ATVing Terms

Don't make a new switchback, dont bottom out, avoid the roost and your swingarm is broke. What the heck does that mean?!?

Here are some helpful terminology words for ATVing!

• Airtime: Length of time a rider is in the air during a jump.
• ATV (All Terrain Vehicle): Commonly known as 4 wheeler or Quad. Also includes 3 wheelers.
• Bottoming Out: Landing so hard from a jump that the suspension uses up all of its travel.
• CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission): A fully automatic transmission consisting of two variable width pulleys and a belt. Different gear ratios are achieved when the pulleys automatically changes width and results in the belt riding higher or lower on the pulleys.
• Four-Stroke: A type of engine with valves and cam(s) that produces combustion every four piston strokes. Click here to read a Wiki page on engines.
  
• GNC (Grand National Champions or the Nationals): A 12-race MX/TT series in the U.S.
• GNCC (Grand National Cross-Country): A 13-race woods racing series in the U.S.
• Goosing It: Applying lots of throttle in short burst to jump the ATV forward. Highcenter: All four wheels spin but you can't move.
• Holeshot: The first rider to get to the first turn.
• Hydraulic Disc Brake: Stops the ATV by forcing brake fluid through lines when the brake lever is pulled. The fluid actuates the brake pads that contact a rotating rotor or disc to stop the ATV.
• Independent Rear Suspension: Each rear wheel is suspended and moves independent of the other.
• Knobbies: The type of tires usually on Quads. These tires have large knobs of rubber tread that are arranged and designed in various ways to grab the dirt or mud effectively.
• Limited Slip: A type of differential which allows the wheels (front or rear) to spin at different speeds.
• Mechanical Drum Brakes: Stops the quad when a brake lever is pulled which in turn pulls a cable which activate shoes that contact the interior of the drum.
• Off-Camber Jump: A jump on a turn.
• OHV: Off Highway Vehicle.
• ORV: Off Road Vehicle.
• Plastic: generally refers to the body on an ATV.
• Powerslide: Sliding the rear end of an ATV by applying the throttle.
• Quad: Another name for an ATV with 4 wheels.
• Razorback: A sand dune peak that drops off steeply on each side.
• Rollover: Rolling your ATV or tipping it on its side.
• Skidplates: Plates that protect the underside of your ATV.
• Speed Shifting: Shifting through the gears without letting off of the throttle.
• Sport ATV: Generally refers to a 2WD ATV without cargo racks that is built for performance.
• Sport/Utility or Utility: A 2WD or 4WD ATV with racks that is suited for limited sport riding and work related activities.
• Swingarm: The pivoting support that connects the rear axle and shock absorber to the ATV frame.
• Tear-Offs: Strips of clear plastic connected to your goggles. They are removed as they become dirty.
• Two-Stroke: A type of engine with valves and cam(s) that produces combustion every two piston strokes. The fuel used in this type of engine requires a gas and oil mixture.Click here to read a Wiki page on engines.
• Wheelbase: The distance from the center of the front wheel hub to the center of the rear wheel hub.
• Whip or Flag: A long flexible rod with a flag at the top.
• Whoops: Rolling bumps anywhere from five to ten feet apart and one to three feet high