Summertime is here and folks are using their All Terrain Vehicles from fishing to camping and beyond.

They use the for camping trips,going to town for supplies,fishing and hunting among other numerous uses.

This is called off highway recreation for motorcycles and all terrain vehicles for four wheelers and three wheelers.

Rules have changed that regulate these vehicles as I will try to cover in this hub,so you can have a better understanding.

OHV usage has grown almost 20 fold in the last 20 some odd years and that has changed the laws substantially.Conflict has resulted from user groups,especially those who prefer to travel without an engine.This has created laws to accompany both aspects of back country travel.

One aspect of these laws was created because of the huge growth in the UTV,or Utility Terrain Vehicle.

The Utility Terrain Vehicle is wider then the ATV.It is over 50 inches wide and will not fit on the same trail as the ATV,thus it cuts a new path and ruins vegetation when ran on the same trails.These vehicles are referred to as Mules,because they can haul 2 to 4 passengers,plus a load of upward 500 pounds.The only exception to the UTV traveling on ATV trails is the Polaris Razor which conforms to the width standards.

So if you decide to drive on an ATV trail be ready to pay a fine upwards of $200.

There is absolutely no excuss for driving off roads nd trails,so if you see someone doing so report them to the authorities.

One other aspect of driving you off road vehicle is registering it for with your state,unless you are using it for agriculture only.

You will need an off road sticker to operate on State and Federal lands.and if you drive down the Highway you will need a regular license plate.

When you are out riding the trails remember to stay on the trail or road because going off the road causes serious damage to the soil and vegetation,and if caught you will be visiting the local judge.

Use common sense while riding on muddy trails,as you know throwing mud is fun but it also ruins the trails by cutting ruts in them.

Remember when you ruin a trail it will be closed until repaired or forever.If you notice when you go into the forest,there are alot of gates locked,mainly the reason behind this was destruction by off roaders not obeying rules.

Use trail smarts when you approach on coming traffiic such as horses.Pull over and shut your motor off. Do the same for hikers by slowing down and not throwing mud on them.

Remember you have to have a valid drivers license and insurance,plus children under the age of 18 must wear a helmet..

You may consider carrying a shovel and bucket during the fire season and if you wear a helmet you don't need a bucket.

Some insight when the ATV came about and made it's way to America.

The all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as three and four-wheelers, was initially developed in Japan as a farm-to-town vehicle in isolated, mountainous areas. During spring thaws and rainy seasons steep mountainous roads were often impassable with conventional vehicles. The three-wheeled ATV proved to be a much better mode of travel and soon became a recreational vehicle, providing transportation to areas inaccessible by other motorized transport. And, it wasn't long before the Japanese manufacturers realized that the ATV could be sold to Americans.
When the ATV first appeared in the United States in the early 1970's, it was promoted and sold as a recreational vehicle designed to provide "thrills" for the rider. This is still its primary use today. Shortly, however, sportsmen found that the ATV was a useful machine to move through areas not accessible with pick-up trucks, four-wheel drives, or other motorized vehicles. The ATV became popular as a hunting vehicle and was used to reach remote areas and to transport game back out.
 

 Just to clue you in on some prices for a new Polaris;

Polaris Boss is a 6 wheel vehicle called a 6x6 and costs $10,000.

Polaris RzR is a 4x4 and costs roughly $11,000

Polaris Sport 300 is a smaller ATV and will cost $5000.

Polaris Polaris Outlaw 450 will run you around $7400.

As you see these are not cheap by no means.

Prices on a Yamaha model;

Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI Automatic 4x4 with power steering is $9600.

Yamaha Grizzly 125 auto- 2 wheel drive is $3400.

Prices on Kawasaki Bayou is $3800.

Kawasaki Brute Force 650 with 4x4 drive $7300.

Kawasaki Brute Force 750 NRA is $9000

Kawasaki Mule 4010 Diesel 2 wheel drive $12000

Kawasaki Mule 4010 4x4 $12000

Kawasaki Mule 600 2 wheel drive $7000.

Honda ATV Utility.

Four trax ricon $8600

Four trax foreman Rubicon $7700.

Four trax Rancher $6000.

Four trax recon $3900.

Big Red Auto $11,400