ATV Safety
For thrill seekers everywhere, ATVs offer the promise of high speeds over rough terrain. Tearing across dunes or even around the track can be the most exciting part of your weekend. However, ATVs aren’t risk-free to ride so you’ll want to make sure your body is protected and your focus is strong when you straddle one. The fine folks at Riva Motorsports Miami have provided this convenient ATV safety guide to keep you and your family free from injuries and accidents during your ride.
Obtain The Appropriate Gear
ATVs don’t come with safety equipment so you’ll have to provide your own. The most important thing you need is a helmet with a high crash test rating that will protect your cranium from impacts should you hit an obstacle and be thrown off your quad. Motorcycle helmets with face shields are definitely suited to this as motorcycles pose similar head injury risks to ATVs, but they can be somewhat hot and heavy to wear. For a more breathable option, look into motocross helmets and a good pair of goggles. Motocross helmets are meant for high-impact extreme sports so they will serve you well on an ATV. Goggles or a face mask are necessary because off-roading kicks up a lot of dust, debris and rocks in your path. You don’t want to be blinded by a pebble, so make sure that your eyes are shielded, too.
The rest of your attire doesn’t have to be specialized in any way, but wearing sturdy long pants and long sleeves to protect your limbs from scratches and scrapes on the trail is a smart choice. Wear gloves with a good grip to keep hold of your handlebars and protect your hands, and boots that go up to your ankle to protect your feet. Other than what you wear, you’ll also want to have a first aid kit with you to bandage up any wounds you do sustain on or off the trail.
Keep Your ATV Serviced
Before every trip you take on your ATV, it’s vital that you inspect it for damages. You should make sure your tires are in good shape and evenly pressured so they don’t blow out on you. Keep the brakes in great condition so they can stop you before you crash. Top up your engine fluids as needed and fuel up before you ride so you don’t sputter to a halt suddenly. If you come across something in your inspections that requires professional attention, don’t hesitate to contact us at Riva Motorsports Miami to make an appointment with our service department so we can get your ATV fixed up before your next adventure.
Follow Safety Guidelines
Whenever you’re operating heavy machinery, it’s important that you’re focused and alert to protect yourself and those around you from incident. This means that you should never drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before you climb on your ATV. Sobriety will keep your reflexes sharp and prevent you from taking too many risks that could result in disaster. If you’re on prescription medications or have a health condition that could impede your focus, you should talk to your doctor before undertaking powersports. Know your body and your limits, and don’t try to stunt or take on a new trail at top speeds when you don’t know what’s around the bend. Look out for others while you’re riding, whether it’s campers, hikers or even animals that wander into your path. Ride during daylight and ideally during good weather so you aren’t hampered by rain and wind, which can make an already dangerous ride even more hazardous. Your ATV is probably only built for one rider, so don’t overload it with more people or cargo than it can hold.
Looking to buy your first ATV, upgrade your current model or add to your quad fleet? Come by our Miami dealership to see all the great ATVs we have in stock, including the latest models. Riva Motorsports Miami serves the Florida communities of Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Kendall and Naples, as well as the whole of Broward County, Florida.