Practicing Your Operating Skills

Locate a safe, unchallenging area to practice your OHV operating skills. Walk the area first to make sure there aren’t any unseen hazards that could trap tires, such as dips and holes.

• Select terrain that is at least 100 feet by 200 feet, containing two areas:
  • An area that’s large, open, flat, and free of hazards
  • A hilly area that is not too steep and is easy to climb on foot
• Set up a practice area with a tape measure and a half-dozen markers, such as sand-filled plastic jugs or similar containers.
• Develop safe riding habits by using the same procedures and safety measures when practicing that you will use when you begin serious off-road operating.
  • Wear proper clothing and safety equipment, including a Department of Transportation–approved helmet.
  • Perform a pre-ride inspection.
  • Maintain a safe speed at all times.
  • Don’t mix operating with alcohol and/or drugs.
  • Bring someone along in case something goes wrong.

Before You Begin

• Perform a Pre-Ride Inspection: Using your owner’s manual, find and check all of the items listed in “Inspecting Your OHV Before Your Ride: START-GO” in Chapter 2.
• Practice Correct Riding Posture: With the engine off, keep your eyes on the trail ahead. Using proper posture, locate and operate the controls.
• Practice Shift Pattern: Using your owner’s manual, learn the proper shift pattern for your OHV and practice with the engine off.

The Basics

Adults should always visually supervise children as they practice. (See "Parents Watch Out for the Little Rider!").

Braking in a Straight Path: Place marker #1 at the starting point. Place marker #2 100 feet away. Ride straight toward marker #2, and come to a smooth stop. Practice this in first and second gear until you come to a smooth stop every time.

Braking in a Turn: Place markers #3 and #4 ahead and several feet to either side of #2. Practice the turns by accelerating through the gears in the straightaway, downshifting at the turns (marker #2), and coming to a smooth stop at #3 or #4.

• Keep your eyes forward, and look around the turn as you approach #2.
• Release the throttle before you shift, and keep your foot clear of the shift pedal after you shift.
• Move your weight forward and lean into the turn.

Braking in a Turn

Turning in a Large Oval: Place two markers 60 feet apart and ride around the outside of the markers in an oval pattern. Stay in first gear and lean into the turn. Ride a few times in one direction and then the other.

• Remember to:
  • Look straight ahead, concentrating on your path.
  • Slow as you approach the turn, and gradually increase your speed as you exit.
• On an ATV, you also should:
  • Keep your feet on the footrests.
  • Shift your body weight forward, and lean into the turn.
  • Lean farther into the turn if you feel you are tipping.
  • If your turns are too wide, slow down more before the turn and lean farther into the turn.

Turning in an Oval

Turning in Small Circles: Ride around one marker turning to the right, making smaller and smaller circles. Then move to another marker and turn to the left.

Turning in Small Circles

Making a Figure Eight: Circle the two markers in a figure eight pattern, gradually moving the markers closer together until the pattern is as tight as you can make it.

Making a Figure Eight

Turning Sharply: Making sharp turns without tipping your OHV requires coordinating braking, weight shifting, and throttle control.

• Place three markers about 50 feet apart to create an equilateral triangle.
• Practice riding around the triangle in one direction and then in the other direction.
• Change the shape of the triangle to vary the challenge.
• Remember to use all of the techniques practiced earlier.

Making Quicker Turns: Quick turns will help you avoid obstacles. To do this, you will adjust your body position, shift your weight, and change your speed.

• Space five markers 35 feet apart. Travel to the left of the first marker, and then weave back and forth around the other markers.
• Start slowly, and then gradually accelerate without going past second gear.
• When you feel comfortable with the original spacing, move the markers closer together, working your way to a minimum distance of 18 feet.
• If you hit any markers, swing wider around the marker and shift your weight more. Try adding a burst of speed but not so much that you pop up the front wheels.

Making Quick Stops on a Straight Path

• Set two markers 100 feet apart. Ride from one end toward the other in second gear. Maintain your speed until you pass the second marker.
• Apply the brakes, and shift into first gear. Mark where you come to a stop.
• Start over, and try to stop in a shorter distance.
• Once you’re satisfied with your performance, repeat the process in higher gears.

Making Quick Stops on a Turn: Set up the course you used for braking in a turn.

• Start from the first marker in second gear. Turn toward marker #3 or #4 after you pass marker #2 on the outside.
• After passing #3 or #4, stop as quickly as you can while downshifting into first gear.
• On an ATV:
  • If you feel your ATV swerving to one side, center your body on the machine and look where you want to go.
  • If the rear end skids, ease up on the rear brake and shift into a lower gear.
  • If the front end slides or skids, apply less front brake pressure.

Climbing and Traversing Hills: Review the sections “Riding Uphill” and “Traversing a Slope” to be prepared if you stall or start to tip over.

• Accelerate at the base of the hill.
• Downshift if necessary to maintain momentum.
• Turn your OHV to the left, making an arc over the face of the hill.
• Continue to turn until you’re headed back down the hill.
• Shift into a lower gear, and apply your brakes to slow down.
• Repeat in the opposite direction.

Stopping While Descending

• Shift into low gear, and apply the brakes to slow your descent.
• On an ATV, follow these additional steps.
  • As you descend, shift your weight back toward the rear of the ATV. On steep slopes, straighten your knees and elbows but don’t lock them.
  • Bend forward so that your rear is over the back of the seat.

Additional Riding Skills: After you master the basic riding skills, you will be ready to move on to more advanced skills. Many of these skills are covered in Chapter 5 and include:

• Riding on trails that are more difficult, such as those with mud; water; sand dunes; snow; ice; and obstacles like rocks, logs, and bumps
• Riding at night or in low-light conditions
• Carrying a passenger on your OHV
• Towing a heavy load with your OHV
• Crossing roads and highways safely