Off-Road Basics—Riding Your ORV
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 ORV and get comfortable operating it. The location should be large, open, flat, and free of hazards.

Starting Procedure

Starting procedures vary from model to model, so begin by consulting your owner’s manual.

• Typically, you will:
  • Position the ORV in a safe direction and 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.
  • Start the engine.

Posture

Correct riding posture matters. Like riding a bike, you need to shift your weight as you maneuver your ORV. Proper posture ensures that you can quickly shift your weight when necessary and easily reach the controls.

Proper posture includes:

• Head up and eyes looking far ahead
• Hands on the handlebars
• Feet on the footrests with toes pointing straight ahead

Removing one hand or foot can reduce your ability to control the ORV or could cause you to lose your balance and fall off.

If you remove a foot from the footrest, your foot could come into contact with the rear wheels, causing an injury or accident.

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

• There are different types of transmissions on ORVs, so read your owner’s manual for instructions on shifting your model.
• If you have a manual transmission, always let off the throttle while shifting to prevent the front wheels from lifting.

Braking

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