Tips for Safe ATV Riding
For those who may be riding an ATV for the first time, or if you need a refresher on best practices, you should be prioritizing safety every time you hit the trails. To give you a jumpstart on some of the most important safety practices, Freedom Cycles has broken down our tips and tricks. But on top of all this, you’ll want to make sure you’re regularly taking your ATV to a professional mechanic for a checkup. When that time comes, schedule a service appointment with our Grandview, Missouri location. We proudly serve the areas of Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, and Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Invest in your Equipment
Start by making sure you’re wearing all the right gear. From your helmet to your riding boots, you’ll want to be investing in equipment that will properly protect you and hold up if you take a spill. You’ll also want to make sure your whole body is covered, including long sleeves and pants. If your helmet doesn’t come with a face shield, you’ll want to invest in a pair of goggles to make sure your eyes are protected. You don’t want any part of you exposed and vulnerable to injury.
Maintain your ATV
You’ll also want to make sure your ATV is well taken care of. As we mentioned earlier, this will mean regular trips to the mechanic, but it will also mean taking a moment before every ride to make sure everything is in good working condition. From tire quality and pressure to brakes, you’ll want to give some of the most important aspects of your ride a quick check to ensure you won’t break down in the middle of the trail.
Always Follow Best Practices
Once you’re out on the trail, you’ll want to be following some best safe riding practices. Many people develop riding habits that best suit their style, but there are many practices that simply boil down to being smart. Don’t ride if you’re unfit in any way. This includes both external influences, like drugs and alcohol, and natural influences, like illness and fatigue. If you need to take a break because you’re hungry or just need a rest, then don’t try to push yourself.
Remove any distractions, particularly your cell phone. A cell phone can be handy if you need to call for help, but you don’t want the phone’s buzzing to pull your focus away from the trail. We also highly recommend you ride in a group. Ask some friends or family members to join you so you won’t be stranded if you break down. It might also be a good idea to inform someone back home of where you’ll be and how long you intend to be out. This may be someone who stays behind or even a park ranger, but someone who can be responsible for calling authorities if you’re out too late and could be in danger.
Know your Limits
We’ve touched on some of your body’s limits, but make sure you’re also keeping your riding limits in mind as well. If you’re heading out on a trail you’ve never tried before, think about whether or not you can handle the difficulty of the trail and how fast you’ll want to go having no experience with it. Also establish what kind of riding conditions might make you want to turn back, like a change in the weather or how close to sunset you’ll feel safe riding.
Finally, make sure you know your ATV’s limits as well. Most ATVs are not equipped to handle more than one person, although you can find certain models that will accommodate two. Make sure you’re not overloading your ride with passengers it can’t handle. This will make your ATV harder to control and maneuver, which can lead to dangerous situations on the trail.
Hopefully, this gives you a place to start as far as great safety practices. As you gain more experience trade advice with other ATV riders, you’ll probably add on to these basics and create your own list of best safety practices. If you’re still looking for the perfect ATV, stop by Freedom Cycles in Grandview, Missouri. We welcome all patrons from Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, and Lee’s Summit, Missouri.