OHV: Buy or Rent?

Buying or renting an OHV is very different from buying or renting an RV. Sources to rent Off Highway Vehicles are more limited as are your options when you get there. The lack of OHV rental stores may quickly make the decision for you. If you do have a place you can rent OHVs, it may be wise to try out some different vehicles before you decide to purchase one. Lacking a rental source, you may want to start out with an inexpensive used unit or find a friend who can loan you a vehicle for a weekend or two until you're sure you want to continue . New OHVs tend to be a little pricey, and, if you decide the OHV lifestyle isn't for you, you'll lose a chunk of change if you sell. Remember, the minute you take delivery of a new vehicle it becomes a used vehicle, even if all you do is take it home and put it in the garage and never ride it. If you have a used OHV that is truly unused or has very low hours/mileage, you might get a premium used price for it, but you'll still lose money.   On the other hand, you might find someone who has a low use pre-owned OHV that can save you a bundle of money.

One advantage I've found to buying used is that they often have after market extras that add little to the price but a lot to the performance and/or functionality.  Upgraded levers, sprockets, and chains usually are more durable than OEM components and often out perform them.  The addition of things like a steering stabilizer to a dirt bike are a real nice addition.  Steering stabilizers are quite expensive initially but usually don't add much to resale.

When buying a used OHV you need to inspect it carefully. The very nature of how OHVs are used exposes them to damage on the trail. Look for cracked or badly scratched plastic that may indicate the rider has abused the machine or at least bailed hard. Make sure the wheels aren't bent and the spokes are tight. Check the tires to makes sure they are serviceable, without sidewall cracks or missing knobbies. All controls should work smoothly. Grips should be in good condition. Lights, if any, should be working. Chains and sprockets should not show excessive wear or excessive slack. Aftermarket accessories and upgrades are a mixed bag. Sellers will often promote the value of after market add-ons, but do you really need them and want to pay for them? Some upgrades from stock may add value, but other after market replacements may just mean the owner didn't want to pay for OEM parts. Most after market upgrades add little to the "Blue Book" value of a used machine.  Expect normal wear and tear. Some scratched plastic is to be expected as is light damage to grips and tires. Loose spokes can be tightened, if you know what you're doing, but it may indicate a general lack of maintenance by the previous owner which could lead to premature failure of main parts. Check the level and condition of coolant and engine and transmission oil. Coolant should be clean and full. Black oil is OK, but be very wary if the oil level or coolant level is very low or the oil is gritty or cloudy or smells burnt. If there is oil in the coolant there are probably cracks or leaking seals in the engine or water pump. The engine should start fairly easily, keeping mind it may take some effort to kick-start large engines. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's or previous owner's recommendations for starting procedures. Too much or too little choke or throttle will make an engine hard to start. Once you have it started, the clutch should work smoothly and the vehicle should not try to creep when in gear and the clutch is pulled in. Brakes should work efficiently with no squealing or scraping sounds.   If you feel any pulsing in the brake lever or pedal the drums or rotors are probably out of round or warped and will need replacing.  You should not see or feel any wheel wobble when riding or rolling the vehicle. If you don't feel qualified to complete the inspection it would be a good investment to pay a competent OHV mechanic to check it out for you. A hundred bucks invested in a thorough inspection might save you $2500-3000 in engine repairs.  Many OHV owners take pride in their machines and take good care of them, but you may encounter an occasional rider who has abused the heck out his toys.  The only way to find out (unless you happen to have friends who know his riding and maintenance habits) is to get a thorough mechanical check up.  Some things to watch out for:  suspicious noises in the engine, transmission, or brakes, difficulty starting, leaks, excessive smoke in the exhaust, oil in the coolant, low compression (i.e., it kicks over too easy), and anything that feels loose or "squirrelly".

Bargain hunting. Just about everyone loves a good bargain. It is possible to find legitimate bargains on used OHVs if you know what to look for. A cheap price does not necessarily make a bargain. A higher price is not always out of line. You need to consider the value and the condition. Some OHVs may be priced cheap because there is something wrong with them or because they have seen extreme use that may lead to premature failure. Careful inspection by you and/or your mechanic is required to separate the bargains from the junk. Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances the contribute to legitimately low prices. A rider who has been injured (and not necessarily while riding the OHV you are looking at) may be looking for a quick sale. Illnesses in the family or employment issues may prompt a rider to unload toys he no longer as the time or money to use.  Listen to the seller's justification for the asking price (regardless of whether it is low or high). Pay attention to non-verbal signs that might indicate a less than truthful representation of the situation. If you hear conflicting or changing information, keep looking! There are plenty of good used OHVs out there to choose from.  There is no reason to get stuck with a lemon.

Happy hunting!