Tips for Safe ATV Riding

Any afternoon on an ATV can be incredibly fun, even in the winter season. There are many ways to outfit your quad so it can cut through the snow. Not only can you use an ATV for fun, but you can also use it to make jobs at work and around your property much easier.

So make sure you’re not making your outings harder than they have to be. You’ll want to be taking all the proper safety measures so you can fully enjoy every outing.

Here at Advantage Powersports, we’ve provided some of the basic safety steps you should be taking before every ride.

One of the most important steps is making sure that your ATV is running smoothly with regular trips to a professional for maintenance checks. When that day comes, stop by our location in Kansas City, Missouri. We welcome all patrons from the areas of Independence and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as Olathe, Kansas.

Invest in your Equipment

First and foremost, the safety equipment you wear should be high quality, even if it means spending a little bit more money. Better to spend the money now than spend even more on medical bills later. Make sure your shoes are sturdy and durable and cover your arms and legs with long sleeves, no matter how hot it is outside. This will protect your appendages from debris as it gets kicked up.

You’ll also want to be wearing proper eye protection. If you take a spill, it’s incredibly easy to get debris in your eyes. And most importantly, make sure you’re always wearing your helmet. There won’t be much protecting you in the event of an accident and your head is one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. Make sure you invest in the best helmet you can find.

Maintain your ATV

As we mentioned earlier, properly maintaining your quad is a crucial part of safety. Before every ride, make sure you check that your tires are properly inflated, but not too much. Before getting too far into a trail, or even before you leave home, make sure your throttle, clutch, and brakes all feel like they’re running smoothly and won’t leave you stranded or in a dangerous position. Make sure you regularly perform maintenance checks on your vehicle, both on your own and asking for help from a professional.

Always Follow Best Practices

There are certain basic best practices you should always be following, no matter how easy or hard the trail or what the weather is like. Never drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Alcohol impairs your reaction time and your body won’t heal as quickly if you’re injured, so a minor problem can turn into a serious one. Recreational drugs should always be avoided, for many of the same reasons, but don’t forget there are certain prescriptions that are unsafe for quad riding as well. If you take medications, ask your doctor if you can drive an ATV while you’re on them.

While we suggest bringing your cell phone along in case there is an emergency, keep it stowed away and out of sight while you’re driving. Phones can be just as distracting on a quad as they can in a car and lead to similar accidents.

Finally, don’t add passengers your quad isn’t equipped to carry. Most ATVs are built only for one person, and sometimes you can buy one for two, but overloading your vehicle can change how it handles and you may find turns and speed changes are much more difficult to control.

Know your Limits

One of the most important best practices is to keep your own limitations in mind. Even the best, most experienced riders need to call it quits at some point. Try to decide ahead of time what that point is for you. Is it about how long you can be out at one time? Or about how dark it can get? Or the weather? There are a number of reasons to call it a day and they’re all justifiable. Even if you’re just tired, hungry, or need a break, listen to your body and don’t push yourself. This leads to accidents. This also applies to the difficulty of a trail. If you’ve never ridden the trail before, or if you know it’s going to be harder, then slow down as needed. If you have a passenger, talk to them about their limits and what they’re comfortable with so they can fully enjoy the outing as much as you do.

While this may have seemed a little doom and gloom, following these simple guidelines can lead to fun and exciting outings every time you hit the trails with your ATV. If you’re still looking for the perfect ATV to take on the trails or to help you around your property, then stop by Advantage Powersports in Kansas City, Missouri. We proudly serve the areas of Independence and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as Olathe, Kansas.