Road legal quads

[Cal]

Hi,

Has anyone got any info or links to good websites regarding road legal quads - just trying to figure out if one would be a realistic alternative as a daily runabout to a motorbike. Particularly interested in mpg and ease of maintenance and would prob prefer a utility style to a racing style. Just my ongoing search for what to get next - was thinking of a motorbike and a 4x4 as a way of lightening the impact of fuel prices.

Thanks.

Cal

[vtrdaz]

Quad or motorbike? - go motorbike if you have the licence - quads corner horrifically on road and you end up having to hang off the side of it just to stop it flipping over in normal road speed corners.
When i tried one out , i didn't think it was safe at all on the road - after all they are meant for plodding round fields rather than speeding around on normal roads.

Try both out though and see which you prefer.

Darren

[edy]

i agree there trerrible at taking corners on the road. itsquite an experience though.

[xmob]

Quads corner fine as long as you know the technique.  Many bike riders struggle with them because they expect to lean into a corner as you would when on 2 wheels.  A quad with a rear diff will be no different to a car.

I've only recently sold my road legal quad, and have been regretting it ever since.  It took just over a fiver to fill the tank and I could make that last for days, depending on usage.  They're not so much fun on trips in the winter though.

Take a look at www.quadheaven.co.uk.  They are a friendly bunch.  I like to think of QH as the MC of the quad world.   :lol:

[Cal]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've mainly been considering going for a motorbike but would have to take the tests etc and have never really ridden one before. That's partly what made me think of a quad - no different license needed and in theory perhaps a bit safer than a motorbike as bigger and more visible.

My daily journey is 20 miles each way down mainly country A roads so I don't know what that would be like on a quad, but I could also do a bit of greenlaning on a quad, not necessarily on a bike depending on what I go for.

I'm not after a sports bike if I get a motorbike - am looking for a cheap mode of transport that I can learn to maintain myself. I guess a motorbike would be more versatile in the long run as I could use it on motorway journeys as well - am guessing that would not be fun on a quad! (but then the general idea will be to save enough money on fuel during the week on the bike/quad to be able to afford to run a 4x4 of some sort).

Thanks again for you thoughts and thanks for the link xmob.

[HiFonics]

If you are planning to do that kind of journey daily you want a decent quad. Most of the quads you see around today are Chinese made tat and are not built to last and parts availablity can be questionable.

You really need to do your research on quads as you need to look at how the drivetrain works. A lot of the utility quads dont have diffs on the axles which makes them horrible to corner on tarmac.

How the quad is registered also makes a difference. You can register a quad as PLG or agricultural. For the distances you are travelling I think PLG is the only option open for you so you will need tax, mot and insurance just like a car.

[Cal]

Thanks HiFonics - what kind of brands have you got in mind?

[HiFonics]

You really need to be looking at the big Jap bike manufacturers like Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda. Quadzilla and Polaris could also be a possibility but I am not that familiar with them. My personal preference is Honda as they tend to last for ever, even with mistreatment.

[SEDDEY]

I was at the local bike meeting at the weekend and someone came in on a quad he had built. Fine, we're all into building!

This was made from a GSX-R! I don't think that would go round corners as well as it goes in a straight line, even if you know the technique!   :-k

[Cal]

Any idea on mpg most quads can get?

Thanks

[Boggert]

I've just ken my bike test for the same reason I wanted cheap transport... From CBT to bike test was £450 + £30 for hazard perception.

The thing is I can pick up a good quality second hand 500CC bike for £2K and a new one for £3100. I would go for the bike, however its easy to say now I passed my test!

I'm currently running a 125 cc, cost me £800 to buy, £15 to tax and I get 120 mpg, you can do that after doing a 1 day CBT course for £100 and that will last you 2 years.

[Cal]

Thanks for the info Boggert - and congrats on passing your test - ride safe!

Have been chatting with a couple of mates who ride bikes and I'm pretty sure I will go for one - just looking into some companies down my way to do the direct access course.

[SEDDEY]

Quads look fun and they have there place. They have helped disabled riders onto the road either for the first time or after an accident.

But as a mode of transport instead of a car I can't see how they work. You have the worst of all situations. Stuck in traffic and out in the weather!

If you want to go the cheap transport route then have a look at the bigger scooters out there. A 125 scooter can fair shift and does give some degree of weather protection. I have bikes and I would really think about one of those for the work run.

Also, a bucket of water at it once a week and it's clean!!