What do I need to know about driving a quad on the road?
Discussion
Yes I know it's considered chavvy.
I know people say they're loud, drink fuel, horrible to ride etc
So far I'm aware I can drive one on a car licence. I've never used a motorbike of any kind so would it be wise to at least do a CBT first so I can have a go with foot for gears, hand for clutch?
Insurance, it's going to be cheaper than my car but how bad is it? I have a decent post code and can garage it.
Fuel, I'm happy with 30mpg from my car, low 20s if I cane it. Looking at probably a 250 quad so what can I expect?
Noise, are they really that bad? Can a quiet one not be found?
Tax, how much is it, for say a 250?
Finally, how easy are they to repair, get spares for etc and how reliable are they? I know this seems rather general like asking how reliable cars are but are there more reliable makes than others? Ones to go for or avoid?
I know people say they're loud, drink fuel, horrible to ride etc
So far I'm aware I can drive one on a car licence. I've never used a motorbike of any kind so would it be wise to at least do a CBT first so I can have a go with foot for gears, hand for clutch?
Insurance, it's going to be cheaper than my car but how bad is it? I have a decent post code and can garage it.
Fuel, I'm happy with 30mpg from my car, low 20s if I cane it. Looking at probably a 250 quad so what can I expect?
Noise, are they really that bad? Can a quiet one not be found?
Tax, how much is it, for say a 250?
Finally, how easy are they to repair, get spares for etc and how reliable are they? I know this seems rather general like asking how reliable cars are but are there more reliable makes than others? Ones to go for or avoid?
Herman Toothrot said:
If you glance at the who rides a motorbike thread you'll read that quads are vastly more dangerous statistically on the road than motorbikes - no ones disputed that either so I presume its true. In that case don't mess about with a quad just get a bike 
And they don't handle right...doogz said:
What sort of quad are you looking at?
Something like a quadzilla 250e seems to be what I'd want but as said I really don't have much of an idea on makes/models.doogz said:
You don't need a bike licence, or any sort of protective clothing whatsoever, but tbh, you'd be f
king mental to not wear a lid if you're going to ride about at speed.
Protective gear is one thing I will definitely wear, whether I need to or not.king mental to not wear a lid if you're going to ride about at speed.doogz said:
Mine is a total death trap on paved surfaces, that's not really what it was built for, the suspension, tyres, and drive/diff set up, mean it'll try and launch you off the side at every opportunity.
Is yours agricultural or not? Will a quad specific for road use handle better?
Racing quads have no rear diff, so will either understeer or oversteer in a highly unpredictable manner.
Agricultural quads have their uses, but are heavy and hard work on the road.
Bikes are a MUCH better bet, and the weight transfer, brakes and engines are going to be far more capable on the road than any quad. Plus, you won't get tipped off them or squashed by them.
I just can't see the appeal at all.
Agricultural quads have their uses, but are heavy and hard work on the road.
Bikes are a MUCH better bet, and the weight transfer, brakes and engines are going to be far more capable on the road than any quad. Plus, you won't get tipped off them or squashed by them.
I just can't see the appeal at all.
Unfortunately Quads are inherently unstable vehicles. It is very easy to overcook the Quads in corners and at speed. With deadly consequences. I really think motorcycles are inherently more stable than Quads and significantly less dangerous. And as any driver knows bikes are tricky and very exposed to other peoples mistakes.
I ride neither now because I do not have the reactions or strength essential to riding both safely. There is such a huge margin of safety in cars that the risks are not worth taking IMO.
I would strongly advise reconsideration of a quad on the road. What about a smart cabriolet or similar machine? Individual, much safer and unlikely to kill you. If you severely injure yourself or worse, which is probable, sadly, would it be worth the damage?
Not to me, a cab Smart car would be a much safer less exposed fun vehicle.
I ride neither now because I do not have the reactions or strength essential to riding both safely. There is such a huge margin of safety in cars that the risks are not worth taking IMO.
I would strongly advise reconsideration of a quad on the road. What about a smart cabriolet or similar machine? Individual, much safer and unlikely to kill you. If you severely injure yourself or worse, which is probable, sadly, would it be worth the damage?
Not to me, a cab Smart car would be a much safer less exposed fun vehicle.
I have been running a Kymco KXR 250 on the road for a couple of years now and never had as much as a close call, commuting 7 miles to work daily. Absolutely awesome for a bit of tail out fun on wet roundabouts etc.
I dont think a helmet is required in uk by law but it is definitely a good idea
Where I live in Germany they are VERY common too.
doogz said:
Sloooooooooow. Looks like chain drive with a fixed rear axle. I really wouldn't want to ride something like that on the road. You will have an off.
Mine is only a 250 too, with chain drive/fixed axle and it will still happily sit at 105kph which is fast enough for where I use it.I also find 2wd quads much easier and more forgiving to drive on the road than my old agricultural ones (kawasaki klf400 and honda Big Red 350)
doogz said:
Now that a suitable amount of quad bashing has occurred, i'm going to point out, they can be immensely fun, as well as being stupidly dangerous.
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/Doogzz/?acti...
This was shortly before my dumb-ass mate, who refused to put on a helmet of any sort, stuck it onto the soft stuff sideways, and rolled it, with it landing on top of him. He somehow climbed out from underneath my upturned quad without so much as a scratch on him, and the quad was totally fine as well.
Dangerous. But lots and lots of fun, in the right conditions.
Oh yep, spent 2 days hammering quads round grass tracks and all over a snowy mountain. I had great fun, in all fairness I didn't have any trouble and found they went exactly where I pointed them - but I was hanging off them more than I do on my motorbike, if you didn't hang off them they steered about as well as a hovercraft.http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/Doogzz/?acti...
This was shortly before my dumb-ass mate, who refused to put on a helmet of any sort, stuck it onto the soft stuff sideways, and rolled it, with it landing on top of him. He somehow climbed out from underneath my upturned quad without so much as a scratch on him, and the quad was totally fine as well.
Dangerous. But lots and lots of fun, in the right conditions.
I'd not want a hovercraft on the road either.
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