Positioning Yourself for Safer Riding

To ride an ATV safely, you need to learn how to position your body properly as you maneuver through various types of terrain. Mastering the basic riding positions is a major key to your success.

Correct Posture for All Riding Positions

• To make sure that 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 reduces your ability to control the ATV and can 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.

Sitting: Best Position for Stability

• Sitting provides the lowest center of gravity for maximum stability and safety.
• This is the only position recommended for carrying passengers if the ATV is designed for that purpose.
• Keep your feet firmly on the footrests.

Standing: Best Position for Viewing

• In areas with obstructions, this position can help you look over an obstacle to see if another is behind it.
• At road crossings, this position provides the longest line of sight.
• Standing allows you to shift your weight quickly in any direction and change riding positions rapidly.

Posting: Best for Climbing and Rugged Terrain

• Rough trails may produce more and harder bumps than you can absorb easily in a sitting position. If so, switch to this crouching position.
• It's also useful for climbing steep hills, crossing creeks and streams, and other challenging situations.