No doubt about it, ATV’s, or quads as they’re also known, can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. When shopping for cheap ATVs make sure that you’re not sacrificing quality and safety for the sake of a few bucks.

Some people pay more than twenty thousand dollars for their ATVs, equipment, and accessories and add-ons. That doesn’t mean you have to, and as a matter of fact, ATVing doesn’t have to be expensive. Comparative shopping, know what you want, and then going on an ATVS for cheap hunt is the best way to get started.

Keep in mind that in addition to the ATV or quad you choose, you’ll also need something to haul it in if you don’t own a truck. You’ll also most likely need, or want, accessories and tools and supplies for the upkeep and maintenance of your ATV. Riding gear can also be an extra and necessary expense, so by the time most people start shopping for a particular type of ATVs for cheap, they want just that: cheap.

What you spend on your ATV will depend on what you’re riding for. Are you intending your ATV to be used primarily for pleasure, seasonal hunting expeditions, or are you thinking of entering races and cross-country competitions? If you’re wanting to ATV for pleasure, then a model without a bunch of extra bells and whistles will suit your needs. Otherwise, hold onto your hat and be prepared to take a hit in your wallet.

The cost of your ATV will depend on the size of the machine you’re looking for, in addition to tire size. Many cheap ATVs can be had for less than $1500, though many will be in the $2,000 to $3,000 dollar range. Watch your newspaper and the Internet for sales and clearance blowouts to help keep expenditures in check. If you’re shopping for more than one ATV, you might find a deal and score cheaper ATVs when buying two to four models at a time.

Hydraulic shocks, brand and size of tires, automatic starts, manual or automatic transmissions and automatic engine shut-offs all cost money, but don’t sacrifice safety and convenience for the sake of a hundred dollars. To get the most out of your ATV, it pays to think ahead.

Carrying capacity, in addition to bumper guards, grills and other options will affect your price range as well. Frame size, width and materials will also determine the cost of your machine, and knowing what type of machine is good for each particular ATV is important so that you obtain the quad that will suit your skills and needs.

Shop for comfort as well as price, as it won’t matter a bit if you save thousands of dollars when no one wants to ride your ATV because they’re so uncomfortable. Buying ATVs for cheap is possible when you do your homework ahead of time and know roughly what you’re looking for before you hit the first showroom. Remember to think safety first, buy smart and then go out and have yourselves some fun!

For more ATV uses please visit http://www.atvexcitement.com a popular ATV website that provides tips, advice and ATV resources. Try visiting our latest information page on cheap ATVs.

Are you into ATVs and you want to own one yet the price for one top of the line ATV will leave a big hole in your wallet? Not many people can afford to buy a Honda or a Yamaha ATV. So, what do you do if you desperately want to own your own ATV? Many people who are looking for an affordable ATV would not mind buying a Chinese ATV, even though there may not be many models available in the market.

It is without doubt that if you intend to purchase a Chinese ATV (or any other brands of ATVs, for that matter), you will need to do some “homework” first. Research is the key word to finding the most suitable and reliable Chinese ATV dealer. While most Chinese ATV dealers are able to offer their ATVs at great bargains, it is a fact that some dealers may not have enough support from their manufacturers to provide you with after sales service. Hence, it is important that you check with the dealer if they are able to provide you with reliable after sales service. It is quite frustrating to own an ATV and not be able to ride it because some parts are no longer available.

Chinese ATVs are usually a lot cheaper compared to the branded ones and even though there may not be as many models that you may be able to find, but they do make a good bargain for people with smaller budgets. While you are hunting for Chinese ATVs dealers, be sure to find out from them if they have the parts available at all time – that is, if they have the parts in stock. Some dealers will claim that they have the parts but in actual fact they do not keep stock of the parts and will only place an order with the manufacturer whenever the need arises. It is better to purchase your Chinese ATV from a dealer who keeps stock of the ATV parts than with one who does not. Surely you would not want to wait for weeks, if not months, for one part to arrive in order to get your ATV working!

Do remember that Chinese ATVs may not be as refined nor have the same level of quality, but they do offer a tremendous savings for your wallet. If you do not intend to run your machine on a regular basis, the difference in quality may not be an issue. If you have friends or family members who have purchased a Chinese ATV in the past, you could ask them for recommendations or advise. You will surely be able to pick up a tip or two from them about searching for a reputable Chinese ATV dealer.

Perhaps, before you embark on your search for a Chinese ATV, you may want to consider visiting Jackel Motorsports’ website at www.jackel.com - they have been in the ATV market for many years and should be able to assist you in your hunt for your very own (and affordable) ATV!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com ; http://www.kidatv.com ; http://www.atvoutdoors.com ;

For some reason I have always been fascinated with hovercraft. I think the idea of hovering over almost any surface is really cool. I came up with a plan to build my own hovercraft.

I built my first hovercraft from a basic set of plans I found at the local library. It consisted of a platform made of plywood with a shop vac attached to it for power. You sit on it and when someone pushes you it glides across the floor like an air hockey puck.

Now while this was great fun it was not what I was looking for. I wanted to build something a little more serious.

I looked into hovercraft kits or buying a used or new one and they were all out of my budget. According to the wife.

I found a reasonable set of plane online and bought them. After reading through the plans a few times I was off to my local hardware store to buy what I needed. I already had most of the basic tools required so I was now ready to start building my very own hovercraft!

Construction is pretty basic and consists of plywood, foam and some fiberglass. I have assisted in building experimental aircraft before so this was an easy task for me. But I think even someone with basic skills could build there own hovercraft.

I built the whole project it a few weeks and was ready to test it out. With a few last checks I started it up and hovered around my back yard.

It takes a little getting used to the controls but once you do it is fairly easy to drive. Everything seemed to be going well so I headed out over the lake. On smooth water this thing just glides along and is so smooth. It is the coolest feelings in the world.

I came back from my first test run grinning from ear to ear. I am now in the process of building my second one for the wife. She loves it and wants her own. I figure we can go hovering around together.

I am already planning some modifications for the second one plus a little more power. Feeling confident about the building process now.

What is so great about hovercraft is that they can be used all year round. Unlike our boat or motorcycle that have to go into storage for the winter months. My homemade hovercraft glides over snow and ice with ease.

Cost for the build was very reasonable and with a little scrounging you could keep the costs even lower. A good place to start is your local garage sales. Great for picking up any tools you are missing too.

There are bigger more expensive hovercraft plans out there but dollar for dollar these plans cannot be beat.

Mike D Tucker is a self employed Internet entrepreneur and product reviewer. If you would like a set of the plans I used to build my hovercraft Visit http://www.rave-reviews.net/Hovercraft-Kit/

It’s true that every ATV enthusiast would dream of owning a top of the line Honda or Yamaha ATV, a Bombardier or Polaris – but, hey, not everyone will have that kind of money for such luxury. Yet, your enthusiasm to ride and your love for an ATV are good enough reasons for you to go on a hunt to buy a really affordable machine, or at least, one that fits your pocket size.

Used ATVs
If you are looking to buy a second hand machine, you must remember to find out why it is being sold and the condition of the machine. ATVs are not being used for light and easy types of activities, so you may want to really get detailed information of how the ATV was used. Perhaps the seller may be genuine when he or she tells you that they have only done some flat trails and sand riding and have never done airborne tricks with the machine or any other extreme activities with it – or perhaps not. If you are seriously considering a used ATV, you may be getting it at a really great deal but you also have to bear in mind that you may need to do some repair works on the machine after you buy it over.

Chinese ATVs
There is, however, an alternative option – the Chinese ATVs. Chinese manufactured ATVs are generally a lot cheaper compared to the “branded” ones. The great thing about these Chinese ATVs are the engines tend to be the cloned versions of the Japanese engines, hence, you only pay a fraction of price of a top of the line ATV when you go for a Chinese ATV. You have to, however, accept the fact that these Chinese manufactured ATVs may not be as well finished as the “branded” ones. It is not to say that they are of inferior quality, it’s just that the finishing of Chinese ATVs may not be as refined as those bigger names ATVs.

Be forewarned though, the quality control over Chinese ATVs could be quite an issue as some Chinese manufacturers are more concerned about production in quantity than quality. This is one reason why you have to check and be sure of the type of warranty that you are getting for the Chinese ATV that you intend to buy. Do check with the dealer to see if they have the ATV parts available in stock with them – in case you need a replacement for certain parts of the machine (you never know when you need one!). Some dealers will claim that they do have the parts available when, as a matter of fact, they will only place an order from the manufacturer as and when such parts are needed and they do not have the physical stocks with them. This can be quite frustrating if you have to wait for one part to be replaced in order to get your ATV working because your wait could be as long as months, if not weeks.

It is best that you buy a model that has its parts available as and when you need them. Even if the dealer that sells you the machine may not have the parts available at all times, be sure to check with them if there are other dealers selling the same model that keeps the parts so that you can get the parts easily whenever you need them. At Jackel Motorsports, they do have quite a few great looking ATV models that could be exactly what you are looking for, and yes, they also have the parts of the ATVs too. Another additional plus point about their ATVs – the prices are quite competitive too.

Remember, with a little extra research and homework done for your hunt for the most affordable ATV, you can be assured that it will be all worth it when you finally get to bring the machine home. A little extra work before you part with your hard earned money for your “dream machine” isn’t going to kill you – it could save you a lot of heartaches.

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com ; http://www.kidatv.com ; http://www.atvoutdoors.com ;

ATV – All Terrain Vehicle sounds a mouthful when it is being pronounced in its full name, but just how much do you know about ATVs? You may have read stories about ATVs in the newspapers, magazines or even on the internet, but what do you really know about them?

How many of you know that an ATV is not just a big boy’s toy? If you are one of those who raised your hands, good on you but if you are one of those who are not sure if ATVs are just a big boy’s toys or not – well, we will let you in on a little secret, ATVs are not just big boys’ toys! ATVs are powerful and could be potentially dangerous machines if it is not properly handled or if safety measures are not taken when riding on one. Unfortunately, not many people “remember” this fact when they go out to ride on their ATVs. The recent report of the death of Hunter Benton, a 14-month old toddler, while riding on an ATV with his grandfather is a sad reminder that goes to show just how “forgetful” people can be when they choose fun over safety. It was reported that the machine’s throttle malfunctioned – sending both grandfather and grandson crashing into a parked sport utility vehicle. It is very dangerous to allow a toddler so young to sit on your lap while you ride on an ATV because most ATVs are not built for more than one rider. In addition to that point, it is important that you check your ATV first before you ride on it so that you are confident that your machine is in good working condition.

Children under the age of 16 should never be an “extra passenger” on an ATV or even attempt to ride on their own on an adult ATV. There are specially designed youth ATVs that are made for kids below 16 years of age. If you want to find out more about youth ATVs, try visiting www.jackel.com or www.kazumausa.com for some great models.

An ATV can travel at an excess speed of 60 miles per hour and weighs over 700 pounds. These machines can easily roll and tip over. Their unpredictable nature in off road conditions makes training and proper usage of ATVs very important. Just in 2003 alone, there were about 740 deaths related to ATVs that includes 140 reported deaths involving children. In 2004, it is said that an estimate of 136,000 ATV related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms. Just these figures alone should make you take up proper ATV training and riding courses as well as learning and practicing the safety rules and regulations.

There is just one thing that riders should never forget when they go out riding on their ATVs – and that is, you must always remember to wear your protective gears, especially your helmets. Never go riding on an ATV without your helmet. Another important fact about riding an ATV is that you should never ride on one when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When you are under the influence of such substances, your reflexes are usually a lot slower than your normal self and you may not be able to “detect” danger as quickly.

ATVs are a great sport to take up – if you adhere by the basic rules and regulations. If you are a beginner in ATV riding, you may want to check out www.atvoutdoors.net for some ATV fun. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry – so don’t just remember the rules and regulations for ATV riding in your head, practice them!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com

An ATV enthusiast never runs out of places to ride – unless the trails that you’ve been to are in a bad shape because off the “abuse” it’s been put through by other ATV riders, hikers, campers and other users who do not have any sort of respect for the trails that they are in.

Being aware and respecting the environment of the use of the ATV trails or any other outdoor parks that are made available for ATV riding are very important issues. If each ATV rider makes an effort to have some respect for the nature, you can be sure that the “hotspots” for ATV riding will remain in great condition for a long time to come.

In order to keep the riding areas open, it requires a whole lot of great rapport and communication between the public land managers, privately owned land owners as well as riders, campers, hikers and just about anyone who would have access to such areas. In short, common courtesy and consideration of the interests of the other parties are necessary to ensure that everyone will be able to enjoy the area.

Check the areas first
Before you pack your things to the area that you will be riding in, it is recommended that you first learn about the area. Find out from the respective public land manager or the privately owned property owner to see if there are any special rules or regulations and most importantly, get their permission to ride there. It will be of great help to you if you could get maps of the area from them as well. Do remember to stay on the trails if they are provided – do not try to be over adventurous.

Keep the noise down
Try not to create noise pollution while you are riding – ATVs are designed to be relatively quiet and yet is able to deliver maximum performance, smooth engine torque as well as spark suppression. When you create too much noise, not only will it stress out the wildlife (if there are any), it will annoy property owners and other users to the parks or trails too.

Remember your manners
If you happen to meet other users to the same area that you are riding in, be courteous. Do not try to intimidate them with your machine. No one likes a rude and obnoxious rider, so do be polite and give way to others such as hikers on the same trail.

Follow the signs if it’s provided
If you see a sign that says “Stay Out!” while you are riding in certain areas, do what it says – stay out. There are many reasons why such signs are being put up, even though the reasons may not be obvious. Obeying trail markers and closure signs is very important – they are there to ensure that you have fun while you are riding and at the same time, you should not endanger your own life or the lives of the other users at the same area.

Don’t leave your trash behind
When you are through riding in any area, always remember to leave the place the way it was when you first arrived, or better yet, leave the place cleaner than it originally was. Bring your own plastic trash bag to keep all your garbage and do not leave the bag behind. If you are responsible for your own “trash”, you can be sure that you will be more than welcome to ride in the same area again.

It sure helps a great deal when you play your role in caring for the environment of the area that you are riding in. To share your riding experience with other ATV riders, you can do so at the forums at www.jackel.com or www.atvoutdoors.net

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com

There is certainly no doubt about it – ATV riding has become one of the fastest growing sports in town and it’s popularity is gaining great momentum each year. This is the kind of entertainment that suits just about anyone in the family – from the kids to the teenagers to the parents and in some cases, even to the grandparents! There is just so much enthusiasm and positive response toward ATV riding and a lot of people are becoming more receptive to the idea of riding an ATV. The number of people joining in ATV races and riding contests especially the kids shows that ATV riding is definitely here to stay.

However, with such increase of interest in ATV riding, it is important that the general public is made aware of the basic rules of ATV riding. Most first timers to the racetracks are eager to win and ride with speed that they forget the basic rules of ATV riding. If you are bringing your kid to his or her first racing experience, it is your duty to ensure that they understand and follow the rules and regulations of racing. It has always been a thumb rule that ATV riders are to be polite and nice to each other on the racetrack – even if you are all charged up to win the race. The
race will not be fun anymore if we have racers who refuse to adhere to such a simple rule. Remember, if you do not teach your kids “good manners” on the racetrack, they could endanger their own lives as well as the lives of the other ATV riders.

I can not stress the importance of safety in ATV riding, and being in a race does not mean that you can violate the safety issues involved. We strongly discourage riders from swearing at each other or showing unruly behavior or signs when they are in the racetracks. Such behaviors are intolerable and offensive to other fellow ATV riders. Be sure that you tell your kids that they are required to “stick by the rules” – at all times. For more rules and safety regulations while riding an ATV, you could visit our website at http://www.jackel.com or one of the popular ATV sites at http://www.atvoutdoors.net

There is also one trick that you should never pull while you are in a race – that is, the “dusting” trick. Dusting means riding on high speed past other ATV riders and leaving a cloud of dust on the faces of the other riders. This trick is only funny when you are riding with your own friends, but it is definitely not funny to those whom you do not know, so never try to pull a stunt like this one on the racetracks. If you are really keen to show off some of your ATV riding skills or tricks, try some of those that will not offend the other riders.

Also, if you happen to ride past another rider and you see that he or she is having problems with his or her machine, you should at least stop and ask if they need help. Don’t just ride by them as if you didn’t notice them at all. If you were in their shoes, wouldn’t you feel grateful if another fellow rider stopped by to help?

ATV riding is one great way for family entertainment but it can only be a lot more fun when everyone involved knows and follows the basic rules. Don’t try to be different by ignoring the rules of ATV riding. It is always better to go with the flow in this case than against it!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com

When it comes to buying an ATV, it does not necessarily mean that buying a branded one would make the best choice. It is important that you spend some time doing some research and homework (especially if this is going to be your very FIRST attempt in purchasing an ATV), before you put in your money’s worth to buy the right ATV for yourself or even your loved ones.

ATV purchase checklist
Begin your hunt for the right ATV with a checklist. Your checklist should include questions such as :-

- Which type of ATV is right for you? To answer this question, it really depends a lot on your purpose and riding style. If you intend to visit an ATV showroom, do not let the salesperson convince you into buying something that you may regret later.

- Consider the age of the rider. The age of rider is important, especially if he or she is under 16 years of age. Certainly you can’t be buying an ATV that is meant for an adult rider for a kid that is only 10 years old! However, there are ATVs that are built for smaller riders, but are only to be ridden at the comfort of the backyard of your home and not on public land.

- Rent first, buy later. If you are interested in a particular ATV model, you may want to try to rent one first before you decide to buy your own. Better yet, if you have a neighbor or a friend who happen to have the model that you have your eyes on, you could ask them to let you ride on it (on different occasions too, if they don’t mind) to see if it is the one for you. This way, you will save the heartache of buying the wrong type of ATV.

- Automatic or Manual. This is also another point that you have to consider in your “research” for the right ATV. Some ATV riders prefer a manual transmission machine compared to an automatic one, but you do not have to go with the crowd – just get the one that you think is best for yourself.

- Price. One of the most important decision making factor for your purchase of the ATV. Unless you have a huge budget set aside for the purchase of the ATV, price becomes an important decision factor.

There are, of course, many dealers in the market who will claim to have the best and most suitable ATV for you and your family, but never forget that you are going be the one paying for the ATV, not the salesperson. So, be sure that you get some knowledge before you head out to visit any ATV showrooms. To start off, you may want to check out www.jackel.com on the range of ATVs they have to offer. It could be the beginning of a wonderful “ride” to your ATV purchase!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com

Your kid’s first ATV ride experience may not be as easy as you may think it is – even with his great enthusiasm to learn to ride one. Most ATV parents are eager to pass on the ATV “legacy” to their kids without first finding out if their kids are interested. Besides just teaching them to ride, there are other issues that the parents have to tackle first – such as the physical, emotional and mental assessments of your child.

First of all, it is really important that your child is interested in ATVs, or at least is keen in learning to ride on one. If your child shows keen interest, you will need to discern if he is physically ready to ride an ATV. He should be able to at least stand on the footpegs or the floorboards while straddling the seat on the ATV. Your child should be able to reach the control levers comfortably and also have the strength to operate them. After your child passes the physical requirements to ride an ATV, you will need to evaluate his ability to comprehend risk – is he able to recognize and reduce risks? True, you may not be able to get rid of all the risks involved with riding an ATV, but with detailed preparation and careful prevention, you will be able to reduce the risks significantly.

Once you have determined that your child is ready to ride on the ATV, you have to start teaching him from scratch. Remember, patience and good communication are 2 great keys to get your child to understand how the machine works. Explain to your child what he needs to do to get the machine going and stopping. Try to minimize your use of technical jargons that only an adult ATV rider understands. Don’t tell him to shift to a lower gear or a higher gear when you can actually just tell him to tap the shifter down with his toe. Do not try to rush your kid in learning how to operate an ATV – take it one step at a time. It is more important that he is able to learn how to ride the ATV safely first and this alone is a big step in learning.

Whenever your child is making progress – do praise him, but never compare him with other kids if the others are making a better progress than he is. You need to remember that every skill advances in its own pace and that you simply can’t rush your child. Never allow your kid’s frustrations upset you while you are coaching him – if you see that your kid is struggling, more often than not, it is best to just take a break. If he does not get it right the first time, try and try again. Bear in mind that each child is different and it is best to work within their individual limits and not push them ahead of their own pace. By pushing them too hard, they may lose interest in learning and give up altogether.

Even if your child have mastered the skill of riding an ATV, it is best that you be his eyes and ears while he is riding. It is difficult for a young rider to recognize everything that goes on around them, so if you sense or see danger, you will have to take action immediately. You should never allow your child to ride an ATV all by himself. One of the best ways for you to access his skills is to ride alongside with him – that way you can also stop and offer advise whenever it is needed and you will have more fun riding together that way too!

For more tips and ideas about learning to ride an ATV, check out some of the ATV websites’ forums and discussions boards, or better yet, if you have some tips about teaching your kid how to ride an ATV, you can always share your great ideas at www.jackel.com or www.kazumausa.com too!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com

There is no such thing as rubbing an ancient lamp and expect the genie living inside to squeeze out of the tiny lamp’s mouth and tell you the best places to go riding on your ATV. At this point of time, there isn’t a single book published on the best riding areas in the United States, so if you want to find out the places to go riding on your ATV, you will need to be resourceful.

One of the best places to start asking for information is with the ATV dealers or resellers. They are the ones with the most information on the best local trails to ride. In fact, some dealers or resellers have the information on popular local trails to ride, upcoming ATV races, or ATV riding events all posted up on their bulletin boards or on the forums of their websites. Websites like www.kazumausa.com or www.atvoutdoors.net are fantastic sites to visits – their forums are filled with many discussions and topics – from safety tips to finding the best ATV deals and yes, even “hotspots” to ride your ATV.

If you are not a member of any ATV clubs, it is high time you consider joining one – especially if you want to be updated with all the ATV happenings in your area. ATV club members are the best group of people with the “inside” secrets of the best trails to go. A word of caution though, many ATV club members are a little apprehensive about showing strangers their best riding areas because they don’t want some new rider going in and ruin the site. So if you really want to get on their good side, the best thing to do is to join them and be a member of their club!

You could also try getting information with Federal or state government agencies that manages the trail systems. They would be able to fill you in on what they have to offer and they usually have brochures detailing the locations of their trails and the rules and regulations. All you need to do is just give them a call and they should be able to provide you with the brochures. However, not all of such agencies exist in all the states in U.S., but the ones that do manage such trails are the ones with all the information that you will need and it is their job to provide you the information. Another great way to find out where you can go riding on your ATV is through recommendations from friends and family members, especially if they are seasoned riders.

Don’t get discouraged if you do not get much information on the places for ATV riding at the beginning of your quest, there’s the saying that goes “When there’s a will, there’s a way” – so keep searching, asking and never give up – you will be able to compile a list of exciting trails or places to ride if you would just “ride on”!

For more information about kids atvs and products relating to your needs feel free to contact Jackel Motorsports toll free at 1-888-529-8629 or on the web at http://www.jackel.com