Off-Road Basics—Riding Your ORV
Riding Techniques
Turning
Consult your manual for information
on turning your ORV.
In general, when
riding at low to moderate speeds, you
should:
- Move your body weight forward and
lean in the direction of the turn.
- Turn
the handlebars while looking where
you are turning.
- If your ORV starts
to tip while turning, lean your body
farther into the turn while gradually
reducing your speed.
Riding Uphill
Climbing hills can be dangerous if you
don’t follow the proper procedures
described in your owner’s manual.
You could lose control of your ORV, or
it could overturn.
In general, you should:
- Use good judgment. If the hill looks
too steep for your ORV or your abilities,
it probably is.
- Start the climb
by shifting into a lower gear and
speeding up to maintain momentum.
- Move
up on the seat and lean forward,
or stand and position your torso over
the front wheels.
- Keep your weight
uphill and your feet on the footrests.
If
you can’t see what
is on or over the crest of a
hill, slow down until you have a clear
view.
 Riding
Downhill
Always carefully check the terrain before
you start down any hill. Choose a downhill
path that is as straight as possible
with a minimum of obstacles.
When going downhill, remember to:
- Shift your weight to the rear.
- Keep the speed low.
- Use gradual braking.
- Use a lower gear.
- Look ahead.
Traversing a Slope
You may encounter hills that are too
steep to ascend or descend in a straight
line. In that case, you may be able to
operate across, or traverse, the slope
at an angle. However, don’t attempt
to traverse a slope with surfaces that
are extremely slippery, rough, or loose.
When traversing, be sure to:
- Keep both feet firmly on the footrests.
- Lean your upper body uphill.
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