Quad bikes are a familiar sight in the more rural areas of the UK as farmers choose to use them in daily tasks whilst others buy them to have some off road fun. By law you are required to have a driving licence, insurance and registration plate if you want to take a quad bike onto UK roads, which is something that many people choose to do, but safety concerns and high profile crashes have put something of a black mark against quad bikes in the public eye. That does not mean that in the right hands and conditions, they can’t be great fun, but that care should be taken and appropriate safety gear worn to reduce the risk of injury.
Four-wheeled motor powered vehicles based on bike components have been around for almost 120 years but it was not until the 1970s that the quad bike as we know it today began to be bought in the UK. Japanese firm Honda took its biking expertise to produce trikes and quad bikes with many other rivals following suit, creating a vibrant market that is full of choice.
Quad bikes come in a number of sizes, styles and performance brackets. There are quad bikes designed specifically for children whilst larger, more powerful options are better suited to adult riders. Nowadays, these recreational vehicles are usually aimed at those who want to have fun, so if you are seeking a quad bike designed for hard work then you will need to look for models specialising in utility operations.
When it comes to engine sizes quad bikes can slot into many different categories and as you might expect with bigger engines, this involves higher prices and greater speeds. Mini quad bikes sporting 49cc engines can hit around 35 miles per hour and usually carry a maximum rider weight, which means these are better suited to youngsters rather than adults. For the top of the line sports models the engine size can increase to 360cc or more and at this level of the market, you can expect to find plenty of high-tech gadgets and premium quality materials onboard to further justify the price. For a solid mid-range adult vehicle, an engine size of 180cc is to be expected which will help you balance performance with your budget.
Quad bikes did not always have the option of automatic gearboxes but this is becoming far more common even on entry-level products. This is one thing that will definitely be a benefit for amateur riders as it lets you concentrate on the terrain ahead without having to plan gear changes. Other extra features, which you might not consider, include whether or not a quad bike has headlamps as this can restrict its usability to daylight hours, so always check carefully to make sure you are getting the right type for your needs.
If you are buying a new quad bike it is sensible to find out if it is road legal in the UK. In most cases this will be the case, but bear in mind that you will need to register it and get insurance and tax before you can hit the high street.
