How to choose the right ATV for a beginner?

Lately I’ve been thinking about getting my first ATV, but I’m honestly not sure what I should be looking for. A few weeks ago I visited a friend who lives outside the city, and he let me ride his quad around a small dirt trail behind his house. It was way more fun than I expected, but also a little intimidating since I’ve never driven anything like that before. His ATV was pretty powerful and I felt like I was barely in control at times.

So now I’m wondering what kind of ATV actually makes sense for someone who’s just starting out. Should beginners focus more on engine size, weight, or maybe handling? I’d like something that’s fun for weekend trail rides but not so powerful that it becomes hard to manage. Curious how others here chose their first one.

That sounds really similar to how I got into ATVs. The first time I rode one was at my cousin’s place during a camping trip, and his machine was way too powerful for someone who had never touched an ATV before. After that I started researching and realized that beginners usually feel more comfortable with mid-size engines and lighter frames because they’re easier to control on trails.
One thing that helped me a lot was browsing different models and reading about what they’re built for. I actually found some useful info and model examples on https://www.texomapowersports.com/ when I was comparing entry-level ATVs. It helped me understand the difference between utility quads and sportier ones.

Funny timing seeing this thread. I was just scrolling through the forum during a coffee break and noticed people talking about ATVs again. Around where I live they’re pretty common because there are lots of rural roads and fields, so you see them all the time on weekends. I don’t personally ride them much, but a couple of my neighbors use them for everything — hauling small trailers, checking fences, even just cruising around dirt paths in the evening. It’s interesting how popular they’ve become for both work and recreation. Every summer it seems like more people in the area start getting into outdoor motorsports in general.