ATV Driving Tips for Beginners
New to powersports? Riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is a rewarding and exciting hobby that you’ll love if you’re all about adrenaline! But riding on an ATV does pose some risks, so it’s important to follow best practices and be responsible at all times. That means wearing appropriate safety gear, inspecting your quad, following rules and maintaining your focus at all times.
Holzhauer Pro Motorsports in Nashville, Illinois, is your local Kawasaki ATV dealer. To help you stay safe out there on the trails and tracks of the world, we’ve provided some handy driving tips for beginning ATV riders.
Keep Your ATV Maintained
The first and most important rule is that you should never ride on a quad that’s in need of repair. If you don’t keep up with regular maintenance tasks, then your ATV is likely to become dangerous to ride, as it’s liable to break down at any time. So make sure that you perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle before every ride, from top to bottom. Check the tire pressure and condition, check the consistency of your oil, fill up your gas tank, test the brakes and make sure that everything seems to be in order.
Remember that if you need some professional assistance, you can always contact the service team here at Holzhauer Pro Motorsports to schedule an appointment with our mechanics. And always carry a tool kit with you so that you can perform quick tune-ups on the trail.
Wear The Right Gear
Your next task will be to outfit yourself properly for powersports vehicle riding. Because your ATV doesn’t have a protective metal shell or seatbelts like your car does, you have to wear a helmet. You want to make sure that your head is fully protected in the event of a crash or rollover event, since you may be thrown from the vehicle.
The rest of your attire should serve to protect your skin from scrapes and abrasions. Gloves with good grip will help you hold onto the handlebars, and sturdy ankle boots with good tread will ensure contact with the ground when you need it. Long sleeves and pants are a good idea to protect you from branches and other debris. Eye protection is also necessary; if your helmet lacks a full face mask, then invest in a well-fitting pair of goggles instead.
Follow The Rules
Many trails and tracks you ride on will have rules posted regarding the usage of them, including speed limits and areas that are out of bounds for quads. Make sure that you are respectful of these rules and of the rights of other riders on the trail. Stay on the path provided to avoid doing damage to the surrounding environment; you never know when you could hit an unseen obstacle when going off-path, too. Give stopped riders a wide berth and stop for all pedestrians and animals that may cross your path.
Ride Responsibly
Whenever you ride your ATV, you should be sober and alert. That means no using recreational drugs or alcohol before your ride. You should also check with your doctor if you’re on any prescription medications that could reduce your focus and interfere with your ability to operate heavy machinery.
Don’t take risks! You don’t need to try to impress anyone by performing tricks that are far beyond your skill level. You may even want to ride with or behind a more experienced rider who can help you watch out for obstacles and follow a safe path. Go at a slower speed until you become more comfortable with your ATV.
Come see us at our dealership in Nashville, Illinois, to check out new and used Kawasaki ATVs for sale near St. Louis. Holzhauer Pro Motorsports proudly serves all of our Illinois customers, including those of you in the city of Carbondale.
