Off-Road Basics—Before You Ride

Pre-Ride Inspection

• Nothing spoils an outing faster than mechanical problems. In some cases, malfunctioning equipment also can cause injuries.
• Consult your owner’s manual for items that may need to be lubricated, tightened, adjusted, aligned, or checked for wear.

Key items include: Throttle Foot shifter Brakes Drive chain or drive shaft Steering system Spark plugs Lights Engine stop switch Clutch

Tires

Because ORV tires are relatively small and take a lot of punishment, maintaining correct tire pressure is critical.

• Check the tire pressure before each trip.
  • Use a low-pressure gauge because ORV tire pressure is too low for standard automobile tire gauges to read accurately.
  • Tire pressure must be equal on the right and left sides; otherwise, the vehicle will pull to one side.
  • Under-inflated tires can cause wheel damage.
  • Over-inflation may damage tires on bumpy rides.
  • Under- or over-inflated tires may change the handling characteristics of your ORV.
• Check for damage that could cause air leaks.
  

Routine Maintenance

Off-road riding puts a strain on your ORV, so it’s important to perform the scheduled maintenance recommended in your owner’s manual. You can avoid a breakdown and possible injury.

Remember... Your vehicle isn’t ready to ride unless it has an up-to-date license.