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.