ATV Basics: Riding Your ATV

Basic Operation

Before you do any serious off-road riding, you need to find a safe, unchallenging location where you can practice riding your new ATV and get comfortable operating it. The location should be large, open, flat, and free of hazards.

Starting Procedure

• First, consult your owner’s manual. Typically, you will:
• Point the ATV in a safe direction.
• Put the transmission in neutral or park.
• Set the parking brake.
• Turn on the fuel valve.
• Make sure that the engine stop switch is in the “run” or “on” position.
• Put the choke in the “on” position if the engine is cold.
• Start the engine.

Posture

• To make sure you can shift your weight quickly when necessary and reach the controls easily, always maintain proper posture:
  • Head up and eyes looking far ahead
  • Hands on the handlebars
  • Feet on the footrests, toes pointing straight ahead
• Removing one hand or foot can reduce your ability to control the ATV or could cause you to lose your balance and fall off.
• Removing your feet from the footrests or dragging your feet on the ground can result in serious injury if your feet get under the rear wheels.

Starting Off

After the engine is warmed up:

• Apply the rear brake.
• Shift into gear.
• Release the parking brake.
• Apply the throttle slowly.

Shifting Gears

• The three general types of transmissions are manual, automatic, and semi-automatic.
• Consult your owner’s manual for correct shifting procedures.

Braking
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• Consult your owner’s manual for correct braking procedures.
• ATVs may have brakes in the front or in the rear, or both front and rear. Your braking technique depends on your ATV’s braking system.