Parts of an ATV

The parts and components of an ATV are very specific. Yet they share in common many of the same characteristics of cars and motorcycles. The makeup of the vehicle is designed for extreme conditions and off-road use. ATVs are highly tuned performance machines with heavy duty design and years of development.

  1. Major ATV components

    • To understand the major components of an ATV, you must start with the main structure, and that is the frame. It is the core to which all other components tie back to. Frames are generally made of tubular steel. High-end performance sport ATVs sometimes have aluminum frames.

      Inside the frame is the the engine. Similar to a motorcycle, the engine is usually mounted in the center of the chassis, under the rider. In most cases ATV engines are single cylinder. In the cases of some large bore ATVs in the 800cc range, the engine is made up of twin cylinders. Things like EFI (electronic fuel injection) are the new modern standard. All new ATVs feature 4-stroke engines.

      Part of that engine is the transmission. This is where ATVs vary greatly within themselves. Utility or work ATVs, most often come with fully automatic transmissions controlled with a belt. Similar to a snowmobile, these transmissions only require the rider to push the throttle, the trans does the rest. Some ATVs now feature automotive style automatic transmissions that have gears controlled by electronics. Sport ATVs most often feature a motorcycle-style transmission with a manual clutch that the rider must control.

    Extended Components

    • Beyond the engine and transmissions, the ATV design is similar to other four-wheeled vehicles. The most obvious parts are the wheels, axles and suspension. Utility ATVs feature heavy duty suspension. In the front most modern ATVs feature double hung A-arms, with hubs and spindles, where the wheels bolt on.

      On the rear, sport model ATVs feature a single shock mounted to a solid rear axle and swing arm. Sport ATVs feature highly adjustable and complex suspension. Utility ATVs often feature IRS (Independent Rear Suspension), which has a rear set up similar to the front.

    Make it Go

    • As with other components, there are differences in what helps a given ATV put the power to the ground. Modern Utility ATVs are all about four-wheel drive. These machines feature CV (Constant Velocity) joints like cars in the front, and often have sealed shaft drives and differentials in the rear. Sport ATVs are simpler and traditional. For the most part, the power gets to the rear wheels via sprockets and chains. Sport ATVs are only rear-wheel drive.

      Getting that power to the ground are specifically designed tires. Utility ATVs feature radial design tires with large lugs. Sport ATVs feature a different type of tire, often radial, or bias ply carcass. In most cases those tires are mounted on light and strong aluminum rims. Some lower-end ATVs still offer the steel rims.

    The Cockpit

    • Once the rubber meets the dirt, ATVs set themselves apart from other four-wheel vehicles by the use of one simple component, handlebars. ATVs borrow from the motorcycle world again and use traditional steering stems connected through tie-rod ends, that rise up to handlebars. On those handlebars you have a lot of components starting with a thumb throttle and hand grips. There can be brake levers, clutch levers or both. Generally somewhere on or near the handlebars are ignition key slots and other things such as choke levers, electric start buttons, and other controls for lights, gears, reverse and warning lamps.

      While holding those handlebars, your rear end should be on a seat, and your feet should be on foot-pegs. Some utility ATVs feature floorboards instead of, or in addition to foot-pegs. While sport ATVs usually feature safety nets below the foot-pegs, known as nerfbars.

      The ATV usually features a gas tank in front of the seat. The tank is usually covered by the main visual part of the ATV, the plastic. ATV plastics will vary a great deal from type of ATV, to manufacturer. Utility ATVs feature large heavy plastics, designed to keep the rider dry and the other components clean. Sport ATVs feature smaller plastics, designed to be light and protect the rider from rocks and sticks but not necessarily mud and dirt. The engine and components are also highly visible on sport ATVs because of the smaller plastics. All ATV plastics are designed to be strong and durable.

    Different But the Same

    • Although ATVs can have many differences, the one thing they all have in common is that they are designed for their specific use. ATVs endure extreme temperatures, rocks, mud, water, flying debris, uneven terrain, towing, hauling, plowing and whatever else the rider might throw at them.