All vehicles are dangerous if the driver has neither the training nor carefulness to do so. ATVs and other 4-wheelers are not exempt from this rule. While ATVs are designed to bring that rush and element of danger to the outdoors, that fun ends once someone is injured or something is damaged beyond repair.Â
To keep your 4-wheeler fun within the bounds of safety, make sure to think about the following considerations:
1 - You should get the right size
ATVs come in different sizes depending on who’s using them. If mostly children will drive these vehicles, make sure to get a child-sized unit. A bigger and more powerful unit might be too heavy and too unwieldy for them to control. They may end up flying off the handles and injuring themselves if you don’t wait until they grow to the right size.Â
If the drivers will all be experienced adults, then get that giant hog of a machine by all means.Â
2 - You should familiarize yourself with the controls of the vehicle
Just like cars, you need to start your 4-wheeler in the safest manner possible. Different machines have different braking systems, throttles, shifters, and so on. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle before cranking it to high speeds. After all, you don’t want to end up shooting off your ATV when you hit the brakes. Make sure to try it out in a safe environment before taking it off-road.Â
3 - You should not be complacent about your skills
Even if you’ve driven a car, motorcycle, or plane before, you should know driving an ATV is a different experience entirely. Certainly, you can apply similar techniques, but they do not apply in all cases. Do not fall to your ego or you will end up sustaining injuries or damage to the vehicle or much worse, your body!
Take it slow until you are confident and can keep the ATV under control!Â
4 - You should understand the structure of the ATV
People often assume that ATVs are more stable and safer to ride than motorcycles because they have four wheels. While this is partly true, keeping balance on an ATV is still a skill you need to develop.Â
The center of gravity on these machines is a bit higher than that of motorcycles. Turning and going uphill or downhill are different. If you fail to balance the vehicle, you might just end up flipping on turns or rolling down a hill. You need to learn how to shift your weight against the ATV to ensure you’re always upright.Â
5 - You should drive only in the right surroundingsÂ
Sure, ATVs may stand for all-terrain vehicles, but that doesn’t account for their surroundings. For example, paths designed for dirt bikes and bicycles won’t be safe for an ATV. You need a much wider path and some clearance as they are not designed to weave through narrow spaces. After all, if your vehicle gets stuck or damaged on the trip, it might just ruin the fun.Â
Final thoughts
Driving an ATV may look easy, but it involves the cultivation of certain skills. You need to master the feel of a vehicle first before traversing more challenging terrain. At the end of the day, no matter how high-quality or high-powered your machine, it falls to the driver to keep safe from harm.Â
If you’re looking for 4-wheelers for adults, give us at Tribal Motorsports a call. We are the highest-rated online dealer in the entire country. You could even buy now and spread the payment over a couple of months with no hidden fees or extra charges.