The ride of an ATV is meant to be a fun one. ATV's are known for how well they climb and crawl over terrain. In order to keep your ATVs functioning at a high level, you will need to fix them when things break.
You may not realize something is broken until you're out on the road. Don't make the mistake of driving on it anyways. Neglecting to fix a problem with your ATV can cause you more grief than it's worth. First check your wheel area as many problems start here first.
Be sure that the tires are not flat. You may think it's just low air pressure but driving on a flat can cause other more serious problems. A flat tire will slow you down and give your ride less power.
Another reason your ATV might not be riding quite right is the tread on the tires. While this is a much more gradual and subtle change, it does affect how your ATV grips the ground. You'll be amazed at what new tread can do to your ride.
The pressure in the tires also affects your ride. Usually ATV riders like their tire pressure to be on the low end. This makes it easier to climb hills. You may want to let some pressure out and see if this helps how the ATV drives.
While it may seem unlikely, a loose tire may also cause a lot of problems. Make sure all your nuts and bolts are fastened tightly so your tires will remain secure. A loose tire can ruin your alignment and even break parts of your ATV if not noticed quickly enough.
ATV shocks are also known to blow pretty regularly depending on the quality of shock you have. As the ATV shock starts to go out you will notice your ride is much bumpier and shaky. Good ATV shocks are a pretty essential part of an ATV so you really can't ride around on bad ones.
If you realize there are problems with how your ATV performs off road, you will want to check into these things. They are common problems that can be easy fixes if caught early enough. Being aware of the needs of your ATV is important if you want to keep it running as long as possible.