ATVs have become very popular for both transportation and recreational purpose alike. One of the main reasons is their comparatively low weight. A typical ATV weighs no more than 320 kilograms, which compares favorably even with a small car weighing four times more than that, at least.
You might not care about the total weight of your bike if you use it to tow heavy loads on construction sites or in the agricultural fields. All you do in those cases is increase the vehicle’s storage capacity, and obtaining a decent ATV front storage box may be enough for the purpose.
However, if you intend to drive your quad bike in a motor racing competition or enjoy a thrilling ride in the country, you might want to think of decreasing your ATV’s total weight as much as possible. That way, your bike will move faster and be easier to drive on sharp bends. This article provides a few simple suggestions on how to considerably reduce the weight of your bike for a more exciting and safe driving experience.
1. Replacing the Wheels and the Exhaust Pipe
The stock wheels and exhaust pipes that most all-terrain vehicles come with are pretty heavy and completely unnecessary for most recreational and racing purposes. You will make your bike much lighter and easier to operate if you replace them with ones. You can find plenty of them on the internet, produced specifically for off-road racing by the most reputable brands in the industry.
2. Changing the Batteries
Typically, ATVs come with lead-acid batteries, which are a hassle to maintain in good working condition, require regular replacement, and are inferior in performance to lithium batteries. These are more efficient and easier to take care of, and they also last a lot longer. And unlike the lithium batteries, the lead-acid ones have liquid in them, making them unnecessarily heavy for racing purposes.
3. Uninstalling the Brakes
Another unnecessary feature for motor racing purposes is the parking brakes, which are part of the standard equipment of all ATVs. If you only intend to use your bike for joyrides, get rid of these brakes, and you will not lose much, gaining in the vehicle’s mobility instead.
4. Replacing the Dampers
Unlike coil-over suspension devices installed in typical ATVs, pneumatic shock absorbers are pretty light and provide superior suspension. Install them instead, and you will feel the vehicle much better on the road. Besides, pneumatic dampers are a lot more adjustable, and you can change their settings for the most efficient and comfortable ride on any road.
5. Removing the Storage Box
What makes an ATV front cargo box convenient is that you can install and uninstall it at your convenience. Now, the chances are you will not need a lot of stuff during the race, so why not make your quad bike even lighter by removing the box for the time being? You can leave it at the camping site and pack all you need for the ride in the stock seat instead.
Final Word
These are just a few ways to decrease your ATV’s weight. However, make sure you do not sacrifice its ultimate quality in the process of making it even lighter.