2wd vs 4wd ATV's

[sh00ter]

When you buy an atv you will receive a manufacturers statement of origin. That is what you take to the tag office along with the bill of sale to title and register it. That gets you a registration sticker that is required to use it at any state owned atv offroad facilities. The state wants you to register it because that is where they gig you for the excise tax. It is like buying a boat. If you only plan to use it on you own pond it is not required you register it, you just can't use it on any state or federal lakes or waterways.

If you do not register it, you will have a great deal of difficulty if you were to ever want to trade it in for something else at a dealership. They will require you to title it first and pay the penalties from the date of purchase. You would be able to sell it to a private party as long as they are ok with it not being titled, but it likely would lower the resale value.

As far as hauling it around in your truck, it would be like hauling a jonboat around without any registration numbers on it. If you were ever to be questioned about it, as long as you could produce the MS of Orig. and bill of sale you would probably get by, but I can't promise that in all cases.

Many don't register their atv as they only plan to use it on their farm or other private property.

Okay thanks because the girl from the tag agency made it sound like the moment that law passed (whenever it was) all ATV owners were required to title them (sort of like the pistol brace rule).

So based on what you are saying if you bought a used ATV that was newer than July 2005, if you wanted to title it, then you might have some surprise back taxes to pay in order to do so? I know for certain they amended the laws for cars & trucks to limit the penalties for that. I wonder if that is limited for ATV's as well?

I actually have a 1990 model 2-man boat tht was given to me years ago and once tried to title it so I could get a sticker to use on state lakes and it was a nightmare because they didn't even have that model "in their system". I gave up on that and just use it on private waters all its life anyway.

 

[1911Sooner]

One thing about the way they do it now is you only pay 3.5% for the tag vs the old days where you paid 8.5% sales tax at the dealer.

 

[Okie4570]

I bought a 2001 Honda Rubicon 500 new when they came out. My only dislike now is that it's full time 4x4 and will wear your shoulders out on a half day ride. It wasn't that big of a deal 22y ago lol. It's been good, ton of miles and hours on it. Built a deer "picker upper front end loader" for it that's winch operated that's pretty handy.

 

[Shadowrider]

I bought the smallest 4X4 4 wheeler made. I started with a 4X4 with a straight rear axle but upgraded to one with an independent rear suspension. Where I deer hunt, 4X4 is a must-have for crossing creeks and weaving through trails.

People are spending tens of thousands on side by sides and huge 4 wheelers. I don't get it, if I wanted something that big or comfy, I'd by a 4 wheeler called a JEEP.

YMMV

You and me think exactly alike. For the money a UTV costs you can build a kick ass JEEP and be able to drive it anywhere.

For some it's a toy, for some it's to do light work on their land. They all have their place but for me it'd be a JEEP all day.

 

[dennishoddy]

Here is the difference between a 2wd and a 4wd.
If you have to cross a creek with a steep bank, you can creep up it with 4wd. If you attempt to cross the same creek with a 2WD, you will need to attack the hill at high speeds to get over the top as a simple example.
If one wants a 2WD with a winch, there may not be an anchoring point for the winch in the area, leaving you unable to top that hill.
4wd with a winch is the way to go with selectable 2 or 4wd.
Been riding atc's and atv's since 1982.
Regarding the sticker, my 2005 artic cat 500CC has one. If you get the sticker, and travel to other states like New Mexico, you can ride their trails without requiring one to get their stamps.
It also provides proof of ownership in case there is a dispute.
My 85 Honda 250SX doesn't have a title. Someone could just steal it and I would have zero ability to claim ownership.

 

[kingfish]

So based on what you are saying if you bought a used ATV that was newer than July 2005, if you wanted to title it, then you might have some surprise back taxes to pay in order to do so? I know for certain they amended the laws for cars & trucks to limit the penalties for that. I wonder if that is limited for ATV's as well?

I have no experience doing this so I cannot answer to it. Tag agencies should be able to explain it.

 

[magna19]

Here is the difference between a 2wd and a 4wd.
If you have to cross a creek with a steep bank, you can creep up it with 4wd. If you attempt to cross the same creek with a 2WD, you will need to attack the hill at high speeds to get over the top as a simple example.
If one wants a 2WD with a winch, there may not be an anchoring point for the winch in the area, leaving you unable to top that hill.
4wd with a winch is the way to go with selectable 2 or 4wd.
Been riding atc's and atv's since 1982.
Regarding the sticker, my 2005 artic cat 500CC has one. If you get the sticker, and travel to other states like New Mexico, you can ride their trails without requiring one to get their stamps.
It also provides proof of ownership in case there is a dispute.
My 85 Honda 250SX doesn't have a title. Someone could just steal it and I would have zero ability to claim ownership.

After looking at the 200SX 3 wheeler I remembered why I have a selectable 4x4 and 2wd only 4 wheeler. The 2WD only has non aggressive tires and does the yard work without tearing up as much grass.

 

[sh00ter]

Here is the difference between a 2wd and a 4wd.
If you have to cross a creek with a steep bank, you can creep up it with 4wd. If you attempt to cross the same creek with a 2WD, you will need to attack the hill at high speeds to get over the top as a simple example.
If one wants a 2WD with a winch, there may not be an anchoring point for the winch in the area, leaving you unable to top that hill.
4wd with a winch is the way to go with selectable 2 or 4wd.
Been riding atc's and atv's since 1982.
Regarding the sticker, my 2005 artic cat 500CC has one. If you get the sticker, and travel to other states like New Mexico, you can ride their trails without requiring one to get their stamps.
It also provides proof of ownership in case there is a dispute.
My 85 Honda 250SX doesn't have a title. Someone could just steal it and I would have zero ability to claim ownership.

LOVE the 3-wheeler, I have an 85 200x I am working on freshening up. The 85 250sx is my dream 3-wheeler if I could ever find one I could afford. I grew up on 3-wheelers; wish I still had all of them!

For the older stuff, it is my understanding you could still take the VIN to a tag agent and have a title issued if you wanted proof of ownership.

 

[geezer77]

I was in the same situation several years ago, wife and I liked to mess around up at Red River on the trails but I didn't want a big wide side-by-side. We ended up buying a new 2009 Polaris Sportsman 500 X2 EFI, which is built to carry two if you flip up the built in second seat, but also has a small pickup-truck-like dump bed in the back. LOTS of power, and it also has a pretty large (but shallow) hard shell front storage compartment. Independent suspension, and automatic tranny (variable sheave belt drive). 2WD mode can also be switched to "Turf" mode which allows the rear axles to run differentially like a car to avoid ripping up turf on sharp turns. I added a little Warn 3500# winch, which has come in very handy for tree limb work and such. It gets used around my property for almost everything, including acting as a big mobile tool box when I'm working away from the house & shop. Not a lick of trouble in 13 years other than a new battery in 2018. It just runs, every time, and the EFI of course doesn't care if it's at 1300 ft or 13,000 ft. The only thing I would add if I bought another one would be the electric power steering. I think Arctic Cat makes a similar model as the X2, so if you only ride double occasionally and the rest of the time use the machine for everyday farm work and such, look into this type of 2-up configuration. It has worked great for us, and a lot cheaper and easier to handle on trails than a SxS.

 

[Tinytim]

I grew up riding 2 and 3-wheelers so a 4wd ATV is foreign concept to me. My current older 4-wheelers are all 2wd and light enough to get unstuck but I'm wanting something larger.

So I need to decide if I need 4wd or not due to the extra cost. I can tell you that right now 99% of use would not require 4wd, but that could change in the future so I don't want to make a mistake if all I need is a larger 2wd.

ALSO, is it really true that if you buy a used ATV from someone that it must have a title? Is it legal for them to sell a used ATV if they don't have

I grew up riding 2 and 3-wheelers so a 4wd ATV is foreign concept to me. My current older 4-wheelers are all 2wd and light enough to get unstuck but I'm wanting something larger.

So I need to decide if I need 4wd or not due to the extra cost. I can tell you that right now 99% of use would not require 4wd, but that could change in the future so I don't want to make a mistake if all I need is a larger 2wd.

ALSO, is it really true that if you buy a used ATV from someone that it must have a title? Is it legal for them to sell a used ATV if they don't have one?

ATV Laws In Oklahoma January 2006
OPERATION ON STREETS AND ROADWAYS
Oklahoma Statute 47-1151
Section E
“ . . . The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to those motor-driven or operated vehicles known as ‘all-terrain vehicles’, which are manufactured principally for use off the roads. All-terrain vehicles may be operated on unpaved roads which are located within the boundaries of any property of the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. Also, all-terrain vehicles may operate upon the public streets and highways of this state under the following circumstances:
1. An all-terrain vehicle may be operated upon public streets and highways if the vehicle needs to make a direct crossing of the street or highway while the vehicle is traveling upon a regularly traveled trail and needs to continue travel from one area of the trail to another and if the vehicle comes to a complete stop, yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard, and crosses the street or highway at an angle of approximately ninety (90) degrees to the direction of the street or highway. This exception shall not apply to divided highways or streets or highways with a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour in the area of the crossing;
2. The operator of the all-terrain vehicle making the crossing at a street or highway has a valid driver license; and
3. The operation of the vehicle making a crossing on a street or highway occurs during daylight hours only.”
Section H
“Anyone violating any of the provisions heretofore enumerated in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) and not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).”
47-1151.1.B
“Except as otherwise provided in this section and pursuant to the exception provided in subsection E of Section 1151 of this title, golf carts or all-terrain vehicles shall not be operated on the highways or turnpikes of the state.”
47-1151.1.C
“All-terrain vehicles owned by a city or golf carts may be operated on city streets if:
1. The municipal governing body has adopted an ordinance governing the operation of golf carts or all-terrain vehicles on city streets; and

2. Operation occurs during daylight hours only.”
REGISTRATION Enrolled House Bill 1297
Section 1102.1 “‘All-terrain vehicle’” means a motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use which is sixty (60) inches or less in width, with an unladen dry weight of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds or less, traveling on two or more low-pressure tires”
Section 1113.A.1 “ . . .The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall assign an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle used exclusively off roads and highways a distinctive number and issue to the owner a certificate of registration and a decal but not a license plate. For each subsequent registration year, the Tax Commission shall issue a yearly decal to be affixed to the license plate, except for an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle used exclusively off roads and highways. The initial decal for an all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle shall be attached to the front of the all-terrain vehicle and shall be in clear view. The decal shall be on the front or on the front fork of the motorcycle used exclusively off roads and highways and the decal shall be in clear view.”
Section 1113, Section 5.A “Except as otherwise provided by this section, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles used exclusively off roads or highways shall be registered once with the Oklahoma Tax Commission within thirty (30) days after purchase.”
Section 1113, Section 5.B “For all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles used exclusively off roads or highways purchased prior to July 1, 2005, registration, as otherwise required by Section 1115 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall not be required, but shall be allowed at the option of the owner of the all-terrain vehicle or motorcycle used exclusively off roads or highways.”
Section 1113, Section 5.C “All-terrain vehicles or motorcycles used exclusively off roads or highways owned or purchased by a person that possesses an agricultural exemption pursuant to Section 1358.1 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes may be registered as provided by this section, but shall not require registration.”
Section 1132.B “For all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles used exclusively for use off roads or highways purchased on or after July 1, 2005, and for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles used exclusively for use off roads or highways purchased prior to July 1, 2005, which the owner chooses to register pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of this act, an initial and nonrecurring registration fee of Eleven Dollars ($11.00) shall be assessed at the time of initial registration by the owner. Nine Dollars ($9.00) of the registration fee shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund. Two Dollars ($2.00) of the registration fee shall be retained by the motor license agent