The call was from Justin Dawes, the ATV communications guru for Kawasaki. It seems he and fellow adventurous motorhead Jon Rall, also of Kawasaki, had a trick up their sleeve. They had caught the scent of a unique riding destination in west-central Pennsylvania called the Mines & Meadows Resort and thought it would be an excellent destination in which they could feature the capabilities of the company’s Brute Force 750 4×4.

Frankly, the 54 miles of above-ground trails are reason enough to visit the Mines & Meadows Resort, as the varied terrain, featuring hillclimbs, rock crawls and mud pits, provides challenges for seasoned riders but other easy trails with gentle, sweeping turns let anybody come and give it a shot.

The underground limestone mine, however, raises this riding destination to the next level. How many places can you go where you get great trails, plus a chance to ride 200 feet underground in complete blackness, and drive through an underground lake?
The answer, as best we can tell, is one – and that one place is Mines & Meadows.

Putting It Together

Upon meeting Bob Svihra, the brainchild and moneyman behind Mines & Meadows, it’s sometimes a wonder this guy can make it through tying his shoes in the morning without getting distracted by an idea that’s rolling through his head. When he talks, one sentence hardly gets finished before the next comes tumbling out of his mouth, and he seems less likely to stay on the original topic than to bounce to something else he wants to say.

He’s not scatterbrained, however. Svihra has been very successful, having started and run businesses involved in disparate fields like medical waste removal, shoulder and knee harness manufacturing, creating a process to remove materials from compact discs and DVDs and as an investor in a variety of things, including the local BeaveRun motorsports complex located a couple miles down the road from Mines & Meadows. So Svihra’s definitely a person who has proven he can follow through on a concept, but while he’s doing that, a dozen other ideas are also pulsing through his gray matter.

“One business supports the next one that I do, and then that supports the next one that I do … . I’m a good builder but a lousy maintainer – so when I do something like this, I throw it over my shoulder and let somebody else take care of it once it’s up and running,” Svihra said with a laugh.

Mines & Meadows is one of his latest start-ups. Some friends took Svihra on an ATV ride through some private property about seven years ago. The trail riding was interesting, but then his friends took him boondocking into an abandoned limestone mine.
“When they took me into the mine, being an entrepreneur, I put two and two together and said, ‘This would be a great ATV riding place.’ So that’s what I tried doing,” Svihra explained.

Svihra invested $2 million in the park, initially purchasing more than 400 acres of land around the mine and leasing part of the mine from the Grinnen family, which bought the mine in 2004 and formed the Underland Development Corporation. The riding park has now grown to more than 600 acres above ground, with 54 miles of trails that twist through interesting and varied terrain. Another 14 acres is found underground in the limestone mine, providing a unique experience for visitors.

Underground:

The Mine

After a brief trail ride through some April showers, our Kawasaki-mounted party made its way to the mouth of the mine. The doorway looked to be about 5 feet wide and 7 feet tall, with wood sign reading “Mine Entrance – Guided Tours Only” hanging above the door. The doorway was lined on the top and sides by wooden beams similar to railroad ties, and from the outside it looked like we were entering a bear’s den.

We watched other machines disappear into the darkness, then took a deep breath and ventured through the narrow gateway. The bright light outside was quickly replaced by darkness – our eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden change in ambient light. Luckily the headlights from the Brute Force illuminated a narrow path in front of us as we plodded forward.

The initial staging room does feature just a tiny bit of light, thanks to whatever brightness sneaks through the doorway, but it’s still dark. The room we entered was about the size of a high school gymnasium, except with a relatively low ceiling.

Once our group was inside and some photos were taken, we followed our leader deeper inside. We could see only as far as our headlights would stretch, and only in the direction of those lights. Want to get a close look at the rocky walls? Better turn your machine in that direction, because that’s the only way you’re going to see them.

The mine itself was created in the 1800s, as mining crews using the relatively crude tools available at the time burrowed through a tall hill to capture the natural strip of limestone found there. For more than 60 years, limestone was pulled from the mine and used in local cement manufacturing until the mine closed in 1958. When digging out the limestone, crews had to leave sections of stone untouched every 35 feet so the ceiling wouldn’t collapse – in essence, leaving irregularly shaped pillars of support.

What’s left is a sort of drive-thru, underground beehive. As we followed our leader deeper into the mine, our main path snaked through the darkness, and on each side of us there would be a “pillar,” then what looked like a secret room or passageway leading farther into the darkness. We weaved our Brute Force 750 back and forth to throw some light into these side areas. Some were shallow, some were deep, and in some cases there would be a room behind the room, again, with pillars separating the spaces every 35 feet.

The ceiling hung about 15 feet from the floor in most places, though occasionally we’d drive through a “keyhole” or other area that wasn’t dug out quite as much, and we’d have to duck our heads as our ATV climbed over rock to make it through to the next room.

The pure darkness is the first thing that grabs your attention – it’s eerie, especially when everybody turns off their headlights and it is absolute darkness. Your eyes try to adjust to the changing light conditions, but in truth they’ll never catch up – without even a sliver of light coming in from anywhere, you are completely blinded. Luckily the Kawis sprung back to life and we were off again.

Also notable is a musty, cool dampness. The mine stays at 55 degrees year-round, and the humidity hovers at about 80 percent. It made it a perfect place for a mushroom (yes, LEGAL mushrooms!) growing operation that filled this particular mine in the 1970s and ’80s. Crews of up to 45 people worked around the clock like moles in this cave, ensuring proper garnish for pizzas, salads and the like.

The grade is mostly flat in the mine – you’re actually not going downhill into the earth, instead the earth rises 200 feet in the form of a hill while riders go through.

Eventually, we came to a 3-acre underground “lake.” The word lake is in quotes because the water here is merely trapped by a dam on the far end of the mine. Still, it’s an interesting sight, and fun to drive through.

The mine was left abandoned beginning in the mid ’80s and became a hangout for local explorers and party hounds until the Grinnen family purchased the land.

“We wanted to develop it and possibly get into record storage and storage of vehicles, boats, motorhomes and campers,” explained Steve Grinnen. “Also, our main goal right now is a winery. This is the perfect temperature for storing wine, and the humidity can be controlled very easily. There’s a lot of square footage in here.”

In all, leisurely tours through the mine take about an hour. There’s no extra charge for the mine tour – it comes with the price of admission, but the only way in and out is with a guide.

Above Ground:

Trails Everywhere!

The mine is awesome, but we’d be interested in riding at Mines & Meadows even without it.

The facility has more than 50 miles of trails that twist through the wooded and rolling landscape. A color-coded map illustrated the spiderweb of trails, with easy yellow and green trails running around the perimeter and down the center of the trail system, and then a hodge-podge of blue and black trails demarking the greater areas of challenge.

Out on the Brute Force, we found the system to be relatively easy to understand, as trails were marked by number and color, and direction signs pointed the way back to the main staging area.

Best yet, many of the trails are one-way in nature, making it unlikely you’d ever meet somebody in a corner and really easy to find your way back to your tow vehicle, as all trails eventually lead to other trails that will take you back.

Knowing they had some experienced riders with them, our guides took us to the toughest stuff the park could muster. The challenges were fun, but in the end, the rock scramble, powerline hill climb and mudbog were ideal habitat for the Brute Force 750.

The Mines & Meadows Resort near Wampum, Pennsylvania, is open all year, except for two weeks in late November/early December for Pennsylvania’s deer hunting season. A day pass is $25, and that includes a mine tour.

Since too much abrasion can damage or weaken your synthetic winch cable, protect your rope from rubbing against sharp objects or edges. If the winch rope angles over a rock, prevent the rope from chafing with a protective sleeve or heavy blanket. Use a tree strap when anchoring to trees or other objects or when dragging logs or brush. Be aware of any points where the rope may contact sharp edges on your vehicle, such as in off angle pulls, and provide extra protection from chafing where needed.

Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your winch rope. Periodically check the rope for damage or wear. Also, it’s just as important to check the fairlead for damage, as a roughed-up fairlead can easily damage your rope. Never combine a synthetic rope with a fairlead that has sharp edges, such as a fairlead worn down by steel cable. An aluminum hawse fairlead is highly recommended for use with synthetic winch cable, since the aluminum hawse has no sharp edges and resists damage more easily than a roller fairlead.

Keeping your synthetic winch cable clean and dry will also increase the life of your synthetic rope. A wet and muddy winch rope that is left on the winch drum could make your rope susceptible to rot. To clean your rope after a muddy ride, spool out the line, rinse it with a hose, and let it dry completely before respooling.

Copyright 2009 Gorilla Winches. Get a limited lifetime warranty and FREE SHIPPING on all Gorilla XTR Series Synthetic Winches and all BlueSteel Synthetic Winch Rope at GorillaWinches.com.

Learn more about synthetic winch rope at the Gorilla Winch Blog.

Reprint Rights: Feel free to reprint this article, provided that the article is published in its entirety as written and includes the copyright section, author bio, and active URL links.

Among the features that you should not fail to check is its heavy duty wheels so that you will have something that can endure both on and off road tracks. In case you are not very sure about the product to give your youngster, it would be safe to go with something that is selling like pancakes in the market, and don’t fail to ask the store owner about the specific kind of mini quad ATV that you can get.

Furthermore, when buying, you need to consider the space where you intend to keep the mini quad ATV for you to be able to pick the right dimension. This factor is a necessity particularly if your family loves to hike or stroll for a nature trip. For sure, you will be able to get the one in the right dimension and specification that you prefer, with lots of manufacturers of ATV as of these days.

For your kid’s enjoyment, might as well check the design of the ATV in order to get something that will match his or her personality. Some ATV come with famous cartoon character in their design so they are best to fit your kid’s taste.

The skill of the rider should be taken into account as well. Is your kid just starting how to ride the ATV? Novice riders do not like getting those with powerful rides like the newer version of these bikes are available with. On the other hand, there are some kids who prefer those that have more technical trails while there are even others who would rather go with cross country challengers. No matter what the choice of your kids is, it is best to take for consideration their riding skills in order to ensure safety.

Online shops are available with kid’s ATV but it is not really practical to buy online because there are some rides that need personal ocular perusal just before it can be considered. Consequently, if you are going to buy one, bring your kids with you so he or she can test drive it before buying. And even though it is much convenient to buy online, there are some bikes that don’t work well for some kids so it is always more sensible to personally buy your kid’s ATV since this will also ensure their safety.

For work, or for play, the right ATV accessories can make your next adventure or task much more enjoyable. There are many types of accessories available, but most share a similar purpose – to haul gear or riders comfortably, conveniently and safely. Gear grips, such as Rhino Grips, help to securely transport fishing poles, firearms, shovels while drop racks and cargo boxes fit larger gear that you may need haul such as 5 gallon buckets, tools or feed bags. ATV Rear Loungers are a great addition when riding with a passenger or needing to store helmets and riding gear. For those times when you want to venture far off the beaten path there are even ATV fuel packs that allow you to bring additional fuel on your ride. There are even heated seat covers and gear mitts to help keep you warm when riding or working during the winter months.

When choosing the ATV accessories that will fit your specific needs, make sure you keep in a mind a couple of key features:

- Will it fit my machine(s)?

- Is it versatile? Can it serve more than one purpose or application?

- Is it easy to install/remove?

- Does it leave room for additional accessories?

- Is it constructed to last, or handle the abuse of outdoor application?

No matter the season, or the reason, by choosing the right ATV accessories will get a much better return on your investment.

It typically starts at a young age for most kids. You see that motorized cart while on vacation and then you want one of your own. I know that is how I started. I lived in a family friendly neighborhood that was accessible to woods with trails so we always had dirt bikes and four wheelers running through the neighborhood. Eventually a couple of kids got a go cart and I followed soon after. It was a blast and had I pursued it more I could have started racing at a young age. That is where most kids get into the sport and several Nascar drivers got started that same way and now make a living at driving. Go cart racing is very popular and there are circuits all over the world that you can take part in.

The other side of it is that you can go with off road go carts which are more like ATV buggies that tackle mountains and dirt trails. These all terrain vehicles are go karts on steroids basically. They have much bigger frames and larger balloon tires to tackle rough terrain. Their roll cage is also much larger too so they can be a safer option however with larger frames and accessories comes a larger engine which equals more power. That can always be dangerous as long as you know that safety is the important factor. Seatbelts and helmets must always be a concern during any kind of off road go carting.

You can find all kinds of great deals and go carts for sale online and also at local motorcycle shops and Pep Boys stores nationwide. You can also find go cart parts online and build one yourself to help cut down costs if you have the skills to do so.

The size and design of the kart determines whether it is made for off road duties or street racing. The off road go karts are made to handle very rough terrain like a 4 wheeler. It is an off road buggy with massive tires and heavy duty running gear to withstand tough bumps. The size of the kart is also much larger and thus the engine has to be bigger to handle the heavier workload. Now this kind of riding is safe and dangerous at the same time. The roll cage is usually very heavy duty and larger so you have a safer ride as long as a helmet and seatbelts are worn.

The street racing go kart is much more sleek and lower profile. The tires are slick and the kart itself is much more arrow dynamic for the street. These karts can get up into the hundred mile an hour range and even faster. They are very much made for those that have a need for speed and racing background. The racing side of it often is a precursor to the Craftsman truck racing series. If you can get through that then you are well on your way to racings most dominant series, Nascar. Many Nascar drivers have gotten their start in racing go karts and the sport has grown exponentially in the past decade. More and more kids and young adults are getting into the sport in hopes to one day make it big in the sport of racing. There are also a lot of young women getting into racing mainly because of the success that Indycar racing Danica Patrick has displayed. She has been the face of Indy racing for the last 5 years.

So many places to find a good new or used go kart especially if you are in the market for a used one that has been well taken care of. Craigslist is full of them and USfreeads as well as your local newspaper. New go karts can be found at your local motorcycle shops and also places like Pep Boys and sometimes Walmart.

Northeast – Although ATV riding in the winter is uncommon due to heavy snow and inclement weather, fall attracts plenty of tourists to the region’s wooded riding trails. Enjoy the crisp autumn air and stunning fall foliage by exploring these popular ATV trails in the Northeast:

* Maine – The extensive ATV trail network coursing throughout Maine is mostly privately owned, and you must belong to a club that has been granted permission to use them. However, you may bump along public trails owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands, including those found in Mt. Blue State Park, located in the southwestern corner of the state. Here you can enjoy ATV riding trails surrounded by the natural wildlife and verdant landscape that only Maine can offer.
* Pennsylvania – Allegheny National Forest encompasses over 510,000 acres in northern Pennsylvania. This heavily wooded and hilly area is the perfect place to watch summer greenery transition into a gorgeous display of autumn foliage. The park also boasts five main ATV trails varying from 10- to 40-mile loops, ranging in degrees of difficulty from easy to difficult. Camping is available off most trails.

South and Southeast – ATV riding trails in the South can be fun, but they come with plenty of heat and humidity during the summer. Stay cool and avoid heat exhaustion by wearing a vented face mask and shirt made of breathable material, as well as drinking plenty of water.

* Tennessee – The Coal Creek Trails in Oliver Springs, Tenn., has over 160 miles of moderate-terrain trails and great scenery. You can purchase an all-day riding permit from the campground office for less than $20. For lighter traveling, you can rent an ATV and leave yours at home.
* West Virginia – Rated the “Top ATV Trail System on the East Coast” by Dirt Wheels magazine in 2008, the Hatfield and McCoy Trails located in southern West Virginia feature over 500 miles of ATV riding paths. Beginning in Charleston and heading southwest, you can experience a wide variety of terrain ranging from easy to extremely difficult and beautiful mountain scenic views.
* Southwest – One attractive feature of an ATV trail in the Southwest is the sheer number of remote and uninhibited camping opportunities that are available in the desert, mountains, lakes and canyons. If you are going on a backwoods camping trip, be sure to pack appropriately. The desert is hot during the day, but can be cold at night. Pack for both extremes to remain safe, as well as comfortable.
* Arizona – Sprinkled throughout central and southern Arizona are primitive ATV trails just waiting to be explored. Go-Arizona.com recommends exploring Box Canyon of the Hassayampa Trail, an intermediate to difficult 13-mile trail through the desert. Along the way, stop through ghost towns and cemetaries for a glimpse into the old Southwest.

West – Riding at high mountain altitudes can be a challenge, and handling physical exertion on your 4-wheeler can be tricky in the thin, low-oxygen mountain air. If you’re travelling here for a vacation, take a few days to adjust to the climate. You’ll feel better while riding and be less likely to be affected by altitude sickness.

* Utah – The Moab riding region in Southeast Utah is renowned for breathtaking and challenging ATV riding, and rightfully so. Make your way through the lush, dramatic landscape of the Colorado River Canyon. Summit the appropriately named “Top of the World” scenic point, where you can survey 360-degree panoramic views of mountains, sweeping red rock valleys and dense mineral beds. If you don’t want to camp, spend the night along your route in one of the many lodging opportunities that offer spectacular views.

Now that you know the region and trails you want to explore on your ATV, and have riding tips to make your excursion more comfortable, all you have to do is pack your things and get going. Riding in a new or unfamiliar area always poses as a risk for theft or damages to your ATV. Be sure to protect your investment with a comprehensive ATV insurance policy. Contact a company, like Nationwide, for ATV insurance discounts and more today.

Right in the heart of northern Michigan, Mio is nestled in the middle of the massive Huron National Forest. The nearest major freeway is about an hour away from this quaint small town. Although accommodations in the area are somewhat limited, Mio has a number of restaurants, fueling stations, and bars to offer visitors. There’s a large chain supermarket that carries just about anything you could need. A vast network of well-groomed ATV trails encompasses the entire area. Trips of any length are easy to accommodate. Many thrill seekers will venture out into the forest and camp overnight out in the middle of nowhere. There is a wide variety of different terrain to explore and navigate. During the winter months, snowmobiles are extremely popular. Other popular activities in the area include fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. Equipment rentals are available from a number of local businesses. Check with the local visitor’s center for guidelines and restrictions regarding ATV use and camping.

If you’re looking for an extremely remote wilderness experience well off of the beaten path, Drummond Island is just the place for you. This large island is located at the easternmost tip of the Upper Peninsula. It can only be reached by a year round ferry service. Accommodations are extremely limited and camping is the best option. Public ATV trails cover the entire island. Some trails are extremely well groomed, but others are more difficult to navigate. Camping is allowed if you obtain a permit in advance. Fishing and hunting are very popular activities to enjoy while you’re there. Due to the large amount of snowfall during winter months, snowmobiles are the preferred method of transportation. It’s not uncommon for residents to get snowed in once or twice a season. Those willing to bear these sometimes harsh conditions are rewarded with one of the most pristine examples of nature in the country.

Whether you’re seeking a wild wilderness adventure or something a bit more civilized, northern Michigan is an excellent ATV destination.

KYMCO has steadily refined its all-terrain products and broadened its offerings with each model year. The Taiwanese company’s recent efforts included the so-so MXU 500 utility quad for 2007 and revamped 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads.

This time around, KYMCO is getting even bolder, and has arrived at the table with the highly anticipated UXV 500 UTV and all-new MXU 375 utility ATV.

We recently traveled to the backyard of the company’s US division, scenic South Carolina, to ride KYMCO’s full line of 2008 products, and also spent some time behind the wheel of its first-ever UTV. At this point, one thing is for sure: KYMCO is taking notes and making serious strides to match its American and Japanese competitors in style, performance and product offerings.

Setting The Table
The setting was Carolina Adventure World, a still growing privately-owned off-road riding area with more than 100 miles of trails, a mud bog and three motocross tracks. We’ve ridden there before while visiting for Polaris and Kawasaki intros, and, just like KYMCO, the facility keeps getting better as it continues to mature.

Temperatures could have been a bit more spring-like, but skies were clear, the grass was green and conditions were ripe for some mud-splattered off-roading.

UXV Is UTV
Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki have their big-selling recreational side-by-side players in place. Honda’s more work-minded Big Red is on the way soon, and Can-Am recently announced plans for what we expect to be a very athletic (RZR beating?) UTV. There had also been speculation KYMCO was readying its own entrant into the exploding category. Those rumors were confirmed after the company took the wraps off its new UXV 500 at the EICMA powersports show in Milan, Italy, last fall.

Then we got to see it for ourselves. Going off appearance alone, it seems the company had the Rhino, Teryx and Prowler firmly in its sights. Its traditional UTV design suggests a machine meant to split the difference between work and fun, just like the most successful players in the segment.

The spec sheet lists a 500cc four-stroke engine, independent suspension, locking front differential and a large tilting cargo bed capable of hauling 420 pounds – the main ingredients we call for when making a UTV.
Pricing had not been finalized at press time and a few minor specifications on the prototypes were still subject to change before final production.

Behind The Wheel
Time was limited, but we got the chance to experience KYMCO’s UTV from the driver and passenger seats, as well as through thick mud, over steep hills and fording it through deep water.

We didn’t get the chance to haul any cargo around, but our ride time gave us the much-appreciated chance to peek under the hood and rack up some miles with the UXV.

Lateral stability (i.e. rolling over) has been a thorn in the side of several UTVs. To this end, KYMCO decided to up the ante with a wide, stable platform that measures 59 inches wide. For comparison’s sake, the Prowler is 61.3 inches wide and the Rhino measures 54.5 inches across.

The extra girth translated to flat, predictable handling that’s more reassuring than some of the narrower competitors in high-speed corners. It made winding through the riding park’s tight woods trails somewhat more challenging, though, and will also make it tricky to shoehorn the UXV into the back of a pickup truck.

Like the new Teryx, EFI wasn’t included – obvious cost-cutting to help KYMCO compete on price and rush its model to the market. Without any need for the dash-mounted choke, our warmed-up UXV fired up quickly.

Stepping into the throttle, the liquid-cooled 500cc DOHC four-stroke felt moderately taxed by the 1,157-pound (dry) weight, but the power was enough to surmount steep hills and power the big guy through some impressive mud holes.
A little vibration was present, but engine refinement is in line with the bulk of the sport utility segment. The exhaust note sounds more agricultural than sporty, another common trait shared with nearly every other side-by-side.

It’s all business inside the cabin with frills kept to a minimum. A center-mounted gauge cluster displays all the usual information, and the shifter is mounted on the center console between the seats. Shift action was spotty, as reverse gear didn’t always engage when the lever was moved to “R.” Hopefully this can be cleared up before final production.

Seating accommodations are right on the money with enough side bolstering to keep the riders in place. Foot room and dash positioning is also on target – definitely better than a few of its competitors.

Top speed is estimated at 45 mph – ideal for a vehicle of this size and purpose.

Suspension is a dual A-arm design that provides 7.5 inches of travel at both ends and 12.2 inches of ground clearance. The transmission includes high and low ranges, and also includes a differential lock. Stopping action comes from two discs in the front and a single disc brake in the rear.

The tilting cargo bed is large enough to handle full-size loads up to 420 pounds, and the tailgate has a simple latching system just like the Rhino’s.
Our brief ride revealed a competent work vehicle that should have plenty of playtime capability. Pricing is still not finalized, but we expect it to undercut the competition by some measure. Time will tell. The UXV 500 4×4 will be available in red, green, gray and camo, with a 1-year factory warranty.
MXU 375

Our Carolina adventure also included time on prototypes for KYMCO’s newest utility quad – the MXU 375.

After being underwhelmed by the company’s last utility entrant, the MXU 500, we were pleasantly surprised by a competent package this time around. However, just like the 500, the MXU 375′s sketchy front-end handling traits are a disappointment for aggressive trail riding.

Styling and build quality are solid, with competitive features and smart design that prove this company is fully in the running with its North American and Japanese competitors. Even with the chassis’ occasionally unsettled front end, it remains a no-excuses mid-displacement utility quad.

While company officials won’t confirm it, the new MXU’s engine is shared with Arctic Cat’s new 366 4×4 utility, and the base platform for the two models are eerily similar. We think the KYMCO version is the better looking twin. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke, is adequately potent and smooth, a perfect match for its intended purpose.

As mentioned, handling was a mixed bag, and different machines on-hand had different configurations. The front-end handling is just as unstable as it is on the Arctic Cat variant over undulating ground – too much body roll, and steering that is easily thrown off-kilter.

The performance of the carbureted and fan-cooled engine is much better – smooth, with a refined exhaust note and torquey power delivery.

A few features on our test mules, like turn signals and hazard flashers, won’t be making it to the final U.S. version and company engineers are still tweaking the final braking setup.

The main stats will see production unchanged – dual A-arm front and rear suspension (7 inches of travel), a CVT with high and low gears, and disc braking in front and out back.

When it comes to work credentials, the little MXU can strap 225 pounds to its racks, and tow 1,050 pounds in its wake.

This new 375 will make a solid competitor in the entry-level class, with a great engine leading the way. Like a few other manufacturers whose products share similar handling traits, KYMCO needs to focus its efforts on building vehicles that keep their composure around corners and uneven terrain. Its competent engine and attractive styling suggest a utility quad that has some sporty genes in its DNA. That’s not really the case, but it’s not far off the mark.

A Fresh Goose

Our previous evaluation of the new-and-improved Mongoose 300 at last fall’s ATV Trials event showed a meaningful roster of changes that massaged the company’s entry-level CVT sport quad into something more desirable than the original.

KYMCO added a (much-needed) sturdier chain and a larger carburetor, stretched the wheelbase with a longer swingarm, widened the track by a whopping five inches and softened up the overly-stiff front end with progressive rate springs.

In our latest test, the ‘Goose tore through the tight trails of Carolina Adventure World with eagerness and balance. The CVT provided surprisingly snappy throttle response – more aggressive than expected. Listening to riders, taking notes and constantly evolving has served the company and its products well.

Power from the liquid-cooled 270cc engine could still be stronger, especially at the top end, but powertrain vibration wasn’t an issue, so it’s happy being pushed hard. Body roll is kept in check and the progressive rate springs produce a ride that’s much more comfortable than the ’07 model. The changes are especially noticeable over harsh trails.

A CVT tranny in a sport quad is still fairly uncommon, but was well-suited to the tight, winding trails we rode. Spunky performance, solid handling and a affordable sub-$3,800 price make this entry-level quad a smart choice for sport riders looking for the ease of a CVT.

While we didn’t get the opportunity to ride it, the updates made to the ’08 Mongoose 300 were also applied to the 250.

This pair of Mongooses (Mongeese?) is now up there with the best machines in the class.

50 cc Mini Quad ATV

The 50 cc was designed for the use of children ranging from 6 years of age to 12 years of age. These are the smallest types, and are obviously the slowest of all mini quads. These are equipped with remote controlled speed controls, just in case the child loses control of it.

90 cc Mini Quad ATV

The 90 cc was designed for the use of children and teens ranging from 12 years of age to 16 years of age. These are medium size, and can accelerate at moderate speeds. These can be equipped with remote controlled speed controls, if desired. Children of this age are well equipped with the appropriate reflexes to handle this type of vehicle.

90 cc And Above Mini Quad ATV

The 90 cc and above, were designed for the use of teens ranging from 16 years of age and above. These are the largest type, and are obviously the fastest of all mini quads. These vehicles are for the use of the most experienced of young riders, due to the speeds they can accelerate to.

These are the different types of Mini Quad ATV’s that are available today. The different engine sizes, were designated for the enjoyment of children of all ages. Riding ATV’s are meant to be enjoyed by everyone.

Read more about Mini Quad Information and Safety Tips.

You can also check latest price on Kids Mini Quad Atv at http://www.miniquadatv.com