ATV Riding Tips For Beginners

If you’ve never ridden on an ATV before, but find yourself the owner of a brand-new one, you’re in for a treat. ATV riding, whether it’s at the track or off-roading through the forest, across fields, or over the hills is a thrilling, fun-packed way to spend a weekend afternoon with your friends. However, if you’re a novice when it comes to riding four wheelers, it’s best that you brush up on some basic safety rules and good riding practices before you set out on your maiden adventure.

Preparing For Your Ride

The four-wheeler is a powerful beast with a strong engine capable of fast speeds. That’s why you should prepare yourself accordingly by acquiring and wearing the right gear, which includes long sleeves and pants, a helmet rated for extreme sports like a motocross helmet, gloves, and boots that cover your ankles. As you get better at riding, you’ll want to add chest and knee pads. 

You should load your four wheeler up with a first-aid kit, a repair kit for performing minor fixes on your ATV, a rain poncho, a flashlight, water and food, a map and compass, a GPS or your phone with charger, and a patch kit for flat tires.

Finally, it’s best to ride your ATV with others instead of alone. Not only is riding four wheelers with your friends much more fun but there’s safety in numbers and you never know if you or one of your fellow riders will have their ATV break down or a health problem that requires assistance arises.

Rules Of The Road

Like traffic rules for cars on highways and city streets, trail rules exist for ATVs. You should stick to designated riding areas when riding on a trail so you don’t damage delicate ecosystems or trespass. These trails are also going to provide you with the safest and easiest route to ride, which is helpful when you’re initially getting the feel of your quad. When you’re riding off-road, you should follow behind a more experienced rider who can guide you over rugged terrain.

Use proper riding form when you’re riding your four wheeler. This means going easy on the throttle particularly at first, being gentle with the brakes so you aren’t thrown off, and adjusting your posture to suit how fast you’re riding. 

When you go faster, it helps to stand up a little on your ATV to give you more leverage. Just make sure you don’t lock your knees or elbows, keeping them loose and bent to absorb impacts without causing pain. Installing nerf bars for resting your feet upon will spare you getting your foot caught in the back wheels.

Adapting To Trail Riding

As you ride, you should use proper etiquette. Slow down around animals, hikers, and other trail users. Give them plenty of space and don’t rev your engine. If you approach or pass private lands, houses, or campgrounds, extend them the same courtesy and don’t infringe upon their space.

When you’re on trails, you’ll inevitably encounter ruts, which you should traverse with care. To avoid rolling over your ATV, slow down and put both wheels on one side of your four wheeler into the rut and ride along its path. Keep the wheels on the edge as much as possible and adjust your speed and approach as you turn through them. So long as you don’t try to speed over them, you should be fine! Taking things slow when you’re starting out on ATV rides is the best way to learn your own limits and what you’re capable of handling.

If you are in the market to buy an ATV, check out the selection at Arizona Honda. Our dealership is based in Snowflake, Arizona, and we also serve those in Show Low and Holbrook.