Road legal quad bikes

[pettal]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Try having a look in Bike Trader (the bike version of Auto Trader - it usually has quite a few - otherwise call Blue Water Marine (it's where Watkins were in Island Street Salcombe) on 01548 843383 and ask Pete about the road legal buggies - single and double seat things that are small, and open but you sit in them rather than on them - got a steering wheel just like a car - only good for short local journeys though as they run on small 4 stroke engines with a centrifugal clutch.

Yeah I looked at those, but wasn't convinced. If they maybe went a bit faster as they only do 40kph top speed and had bigger wheels on them and looked a bit more grrr.......then maybe!

[Searider]

mate of mine just bought an ex farmer special from a country house auction for £350.

Runs fine but not road legal. Not very Grrrrrr either, but Cheeep.

[Daniel TD5]

try this lot

http://www.honda.co.uk/atv/

dan

[pettal]

Originally Posted by Daniel TD5

try this lot

http://www.honda.co.uk/atv/

dan

Hi Daniel,

Honda are refusing to do road legal quad bikes as they don't agree with it...according to one of their press releases I saw on the web. Maybe with everyone else starting to do them they may just have to change their mind!

It's a shame as there are some nice Honda offroad quads that'd be a treat as a road version!!!

[George8910]

Originally Posted by roohairy

Pettal incidentaly an agricultural type will also quite happily tow your boat on it's trailer. Before anyone else points it out yes I know it would be illegal, just pointing out that they are quite powerful enough to do it. A good solution on private land, this is why I bought mine, sold the old landrover that sat outside rusting all year round.

Are they illegal because of the lack of weight? I have been thinking about one to launch a 4m searider across sand/shingle - there is a short section of public road and then a private track- wasn't sure if they would be substantial enough to retrieve boat/trailer...

[roohairy]

There are people doing kits for Honda quads to bring them up to standard, I was quoted £450 - £500 for a dealer to supply but not fit, 2 different kits from 2 dealers. One had trailer electrics, one didn't. Both involved a new front bullbar to carry the lights and indicators, and completely new lighting at the back.

I used to use my 450cc Honda Foreman to launch a fairly heay 18' dory / 85Hp on a rollercoaster trailer without problems but it was on a fairly sound surface. The problem with quads is not power but getting enough grip to use it. I also regulary use it to tow 1/2 tonne of firewood in a trailer across a soft peaty hillside without problems as long as you don't stop on the really soft bits.

Something at least 300cc and agricultural will have no trouble with a 4m rib. There was a nice 2 or 3 year old Honda Foreman 350 that was licenced and 'on the road' on Ebay a while ago, think the reserve was about £2500, also don't think it sold....

A word of warning, they're very 'desireable' to certain people, the Scottish police say that 1 in 3 quads will be stolen at some point in it's life and 50% of private sales are not legit, so check out the chassis numbers with the police before buying. There was a gang operating in the Highlands, just driving around with a horsebox scouting for machines then returning at night.

[crazydonkey]

i were at MAKRO in Eccles today an they have a quad-bike at £899 if that helps - just a 100cc jobbie

[George8910]

Thanks for replies - more investigation of terrain needed

[peter 24/7]

Sure some of these points have been covered:
-Tyres, check speed rating, most farm quad tyres are rated to 15 to 20 mph, over this and you not insured.
- Towing limits, RNLI had to replace our quad with a landy as it was not upto the job to tow legally on the road, only have a D class.
-tax it as a tractor and you donot require indicators , break lights etc, just fron t light, rear light, number plate light. (limited mileage per week)
Cheap quad bikes donot exist, not ones that work or are not hot.

Ever thought a tractor may be a better buy and you can go deeper when launching.

Good luck