Fast Four Wheelers – Which Are The Fastest ATVs?

by Conner Mckay

Are you planning on purchasing a four wheeler and you are looking for far four wheelers? If this is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic where we will learn everything about these types of vehicles.

Doing the proper research before you go and purchase a vehicle is always a good idea. It doesn’t matter if you purchase a car, a bike, or a four wheeler. Research is the key if you want to get the best value for your money.

Especially when it comes to fast four wheelers. These vehicles need to be fast in order to tackle uneven terrain. You just don’t want to end up stuck in the middle of nowhere not being able to move. This is why speed and the torque of the internal combustion engine are really important. And we are going to explain everything you need to know.

First, we are going to learn what is a four wheeler in general for the people first time hearing this term. Then we will cover the history of four wheelers and the pros and cons of having fast four wheelers. Then we will cover our picks when it comes to this category of fast four wheelers. We will cover the specs, price, and speed most importantly. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.

What Is A Fast Four Wheeler?

Now before we dive into the fast four wheelers, let’s discuss more on the basics and learn what is a four wheeler in general. Knowing the basics is indeed helpful before learning about the fast four wheelers since there are a ton of people who are reading this article and are not into this type of vehicle design. So, let’s discuss.

A four wheeler is also known as a quad or an ATV. If you didn’t know ATV stands for All-Terrain vehicle. This is the type of vehicle that is used on uneven terrains and this vehicle is an off-road type of motorcycle.

Engines used on these types of vehicles are basically motorcycle engines that are fine-tuned to work on four wheels.

So, these types of vehicles are really useful when it comes to stability. And that is something that you lack when it comes to a regular motorcycle engine. And off-road, this stability is really essential.

Another thing to add is that there is also the term UTV or Utility Task Vehicle. This is also a four wheeler but a four wheeler with a cabin and much more rigid suspension than a standard quad bike that we are covering in this article.

These types of vehicles are really useful when it comes to driving to remote locations where the standard SUV cannot go.

So, if you have a remote cabin somewhere in the woods or you want to do some trail driving with your friends. This type of vehicle is the right one for you. But what are the fast four wheelers? More on that we will cover in a bit. Now let’s learn more about the history of the ATV.

ATV History (And What Makes Them Fast Four Wheelers?)

Now before we dive into the fast four wheelers, let’s learn more about the history of ATVs. Knowing the history is essential when it comes to this type of vehicle since knowing the roots of your hobby is one of the most important aspects.

What is important to note, is that the first ATV was built by Royal Enfield in 1893. Royal Enfield is a company that was famous for their motorcycles and also for their weaponry. They were a big arms manufacturer back in the good old days.

Their design was a quadricycle. It had four wheels and a ton of bicycle components including handlebars. Not a really heavy-duty off-roader. But a good first attempt at producing a quad bike.

In the 60s there were also efforts by Jiger Corporation to produce amphibious ATVs. Their Amphicat ATVs were military-focused and implemented a six wheel design. But unfortunately, these vehicles didn’t create much of an impact.

What really created an impact was the first three wheeled ATV by Sperry Rand Tricart designed in 1967. But something that really moved things forward in the ATV world was Honda’s effort. With their US90 model which was also a three wheeler.

Soon after many companies followed in creating their own ATVs but it was 13 years later in 1980 that the first four wheeler was produced. This was a design by Adventure Vehicles of Monroe, Louisiana. Their model was known as the Avenger 400.

Since the introduction of the Avenger 400, a lot of companies have seen the advantages of these types of vehicles and created their own version of the fast four wheelers. But what are the pros and cons of these types of vehicles? More on that we are going to cover next.

Pros And Cons Of Having A Fast Four Wheeler?

Now let’s cover another interesting topic before we delve into the fast four wheelers. And that are the pros and cons of having a four wheeler.

Everything has its pros and cons and this is why it is a very good idea to list all these aspects before you decide to spend your money on an ATV. So, let’s cover these pros and cons really quick before we list the fast four wheelers that you can buy right now.

Pros Of Fast Four Wheelers

Now let’s first cover the pros of fast four wheelers. Even before we dive into the pros, we can say that the pros outweigh the cons. Especially if you are really into these ATVs. So, what are the pros? Let’s elaborate.

The first and biggest pro of having an ATV is mobility. These vehicles are highly mobile and able to tackle any possible terrain. They will tackle anything you throw at them. Especially if you have good off-road tires.

They are perfect to drive to remote places. It doesn’t matter if there is mud, snow, or dirt. These ATVs will take you anywhere you want. So, if you have a cabin on the mountain or you love trail driving, then getting one of these vehicles is a no-brainer decision if you are asking me.

Also, another pro is the low fuel consumption when compared to an SUV. These machines will take you anywhere you want to for a really cheap price. On average, they manage to achieve 20 MPG which is an excellent number.

In addition to this, there is also the stability of driving this type of vehicle. They are stable if you drive them as they should be driven when compared to a classic dirt bike. Chances of hurting yourself are much lower with an ATV than with a dirt bike.

And the last pro of having an ATV is the ease of use. These four wheelers are dead easy, it’s not like a bike where you could fall off if you are not careful. So, if you want to get something that is really easy to use, then going for a fast four wheelers might be one of the best decisions.

Cons Of Fast Four Wheelers

Now let’s cover the cons of the fast four wheelers. As you probably know, everything has cons and so do the ATVs. There are a few of them and you should be aware that they exist. In this chapter, we are going to list them in proper order.

The first con of having an ATV is fuel consumption. In comparison to a standard dirt bike, the ATV’s fuel consumption is very poor. This is mainly because standard motorcycles are light and do not spend too much gas.

As we mentioned previously, even though the ATV has a worse fuel economy than the standard dirt bike, it has a much better fuel economy than an SUV.

The next con that we are going to cover is the legality of these vehicles. They can be purchased that’s for sure. But can you register one for yourself? Probably not. Even though you can purchase these vehicles, you cannot register them and make them road legal.

That’s the law and you should be aware of this. They can only be driven in off-road environments and you cannot drive them on the tarmac. So, if you plan to drive a four wheeler on the tarmac. You will need to transport this vehicle with a trailer and then unload it and be able to drive it legally.

And the last con is the safety aspect. Even though ATVs are considered safe, they are not safe when compared to a UTV. ATVs do not have head protection. So, whenever you drive an ATV, you need to be really careful not to roll over because if these fast four wheelers fall on you, you can get hurt really bad.

Fastest Four Wheelers

We learned what are four wheelers and what are the pros and cons of running a four wheeler. We think that now it is time to give you our list of fast four wheelers.

In the following chapters, we are going to list the fastest ATVs that are on the market. We will cover their specs, price, and also their top speed. So, follow along.

1. Polaris Scrambler XP 1000S

When it comes to fast four wheelers, the Polaris Scrambler XP 1000S is probably one of the first things that will come to your mind. And this is the case because the Scrambler is probably the best quad that money can buy.

As Polaris claims, this model will give you unmatched stability on any dirt track out there as well as on the road.

This model is 55’’ wide and has a ground clearance of 14.5’’. In addition to this, you get 14’’ of suspension travel. And not any suspension but some high-performance Walker Evans shocks.

As Polaris claims, this model will tackle any terrain that you throw at it. Even at night with the 11’’ light bar which is perfectly designed for off-road use.

This four wheeler is 881lbs heavy. And can carry a payload of 290lbs.

Polaris Scrambler 1000 Top Speed

In terms of engine and top speed, we can say that this motorcycle is equipped with a 952cc 2 cylinder, 4 stroke engine. The engine produces 89hp.

When it comes to the Polaris Scrambler 1000 top speed, we can say that this is among the best fast four wheelers on the market. It easily gets 85 mph. The most of any quad out there. And this quad can be yours for $17,000.

2. Can Am Renegade X XC 1000R

When it comes to fast four wheelers that look cool, we can say that the Can Am Renegade X XC 1000R gets all the attention. And also, when it comes to performance, there is hardly anything that can match Can Am.

This quad bike is 83 inches long, 50 inches wide, and 55 inches tall. It has a wheelbase of 51 inches and 12.5 inches of ground clearance. Not as much as with the Polaris, but still very respectable numbers from this four wheeler.

In terms of weight, it is one of the heavier quads out there with 991lbs. When it comes to payload, we can say that this model has a 35lbs rack capacity. But this is improved with the towing ability. And this Can Am can tow quite a bit. 1,3000lbs to be more exact.

In terms of suspension, we can say that it implements an arched double A-arm suspension with a sway bar. In terms of shock absorbers, this model comes with high-performance FOX shock absorbers.

Can Am Renegade 1000 Top Speed

When it comes to the Can Am Renegade 1000 top speed, we can say that this quad bike is equipped with a 91hp 976cc V-twin engine which is liquid-cooled. The engine is paired with a CVT transmission.

This model will easily reach 80 to 85 mph with no problem. So, this model is easily one of the fast four wheelers out there. The price for this model is about $13,000.

3. Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000

When we discuss the fast four wheelers, we cannot list the Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000. This is one of the older models that currently isn’t available to purchase new. So, the information on this model is weak since the last model year was 2009. This four wheeler is made by the same company Arctic Cat which is widely known for making really good snowmobiles.

Nevertheless, this model when it comes to dimensions, is worth mentioning that it weighs 716lbs, is 47.5 inches wide, 84.8 inches long, and 48 inches tall. The ground clearance is also good at 11 inches.

In addition to this, this model has a front rack of 100lbs and a rear rack that will fit 200lbs of cargo. Also, the towing capacity is excellent at 1,050lbs.

In terms of suspension, this ATV has both the front and rear double A-arm, adjustable shocks with 10 inches of travel. But is this ATV one of the fast four wheelers? More on that next.

Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 Top Speed

This four wheeler comes with a V-twin 951cc engine that is paired with an automatic CVT transmission.

In terms of top speed, this is probably one of the fast four wheelers out there. Some people achieved to get 112mph with this ATV, GPS measured. So, we can say that it is legit. The price of this model new was about $11,000.

4. Can Am Outlander X XC 1000

Another Can Am product in our list of fast four wheelers is the Outlander X XC 1000. This beast of an ATV is basically one of the best quads that you can get for the money.

It comes in 15 different packages. And it even comes as a six-wheeler variant if you want to go that extreme.

Nevertheless, this model is 94 inches long, 48 inches wide, and 53 inches high. It has a good ground clearance of 11 inches.

The weight of this quad is about 900lbs for the 1000R. It has a rack capacity of 100lbs. This model is also good for towing. It can easily tow up to 1,650lbs.

In terms of suspension, the front has a double A-arm while on the rear it has a torsional trailing arm. Both rear and front are equipped with FOX shocks. But is it one of the fast four wheelers? Let’s find out next.

Can Am Outlander 1000 Top Speed

When it comes to performance and top speed. It is worth mentioning that this motorcycle is equipped with a V-twin engine that is producing about 91hp and it is paired with a CVT automatic transmission. The top speed for the Can Am Outlander is about 80mph.

Prices start from $9,000 and for a maximum spec model can reach up to $18,000. Now let’s move to the next in our list of fast four wheelers.

5. Yamaha Raptor 700R

The next on our list of fast four wheelers is the Yamaha Raptor 700R. An article about motorcycles without Yamaha would make no sense since they make really good motorcycles and ATVs and that is the case with the Raptor 700R.

The Raptor 700R is Yamaha’s offering in this segment and frankly, this motorcycle really delivers excellent performance for your hard-earned money.

The Raptor 700R is a good ATV for this price range. The dimensions of the Raptor are 72.6 inches in length, 45.5 inches wide, and 43.9 inches in height.

The seat height is 32.7 inches, it has a wheelbase of 50.4 inches and a ground clearance of 9.5 inches. We can see here that this model is a bit lacking in comparison to the bigger models which have 11 inches or more in ground clearance. Also, in terms of weight, this model has a wet weight of 422lbs.

In terms of suspension, this ATV has a double-wishbone suspension in the front that is able to adjust manually when it comes to the rebound, and preload. Also, this suspension has 9.1-inch travel in the front and 10.1-inch travel in the rear.

In terms of brakes, we can say that this model comes with hydraulic disc brakes. But is this one of the fast four wheelers out there? Well, more on that we are going to cover next.

Raptor 700 Top Speed

Now let’s see if this ATV is one of the fast four wheelers. This ATV comes with a 686cc 4-stroke engine with 4 valves that can rev up to 9,000 RPM. The engine is paired with a 5-speed transmission with reverse gear.

In terms of top speed, the raptor has a top speed of about 75MPH, but some owners pushed it up to 79MPH which is mind-blowing for this type of ATV. Now let’s conclude this article about the fast four wheelers.

Fastest Stock ATVs: Top 10 List and Facts

  1. Engine size and type play a significant role in determining the speed of an ATV.
  2. Many modern ATVs have limiters and restrictors in place for safety reasons.
  3. The Polaris Scrambler XP 1000S is the fastest stock ATV with one of the highest top speeds ever built.
  4. The Can Am Renegade X XC 1000R has one of the highest horsepower of any ATV made today, with a powerful Rotax engine.
  5. The Suzuki LT500, a two-stroke quad produced in 1988, still makes the top 10 list today due to its top speed.
  6. The Yamaha Raptor 700R is a popular choice for dune riding, while the Honda TRX 700xx is best suited for speed.
  7. The Bombardier DS650 was built for motocross and designed to go fast in an open flat area.
  8. The KTM 525 XC is known for its insane acceleration off the line and is an excellent choice for racing.
  9. The fastest stock ATVs may not be the best for motocross or track racing, with riders opting for lightweight, fast-accelerating models that are good for stability and cornering.

Conclusion On Fast Four Wheelers

In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the fast four wheelers. First, we learned what is a four wheeler and more about the history of these vehicles. We learned how these types of vehicles have evolved through the years.

Then we covered the pros and cons of having an ATV and we listed the fast four wheelers that you can purchase. We learned their specs, engines, and top speed.

F.A.Qs On Fast Four Wheelers

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

How Fast Do Four Wheelers Go

On average, they go at speeds of about 65-75 mph. Even though, there are some really powerful quads like the Arctic Cat Thundercat 1000 which can go up to 112 mph according to some owners.

How Fast Do ATVs Go

On average they go at speeds between 65 and 75 mph per hour. Even though there are more capable ones rated at 1000cc in displacement that can go up to 85 mph.

Where Are Polaris ATVs Made

They are manufactured in the US. More precisely in Osceola, Wisconsin powertrains are assembled. And the main assembly line for the vehicles is done in Roseau, Minnesota.

Fastest Quad In The World

The fastest quad in the world according to the Guinness World Records is the ALSR Rocker Raptor version 6.0. This is a modified Yamaha Raptor 700. This modified quad reached a speed of 196.19 mph.

How Fast Is Raptor 700

The Raptor 700 has a top speed of 75 mph. Even though some owners claim that pushed this quad up to 79 mph.

Biggest Four Wheeler In The World

The biggest four wheeler that you can buy is the Polaris Sportsman XP1000. This is easily one of the biggest models that you can purchase. Also, the Can Am Outlander Max Limited 1000R is one of the competitors in this segment as well.

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