ATV Maintenance Tips And Advice.

By: Travis Smith | Posted: 05th March 2006

There are many common questions that ATV riders often ask. In this article we will discuss some solutions to common questions that ATV enthusiasts have. One common question is "Why is my ATV pulling towards one particular direction when I ride?". There are many explanations for this.
Assuming that your ATV is in shape mechanically, the most common reason this happens is that your tires do not have enough air pressure in them. ATV tires are very sensitive, so a tire missing a few pounds of pressure will set off the balance of the other tires, making your ATV pull in an inappropriate direction. ATV tires are designed to run on very low pressure, so the slightest fluctuation in tire pressure can cause this problem. If you check your ATV's tire pressure and this is not the problem, then you may have bent or worn out your tie rod ends, shocks, a-arms, steering column, or ball joints. It is
also possible that all you need to do is adjust your front end alignment.

Another common ATV question is "What type of replacement tires should I buy?". There are many different designs for each type of ATV tire, but most tires can be categorized as: Mud, Trail, Racing and Sand. The type of ATV tires you need depends on the terrain you travel on most with your ATV. For instance, if you ride your ATV in sand dunes all the time, then the
type of specialty tires that would be best for you would be sand tires. If you frequently ride your ATV in mud holes or bogs, then tires with a mud tread design would be best for you. If you race your ATV or ride a sport model, then Racing tires may be your thing. If your ATV riding is mostly on normal
trails with the occasional jog into muddy or sandy terrain, then your best bet would be to get a pair of All terrain trail tires.

Another common ATV related question is "How do I protect my ATV from rust?". The solution to this problem is prevention. When you ride your ATV off-road,
it is impossible to avoid scratches, dings, and general wear to the paint on your ATV. To prevent your ATV frame, wheels, or other painted parts from rusting, you should first and foremost keep it clean. In other words, clean it when your
done riding and keep the mud and grit from remaining on it for an extended period. Second, once your ATV is clean, you can touch up any scratches or dings with touch up paint. Lastly, a good aerosol lubricant can act as a rust inhibitor and disperse
water from tight places. Spray the lubricant liberally on the frame, chain, and suspension components. Just make sure to avoid getting any oil on your brake parts.

Author: Travis Smith, Owner, North American Power Sports
http://www.napsatv.com
This article is free for republishing
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Tags: best bet, tire pressure, air pressure, different designs, atv riders, steering column, bogs, sand dunes