Call Synthetic Oil Inc. in San Diego at (800) 653-0323 or visit AMSOIL's online store to maintain your ATV perfectly.

How to Improve Your ATV Riding Skills

1. Understand Your ATV

Before you can improve your ATV riding skills, you must understand your ATV. Familiarize yourself with its controls, capabilities, and limitations. Read the owner’s manual thoroughly and take note of the manufacturer's recommendations.

Key Areas to Focus On:

• Controls and Dashboard: Know what each button, lever, and gauge does.
• Balance and Weight Distribution: Understand balance and weight distribution, especially on turns and uneven terrain.
• Maintenance Checks: Regularly check tires, brakes, oil, and fuel levels. A well-maintained ATV performs better and is safer.

2. Safety First

Improving your ATV skills starts with a commitment to safety. Always wear the appropriate gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, gloves, boots, and protective clothing. Ensure it has safety equipment (e.g., working lights and a first-aid kit).

Safety Tips:

• Ride Within Your Limits: Know your skill level and ride accordingly. Pushing beyond your capabilities can lead to accidents.
• Stay Sober: Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Buddy System: Ride with a partner, especially in remote areas, to ensure help is available in case of an emergency.

3. Master the Basics

Before tackling advanced techniques, master the basics of ATV riding (starting and stopping smoothly, turning, and shifting your weight to maintain balance).

Basic Techniques:

• Starting and Stopping: Practice smooth and controlled starts and stops. Use both the front and rear brakes.
• Turning: Learn to lean into turns. Shift your body weight to the inside of the turn to maintain balance and traction.
• Weight Shifting: Practice shifting your weight forward when climbing hills and back when descending to keep the ATV stable.

4. Advanced Riding Techniques

Once you're comfortable with the basics, begin to work on more advanced techniques to navigate challenging terrain more effectively.

Advanced Techniques:

• Throttle Control: Learn to control the throttle smoothly. Jerky movements can cause loss of control, especially on rough terrain.
• Braking Techniques: Practice using engine braking in addition to the regular brakes to maintain control on steep descents.
• Cornering: When cornering at higher speeds, lean your body and extend the opposite arm to counterbalance the turn. This technique, called "body English."

Using high-quality ATV/UTV maintenance products can help you improve your ATV riding skills.

5. Trail Riding Skills

Riding on trails requires a unique set of skills due to the variable and often unpredictable nature of the terrain.

Trail Riding Tips:

• Reading the Terrain: Quickly assess and react to changes in the trail, like rocks, roots, ruts, and other obstacles.
• Obstacle Navigation: Practice techniques for safely crossing obstacles. For example, approach rocks and logs at an angle and use a controlled burst of throttle to lift the front wheels over.
• Water Crossings: When crossing water, go slowly and avoid deep areas. Know the depth and ensure your ATV's air intake and exhaust are above water level.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

Make it a habit to ride regularly, focusing on different skills each time. Start with short sessions focusing on specific techniques and gradually increase the complexity and duration of your rides.

Structured Practice:

• Skill Drills: Set up a course with cones to practice turning, stopping, and maneuvering.
• Trail Riding: Spend time on different types of trails to get comfortable with varying conditions.
• Feedback: Ride with more experienced riders and ask for feedback on your techniques.

7. Take a Course

Consider enrolling in an ATV riding course. Professional instructors can provide personalized guidance and advanced tips that are hard to learn on your own.

Benefits of a Riding Course:

• Expert Instruction: Learn from experienced professionals who can correct bad habits and teach advanced skills.
• Structured Learning: Courses often have a curriculum that covers basic and advanced techniques in a logical progression.
• Safety Training: Comprehensive safety training is a core component of most courses, reinforcing the importance of safe riding practices.

8. Stay Informed

The world of ATV riding is constantly evolving with new techniques, technologies, and gear. Stay informed by reading ATV magazines, joining online forums, and attending ATV events.

Resources:

• Magazines and Websites: Subscribe to ATV-related publications for tips and reviews.
• Forums and Clubs: Join online forums and local ATV clubs to connect with other riders and share experiences.
• Events: Attend ATV expos and events to learn about the latest trends and products.

Call Synthetic Oil Inc. in San Diego at (800) 653-0323 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order for ATV products that will help you have more enjoyable rides.