Preparing Your ATV for an Off-Road Adventure
Hitting the open trail on your ATV is exciting! After all, you're about to enjoy the wonderful outdoors, an adrenaline rush, and a thrilling ride. But before you head out, it's helpful to take some time to prepare your ATV for your off-road adventure. With some proactive steps, you can set yourself up for a safe and fun trip. Below we cover everything you need to do before you hit the trails. For all your ATV needs, visit America's Motor Sports Dickson. If you have any questions or want to look at our amazing selection of quads for sale, don’t forget to visit us at our dealership in Dickson, Tennessee.
Know Your ATV
It’s important to have some basic knowledge of your ATV as it will make your ride go much smoother. Spend some time practicing driving your all-terrain vehicle before hitting the trails. Get a firm grasp of how your machine handles, including the turning radius and how long it takes to brake. A beginner’s class can be a great way to learn the ideal riding technique and how to make the most of your vehicle.
You’ll also want to take the time to figure out the height, width, approach angle, and departure angle of your quad. This will allow you to better navigate on the trail without causing any damage to your vehicle. It's also helpful to know where the air intake and engine computer are located so that you'll be able to assess how deep of water you can handle.
Prepare Your ATV
You don't want to take your ATV straight from your garage to the trail. Instead, you should do a pre-ride inspection first. This involves looking over to see if there are any issues that could cause a problem on the trail. If you catch them now, you'll be able to take your vehicle into a mechanic. If you catch them on the trail, it could be a huge hassle getting it to a repair shop.
Start by checking out your tires to ensure they have the right tread levels and inflation. Look at your fluid levels and top off anything that's low. Test your lights to make sure they are all visible and working well. If it’s possible, go for a quick test run. Make sure that your vehicle accelerates, turns, and brakes normally.
Packing
You'll need some essential supplies for a successful trail ride. Bring a mini toolkit with a wrench fitting your ATV's bolt size, a first aid kit, waterproof outerwear, water, snacks, a knife, a flashlight, an extra gas can, a map, and a flat tire kit. This prepares you for a range of emergencies from minor medical ones to a flat tire. When you're prepared to address these issues, they won't end up slowing you down on the trail or ending your trip prematurely.
As you pack everything up, check that it's all tight and secure. You don't want items flying off as you zip down the trail. Plus, loose items can become dangerous in the event of a crash. Try to load up your ATV so that the weight is evenly distributed. Don't forget that you need to stay in accordance with your vehicle's gross weight capacity. Overloading your quad can negatively affect how it handles and it can even be dangerous.
Once your ATV is all packed, you are ready to hit the open trail for an off-road adventure! For all your ATV needs, visit America's Motor Sports Dickson. If you’re still in search of your dream quad, don’t worry! We offer a variety of ATVs for sale and our friendly staff can help you with whatever you need. You’ll find us in Dickson, TN, and we proudly serve those in Clarksville.