ATV Safety Tips
For a sense of fun and excitement, taking an ATV for a ride through muddy fields is hard to beat. Whether you’re a novice rider or an expert racer down at the track, it’s clear that ATVs are a great addition to an adventurous lifestyle. If you want to keep up your adventuring without injury, though, you should take some precautions both before and as you ride. At Spicer's Boat City, we pride ourselves on knowing how to have fun and stay safe at the same time, so here’s our list of ATV safety tips to get you on the right track. Our dealership serves all of Michigan with our Houghton Lake location, so we’re primed to help all our customers with their ATV needs.
Get The Right Gear
Having the correct gear for any activity is a key step in being able to participate safely. For ATV riding, you should make sure that you have a well-fitting helmet rated for high-impact riding, such as a motorcycle or motocross helmet. Of the two options, a motocross helmet is more breathable and lighter, but a motorcycle helmet offers full face protection with its shield. If you lack a face shield, you should invest in a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris.
The rest of your clothes need not be specialized in any way. Wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves and boots when you ride. Your ATV lacks a seatbelt and an encasing shell, so if you hit something or roll over, you’re going to fall out and hit something, which is why it’s important to shield your body as much as you can. Protective clothes will also serve to prevent sunburns and scratches you could acquire along the trail.
Maintain Your ATV
Maintenance is a big part of safety, so you should do everything you can to see that your side by side is in good running condition before each ride. You can obtain tools to do minor tune-ups at home or take your ATV into the shop for professional repairs if you find something you can’t fix. Check your tire pressure on a regular basis and look for leaks or objects in the tires. Keep fluids topped up and make sure they’re clean, especially the oil and coolant. Fill your tank with gas before each ride so you’re never stranded with the meter on empty. Check for any signs of damage or disrepair before each ride, and if you feel like something is off, don’t hesitate to make a service appointment.
Follow Safety Practices
Keep a first aid kit and a repair kit on your ATV at all times, as you never know when you’ll need to tune something up or bandage a wound on the trail. You should try to ride only during daylight hours and when the weather is reasonably nice, as wet or dark conditions create danger. Don’t drink and drive your side by side; your sobriety keeps you safe by helping you stay focused and alert on the trail. Know your limits and don’t take undue risks while riding, and try to ride with at least one other person so you can help each other out if you have issues.
If you’re in the market for a new or used ATV, come down to our Houghton Lake dealership to see our great selection of side by sides. You can also call our service department if your ATV needs maintenance or parts. Our staff is always happy to help! Spicer’s Boat City serves the cities of Bay City, Flint and Detroit, Michigan.
