Whether you call them quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles or buggies, these four-wheeled machines are undeniably fun to ride. That’s why we’ve put together a guide looking at some of the best four-wheeled wonders available to buy right now.
What licence do I need to ride a quad bike?
You will need a full driving licence to legally ride a quad bike on UK roads. It’ll need to be an approved vehicle, as well as fully registered, taxed and have an MOT. It will also need to be one of the quad bikes that meets safety standards and has been approved for road use. You could still use a non-approved vehicle that meets safety standards, but you would need to apply for type approval for it from the DVLA first. Most non-approved quads can be adapted by dealers.
Riding a quad is pretty physically demanding, so you should make sure you’re not riding something too powerful for you to handle. Quads are generally intended as off-road vehicles, so you should also ensure you have the right tyres if you are planning on using one on the road, and while it’s not a legal requirement to wear a helmet, you should.
Don’t let those four wheels fool you, quad bikes are very easy to flip or roll if you lose control even for a split second. Even if you’re an experienced and confident driver of cars or bikes you should take it easy on a quad while you’re starting out, because it will behave in a different way to other vehicles you have used. Becoming familiar with how it accelerates, how it brakes, and how it handles is vital.
Suzuki KingQuad
Suzuki’s KingQuads are designed as versatile off-road utility vehicles. With a design that looks like a motorcycle fused with a tiny car, they’re perfect for farm work. Featuring four-wheel drive and independent front and rear suspension, they’re powerful enough to tow a decent amount of cargo.
Their large wheelbase does mean they’re not particularly well suited for use on the kind of bendy roads you get in most cities, but if you’re mainly travelling about in the countryside, then this is basically the quad bike equivalent of an SUV.
Yamaha Wolverine
If you want to get wacky, then the Wolverine is probably one of the very silliest ATVs you can get. It’s got a rollcage and space for up to three passengers, so you could try and argue that it’s technically more practical than a standard quad bike. But you could buy a whole fleet of motorcycles or a couple of cars for the same price, so you have to be really committed to the cause, or live on top of a mountain, for it to be a sensible choice as a road vehicle.
It’s also a vehicle that needs to be adapted to make it road legal, but it’s easy enough with a number of options available.
Honda Fourtrax
The Fourtrax is Honda’s entry level ATV, with a 420cc engine that makes it more beginner friendly than some of the others on this list. It’s certainly not as powerful or as fully featured as Honda’s Foreman, but this makes it more sensible if you’re planning on using it for on-road use rather than off.
Kymco MXU
Kymco offers a pretty comprehensive selection of quads and ATVs. MXU quads come in a range of engine capacities: 150, 300, 465, 550 and 700cc. These are far more suited to leisure use than the previous quads on this list as the maximum towing capacity even on the 700cc is a relatively slight 150kg. But they excel at light off-roading and general road travel, and are an ideal choice of first quad if you want to see if it’s right for you, without breaking the bank.
Can-Am Outlander
Can-Am mainly specialise in slightly goofy looking, but incredibly powerful and practical side by side buggies. Their small but perfectly formed range of quad bikes includes the Outlander, which can be customised for recreational or work purposes. If you need maximum power the 1000cc version features an even more comprehensive choice of options.
CFMOTO Cforce
CFMOTO are one of the heavy hitters of the quad world, but not necessarily a name familiar to motorcyclists. Their Cforce range covers pretty much every level of power you could reasonably want out of an all-terrain vehicle, and is available with a range of different specifications and options including models with an extra seat for a passenger if required.
Polaris
Another quad specialist, Polaris, offer versions of their ATV’s specced out for utility, sports and touring in an array of power variations too. They’re a solid choice if you need something that can get through tough off-road situations, but they’ll also look pretty good on the road home afterwards.
Eco Rider Explorer
Eco Rider make a range of electric quads, and as something to get you about on a daily basis they make an economical choice. They’re not the most fully featured of machines, and while they have a very basic control panel, it gets the job done.
Where can I get quad bike insurance?
No matter which quad bike or ATV you choose to buy, you need to get it insured. That’s where Bikesure can help. For on-road riders and further peace of mind off-road, Bikesure’s specialist quad bike insurance can help you find cheap insurance, whatever your personal needs.
We treat all our customers as individuals, and as such will make sure to give you a competitive insurance quote that won’t compromise on quality. Give us a call on 0808 588 1880 or book a callback at a time that suits you.
