ATVs (or All Terrain Vehicles) have come a long way since they were first developed in Japan as three wheeled farm to town vehicles for use in isolated, mountainous areas. During the rainy season the steep mountain roads often become impassable and a three wheeled ATV proved to be an excellent mode of transport. Once they saw how well ATV’s performed, it didn’t take Japanese manufacturers long to realize that the ATV could be sold to the much more affluent Americans, so in the 1970s the ATV was promoted and sold as a recreational vehicle designed to provide ‘thrills’ for the rider.

In their turn, it was long before Americans found that the ATV was much more than a sports bike. It could move through terrain not accessible to four-wheel drives and pick-up trucks. The ATV also became the preferred transport of hunters and was used to reach remote areas where it was useful not just for access, it could also help bring the kill home.

These days the ATV comes in many different shapes and sizes; different types are being manufactured for specific uses which include ranching, hunting, military, industrial and emergency services as well as recreational, racing and pit vehicles.

Because ATV’s are typically one man vehicles, and used in isolated areas, there are some precautions to take before setting out in one. Do you know your ATV? Can you mend it if something happens to it out there when you are all alone? If the answer is ‘No’ then you need to take some classes before you go anywhere, remember that if someone has to come and find you, you are putting them at risk. Be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back, and best of all be sure to carry some reliable form of communication with you, just in case. Even a minor injury can be serious if you’re a long way from help, so find out if there is cellphone service in the area you plan to visit and if not, of it isn’t compatible with your phone, be sure to get equipped with a suitable CB radio. Yes, it will cost you something, but it could save your life and don’t forget, there’s no monthly bill.

Have you got all your safety gear on? Just a small cut on the hand can easily get infected and lead to a very, very nasty experience indeed. Be sure to carry tools, food and a first aid kit. Remember than fresh water is more important than food, if you know there will be sources of water around it’s easy to carry a portable sterilizer which will clean even the most unappetizing pond so you can be sure you never run out.

But ATV’s are more than hunter’s vehicles. If you learn your off-road manners and monitor your radio, you may be able to make a real contribution to your community in case of a disaster. When volunteers are needed you’ll be proud to get your trusty ATV and to work amongst them.

With the purchase price of an ATV being much less than the average street motorcycle there are more options for financing your ATV than when purchasing a motorcycle.

The goal of this article is to provide you a view of four popular types of ATV financing. Your success with each method will depend on if you have good or bad credit.

1. Manufacturer ATV Financing

It is likely that if you have spent any time looking at ATV magazines you have seen an advertisement or two highlighting atv financing from top brands like Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. Usually these advertisements have a very low minimum payment like $49. While the payment may look attractive you should consider if this is the best ATV loan for you.

In deciding if a manufacturer loan is best, you need to consider the terms. For instance, look at how long the promotional term lasts. If it is 24 months will you have enough to payoff your outstanding loan on the 25th month because making the $49 payment does not pay off the loan? If not your interest rate will increase to the standard rate of 17%-22% and your minimum payment will also increase.

If you have the cash to pay off your loan at the end of 24 months than the promotion may be a good thing for you, if not then you should probably opt for a fixed rate installment loan that is offered by most online lenders and has a fixed rate for a long term.

Manufacturer ATV financing is typically more suitable for those with good credit rather than bad credit applicants.

2. Online Atv Financing

With online ATV financing you will get fixed rate ATV financing for a specific term. These loans are normally called personal loans meaning that they can be used for a variety of personal reasons such as buying an ATV, furniture, home improvements and a variety of other things. Terms on ATV personal loans will normally be up to 60 months and for excellent credit rates can be as low as the 5% – 8% range. Bad credit applicants can also get approved for online personal ATV loans, but the interest rate may be a bit higher.

3. Credit Card ATV Financing

If you are looking for a short term loan for your ATV purchase, a credit card may be a good option if it has a good promotion. For instance some Visa, Mastercard and discover cards offer 12 months no interest for new accounts. If you can afford to pay off your ATV purchase at the end of 12 months this could be a great option for you to use.

4. Hybrid Atv Financing

The hybrid Atv financing method typically uses a combination of financing options. One popular method is to use a short term manufacturer financing promotion and then when the promotion period ends you transfer your loan to another promotion on a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.

For instance, you could get Honda Financing for 24 months on a Honda promotion and then transfer that loan to a Discover card promotion and get 0% interest for 12 month.

Hybrid Atv Financing is a bit complicated and requires some planning. It is also a bit risky because you are betting that companies will be running the same promotion in 24 months that they are today.