How Fast Is 50cc ATV?: Guide To ATV Speeds By Engine Size | Hunt or Shred

The engine size of your ATV will determine how fast it can ride, and as you upgrade to bigger models, you can expect the average and maximum speeds to increase.

You should consider riding experience and age when finding your ATV. For example, a 50cc ATV is the smallest machine and is intended for smaller and younger riders. This matters because overloading an ATV will only decrease the speed.

The engine size and weight capacity impact ATV speed the most. The 50cc ATV has an average speed range between 12 to 17 MPH without any modifications to the original design. For comparison, a 500cc ATV has a maximum speed of 63 MPH, and a 1000cc ATV has a top speed of 81 MPH.

ATVs are becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages and skill levels. One thing that draws people to them is their speed - how fast they can go depends on which engine size you're looking at. This guide is intended to explain how fast a 50cc ATV can go along with an easy-to-understand comparison of the top speeds by different ATV engine sizes.

We have tested many ATVs, including some of the top brands on the market. All information mentioned below has been collected through technical spec sheets from ATV manufacturers.

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How Fast Is 50cc ATV?: Guide To ATV Speeds By Engine Size

The 50cc ATV is a lower-powered ATV that is designed for beginners. It's also a great way to introduce kids to the sport of ATV riding.

Engine size will determine how fast your ATV can go and also what kind of terrain you can cover. The larger the engine size, the quicker your ATV will be able to go and the more powerful it will be.

A 50cc ATV is the smallest size you will find. This is meant for younger kids who have no experience with an ATV. The speed will range between 12 to 17 MPH.

How Fast Is 50cc ATV?

50cc ATVs are generally the smallest type of ATV on the market. They have a limited top speed of around 17 miles per hour.

Both the size and speed matter too. The largest ATV is 1,000cc, with a top speed of 80 MPH.

The price of a 50cc ATV is also much lower. This 17 MPH max speed will vary based on the exact ATV brand and type.

You can also increase or decrease your speed with customizations. We will mention some of the fastest and easiest modifications to make if you want to increase your ATV speed below.

ATV Speeds By Engine Size

The engine size of ATVs is often a significant factor in determining the top speed. Generally, the larger the engine size, the faster the ATV can go.

With so many sizes to consider, we have listed the most popular options below. This includes the ATV engine size, who it is designed for, and the speeds you can expect.

50cc ATV

The 50cc ATV is meant for kids over 6, but it is compact with minimal power. It comes with a top speed of 17 MPH, and the average top speed ranges between 12-17 MPH.

The size of this ATV will range between 50 to 60 inches in length and 30 to 35 inches in width. They are lightweight and cost the least, around $2,500.

70cc ATV

If you are looking for a larger ATV but with less speed for your child, the 70cc ATV is perfect for you. Most designs only include a maximum speed of about 10 MPH.

The design is similar to the 50cc, but most brands include a size between 58-60 inches in length and 36-38 inches in width. You can expect to pay around $2,500 for this ATV too.

90cc ATV

When you upgrade to a 90cc ATV, you will notice the speed increase. This ATV has a maximum speed of 32 MPH and is meant for riders aged 10 to 13.

On average, it weighs about 250-275 pounds, and the dimensions are similar to the 70cc, with 60 inches in length and 38 inches in width. The cost increase is significant, too, moving prices closer to $3,000.

200cc ATV

A 200cc ATV is considered a midsize ATV with a maximum speed of 37-39 MPH. This ATV is built for kids and teens aged 14 and up.

The weight increased to over 400 pounds, so the engine upgrade was significant to maintain these higher speeds. You can also expect to spend over $4,000 for a brand new 200cc ATV.

250cc ATV

The 250cc ATV is when things start to get more fun for experienced riders between the ages of 14-17. It has a maximum speed of 60 MPH, and the weight and size have increased too.

The length of the ATV was extended to 70 inches on average, and the weight was around 450 pounds. Costs are similar to the 200cc, between $4,000 to $5,000 per machine.

270cc ATV

The 270cc ATV is best for teens aged 14-16 but with less desire for top speeds. It is slightly larger at around 75 inches in length, but you will notice fewer performance-based features.

The top speed on this ATV is 39-42 MPH, weighing about 450 pounds on average. However, the price also decreases to a little under $4,000 for the average 270cc ATV.

300cc ATV

The 300cc ATV is a unique product with a size of 75 inches by 45 inches. The upgrade in size also comes with an increased weight capacity for larger riders over 16.

Some of the most popular 300cc ATVs include the Polaris Hawkeye and Arctic Cat. You can expect a maximum speed of 52-54 MPH.

400cc ATV

Upgrading to the 400cc ATV is a big jump in speed and size for older riders. The average ATV in this range weighs about 600 pounds with a length over 80 inches and a width of 48 inches.

The maximum speed for a 400cc ATV is 65-68 MPH. The Arctic Cat 400 and the Bombardier Outlander 400 are in this speed range and are two of the best 400cc ATVs.

450cc ATV

The 450cc ATV will cost a bit more than any ATV mentioned so far, between $5,500 to $6,300. You can also expect amazing speed with a maximum estimate between 70-74 MPH.

The design includes a few more inches in length, and the total weight is roughly 650 pounds too.

500cc ATV

The 500cc ATV is the smallest large ATV. This ATV class includes longer and wider machines with impressive top speeds.

This specific model ranges between 60-64 MPH, and average pricing is as low as $5,500 and as high as $7,500. You should also note the increase in weight up to 700+ pounds.

650cc ATV

The 650cc ATV is a great ATV for speed racing and rugged riding. It has a top speed of 73 MPH and is the perfect vehicle for riders looking for a large, fast and reliable machine.

The increased weight capacity makes it easier to ride with passengers too. This machine weighs about 750 pounds on average.

700cc ATV

The 700cc ATV costs between $7,000 to $10,000, depending on the exact brand and size. You can expect a top speed between 69-71 MPH, and this ATV is better for off-road handling than pure speed.

It resembles the 650cc ATV closely, but with less size. The compact design is meant to provide better handling and performance too.

800cc ATV

The 800cc ATV is for riders with plenty of experience. This is crucial because the increased length to 7.5 feet makes it more challenging to handle for a rider with no understanding of how this machine works.

The top speed is about 75 MPH on average, and the weight is above 800 pounds. It also comes with wider tires for increased traction.

1000cc ATV

The 1000cc ATV is the largest and fastest ATV, with a maximum speed of 81 MPH. You will also need to extend your budget to afford this model.

It is best used for experienced riders who can handle the increase in size and weight. We recommend looking into the Arctic Cat MudPro 1000.

How Can You Make An ATV Go Faster?

An ATV with a larger engine will have a higher top speed than one with a smaller engine because it will have more power and can push more air out of its exhaust pipe to push against.

But you are not limited to your ATV size. There are still ways to make it faster without upgrading the engine completely. Below we have listed some of the easiest ways to do so.

Adjust The Throttle Limiter Screw

The throttle limiter screw is a small screw on the side of the handlebars known as the governor. The throttle screw that you see is what limits the capacity of your throttle.

This restricts the amount of gas that can go into your engine when riding. This effectively limits your speed, but it can be adjusted.

You can unscrew it to go faster or screw it in more to decrease your speed. Both methods work to manipulate the maximum speed of your ATV.

Upgrade The Air Filter

The air filter is an integral part of the engine. It filters out dirt and debris so that the engine can run smoothly.

If you have a dirty or clogged air filter, it will restrict airflow to the engine and cause it to run inefficiently.

This will make your ATV work harder, making it slower and less powerful. If you are looking to get better speeds out of your ATV, make sure that you clean or upgrade your air filter regularly.

By focusing on maintenance or simply upgrading to a new air filter, you can add 1-3 MPH to your machine’s maximum speed.

Decrease The Machine Weight

The weight of your ATV is one of the essential factors in determining how fast it will go. The less weight you have on your ATV, the faster it will be able to go.

You can try to decrease the weight of your ATV to help it go faster too. Remove unnecessary accessories and items that are not necessary for riding.

One example is to remove the parking brake. You likely won’t need this feature if you are focused on speed and racing anyways.

Change Your Tires

Your ATV tires significantly impact the speeds you can experience when riding. Whether it is the tire type or your tire pressure, both can decrease your speed.

The weight of your tire can also increase the weight of your ATV, so this ends up causing you to drive slower. But larger tires are known to be more effective in getting to a faster top speed.

About THE AUTHOR

Gary

Gary

45 years old. I'm in business marketing. I write for Hunt or Shred on the side. I love hiking, camping, and everything outdoors with my family. I have 6 years of experience working at an ATV shop selling, fixing, and test driving all brands and models.

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