ATV Riding Tips for Beginners
New ATV riders can get carried away by thoughts of tearing through fields, blazing down rocky paths, and flying through mud puddles. The excitement that beginners feel may outweigh the anxieties by a mile, but it’s still important to learn about proper ATV riding practices. After all, you want to have the most fun while feeling confident that you know what you’re doing and how to handle yourself out there. We have provided beginner riding tips, so you can enjoy yourself without being a hazard to yourself or others on the trails.
Riding Prep
The best way to prepare for an ATV ride is to get plenty of practice, so you can get used to your quad and how it operates. Riding a quad is not identical to driving a car – it's more like riding a motorcycle on four wheels with a clutch, throttle, and straddle seating style. You'll want to slowly practice steering, speeding, braking, and turning to get a feel for your ATV.
It's also important to plan your route and understand the type of terrain you'll be riding on, whether it's slippery or rocky and rough. For beginners, it's a good idea to follow a more experienced rider for the first couple of times. Plus, it's wise to ride your ATV with others as often as possible, even when you're no longer a novice, as you never know what emergencies might occur while you're riding.
Don't forget to wear your safety gear, including long sleeves and pants, a helmet designed for extreme sports, gloves, and boots. Keep your four-wheeler stocked with essentials, like food, water, a first-aid kit, and an emergency toolkit.
Follow the Rules and Regulations
Just like there are rules of the road when driving your car on city streets, there are rules for riding an ATV on the trails. You'll want to stick to designated riding areas to avoid damaging delicate ecosystems or trespassing illegally. Trails provide you with the easiest and safest route to ride, which is particularly helpful when you're a beginner.
Be sure to use proper form when accelerating or braking to avoid being thrown from the vehicle. When riding faster, it helps to stand up a bit to give yourself more leverage. Don't lock your knees or elbows, instead, keep them loose and bent to absorb impacts without causing any pain.
If you’re still looking to buy a quad, stop by PATV Powersports to check out our stock of ATVs for sale. We are your premier ATV dealer in Orange, TX, with a wide selection of four-wheelers, so it will be easy for you to find a model that’s right for your riding style and budget. We look forward to serving you!