Sukuzi, Honda, Yamaha: Quad-bike owner’s guide to the future of ATV brands in Australia

The Australian quad-bike market may look a lot different when compulsory rollbar regulations come into effect this October. Here’s where each brand stands on the topic.

Some ATV manufacturers have threatened to pull out of the Australian market when laws about mandatory protection devices come in.

OPERATOR protection devices will be compulsory on quad-bikes in Australia as of October this year and Australian manufacturers are divided in their responses to the requirement.

Under safety laws introduced by the Federal Government, all bikes must be fitted with, or have integrated into the design an operator protection device and meet minimum safety requirements before being sold.

It’s hoped the standards will reduce the risk of on-farm deaths as a result of quad-bike accidents, which were the leading cause of farm fatalities in 2019.

But not all vehicle manufacturers are on board with the compulsory rollbars, with some threatening to pull out of the Australian market as a result.

If you own one of the quad-bike brands below, this is what their decisions will mean for you:

SUZUKI

In May the Japanese manufacturer announced it would be pulling out of the ATV (quad-bike) market by October this year.

Last month a bulletin was sent out asking dealers to not sell any more quad bikes.

A Suzuki spokesman said owners will still be able to get their vehicles serviced or buy parts for existing models going forward.

HONDA

Have threatened to pull out of the Australian market by October rather than fitting OPDs.

Existing vehicles would be able to be serviced and get spare parts for the next decade at a minimum.

YAMAHA

Japanese giant Yamaha have announced they will pull out of the market, while also trying to stop the new wave of quad-bikes, threatening to cancel its dealers’ franchises last October if they sold CF MOTO quad-bikes fitted with OPDs.

They said current customers would be supported in terms of services, parts and accessories in the future via a national dealer network.

KAWASAKI

Have indicated “at this stage” they would cease to sell ATVs in Australia from October.

“Warranty and Parts supply will continue through the Kawasaki dealer network to meet the servicing requirements of Kawasaki owners nationally,” a spokesman said.

CAN AM

The Canadian manufacturer declared they would no longer be selling their range of quad bikes in Australia.

Details on whether the servicing and warranty for these vehicles would continue in Australia has not yet been confirmed by The Weekly Times.

POLARIS

Polaris has responded to the new safety laws by withdrawing its quad-bike range and focusing on their range of side-by-side vehicles instead.

A press release said: “Polaris has deemed the process of complying to be unviable considering the rapidly reducing size of the ATV (quad-bike) market.”

Like other manufacturers, they said service and support for parts and warranty will continue for at least the next decade.

CF MOTO

CF MOTO quad-bikes fitted with OPDs are already being sold in Australia.

“Mojo Motorcycles, the Australian importer of CF MOTO, has introduced an updated range of quad bikes that meet stage 2 requirements of the Consumer Goods (Quad Bike) Safety Standard. If the model is advertised with the ‘Quad-Bike Safety Standard Compliant’ logo, it is compliant with the requirements of stage 2 and will be supplied with a Quadbar OPD installed,” a statement on its website says.

TGB

Taiwanese giant TGB has just released five models, which local distributor Gary Olsen said would be fully compliant with the new federal OPD laws.

“When a lot of other manufacturers have decided to bail from the safety requirements for Australia, TGB is committed to providing a quality ATV at an affordable price while fully complying with the new ACCC safety regulations,” Mr Olsen said.

A Segway hybrid Snarler ATV.

SEGWAY

Global scooter maker Segway will be launching its first quad-bike in Australia this week, with a powerful new petrol-electric hybrid due to be rolled out in June.

“We have every intention of fitting OPDs by October,” Segway Powersports Australia distributor Joseph Elasmar said.