| ATV Accessories - Glossary
- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) - A wheeled or tracked vehicle, other than a snowmobile or work vehicle, designed primarily for recreational use or for the transportation of property or equipment exclusively on trails, undeveloped road rights-of-way, marshland, open country, or other unprepared surfaces.
- Utility Tires and Wheels - Utility tires and wheels are tires and wheels you would find on a work or hunting style ATV or on a UTV. These usually are in the 12" to 14" rim height range.
- Rim Width and Tire Width - Tire and wheel width do not normally match. Example: a 12" wide tire will fit on a 7" wide wheel. The wheel width is always smaller than the tire width.
- Fuel Capacity - Fuel capacity is significant only if your planning on taking long non-stop trail rides. It’s a pretty good bet that most young riders will run out of gas before the tank does. Keep the tank topped off before going riding and even the smallest tank will provide hours of non-stop fun. Most even have reserve settings on the petcock.
- Height - Height is a relatively poor indication of center of gravity height- a better measure might be ground clearance.
- Length - Length is usually just the wheelbase plus half a wheel diameter at each end plus whatever plastic sticks out beyond that. By itself, it’s kind of a moot measurement when it comes to vehicle dynamics.
- Ball Joint - A flexible joint consisting of a ball in a socket. It is used primarily in the front suspension because of its wide range of motion.
- Disc Brakes - A type of brake consisting of a flat rotor disc that turns with the wheel and a stationary component (caliper). Braking takes place by the caliper forcing the brake pads against both sides of the rotating disc. Generally, more fade-resistant than drum brakes as the rotor heats it expands against the closing pads.
- Disc Wheel - Single-piece rim/wheel assembly of stamped and welded steel or forged aluminum, anchored by 8 or 10 nuts to a hub. A "Budd wheel" is a ten-hole, stud-piloted disc wheel; a design originated by the Budd Corporation.
- Air Ride Suspension - Suspension which supports the load on air-filled rubber bags rather than steel springs. Compressed air is supplied by the same engine-driven air compressor and reservoir tanks which provide air to the air brake system.
- Geared Speed - Calculated vehicle speed at the engine's governed rpm in each transmission gear, or (commonly) in top gear.
- Alternate Line : Intentional design of trails to provide users with options in alternative routes.
- Ascent: An upward slope or incline or process of rising or going upward.
- Asphalt (Macadam, Asphaltic Concrete : Petroleum-based flexible surface material that provides a smoothly paved surface suitable for bicycles and in-line skates. It is preferred in urban areas where trails are often used for commuting to and from work or school.
- Blind Spot - Areas around a commercial vehicle that are not visible to the driver either through the windshield, side windows or mirrors.
- PTP - Parallel track path.
- Clunk - A weighted fuel pick-up used in a fuel tank to assure the intake line is always in fuel
- All-terrain cycle - A motorized off-highway vehicle designed to travel on 3 low pressure tires, with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and handlebars for steering.
- Axle - A transverse shaft or housing on which a vehicle's wheels are mounted.
- Brake - (1) A device for slowing or stopping a moving part, usually a rotating component.
(2) A system to reduce the speed of a vehicle, to stop the vehicle or to keep the vehicle stationary.
- Brake drum - A cylindrical drum against which brake shoes are forced, or a brake band is tensioned, to slow the shaft or component on which the drum is mounted.
- Brake shoe - A member lined with friction material which is forced against the brake drum to cause friction and slow it down.
- Alloy Wheels - Any non-steel road wheel. Mostly aluminum, but technically a mixture of two or more metals.
- Variable-Assist Steering - A power-steering system that varies the amount of assistance it provides according to driving conditions. It provides maximum assistance at low speeds for maneuvers such as turning into a parking space or turning a corner after leaving a stop light. It provides minimum assistance at cruising or highway speeds to provide greater vehicle stability.
- Turbocharger - By forcing fuel through the engine, this system allows the car to gather more speed.
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