Safely Riding An ATV
ATVs open up a whole new dimension to the riding experience. Nothing lets you go offroading on rugged trails with more intensity than a four wheeler, but with all that adrenaline also must come an important awareness for ATV safety. Even small mistakes can lead to disastrous consequences, including breakdowns, expensive repairs, or even devastating injuries. Trail riding is nothing to mess around with, so make sure you follow the important tips laid out in this guide on ATV Safety. At Abernathy Cycles, we want you to stay safe every time you step on a four wheeler, and one of the key elements of safe riding is good maintenance. So if you need any additional ATV parts or accessories for more confident riding, stop by our service department anytime in Union City, Tennessee.
Buy the Required Equipment
ATV safety starts with good gear. With the right equipment and ATV accessories, you can prevent a lot of injuries. To start, you’ll need a good pair of riding boots. At the very least, wear some sturdy shoes than will stabilize your feet and ankles in case you take a spill. You’ll also need long sleeves and pants, as these will protect your limbs from getting scratched up by rocks, debris, and brush. On top of that, you’ll need some eye protection. Flying pebbles and branches could easily damage your eyes, and this temporary loss of vision can even lead to an accident, so goggles or at least sunglasses will help protect you from this risk. And most important of all, you’ll need to have a helmet. Remember that ATVs don’t have seat belts, air bags, or any of the other main safety features you find in a car. That means that your personal protection falls on the gear on your body. Since your head is the most susceptible to injury, you’ll need a good, sturdy helmet that fits properly. You can wear cheap shirts and pants while riding, but a helmet is the one item you definitely don’t want to skimp on. Spend as much as you need to to find a model that’ll offer the most protection possible while still being comfortable.
Maintenance
On top of having the right gear, maintenance is also essential for ATV safety. Imagine if your brakes were to bottom out right before taking a sharp corner at high speeds. With a big, aggressive machine like a four wheeler, it needs every part to be functioning properly for safe riding. That means that you should inspect the braking system, tire pressure, oil, throttle, and coolant on a regular basis. If you don’t know how or aren’t comfortable performing any of these inspections yourself, feel free to bring it into our service department, where we have all the ATV parts you need.
Best Practices
Finally, the rules of the trail are just as important as preparation in order to stay safe on your ATV. For one thing, never ride while intoxicated. Drugs and alcohol might cause you to do something beyond your skill level, and at the very least, they’ll slow your reflexes, which can have serious consequences when riding at high speeds. Along with that, learn to gauge your own skill level every time you go out riding. Some tricks are too tough for beginners, and even riders with lots of experience need to hold off and consider whether or not they have enough practice to handle tricky maneuvers. The same applies for individual trails. You shouldn’t attempt to ride a dangerous trail if you haven’t honed your riding skills yet. ATV riding is a great sport that anyone can enjoy, but make sure you allow time for a learning curve so you can safely progress through your set of skills.
The advice laid out in this guide is crucial for ATV safety. You need the right equipment, functioning ATV parts, and of course, a safe mindset before ever heading out on the trail. So if you have additional questions, need service, or are still in the market for a new four wheeler, come visit us at Abernathy Cycles, where we proudly serve customers from Missouri and Kentucky.