Quad bikes

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 14:41

What do you have to have to be able to drive them on roads legally?

touge · 31 Aug 2008 at 14:43

A full car license and a road legal quad. But there is a reason you don't see many of these on the road...

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 14:48

Is that because of the fixed rear axel?

semi-pro waster · 31 Aug 2008 at 14:53

I'd have thought it more to do with the fact that they've got most of the disadvantages of a motorbike (noisy, no real protection from the elements/crashes etc) with few of the advantages.

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 14:57

my friends and i were thinking about doing a trip across europe on them, cheaper thn cars cheaper fuel and more fun!

semi-pro waster · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:00

Go for it, I'm sure it will be a laugh but not particularly comfortable and storage of luggage etc is likely to be an issue. If none of that bothers you then it'll be fine, remember a pair of gloves though, cold hands do not make for fun quad riding.

touge · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:01

semi-pro waster said:
I'd have thought it more to do with the fact that they've got most of the disadvantages of a motorbike (noisy, no real protection from the elements/crashes etc) with few of the advantages.

Those are some of the reasons. They also handle terrible on the road and are likely to flip over when cornering on tarmac.

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:03

touge said:
Those are some of the reasons. They also handle terrible on the road and are likely to flip over when cornering on tarmac.

Hmm doesnt sound promising!

Anyone else got any ideas of something else to drive across Europe havnt got a motorbike licence so no to those!

starfighter · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:06

they are cool though, Saw 2 drive past me while in a queue. So you can get past traffic like a motorbike.

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:08

Hmm yeah i did like the idea. Are they really that bad on roads? ive only ever driven them off roads, also anyone know who does insurance for them on roads?

semi-pro waster · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:12

touge said:
Those are some of the reasons. They also handle terrible on the road and are likely to flip over when cornering on tarmac.

I didn't think they were all that bad on roads but I've only driven them on fairly private roads normally and without any fast corners. I can see how it would be a problem though if you tried to corner at speed.

starfighter said:
they are cool though, Saw 2 drive past me while in a queue. So you can get past traffic like a motorbike.

You need a reasonable amount of space for that though, they are still about 1m wide.

mpj88, why not just buy a couple of bangers between you and your mates? Something like an old Vovlo estate perhaps which should be reliable enough and great for carrying loads of luggage.

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:21

hmm but then petrols more expensive and its not as fun driving a volvo!! lol and when you get somewhere hot its nice to be on the outside! i suppose ive jus got visions of riding through the alps or pyrenees, and thought id would be nice!

touge · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:23

mpj88 said:
Hmm yeah i did like the idea. Are they really that bad on roads? ive only ever driven them off roads, also anyone know who does insurance for them on roads?

What makes a quad slide offroad is likely to make it flip over on the road. The insurance is also very expensive because they are not mainstream vehicles and are dangerous. You would need to get a quote from a broker.

singist · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:23

Great idea in theory; absolutely poop in practice so think again, I'm afraid.

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:24

touge said:
What makes a quad slide offroad is likely to make it flip over on the road. The insurance is also very expensive because they are not mainstream vehicles and are dangerous. You would need to get a quote from a broker.

oh thought they would be cheap like motorbikes! Yeah i understand the cornering thing!

mpj88 · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:26

Kieran said:
I've been biking for a few years and only twice seen a road legal quad. Both times looked like great fun.

hmm yeah ive only ever seen them abroad

Ben M · 31 Aug 2008 at 15:45

You're dreaming. In reality quads= fail

AtlanticP · 31 Aug 2008 at 17:31

Ben M said:
You're dreaming. In reality quads= fail

Obviously not speaking from experience there buddy.

I have been using a road legal Quad for a while now and have had no problems with tipping over etc. They can be a little unstable but if riden regulally you learn to ride them better. Too many people jump on a quad, fall off then blame the quad for being unstable. Your lean to corner on a motorcycle and you also do the same on a quad. You shift weight around to keep balanced, I can corner at around 60+ on mine without fear of flipping it. Took me a short while to get used to it but its second nature now. Great fun, after all my Quad is my main means of transport and as far as confort is concered, I can do a 60 mile trip with no discomfort at the end of it.

You can ride a road legal quad on either a Full car license or full bike license. Below 21 years old you can ride nothing bigger than a 350cc, above 21 you have no cc limits.

Insurance is'nt too bad either, I pay £250.00 fully comp through QuadSure (Adrian Flux)

Regards

Chris

cornish-quads.com :cool:

Me on my road legal Apache RLX320: