At first glance, it’s easy to tell Utility and Sport ATV’s
apart, and many people will eliminate one class of these quads solely on
appearance. However, other than size,
there are some important differences between Utility and Sport quads that you
might want to take into consideration if you are looking for a new ATV, or the
next time you go riding.
If you’re looking to do some work, or take a quad deep into
uncharted wilderness, a Utility ATV with a winch is probably the best choice
for you. Although Utilities are perhaps
not as extreme as a Sport quad on level ground, Utility quads can crawl over or
through terrain and mud that would swallow a Sport quad alive. Although the additional size, weight, and low
end torque, not to mention the optional four wheel drive, give utility quads a
huge edge in dicey terrain, there are many other features that allow a Utility
get through the really rough stuff. Many
Utilities have a locking differential to climb out of deep mud holes and other
situations where traction is a problem.
The differential will either make all the wheels turn at the same speed
or shift torque to the wheels that aren’t slipping. Most Utility quads also have independent
suspension on all four wheels, allowing it to keep in contact with the ground
and keep you in control no matter where you’re at. In most utilities, the suspension is tuned to
give a soft and predictable ride that insulates riders from bumps in the
trail. These features draw many people
to Utility quads, especially if they plan on using it for hunting or work
around the farm. However, many people
overlook Sport quads, even though they may be more suited for their riding
style.
If you want to have the power and performance to simply pull
away from your buddies on the trail, or carve a corner like you never thought
possible, you should try a sport quad.
Sport quads are engineered for quick acceleration and bursts of
speed. Sport quads are designed to be run
hard for optimal performance, and can stand up to hours of high-speed
riding. The gearing is aggressive and the
suspension is stiff for digging into corners, which is one of the complaints
that many people have about Sport quads.
However, you can adjust the tension and range of your suspension to give
you a stiffer or softer ride, but if you soften the ride you will inevitably
get more body lean and less performance.
One factor not to be overlooked is the ease of getting a Sport ATV
airborne and landing it gracefully. Some
people can land jumps that put them over 100 feet in the air or do a back flip
with small and maneuverable Sport ATVs.
Although you may not feel up to flipping an ATV under any circumstances,
hitting jumps is a lot of fun once you get comfortable.
Utility quads were originally designed to be worked, but
recent years have seen Utilities get a lot sportier and more suited to
recreational riding. Sport quads are
also getting more user friendly, which gives them more appeal. Although each category of ATV has its
advantages and disadvantages, in 2006 Yamaha made a very successful attempt at
bridging the gap between Sport and Utility ATV with their 450 Wolverine, which
combines the best features of both classes of ATVs. It is a light ATV with sport-like handling,
but it has four-wheel drive and is balanced for high speed performance, but has
the comfort and low-end power for rough terrain.
Essentially, Utility and Sport quads have different angles
on how to have fun off-road. Sport bikes
are designed for all-out speed and handling, while utilities seem like a
Cadillac in comparison-they’re bigger, heavier, slower, but much more
comfortable to ride. The type of ATV
that is best for you will depend on your riding style, and how far you want to
push you quad and what kind of obstacles you want to use to test the limits of
your quad. However, with the popularity
of Yahama’s Wolverine, you can expect to see several crossover ATV’s in the
next couple years.
