First ATV -- Essential Gear?

[Weldor]

I came across this tool last year and it really works good for changing broken valve stems in your atv, so I decided to make a video of it.

Nice, gonna put one in my kit.

 

[Long Cut]

If you’re going several miles back, I’d opt for a SXS or small pickup truck/ SUV that’s kitted out.

ATV’s are great but they cannot store much and anything on it will get bounced around. Even with front & back racks, you can only hold so much gear. The more weight you add, the more maneuverability you lose. This will bite you on steep hills, intricate trails, sharp turns etc..

Winch, First Aid kit, Small tool pouch and a tire plug kit with a small portable pump to fill tires. Maybe a small portable battery jumper as well. Aside from that, I wouldn’t get too carried away.

My .02

 

[GunsAreFun]

Combo battery jumper air compressor and tire patch kit.

 

[paxamus]

Silky saw or hatchet and a lighter


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[jhm2023]

It's kind of trip dependent, but I have two Outlander 6x6's and can carry more oh shit stuff than a regular atv. For me, machines should be equipped with winches with synthetic line and all tires filled with either tireject or the Polaris version of it. In addition to that, I carry basic tools for general field repair, tree saver strap, winch line extension, two soft shackles, a rope retention pulley, Agawa saw, mid-sized axe, and machete for clearing paths as needed, spare belt, colby valves, basic plug / sidewall repair kit, and a tire inflator / jump pack (doubles as battery bank for headlamps and such). I also carry a spare for long trips.

 

[KChunter71]

It's kind of trip dependent, but I have two Outlander 6x6's and can carry more oh shit stuff than a regular atv. For me, machines should be equipped with winches with synthetic line and all tires filled with either tireject or the Polaris version of it. In addition to that, I carry basic tools for general field repair, tree saver strap, winch line extension, two soft shackles, a rope retention pulley, Agawa saw, mid-sized axe, and machete for clearing paths as needed, spare belt, colby valves, basic plug / sidewall repair kit, and a tire inflator / jump pack (doubles as battery bank for headlamps and such). I also carry a spare for long trips.

Great tips, thanks for sharing

 

[Davyalabama]

It's all in how you plan to use it, like JHM2023 stated in his post. Are you hunting, are you adventure trail riding, are you using it like a "normal" person, or someone that doesn't care if he makes it to work on Monday?

Are you going up steep hills, you definitely do not want anything on the back, you want the weight on the front of the machine.

Don't let young kids use grown-up machines!!!!!!!!!! There have been way too many kids seriously injured or killed here in Bama running grown up machines. I've known or known of close to 20 or so, myself. Parents think it's cool watching them run those big machines wide open. Then, the kids get on the machine while parents aren't home or aren't supervising, trees suddenly jump out in the middle of the trail or dirt road, cars get in the way, etc. Yeah, they make inexpensive 50cc, 90cc, or 150cc for them for a reason.

It looks cool loading a big bike in the back of a truck, until you have to do it in the rain, in the dark, mud all over the place. Yeah, buy the small trailer, learn to back it up using your mirrors. Learn the wiring and how to fix your lights. Buy a big enough trailer to maybe add a second atv for kids.

Lots of good info in the thread, very good guys.

A little about me, I've been running an ATV since the first days of "Big Red," and if you don't know Honda's "Big Red," do a google search on him and the injuries. I grew into a Kodiak Big Bear 350 (what an awesome machine in it's time and still today for hunting and chore work), then to a Can Am SXS.

 

[The Ri Guy]

Slime your tires first , saves headaches later.

Sorry for the ignorance -- what do you mean by slime your tires?

 

[PNWGATOR]

Sorry for the ignorance -- what do you mean by slime your tires?

No more flat tires!

Prevent and repair flat tires for up to two years with Slime's tire repair products. Slime offers the best tire sealant, inflators, repair accessories & more.

slime.com

 

[Davyalabama]

If you do use slime, please make sure you let the guys that change out those tires out know you've used it before they start work on them.

 

[Wprinkle]

Four wheeler= just a plug kit. But my side by side is like my lawnmower... for some reason it wont run unless I have a beer in my hand. Might be a factory defect but I make it work.......

 

[Davyalabama]

I'm with Wprinkle, just a plug kit and a battery or 12v air compressor. Not all 4wheelers come with a factory installed 12v, but it's easy to hook one up to the battery.

 

[flyfisher117]

Kind of depends where you're riding IMHO.

You can outfit and carry every gizmo and gadget known to man. All it does it hurt the ATVs performance and stability on trails. In some instances it can also make it harder for you to bail off if something goes wrong.

Every year I ride up on someone that has rolled off the edge of a trail. Their cargo bags/boxes have yard sale every piece of kit they have stuffed into them. Most of it is never needed.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Socket set and star kit
Air compressor, plugs and side wall patch. Kenetic rope.