About ATV Riding

ATV riding is a very popular sport. Many people ride ATVs for many reasons, from thrills and fun to competitive racing. Other uses include hunting, fishing and work. Some people use them to haul equipment and materials to sites that a vehicle can not reach, or to move hay and tools around a farm. They are even used by park rangers, beach patrol units and police officers when cars and trucks can not do the job.

Recreational Use

The most common use for an ATV is recreational. This includes sport use for outdoor activities, extreme racing and more. Riders should always wear a helmet and protective gear. Extreme-sports users typically wear helmets, shoulder protectors and knee pads. Their ATVs are also fitted with special webbing on the foot rests so they can land those high jumps.

Work-Related Use

If you are using an ATV on a farm or ranch there's a few things you should know. Most ATVs are made for fun and speed first of all, so if you are riding a typical ATV it should at least have an upgraded suspension system, especially if it is going to haul heavy loads. Hauling can also strain the transmission, so an upgraded, heavy-duty transmission is a must. Many ATVs are also built for heavy-duty use; consider riding one of these for work-related ATV use. You should also wear a helmet and operate the vehicle in a safe manner.

Extreme Sports

Riding an ATV in extreme sports is a daring thing to do. Riders in these events must practice for hours to learn how to perform aerial jumps and how to ride an ATV at top speeds around a race course. It takes skill, strength and timing to operate an ATV under these conditions. Always wear full-protective gear that includes a helmet and shoulder pads, along with knee and ankle guards. The ATV must also be outfitted for this type of riding, with advanced suspension and the right tires for the type of track you are riding on.

On the Beach and in Sand

It is fun to ride an ATV on the beach or sand dunes because you can enjoy scenery and explore miles of beaches. On some larger sand dunes you can ride up and down the hills of sand, almost like a roller coaster ride. However, when riding in these conditions be wary of how your ATV reacts. When riding up a sand dune you can be thrown from the machine by the force of gravity. Keep the machine under control and at a comfortable speed until you are able to maneuver the ATV comfortably.

Hunting and Sport

Hunting and sport ATV riding is one of the most well-rounded types of riding you will do. It involves several skills, which include riding on rough terrain, up steep inclines and through forests. In each case the rider must use the proper positioning to keep centered on the bike. You should be in a crouch position, with your body leaning forward and most of the weight on your legs to ride uphill and over the rough terrain. This gives you plenty of leverage and reduces the chance of being thrown from the bike.

Riding Tips

Riding an ATV requires hand-eye coordination to operate the throttle controls, which are controlled by twisting the right handlebar grip backward, and brake, which is controlled by depressing the lever on the handle bar. The clutch is also operated in coordination with the throttle. The throttle is engaged by squeezing the left handlebar lever and revving the throttle lightly. The ATV is put into gear by operating the clutch and depressing the gear shift lever with your foot. The rest is proper body positioning, moving your body left and right to absorb the force of the turns and staying centered over the ATV seat at all times.