ATV Trail Riding Tips

Riding an all-terrain vehicle (or ATV, also called a quad or four-wheeler) is an exciting way to explore a local nature trail. You can maneuver more freely when riding over an established trail—the way ahead is much safer than if you were off-roading elsewhere because obstacles will have been avoided by the trailmakers.

However, riding on an ATV trail isn’t without risk, so it’s important to know what to do before and during your ride to keep yourself and those around you safe. The Sports Center in Perry, Georgia, is your local quad dealer, so we’ve gathered up some of our top tips for safely and responsibly riding the trails in your area.

Prepare For Your Ride

First things first: you need to get your quad ready for the ride! Start by giving your ATV a thorough inspection from top to bottom to make sure it’s trail-ready. This includes checking the tire pressure and condition, filling up the gas tank, changing oil if it’s needed and testing out the throttle. If you find any issues you can’t address at home, contact the service department here at The Sports Center so that we can schedule you an appointment with our team of expert mechanics.

You’ll want to pack your ATV with necessary items for your safety and comfort while riding, too. A tool kit, a first-aid kit, snacks and water, sunscreen, extra fuel, a flashlight, an emergency radio and anything else that seems practical for the trip.

Gear Up

Now you’ll need to get yourself outfitted with the right safety gear. A well-fitting helmet with a high crash-test rating, like a motocross or motorcycle helmet, is ideal for four-wheeler riding. You should wear a pair of goggles if your helmet lacks a full face mask in order to protect your eyes from flying debris. Long sleeves and pants are good to protect your limbs from scratches, and a pair of riding gloves will help you maintain grip on the handlebars. A sturdy pair of boots with good tread will help you to stay on your quad, too, while protecting your feet.

Respect The Trail

When you arrive at the trail and start riding, you’ll want to be respectful of the area. The trail was established in such a way that it avoids obstacles as well as surrounding flora and fauna, so make sure you stay on the designated path. This will help you to avoid running into unseen hazards and it will also reduce the risk that you’ll do serious damage to the surrounding environment or the animals that live within it.

Use leave-no-trace ethics when stopping for a snack or a tune-up. Don’t leave wrappers or spilled fluids on the trail. Clean up the area and leave it better than how you found it, even if that means removing other people’s trash.

If you have a winch and the towing capacity, you can even do your part and remove obstacles from the trail like fallen tree trunks so that other people don’t swerve around them.

Share The Path

Be courteous towards fellow riders, as well as any animals or people you may encounter. Don’t rev your engine to frighten people or alert them of your presence; this is extremely rude. Give stopped vehicles a wide berth. Watch ahead for people or animals crossing the road so that you can slow down well in advance. Operate your quad at a reasonable pace rather than tearing it up at top speed.

Following this guide should help you to safely enjoy your next trail ride. Still need a 4-wheeler? Come on down to our Perry dealership today to take a look at our full selection of new and used ATVs for sale. Talk to our staff about our financing options if you need them. The Sports Center proudly serves all of our Georgia customers in the cities of Macon and Columbus.