ATVs: for those who love speed

Anyone looking for a fun and exciting way to spend their free time will, sooner or later, run into the suggestion of taking a ride on an ATV. Such a ride really does live up to expectations if what you're after is a safe way to get a hit of adrenaline. But before that, it's worth learning as much as you can about what an ATV actually is.

First of all, an ATV is a vehicle. In Ukrainian its name is a combination of two roots: the first means "four", the second – "wheel". Together that gives "a means of transport on four wheels". Steering one is somewhat like riding a motorcycle, only far simpler: four wheels mean much greater stability. Thanks to this, along with a number of other distinguishing features, it achieves a level of off-road capability unmatched by other kinds of transport. Because of this quality, alongside its main name, the term ATV is often used, which in English stands for "all-terrain vehicle".

For many people, ATVs have already become an essential part of their leisure time. A ride on a manoeuvrable, easy-to-handle machine gives you boundless enjoyment, while cutting the risk of injury and the time needed to learn to ride it down to a minimum. Its high off-road capability lets you stage orienteering races through the woods and feel the rush of hot air on your face as you tear across a desert.

ATVs are often split into two main categories. The first includes sport models, whose main purpose is racing. They're stripped down to the lightest possible weight, have small wheels, and are fitted with rear-wheel drive. They can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h. Ground clearance is adjustable, but as a rule it's kept low. The second category includes all-wheel-drive transport or utility ATVs, with far greater load capacity and off-road ability. Ground clearance is raised as high as possible. They come with a rack and the ability to tow a trailer weighing up to half a tonne. There's also a third, mixed category, but that's more the exception than the rule. Fairly recently, heavy-duty ATVs weighing over 400 kg have appeared. What sets these machines apart is the ability to carry a load of up to 400 kg on the rack.

ATVs can be used for various purposes. As already mentioned, that can mean active recreation. Or you can simply take a long ride out into nature, working your way over rough terrain or blazing a new route. Either way, a trip like this lets you spend your free time in a way that does your body and soul good.