ATVs and UTVs are high-maintenance vehicles, much like the two-wheelers their design is based on. Built to endure rugged use, they also require regular servicing and occasional part replacements when components wear out or fail unexpectedly.
For many quad bike owners, sourcing the right replacement parts can be a challenging aspect of ownership. However, with the rise of online shopping and an increasing variety of products available, more riders now turn to online stores to find what they need.
Why Shop Online?
Online shopping has revolutionised access to ATV, UTV, and side-by-side parts. For vehicle owners, this means a greater variety of brands, choices between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket suppliers, and access to parts for low-volume models that might be hard to find elsewhere. By choosing a reputable online ATV parts retailer with good reviews, you can enjoy many benefits:
- Convenience – Buying ATV parts online is the easiest way to get replacements, spares, or upgrades. Buyers skip waiting lines, can see the full range of brands and compare prices. Anything you order is delivered to your specified address within a few business days (or on the same day), cutting downtime and the hassle of having your quad uselessly sitting in the garage.
- Brand and product selection – Some of the best parts manufacturers opened shop online first, quickly reaching a dedicated customer following. The same applies to big-name retailers that now offer a huge selection of both OE and aftermarket brands at different price brackets. Moreover, retailers aren’t limited in terms of space and cover all major ATV and UTV brands as well as older quads and parts that you won’t find in brick-and-mortar stores.
- Lower prices – This is one of the main perks of getting gear online. Lower overheads and no middlemen to keep prices down, even on new inventory. There are also frequent sales, loyalty programs, and bulk buying benefits that you’ll seldom see in regular shops. Moreover, there are multiple payment options.
- Open 24/7 – Need replacements now? Skip the hassle of waiting for opening hours and order what you need around the clock from trusted online ATV parts stores, wherever you are. And with speedy deliveries, you can resume your off-roading trips or finish the job.
- Quality, certifications and warranties – Certified parts resellers always stock parts that have gone through real-world testing, are compatible with different quads in terms of fit and functionality, and often stock products with national or international certification for quality. Choose stores that offer limited-time warranties and clear-cut return policies.
Which ATV Parts Need Frequent Replacement?
Like all vehicles, ATVs and UTVs require routine maintenance. Parts like air and oil filters, coolant, brake fluid, and batteries should be inspected regularly and replaced as needed. Other components, however, experience more wear and are often the first to require replacement. Key examples include axles, brakes, and drive belts. You can opt for OEM parts for reliable performance or choose aftermarket alternatives that are often more cost-effective and durable.
Why Axles Fail?
Axles are directly involved in power transfer and also work with the suspension to keep your quad bike upright while maximizing traction though the tyres. The extreme temperatures from prolonged friction of metal on metal, loss of lubrication from punctured CV boots, or damaged bearings all impact performance to the point that your quad stalls.
Bent, damaged or seized axle shafts are common on bigger machines with higher power output or UTVs used for work. But the same symptoms prevail in machines averaging 50 horsepower when riders are more eager with the throttle.
If you notice clicking or popping sounds when turning, clunks when accelerating or braking, excessive vibrations through the bars or steering wheel, and abrupt power loss, it’s time for a replacement. OE parts offer much of the same that came with the bike and won’t last if you’re harder on the quad.
Aftermarket axles in heavy-duty or extreme-duty variants include superior build with precision machining and heat treatment and increased shaft thicknesses, metals with higher strength and less susceptibility to fatigue and thicker neoprene boots for impact resistance. Some also offer better approaches and departure angles, effectively increasing ground clearance even without appointed lift kits.
All aftermarket variants are tested across numerous quads, hold quality certification, and are sold as front and rear left and right types for specific quad bike models to ensure proper fit and easy installation.
Issues With Drive Belts
Almost all ATVs and UTVs use Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to optimize the gearing and how much torque reaches the wheels. Drive belts link the axles, transmission, and engine, sitting between the drive and driven clutch pulleys.
Like axles, they endure immense stress and heat, being pulled and pushed through the pulleys at extreme RPMs. This leads to increased wear (thinning tensile cords, missing cogs, warped sidewalls), clutch slippage, inability to engage reverse and shredded belts if you sustain high throttle and engine loads for longer periods. And like axles, damaged units mean you’ll be going nowhere.
Look for replacement belts from established automotive and power sports accessory manufacturers. These use high-quality natural and synthetic materials (reinforced rubber, Nylon, Kevlar, and carbon fiber) in the tensile cords and rubber outers for optimal strength and wear, heat and chemical resistance. And ensure consistent performance when on the throttle. There’s no jolting or jerkiness, and gears change smoothly.
When to Change Brake Pads
The harsh conditions where quad bikes see more use mean mud, water and dirt will take their toll by corroding the friction materials in brake pads, more so than on dirt bikes or off-roading vehicles. This can lead to dangerously long braking distances, weird noises as worn or uneven pads scrub against rotors, and vibrations that make handling and maneuvering harder.
Most quads are equipped with organic pads straight out of the factory, but upgrading to semi-metallic, sintered or ceramic pads means you can safely sustain high speeds for longer, brake later, and also increase rotor longevity, especially when opting for ceramic pads. A well-stocked online ATV parts store will have multiple brake part brands and components tailored to specific uses, such as mudding, technical trails or fast downhill runs. Bear in mind that front pads are bigger as 75 percent of brake force is exerted on the front axle.
What Else Can You Find in ATV Parts Online Stores?
Besides the basics above, online stores also sell protective bodywork like bumpers and skid plates, recovery gear including winches and hitches, and the full catalogue of off- and on-road tires and suspension parts to lift the quad and improve ground clearance.
Most riders will also want wheel spacers to fit bigger mudding or snow tires (with or without chains), more storage options (front and rear racks and cargo boxes), LED lights for work and low-light visibility, and winch attachments like snowplows. Determine your needs, have your 17-digit VIN number ready and shop from respected online parts retailers.
