.

Finally, appropriate wear like helmets, goggles, and masks are also very important to keeping riders safe and comfortable. These products come in nearly every type of color and style, so you can stay cool looking as well as having all the benefits.