Motorcycle Gear & Information

Yes, you can!  There is nothing more frustrating than cruising the back country and experiencing a flat on your ATV or UTV.  Been there?  Done that?  It’s no fun, is it?!  But now there’s a way to continue to ride despite flat tires without damaging the tire or wheel.  Pictured to the right is a Flat Tire Defender Insert – a dense foam material, made to go inside your ATV and UTV tires to prevent damaging the tire and wheel as you continue to ride after getting a flat.  This allows you to get back to the truck and repair or replace the tire with the convenience of your tools.

Applications vary based upon the size of your machine and tires, but the manufacturer of the Flat Tire Defender says on ATVs, they will carry the weight on the tire sidewall even with a flat.  And that the tire will stay on the bead if the inserts are installed.

Jason Dunkelberger finished the 2010 ITP/Yamaha Quadcross season as the Open Pro champ.  And he rode to the top spot with four overall victories in nine events on his Yamaha YFZ450R with  Quadcross MX tires. Congratulations, Dunk, and we’re looking forward to 2011 and all that you bring to the sport!

Nothing ruins your fun like a flat tire, and off-road riding, hill climbing, desert trips make your ATV prone to flats.  But the best and easiest repair is a CO2 kit.  Keep one handy at all times, and you’ll be back on the trail in no time.  The CO2 kit will repair little holes in ATV tires, small punctures, and will even re-inflate the tire with air.  Something larger will require a bigger fix, but these CO2 kits will save you from missing out on the fun if you get a simple flat.

The kits come with a T-handle, plugs, a reamer and CO2 cartridges.  The larger the tire, the more CO2 cartridges you will need.  After determining the location and size of the puncture, and determining that a CO2 kit will suffice, you first clean the edge of the hole by pushing the reamer in and out of the hole repeatedly.  You need a clean, dry, debris-free surface for the plug to adhere to the tire.  Next you load a plug into the T-handle, push the handle into the hole and pull it back out.  It’s important to make sure that there are equal lengths of the plug extending from both ends of the tool.  And you might also need to hold the plug inside the hole with your hands as you pull the tool out.

Snip off the plug which is on the outside of the tire, leaving about 1/2 inch of the plug, and burn it with a match or a lighter.  The plug will flatten and fill in the hole, forming a solid seal.  Too much plug hanging out might cause a second flat, so be sure to trim it within one-half inch.  The last step is to use the CO2 cartridge to fill the tire with air.  Happy trails!

While Dunlop has been making tires since 1888, the addition of the Quadmax brand is sure to increase Dunlop’s popularity with ATV riders.  The Quadmax was developed primarily for improved handling in harsh conditions and better traction in mud.  This aggressive tread pattern has a larger footprint compared to other tires and a flatter profile, both resulting in better performance.

The Quadmax was designed with a rigid case angle to ensure a flatter profile and better road contact while cornering.  The larger footprint results in increased traction regardless of the conditions.  And all of this improvement, while still making the tire nearly 2 pounds lighter than competitors’ tires.  For the best in mud-gripping traction, check out Dunlop’s new Quadmax ATV tires.

You can buy a variety of all terrain vehicle accessories online. You just have to get online and find your favorite brands and start clicking away. You want to make sure that when you go out riding on your ATV, you have the complete gear. And you want to get the best products to clean up your vehicle.

You want to be comfortable on your ATV so you can get rubber bottom padded seat bags for all those bumpy rides. Putting the proper ATV tires on your vehicle will also help minimize instability. Your hands need to be protected too, so you will need gloves when out riding. You will also find bags that will fit your ATV and you can even bring along your pet in a carrier. If you will be out on longer trips, you can get a gas can carrier so you won’t run out of gas in the middle of your fun. There are so many more accessories you can choose from so go ahead and start searching.

Your use of an ATV should govern the ATV tires you purchase.  For street use, or use around the farm or ranch that doesn’t include back-country trips or trail riding, you can use tires that are designed for street use.  If, however, you use your ATV for racing, then you need to use racing tires.  Similarly, if your ATV use is primarily off-road riding, trail riding and exploring the back country, you will need a heavy-duty, knobby tire that will withstand the contact made with rocks, trees, stumps and other hazards.

Tire manufacturers make a range of tires, in every style, to fit any budget.  And if you stick with a reputable tire maker, like Avon, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Kenda or Maxxis, then you can trust the product you purchase.  As with all ATV accessories, tires are an investment.  With a little research, some comparison shopping and good decision making, you can make a wise investment.