Top 5 ATV Trail-Riding Tips

Now that spring is here, it’s time to ready yourself for your upcoming ATV trail rides. Part of getting yourself ready is making sure that you have the gear and knowledge you need to keep yourself out of harm’s way, because ATV riding can be very dangerous if you’re underprepared for it. From hidden trail obstacles to becoming stranded due to a vehicle breakdown, all kinds of bad things can happen if you’re not careful and judicious about your prep work.

East Bay Motorsports in Hayward is your northern California ATV dealer. Below, you’ll find our top five trail-riding tips to help you and those around you stay safe and enjoy every minute of your off-roading adventures.

1. Perform a Pre-Ride Inspection

Always, always take the time to give your ATV a thorough inspection before every trip. Check tire pressure and condition, check your oil and top it off or change it as needed, completely fill up your gas tank and make sure that your electrical system is operating properly. You don’t want to end up stranded on the trail because a bad tire went flat or your battery died. An inspection can’t ward off everything, but it will significantly reduce the risk of mishap.

2. Ride With Friends

While it might sound peaceful to ride by yourself, it’s not a smart move. ATVs do present a danger and it’s very possible for an accident to happen while you’re out in the wilderness. Either your ATV could break down, get stuck or become damaged or you could become injured or sick and require assistance. Having at least one buddy riding alongside you will help to ensure that there is a way out if misfortune befalls either of you.

3. Gear Up For Safety

You know that wearing the right safety gear is important when riding an ATV. If you’re new to riding, you’ll need to equip yourself with a well-fitting helmet, a pair of goggles (if the helmet lacks a full face visor), ankle boots with good tread, riding gloves, long sleeves and pants. Protecting your body will help you to prevent injuries from occurring if you roll over or are thrown from your ATV due to an impact. You can even invest in chest plates and knee pads if you want to be extra safe.

4. Take Frequent Breaks

You might want to ride for hours, but your body and mind will become fatigued if you don’t take breaks. Give yourself the chance to hop off your ATV, walk around, remove your helmet, drink some water, have a snack and stretch your muscles before you get back to the trail. You’ll feel much more refreshed and ready to handle the challenges that the trail will bring if you give yourself rest breaks.

5. Follow Trail Rules & Regulations

It’s very important to abide by all the rules and regulations on a trail, and these may differ depending on where you go and when you go. There will generally be signage posted at the staging area and along the trail guiding you, so make sure that you’re paying attention. Follow all speed limits and directions that the signs give you. If you’re not sure about something, check with someone who manages the trail.

You should also avoid straying from the trail, as venturing out into the surrounding wilderness can cause you harm if you hit an obstacle that you couldn’t have seen. You’ll also do damage to the wildlife in the area if you leave the trail. And, of course, you should always ride sober because riding an ATV under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs is just as dangerous as driving a car under the influence.

By following these tips, you should be able to have a safe and enjoyable trail riding experience on your ATV. Looking to purchase a new ATV? Peruse our website to see the full stock of new and used ATVs for sale at our dealership in Hayward, CA. If you’d like to make use of financing options, talk to our staff to learn more about them. East Bay Motorsports proudly serves the Bay Area and all our northern California customers.