Safety Tips for Riding ATVs

ATVs are a blast to ride for many reasons. Hit top speeds cruising down the path. Ride close to nature on an open vehicle with exposed seating. Tackle the unkept off-road tracks. Four wheelers are great for thrill-chasing!

What makes 4 wheelers appealing to ride also, unfortunately, makes them dangerous. High speeds lead to more severe collisions. The open vehicle set-up leaves you’re more vulnerable in a crash. The off-road tracks expose you to cuts, scratches, and more. To ride quads safely, you’ll need to be proactive to offset these downsides. We put together some safety suggestions for riding quads below. For all your ATV needs, visit Big St. Charles Motorsports. Whether you want to buy a new vehicle or get your current one serviced, we can assist you. We proudly serve those in St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri.

Safety Gear

The design of four wheelers is an open vehicle. It’s great for feeling unrestricted and close to nature. But it leaves you exposed, which means you need protection against the elements and in case of a crash.

Start with full-length pants and shirts. These reduce sunburns, bug bites, and scratches as you ride. You can opt for lightweight clothing and breathable materials to make wearing them in the heat more comfortable.

Next, use closed-toed shoes to protect your feet. Work or riding boots are a good choice since they are made to handle outdoor adventures.

Next, find eye protection. You’ll want to guard your eyes from kicked-up debris, wayward bugs, and the glare of the sun. Tinted goggles or sunglasses work well.

Finally, you’ll want a helmet. 4 wheelers don’t provide seatbelts or airbags, so you need protection in the event of a collision. Find a helmet that covers your whole head and jaw. Make sure it fits well (poor fitting helmets won’t give as good of protection in a crash).

Regular Maintenance for Quads

Do a quick pre-ride inspection to catch any issues. Check things like your tire inflation and tire tread. Test your brake and throttle. If you notice anything out of the ordinary as you ride, bring it in for maintenance. Before each ride, fill up your gas tank. You never know what surprise may pop up and require you to take a longer route than expected.

Adapt to the Situation

Part of safe driving involves adjusting to situations accordingly. Every ride is not going to be on clear sunny days on a well-groomed path. If unexpected weather hits, like rain or fog, your visibility will be reduced. Drive slower and leave more space between you and other vehicles.

When you embark on a new route, take things slow. There may be unmarked obstacles, like a hidden pothole, that could spell trouble. Save the high speeds and jumps for trails you know by heart.

Take into account your surroundings. If you are in a campground or other highly, trafficked aware, be aware of others. People could be walking around and pop out of nowhere. Be on extra alert for little kids or dogs off-leash - they might not be aware your vehicle is a danger.

Riding 4 wheelers can be a fun time for all as long as you take proper safety precautions. We hope you found our safety tips helpful! Remember you can always bring any questions to Big St. Charles Motorsports. We deal with all things motorsports. Get your vehicle tuned up through our parts and service department. Check out our stock of new and used four wheelers. Whatever you need, our friendly staff can help you find it. We proudly serve those in St. Louis, St. Peters, and Columbia, Missouri.