A Quick Guide to Essential ATV Terms

If you own an ATV, odds are that you’ve already heard your fair share of slang. There is a unique language among powersports fans, used to describe various aspects of the riding lifestyle. Whether you are brand new to this world or an old pro, you’ll eventually encounter a term you don’t know yet. So, it might be time to study up!

Follow this quick guide to some key ATV terms, every rider should know.

Terms About the Models

• Aftermarket: refers to a part of the ATV that was not there originally, such as an upgrade installed a few months after the model was purchased. It’s the opposite of the term “original equipment manufacturer”.
• Four-wheeler: another term used to describe an ATV. The first models were actually designed with three wheels, but these models had performance and safety issues. The fourth wheel was added and greatly improved the riding performance, so the three-wheeled models were phased out.
• Modified: refers to an ATV that has been changed from its factory condition, such as the addition of aftermarket parts and enhancements. It’s often referring to changes in the engine or suspension.
• OEM: stands for original equipment manufacturer. This term refers to the parts of the ATV that were part of its factory design. It’s the opposite of the term “aftermarket.”
• Quad: another term for ATVs.
• Stock: refers to a model that has not been altered in some way with upgrades and modifications and instead only has its factory parts.

Terms About ATV Parts

• Case or Casing: the ATV’s transmission.
• Go Juice: another way of saying gasoline.
• Knobbies: refers to the tires that are most often used on ATVs. These tires come with knobs that can help grip the road, resulting in better traction.
• Nose: the front of the ATV.
• Paperweight: a part of the model that is so broken that it cannot be repaired.
• Plastic: the term used for the body of the ATV, which is usually made from plastic.
• Skid Plates: the plates that protect the ATV’s underside.
• Tail: the back of the ATV.

Terms About Riding

• Airtime: the amount of time a rider is in the air after a jump.
• Bottoming Out: a hard landing after a jump that uses all the travel in the suspension.
• Goosing It: refers to the throttle being applied in short bursts, causing the ATV to jump forward.
• Loop Out: a crash where the back of the ATV goes below the center of gravity, causing the rider to tip backwards.
• Rollover: happens when the ATV tips over or rolls onto its side.
• Roost: this is a shortening of the word “rooster tail”, which refers to all the debris kicked up by an ATV’s tires as they spin.
• Squid or Squirrel: a rider that is dangerous and unpredictable.
• Whoops: bumps on the trail that are spaced between five feet and ten feet apart. They are also between one foot and three feet high.
• Yard Sale: a crash that results in a large amount of debris and broken parts left behind.

Make your next ride the best one yet! Buy your ATV at Team Winnebagoland Powersports Center located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We also proudly serve Green Bay and surrounding areas.