6 Steps to Riding an ATV the Right Way for Beginners

How to Ride an ATV: 6 Simple Instructions for First Timers

Learning how to ride an ATV for the first time is an experience like no other. It’s an adrenaline rush, and it feels as though you have the world in your hands. With the wind in your hair and dirt on your boots, nothing can get in your way!

There is one thing that can stop you, however, and that’s not knowing how to ride your ATV the right way. Safety should always be the first thing you consider every time you get on your ATV. Although you’ll most likely be spending the majority of your time on dirt roads and away from busy highways, there are still risks involved.

ATV riding can be dangerous if you don’t have the proper training and safety knowledge. To ensure your ride is a great experience and you become a professional ATV rider in no time, you should continue reading below. Here’s everything you should know about riding an ATV for the first time!

1. Wear the Right Equipment

There are essential gear items required before you start your ride. Not only will these items help keep you safe, but they’ll also help improve your ride as well. Some of these essential items include a helmet, goggles, gloves, and boots.

Some of these items can be expensive, but when you crash, you’ll be happy you were wearing them. If you need ways to save on gear, then consider checking out local sporting goods consignment shops. You can also check online marketplaces for people selling their used equipment.

The bottom line here is that you need to stay safe at all times, so purchasing your safety gear is an essential first step.

2. Know Your State/Provincial Laws

Once you have all your gear, it’s time to get familiar with your state or provincial laws. Each has different laws regarding ATV use. You need to know these laws and adhere to them at all times.

If you believe you won’t get caught breaking the laws, then think again. If you’re practicing illegal riding in any way, you’ll eventually get caught, and when you do, you’ll be hit with fines and other penalties. Avoid all of this by knowing your state laws before you start riding.

Some states and provinces even require you to purchase a license to ride your ATV, so it’s best to know. To be safe we recommend you take the online ATV Training Course to make sure you are covered and certified to avoid any fines or future issues.

3. Never Dangle Your Feet

When riding your ATV, it’s a common reaction to allow your feet to hang off the vehicle. If your feet hang off of the sides, you risk the chance of them getting caught up in the back tires. This can cause some serious injuries, so be sure to keep both feet on the nerf bars or heel guards at all times.

You can use the footpegs as well, but placing your feet here doesn’t allow for much traction. If you plan to race your ATV or ride at high speeds, then it’s best to install nerf bars and use those instead.

4. Practice Braking and Shifting Gears

It’s always a great idea to practice braking, shifting, and steering before riding at high speeds. Take the time to get to know the clutch and the gears. Until you can shift with ease and create a smooth ride, you shouldn’t be taking on high speeds.

Braking is another important part of the ride to get a good feel for. All breaks are different, so learn your ATV’s breaks well. You’ll need to know how to slow down, turn, and come to a complete stop with effortlessly.

All of these things require good use of the breaks. Keep one or two fingers around the clutch and the brake at all times. This will help prepare you to use either of them at any given time.

5. Learn the Momentum

There’s a momentum you’ll need to learn when riding your ATV. This is especially true when turning corners. As you turn corners, be sure to place your weight on the side that you’re turning towards.

The momentum will cause you to move to the opposite side, so you’ll want to shift yourself to the right when turning right or to the left when turning left. This helps with your turns and keeps the momentum going. When making sharp turns, most riders nearly hang off of the ATV to keep things steady.

This is something you’ll learn with practice.

6. Stand Up and Never Lock Elbows

When riding your ATV, you’ll want to stand up with your elbows kept loose. If you’re casually riding your ATV, then you don’t need to worry about standing up. You want to stand when you’re going high speeds on a track.

You’ll have more control over the ATV this way, as long as you keep your elbows and knees bent. With elbows and knees bent, you have more flexibility to move as needed. Never lock your elbows.

Locking them gives you less control of the ride and the ATV in general. It’ll also cause pain if you hit an obstacle or land after a bump.

It’s Time to Learn How to Ride an ATV!

When you’re ready to take your ATV on the road, be sure you know how to ride an ATV using these tips! Keeping these tips in mind will ensure a safe and fun riding experience.

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