How to atv climb


How To Climb Hills On An ATV: Beginners Guide – AtvHelper

When you’re out on the trail, you end up coming across some pretty big obstacles. Learning how to tackle hills is a big part of riding ATVs in the wilderness. After a good amount of practice, you will eventually be able to tackle big hills without even slowing down to think about it. Here are some tips I’ve put together to help you take on that big hill in your way.

As you start heading toward a big hill you want to climb, try getting your speed up. It’s important to have enough momentum to take you all the way to the top of the hill. Sometimes that’s not possible, but if you have even a small straight away or wide corner, take advantage. Get on that throttle and get some momentum behind you as you start the climb.

You have to be smooth with the clutch and shift at the right time. If you don’t shift correctly at the right times it could slow your speed and momentum and you won’t make it to the top. Shift too early, and you won’t have the power needed to continue the climb. This is even more important in deeper soil, which is already working against you as it is.

You have to pay attention to your throttle control. Nice and smooth like you did with the clutch. You need to give the ATV gas to get up the hill, but a burst of throttle will cause your tires to slip, and you won’t make it to the top. Not enough throttle, and you’ll bog down. Losing speed and momentum will end a hill climb quick.

This is an important one to get good at. If you don’t position yourself correctly on the quad, you could end up tipping over or falling of your ATV.

You want to lean forward on your quad in a standing position. The upper part of your body may even need to be over the handle bars. Standing and leaning forward will give you some forward momentum. But more importantly, it will help keep your front tires on the ground. Depending on how steep the incline is determines how much you should be leaning. It’s one of those things you get a feel for the more you do it.

A lot of riders I notice will look at the ground just in front of their quad when they first try to climb a hill. Although it feels natural, try not to do this. If you already know the terrain, then great. But if you’re not looking ahead, you could miss other obstacles on the hill like roots, ruts, or rocks. You don’t want to be taken by surprise, it could ruin your hill climb, and put you in danger. Always look up the hill in the path you are heading, and be ready to make any changes to your course if you need to.

Have your line picked out before you start your climb. Knowing what path you’re going to take will help you out a lot. It can ease some of the nerves too, if you’re new to climbing hills on a quad. It can go badly very fast if you get half way up a hill only to find a rut or steep incline you weren’t prepared for. Victory loves preparation.

Pick a path you know you can make. Know your limits, be safe, and don’t try anything you’re not ready for.

If things start heading south on you and you don’t think you’ll make the climb, you need to know how to turn around without tipping over. The earlier you can tell if you’ll make it or not, the better. If at all possible, find the widest area you can to turn around in. You want to make sure your ATV has enough room to make the turn.

In this case, it’s best to dismount the ATV to turn around. When you get off your quad, make sure you hold the front brake and get off on the upside of the hill. That way if your quad takes a tumble you’re not in the way. Now that you’re off, you can steer the quad to one side or the other until perpendicular with the trail. Now you can turn the handle bars facing down hill and get back on.

If the terrain is too steep, or you feel uncomfortable turning around on a hill. You could always hop off the same way and walk your quad down backwards the way you came up. Use the front brake to slow the ATV down as you bring it back down the hill.

I’ve been able to stay on the ATV and roll back down a hill I failed to climb before. If you run out of momentum just simply continue leaning forward, get into neutral, and slowly roll back down the hill using the front brake. It’s not as safe as getting off the machine, but on hills that aren’t very steep or dangerous, it will work.

Safety first when trying new tricks or hill climbs for the first time. Having the right gear on could save your life if something ever did happen. ATV trail riding is generally pretty safe, but accidents do happen. Make sure you at least have on a helmet and goggles when you’re out riding. For hill climbing, I would even recommend a chest protector and riding boots as well, because of the potential for the machine to roll on top of you and crush you.

To check out some great safety gear options, visit the Recommended Gear section of this site.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Controlling Your ATV – Utah ATV Trails

When in training, you are told that you should never ride double, tandem, or with a passenger on any machine that was not built for that purpose. This is good advice. However, it is not illegal to ride double in the State of Utah. There are a numerous reasons why people would choose to ride double, but because it is not recommended there is no effort to educate people on how they might improve the control of their ATV while riding double. This is what happens when risk avoidance outweighs common sense and practical safety.

I am not suggesting that or approving of people riding an ATV double. If a person chooses to ride double they increase the probability that they may be seriously injured or die.

Don’t Ride Double!

Let there be no mistake, riding double is not recommended, the practice has a higher incident of injuries, including serious disabling injuries and death. (There, is that clear enough?)

Now, that being said. The truth of the matter is, it would be a rare machine indeed if it had never been used and by operator with passenger.

However if you personally make the legal choice to ride with a passenger you assume the responsibility of doing so. Manufacturers, dealers, State Training Agencies, BLM and Forest Service, even this web site all strongly advise against riding double so don’t look to any of these entities as a responsible party in your injury liability law suit. IF YOU DO THIS AND YOU OR YOUR PASSENGER ARE INJURED OR DIE YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACTION.

The fact that someone is willing to share opinions that may improve your control under dangerous circumstances, does not relieve you from your responsibility for your actions nor does it indicate any liability on the part of this web site owners and sponsors.

Still, riding double happens all the time, right or wrong. There are some things that may improve your chances of riding with more control when you do choose to accept the responsibility for yourself of riding double. Since improved control is the issue here and not liability, the following opinions are offered to improve the potential of greater control during such activity.

There are several considerations that increase the danger of riding double. 1.) Climbing hills. 2.) Traversing a slope that has a steep incline; 3.) Riding with children; 4.) Uneven or rough trail conditions; 5.) Hard packed surfaces.

Climbing Hills

On a flat surface a four wheel device offers the maximum stability. The undisputed stability factor quickly changes when you introduce even modest inclines to the equation. The challenge that an ATV faces that a normal car, 4×4, or SUV does not encounter is due to its short wheel base. (Wheel base is the distance between the front and the rear axle) The short wheel base makes it possible to change the center of gravity on the machine when encountering even small obstacles that are not absorbed by the shock absorbers, if already on a graduated incline.

One of the central points in climbing any hill is the CENTER OF GRAVITY. On an ATV you have the ability to manage the center of gravity. As long as you are able to keep the center of gravity between the axles of the machine, you are more likely to be able to successfully retain control of your machine.

If you are able to keep the red line between the axles, you are within the “control zone” for the machine.

When standing the center of gravity for an ATV is usually found somewhere in the middle of the machine. The center of gravity will vary between machines based upon the weight distribution of the major components of the machine. Some manufacturers build machines with a rear mounted motor, others place them somewhere in the center of the machine. The closer to the front of the machine the heavier components (motor and transmission) are located the more favorable the distribution of weight will be for keeping the machine in the control zone. One trick that manufacturers use to improve the angle that a machine can successfully climb is to put on smaller wheels and tires on the front of the machine. This will drop the angle between the axles and thus permit a steeper hill climb. However, the added weight on a machine when riding double generally will result in compacting of the rear tire thus losing the advantage of the smaller front tire.

Have you ever noticed in the ATV hill climb magazines that ATVs are modified with the rear wheels set back additional distances? This is done to extend the wheel base and force the major weight factors to the front of the machine. This greatly enhances the angle where control permits you to climb.

The closer to the rear of the machine the center of gravity is, the more likely it is to flip over backwards. Unfortunately, the center of gravity is not marked on a machine. Actually, it is not possible to mark the center of gravity because it changes with every feature, accessory and person that is added to the machine.

Another important consideration in control is TORQUE. Torque is normally viewed as a feature. It is torque that gives you power to accelerate and the inertia to climb a hill. Knowing when to apply power to your machine and when not to apply power is a lifesaving skill. Torque has the normal reaction to raise the front end of your machine. It is torque that permits Motorcyclists to raise their front wheel and zoom across the Five Mile Pass parking area. Racing ATVs can do the same trick. Utility ATVs are not normally inclined to do a front wheel lift for more than a few inches. Torque at the wrong moment can force the center of gravity beyond the scale of control.

An advantage a four wheel drive ATV has over a two wheel drive ATV is that the torque is delivered to all wheels simultaneously and equally thus reducing the amount of front wheel lift potential on the machine.

Now let’s look at the impact that the center of gravity and torque have on riding double on an ATV.

Under the most favorable conditions (riding single) you can climb some serious steep hills, but you do not enjoy that same privilege when riding double, even though you may be riding the same machine with ample power.

The issue is not a question of power, but the location of the center of gravity. The moment the line that runs vertically between the center of gravity on the ATV and the center of the earth crosses beyond the rear axle, the ATV will throw its front wheels off the ground. If the center of gravity is not pushed forward, the machine will tip over backwards.

The mistake that many people will make when the front wheels come up, is to give the machine more gas by pressing on the throttle. This is the wrong thing to do. When the front wheels come up you need to let up on the gas and lean further forward.

As demonstrated below. When riding double both driver and passenger need to move their weight forward to maintain control of operation.

No matter how you try, you will never be able to maintain control when climbing a hill as steep as 30 degrees with a rider on back of your machine. The tandem climb shown here is a 20 degree angle. When you reach a point where the degree of ascent exceeds 25 degrees it is better for you to abandon the tandem ride and one person becomes a hiker and the other can then safely make the climb on the ATV. If it is a long hill, you may have to take alternating turns on the machine, if possible.

Yet another consideration of riding double is braking distance is greatly increased with added weight of a passenger on a machine. What seems like a safe distance for an experienced single rider, may not be a safe distance at all when riding double.

The skid turn, so frequently employed while riding single should be avoided altogether when riding double. This will mean that you will have to traverse trails with great caution and slow speeds.

The same disclaimers stated above apply to this discussion also.

Additionally, these are unproven opinions and should a person choose to ride an ATV with a child, they do so at their own risk. This information is offered in the hope of improving the probability of more manageable control in a dangerous situation.

The law requires that all riders and passengers who are under 18 years old wear a helmet, and this writer strongly suggests that all riders wear a helmet.

Young children are the most likely passengers on ATVs. Few of these would even have the capability of driving their own machine. There are some practices that improve the control of riding with children.

Children who ride with other children are at extreme risk and such activity should NEVER be permitted. ATV riding is a serious and dangerous sport that requires maturity and sound, instantaneous judgment at all times in order to preserve any element of control over operation of the vehicle.

When an adult permits a child to be a passenger on an ATV they assume full financial and legal responsibility for injuries and fatalities to themselves and the child passenger. Under such conditions the helmeted child is more manageable when riding in front of the operator. The operator’s first responsibility is to the child and this position permits the operator to manage and control the child with the most ease and flexibility.

  • Should the child fall asleep the operator may cradle the child.
  • Should there be the necessity of jumping clear from the ATV the operator may do so with the child in arm in just an instant.
  • If a rollover is experienced, primarily in sand, the operator may use their arms and elbows as a roll bar to help shield the child.
  • The adult can use their knees to shift the weight of the child to aid in controlling the machine.

If there is any question, what-so-ever, that an adult is not capable of these actions, then there should be no consideration at all of permitting a child to ride with such an adult. It is simply not worth the risk. No amount of fun can justify the loss of a life through negligence.

The principles of maintaining control of the balance of the center of gravity on the machine, mentioned previously apply equally with children when riding as passengers.

Once again, riding with children is not recommended and anything herein should not be considered to be an approval or recommendation of any kind. However, if you choose to perform this activity, at least you will have some idea of how you may improve your chances for control.

Traversing a Slope

Just so you understand (please forgive the over simplification), traversing a slope is the act of going across a surface where one side of the machine is not even with the other side of the machine.

Slopes can offer the same challenges with the center of gravity that you face when climbing a hill. Traversing a hill while riding double requires both people on the ATV to shift their weight to the uphill side of the ATV. If the passenger fails to shift their weight to the uphill side of the ATV the center of gravity can move beyond the scale of control and the danger of rolling to the side.

Uneven or Rough Trail

Road/Trail hazards are the name of the game with ATVs. An off highway vehicle is specifically intended to encounter road and trail hazards such as rocks, logs, dips, and bumps. This is the reason why ATVs use low pressure tires. The low pressure tires tend to absorb many of the smaller dips, bumps, rocks and logs. When riding double inertia and added weight on the machine cause the machine to act completely differently than when riding single. A person can be an expert single rider and feel as though they know nothing when they accept a passenger. The greatest dangers of uneven or rough trails when riding double is that they tend to change the angle of ascent or decent of a hill and the simple swing of the center of gravity can cause rollovers. Extra caution and slower speeds are the only means of increasing control so that if a rider discharge happens the injuries are recoverable.

Hard Packed Surfaces

A relatively smooth and dry surface gives the mistaken impression that one can increase speed without consideration of increased risk or injury. The “rider active” aspect of low pressure tires on ATVs increase an element of risk that is frequently not perceived by the operator. This is the reason why hard surfaces are not recommended for use with ATVs with one rider, let alone two. The possibility of risky situations increases exponentially with two riders on an ATV.

Just one year ago a young couple met with a fatal injury, apparently because they did not understand the principles of ATV control.

When two people are on an ATV, shifting weight of only one person can change direction of travel with no change in direction of the handlebars. Even actions as simple as waving to a passer-by may be sufficient to cause such an uncalculated response from the ATV. On a loose packed surface the ATV is designed to adjust by employing a controlled slide. On hard surfaces such slides are not possible and a rollover is frequently the result.

Due to these limitations the best solution to maintain control is to keep speed to a minimum. Hard packed surfaces should be avoided whether riding single or double. In either situation minimum speeds would always increase the greatest possibility of maintained control. When deciding what would be a reasonable speed, you must ask yourself what speed you would care to be thrust into the hard surface or pavement. The lower speeds will reduce, but not eliminate the possibility of serious injuries including death.

Summary

Please note that nowhere in this discussion has there been any reference to being able to safely ride double. This is not a safe practice. This is nothing more than identifying possible elements that may increase control in an unsafe situation. There are no representations or promises that you will actually experience fewer injuries by employing any opinions or suggestions offered herein. Common sense would permit you to judge the appropriateness of this information.

ATV handling: how to drive an ATV

ATV riding techniques could be the subject of a full book. In the same article, we want to reveal to you the basics of safe riding. At first glance, there is nothing complicated in driving ATVs - you just need to steer and enjoy riding.

ON THE WAVES

When driving over bumps, for example, those of the "wave" type, the driver must change his position all the time. So, when approaching an obstacle, you must shift your body back, otherwise you can hit the obstacle with your wheels. When driving over a bump, you need to move the body back forward, thus preventing excessive separation of the front wheels, i.e. rearing up the ATV. Then, when the rear wheels come off the ground, you need to move back again, otherwise you can fall out of the saddle, hitting your knees on the steering wheel.

WHAT THE STANDS ARE

  1. The middle stance is used when moving in a straight line. The legs need to be slightly bent at the knees, relax the back and arms, spread the arms to the side.
  2. When accelerating, going uphill, and to load the front wheels, use the front strut.
  3. When braking, going downhill and in order to load the rear axle when slipping in the mud has begun, it is necessary to take the rear stand.
  4. When riding an ATV, it is wrong to stand on straight legs, strain your back and lean on your hands. With such a stance, you will receive strong shock loads on the body, and when moving over obstacles, you can even fall out.

Moving in a straight line at low speeds (up to 40 km/h), you can afford to relax. But at higher speeds or when passing sharp turns and slopes, the driver must move very actively. Indeed, due to the high center of gravity, short wheelbase and small width, ATVs are very prone to rollovers. In addition, if the motorcycle flies separately from the motorcyclist during falls, then the ATV most often covers the driver. Therefore, in order for ATV riding not to end with serious injuries, it is necessary to study the driving rules and strictly follow them.

HANDS FREE

ATV rider's weight is an important factor that affects machine handling. By shifting their weight, the driver can unload or load the front or rear of the ATV, thus compensating for centrifugal forces.

The first rule you need to learn is that when riding an ATV, you need to relax your arms. When driving, the driver can always let go of his hands, because his legs are holding him in the saddle. As the speed increases, the load on the legs also increases.

Conventionally, three racks are distinguished. The middle stance is used when driving in a straight line without turning. When opening the gas, the body must be moved forward to unload the hands. Thus, the front strut is obtained. When braking and closing the gas, the body, on the contrary, must be moved back, i.e. take a back seat. By the way, the word "stand" comes from the word "stand", and this name is not accidental. When actively riding an ATV, you do not have to sit. Standing on an ATV lowers your center of gravity. After all, there is a huge difference between the weight on a high saddle and the weight on the footrests. And the effect of moving the body in a standing position is much greater than from fidgeting back and forth on the saddle.

LAWS OF PHYSICS

When going through a turn on a motorcycle, it is tilted inward, thus struggling with centrifugal force. But you can't do that with a quad bike. Therefore, it is necessary to use the weight of the driver. The main rule here is to always transfer the weight inside the turn. Moreover, it is necessary not only to tilt your shoulders. It is necessary to hang the entire body, including the fifth point. Only the shin and knee hold on to the saddle. Of course, if you turn at minimum speed, then you can limit yourself to turning the steering wheel.

NATURAL SHOCK ABSORBERS

The correct stance is characterized by slightly bent knees, elbows set apart, and a slightly arched and relaxed back. Why not stand on straight legs or keep your back straight and tense? Because bent knees allow you to absorb shock coming from uneven terrain. By the way, the force of these blows is sometimes quite enough to knock the driver out of the saddle. A straight tense back under such conditions can lead to injury to the intervertebral discs and even a compression fracture of the spine. Yes, and the internal organs with the wrong fit will have a hard time.

Active ATV riding requires good physical shape. So, in quad schools, the duration of the lesson does not exceed an hour, and at the end of the lesson, students can literally be squeezed out. And riding an ATV off-road is also an activity worthy of training in the gym.

NO JUMP

When riding non-sport ATVs, it is best to avoid jumping. Firstly, this way you can break the ATV. Secondly, in order to safely perform such tricks, the ATV motor must have high-torque and fast response to the throttle. If, nevertheless, the jump could not be avoided, then it is necessary to land in the middle stance, but be ready to move to the back. When the wheels touch the ground, you need to slightly open the gas. It is better not to use four-wheel drive when jumping.

SEE THE GOAL

Every time you ride an ATV, you need to practice looking into the distance. This is necessary to develop the habit of evaluating the trajectory of movement in advance. Beginners often do not have time to track the road, and at some point they are not ready to perform adequate actions. And another, very predictable obstacle, can become a problem for them.

MOVING ON SLOPES

When moving along a slope, it is necessary to move the body in the direction opposite to the slope. On the steepest sections, full overhang should be used, such as when cornering at speed.

  • Top picture. Incorrect position - the driver has shifted his weight in the direction of a possible rollover of the ATV.
  • Bottom picture. Incorrect body position - only the driver's shoulders are shifted towards the slope. From this weight is not shifted at all.

HILL CLIMB

Before you start climbing, you need to pick up speed. Then the resulting inertia will allow you to smoothly drive into the steepness. If you suddenly open the gas directly on the rise, the ATV may tip over. Climbing should be in the most forward stance and on medium gas. If the incline is too steep, the ATV may roll backward when the throttle is released. In this case, you should not brake with the front axle, not the rear. If the ATV starts to roll over, you can try to jump to the side, but this acrobatic stunt is unlikely to be successful.

WHERE WE TURN, THERE WE LEAN

If the driver moves his torso out of the turn, then his centrifugal forces will pull him to the outer radius, and in order to stay in the saddle, he will need to firmly grip the steering wheel. At the same time, the ATV will definitely try to roll over. To avoid such an unpleasant situation, it is always necessary to remember a simple rule - to shift the body only in the direction of rotation. Those. if we turn to the left, then we shift the body to the left side, and vice versa.

GOING DOWN

Descents must be made in the C-pillar. In this case, the arms must be extended and slightly bent at the elbows. There is no emphasis on the hands, you can even let them go, holding on with your feet. The steeper the descent, the more the driver must move the body back. The lower photos show the consequences of a descent in an incorrect landing. The main mistakes - the driver shifted the weight forward and pressed his hands to the body.

Rules for renting ATVs in the Novosibirsk region

ATV and Snowmobile Rental Rules

  • You agree that the maximum speed will be limited for safety reasons

  • Persons over 16 years old are allowed to drive ATVs.

  • The total load on the ATV must not exceed 150 kg.

  • While driving, the driver must hold the steering wheel firmly, the passenger must hold the special handles.

  • When cornering, move (tilt) the body in the direction of the turn.

  • When tilting the ATV, move (tilt) the body in the direction opposite to the slope.

  • Always keep your feet on the footrests when moving, even when leaning over.

  • We provide a free ATV driving instruction before you start using it.

  • If you notice fluid leaks and/or other problems, stop the engine immediately and inform your instructor.

  • If you detect the operation of warning signs on the instrument panel (during the initial briefing, you will be shown control devices that you should pay attention to throughout the trip), immediately turn off the engine and inform the instructor.

  • The ATV before and after the rental is checked in your presence for breakdowns and damages, after which the acceptance certificate is signed.

  • Ride on a quad bike, always wearing helmets only, protective suits are provided free of charge on request.

  • In the event of a breakdown or accident, inform the instructor or contact him by phone.

  • If the ATV is damaged due to your fault, you pay the cost of repairs and spare parts.

  • The time spent during the trip to fix problems that occurred through your fault is not compensated.

  • You must be instructed in how to operate the ATV before starting operation;

  • You agree to follow the speed limit set by the guide (instructor).

  • Do not succumb to the provocations of other citizens to participate in the race; clashes and other actions that can directly or indirectly cause damage to property and citizens;

  • Do not interfere with your actions or omissions to comply with these rules.

Prohibited

  • Drive onto highways and other public roads.

  • To tow other ATVs, or any other vehicles.

  • Leave ATV unattended.

  • Crossing deep water obstacles, driving over fires and areas with smoke or open flames is prohibited.

  • Gear shifting without stopping the machinery.

  • Drunk or drugged ATV riding.

  • Intentional collision with other ATVs.

  • Intentional collision with obstacles.

  • Provoking others to collide.

  • Overtake the instructor and ATVs in front.

  • Deliberately fall behind the convoy and then overtake the convoy at high speed.

  • Do not follow the instructions of the instructor.

  • Touch moving parts such as wheels, drive shafts, variator pulleys, etc.

  • Talk aggressively, use profanity, and do anything that might disturb the people around you.

General Safety Regulations

• Do not operate the ATV without wearing a helmet of the correct size. It is also necessary to wear eye protection, (protective mask or goggles).
• Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating an ATV.
• Always follow the instructions and follow the Instructor's recommendations.
• Before each use, make sure the ATV is in good condition and safe to ride. Always follow the rules and recommendations for driving given in the instruction.
• Always use extreme caution and drive slowly when driving in unfamiliar terrain.
• Always keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the footrests while riding the ATV.
• Do not operate the ATV on uneven, slippery, damaged roads until you have learned and gained the practical skills necessary to control the ATV on such roads. Always be extremely careful when driving in such conditions.
• Do not operate the ATV on slopes that are too steep for the vehicle and for your experience. Practice on small descents before moving on to difficult ones.
• Always follow the appropriate instructions from the Instructor when entering the hill, check the road surface first, never enter the hill on a road that is too slippery or has a damaged surface. Shift your weight forward of the ATV, never suddenly open the throttle or change gears suddenly. Never drive up a hill at high speed.
• Always follow the appropriate instructions from the Instructor when descending and braking on the hill. Inspect the road carefully before descending. Shift your weight back, never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid going downhill at an angle that could cause the ATV to lean to the side. Go straight down if possible.
• Always follow the appropriate Instructor instructions for crossing inclines. Avoid slides on excessively slippery or damaged surfaces. Shift your weight to the side of the lift. Never turn the ATV around on a hill until you have mastered the turning technique. On level ground, avoid crossing steep hills whenever possible.
• To prevent the engine from stalling and the vehicle from reversing when entering a hill, use the appropriate gear and maintain a steady speed. If the engine stalls or the vehicle reverses, follow the Instructor's specific instructions.
• Always check for obstacles in the road before operating the ATV in unfamiliar terrain. Never try to overcome large obstacles on the ATV, such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow the Instructor's specific instructions for overcoming obstacles.
• Be careful when skidding or skidding when practicing at low speed on a flat, smooth road. On extremely slippery surfaces such as ice, drive slowly and be very careful to reduce the risk of slipping or skidding.
• Start braking some time before stopping.
• Be aware that wet brakes reduce stopping power. Check your brakes after getting out of the water, if necessary, wait a while for the pads to dry out.
• Always be sure there are no obstacles or people behind you when you turn.
• Never exceed the ATV's stated load capacity. The load must be properly placed and securely attached.
• Never start the engine on a slope, as this may cause damage.
• Observe age guidelines: children under 16 are not allowed to ride an ATV. Do not allow a person who does not know how to operate the ATV in a safe manner to operate the ATV.
• Avoid riding the ATV on paved roads, including driveways, sidewalks, streets and parking lots.
• If you need to stop (frozen helmet glass, hands, etc.) do not wait for the group to stop. Raise your left hand up (stop signal for ATVs following you) and gently come to a stop.


The instructor has the right to stop the tour early in case of violation of these rules!!!

To prevent ATV riding from ending up in a long hospital room:

Do not drive too fast. A four-wheel drive ATV is not a car or a motorcycle. It doesn't respond as well to the driver as a car, it can't lean quickly into a corner like a motorcycle. Remember that when riding an ATV it is very easy to roll over on level ground or even crash into a tree at full speed. For example, if a stump comes across in a field under tall grass, the ATV can run into it, and then the rider will fly over the steering wheel, or at least hit it.

Never ride an ATV alone. It is best to ride with someone in a pair on two ATVs. There are a lot of situations when a partner is needed. For example, it is very difficult to put an overturned ATV on wheels, and if it covered you from above, then you won’t even be able to get out from under it alone. The second ATV can pull the first one out of the swamp or tow it to the camp in case of a breakdown.

When passing a difficult obstacle, it is better to get out of the saddle and, carefully working with the brake and accelerator, walk alongside. You should also not go too deep into the water - you can fill the motor.

Driving technology:

  1. Place both feet straight on the footrests and hands on the controls.

  2. Start the engine, let it warm up. After that, holding the brake, engage the gear.

  3. Select direction of travel.

  4. Release the brake and slowly press the throttle with your right thumb to start moving. The speed of movement depends on how far the damper is open.

  5. For starters, don't try to drive fast. It is better to learn how to maneuver, handle the brake system and throttle on level ground.

How to turn?

Turn the steering wheel in the desired direction. Tilt your upper body inward and rest your weight on the outside footboard. This will change the balance of traction between the wheels, and the turn will be made smoothly. Turns back are performed in the same way.
ATTENTION!!! ATVs are not designed to make sharp turns or turns at high speed!

Slippery Surfaces

If you must drive on slippery surfaces, drive as carefully as possible and strictly observe the following rules:

  1. When entering a slippery surface, slow down.

  2. Avoid sharp and sharp turns, or the ATV will skid.

  3. When skidding, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid and shift your body weight forward. Never slow down during a skid.

  4. An all-wheel drive system can make driving on slippery surfaces much easier.

How to climb hills

  1. Climb up in a straight path.

  2. ATVs are not designed to climb steep hills (over 25°).

  3. When lifting, keep both feet on the footrests and shift your body weight forward.

  4. Drive at a steady speed with the throttle open.

  5. When ascending, be fully prepared for an emergency.

  6. If the ATV has completely lost forward speed, raise yourself up and apply the front brake. If there is a complete stop, apply the rear brake as well, and then set the gear selector to park.

  7. If the machine rolls backwards, it is necessary to get up and apply the front brake. After a complete stop, you can also apply the rear brake and move the gear selector to park mode.

How to cross hills

ATTENTION!!! Crossing hills on an ATV is very dangerous! If possible, try to avoid hills when riding an ATV. Any incorrect action while crossing a hill can cause serious injury, or even death!!!

If you still need to cross a hill with an ATV, follow these rules:

  1. Drive at low speed.

  2. Tilt your torso towards the hill to transfer the weight of your upper body towards the slope. But be sure to keep your feet on the footboards.

  3. In order not to lose direction, the machine must be steered slightly uphill.

  4. If the ATV begins to tip over, quickly turn the front wheel downhill or leave the vehicle immediately.

How to descend a slope

When descending a slope you need:

  1. Move in a straight line.

  2. Transfer the weight of the torso to the rear of the machine.

  3. Drive at low speed with light brakes applied.

  4. Know how to operate the rear auxiliary brake lever.

Full turn on slope

If the machine stalls while lifting, do not let it roll down. Do the following:

  1. Stop and put the gear selector in park mode, raise yourself up.

  2. Turn off the engine.

  3. Get off the ATV on the side that is on top. If the ATV is pointing up in a straight line, then you need to get off on the left.

  4. Stand at the top of the machine and turn the steering wheel fully to the left.

  5. While holding the brake lever, place the shifter in first gear and allow the ATV to circle slowly to the right until the vehicle is across the slope or turns slightly down.

  6. Shift the shifter into park and sit back on the ATV from the top side while supporting your body weight.

  7. While holding the brake lever, start the engine while shifting the gear selector to first gear.

  8. After releasing the brake, drive slowly until the ATV is on level ground. Control the speed with the brake.

How to Cross Water

You can cross shallow water on your ATV (the depth should not exceed the level of the footrests).


Learn more