When ATV vehicles are driven in mountainous off-road areas, they fly in the air after their tires roll over hills that are scattered on the terrain. As an ATV lands on the ground, the suspension system absorbs most of the impact. If a vehicle doesn’t have efficient suspension hardware, a driver will feel tension after the tires smash on the ground. If you want to enjoy off-road adventures without experiencing suspension problems, you’ll need to understand how to buy a proper shock absorber for your ATV.
What is an ATV Shock Absorber
A shock absorber is a vital component that manages how suspension pieces and springs operate when an ATV jumps and lands on rough terrain. Shock absorbers are very important during stunts because they influence traction levels and handling by keeping the tires on an ATV on the ground as the treads roll over various off-road surfaces. Without proper shocks, you won’t be able to steer your ATV efficiently and safely because the tires won’t grip the terrain effectively following each landing.
Shock absorber hardware produces traction and boosts safety by generating kinetic energy. As an ATV travels on different terrain, this energy is converted into thermal energy. This energy source generates heat before it’s dissipated into an environment by traveling throughout various suspension system mechanisms. Shocks play an important role during this process since they’re oil pumps. While a suspension system reduces an impact, a shock absorber protects the hardware by using hydraulic fluid to generate pressure in a tube.
ATV Vehicle Shopping Considerations
If you’re only going to ride on an ATV unit for a season, consider buying a used ATV. Most used units have a reliable suspension system with shocks that can handle low and high jumps. However, to experience soft landings throughout a season while riding a used ATV, you may need to upgrade the shocks. If you need help selecting a proper shock for your ATV, simply review the owner’s manual. Most ATV manufacturers include information about specific suspension parts in the maintenance section of an owner’s manual.
To land stunts throughout multiple seasons without experiencing engine problems that can impact a suspension system, you’ll need to buy a new ATV. Many businesses that stock ATV vehicles sell products for around $8,000.
Shock Absorber Protection Strategies
Because shock absorbers work hard throughout driving routines and stunts, you must implement proper steps to protect the hardware. The easiest way to prevent severe damage is by getting an inspection on a regular basis. Professional technicians are very efficient during suspension inspection routines, as they examine springs, coils, tires, and other parts that influence the intensity of a landing. Following inspections, you’ll need to operate your ATV properly to avoid obstacles that could damage or destroy the suspension hardware. This means that you should always avoid jumps around solid structures that could crush the housing on your shock absorber.