ATV Safety

ATVs are naturally fun to ride, but they can be dangerous if you aren't prepared. Whether you're carving up the sand dunes or rumbling down rocky mountain trails, there's always a mix of pleasure and hazard. If you want to stay safe while riding, you'll need to plan ahead, follow a few simple rules, and always use common sense. Here at Barnes Bros., we want our customers to have everything they need to make ATVing a fun and safe experience, so we created this short guide with a selection of what we consider to be the most important riding tips and best practices. If you need further advice, gear, or service for your ATV, stop by our shop located in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Best Gear & Apparel

A big part of safe ATV riding comes down to having the right gear to protect you from everything from small distractions to traumatic accidents. Starting from the ground up, a good pair of riding boots is crucial. If you work on a farm or jobsite and use your ATV for work purposes, your normal work boots are a good choice as long as they have leather uppers for ankle support and sturdy soles. You might be tempted to just use regular shoes if you are only going for a short ride, but remember that if you get your ATV stuck in the mud or mobbed up in the water, you'll want to have sure footing for when you try to push it back out.

Other types of riding apparel that can be helpful include a long sleeve shirt to shield you from the sun, and gloves with sturdy finger protection to shield your hands from rocks, branches, and anything else that might get kicked up. The most important part of your riding gear will obviously be your helmet. Make sure to spend some extra time shopping for a helmet to make sure you get one that fits correctly and doesn't slide around or pinch your head.

Pack Tools

Packing a few simple tools along with you can be extremely helpful. By the nature of they're used, ATVs tend to get stuck away from help and easily accessible areas. A few tools like screwdrivers, a small socket set, and a set of allen keys can give you what you need to perform small fixes on your own. Even if you aren't a particularly mechanical person, you'll be much more likely to try to fix the problem yourself if the alternative is hiking ten miles back to camp in the rain or even worse, spending the night exposed.

Plan Ahead

A little bit of planning goes a long way with ATV riding. The first piece of preparation should always be checking the weather report. ATVs can travel in snow, rain, and all sorts of conditions, but you don't want to get caught out unprepared for whatever weather rolls in. After you check the weather and make sure the riding conditions will be safe, make sure your ATV is ready to ride. Check the air in the tires with a tire pressure gauge. Check all your fluids, including oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid. Make sure your brakes grip correctly and make sure your transmission and clutch engage smoothly and without problems.

Best Riding Practices

Out on the trail, it's important to keep best riding practices in mind. Only take an extra passenger if your ATV is equipped with a second seat as the extra weight will severely affect your ATV's steering and braking abilities. Don't try to ford streams or creeks unless you can see exactly how deep the water is. Stay conservative with your riding, especially when you're in a new area where you've never ridden before. Finally, don't ride impaired. Drugs and alcohol change your reaction time and motor skills and on an ATV, that can be a fatal combination.

Safe ATV riding isn't the most difficult thing on the planet, but it does require a little bit of work and preparation. Plan ahead, invest in the right gear, and ride intelligently when you finally make it outdoors. If your ATV needs a tune up, bring it by Barnes Bros. Motorcycles and Off-Road. Our Canonsburg, Pennsylvania location proudly serves Washington and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania customers. We'll set you up with everything you need for safe riding.