Practicing Your Riding Skills (continued)

The Basics

Parents should always visually supervise children as they practice. See Youth Operators.

Braking in a Straight Path

Place marker #1 at the starting point. Place marker #2 100 feet away. Ride straight toward marker #2, and come to a smooth stop. Practice this in first and second gear until you come to a smooth stop every time.

Braking in a Turn (diagram below left) Place markers #3 and #4 ahead and several feet to either side of #2. Practice the turns by accelerating through the gears in the straightaway, downshifting at the turns (marker #2), and coming to a smooth stop at #3 or #4. Keep your eyes forward, and look around the turn as you approach #2. Release the throttle before you shift, and keep your foot clear of the shift pedal after you shift. Move your weight forward and lean into the turn.
Braking in a Turn	Turning in a Large Oval
Turning in a Large Oval (diagram above right) Place two markers 60 feet apart and ride around the outside of the markers in an oval pattern. Stay in first gear and lean into the turn. Ride a few times in one direction and then the other. Remember to: Keep your feet on the footrests. Look straight ahead, concentrating on your path. Slow as you approach the turn, and gradually increase your speed as you exit. Shift your body weight forward, and lean into the turn. Lean farther into the turn if you feel you are tipping. If your turns are too wide, slow down more before the turn and lean farther into the turn.

Turning in Small Circles
(diagram to the left)

Ride around one marker turning to the right, making smaller and smaller circles. Then move to another marker and turn to the left.

Making a Figure Eight (diagram to the right)

Circle the two markers in a figure eight pattern, gradually moving the markers closer together until the pattern is as tight as you can make it.

Turning Sharply

Making sharp turns without tipping your ATV requires coordinating braking, weight shifting, and throttle control.

• Place three markers about 50 feet apart to create an equilateral triangle.
• Practice riding around the triangle in one direction and then in the other direction.
• Change the shape of the triangle to vary the challenge.
• Remember to use all of the techniques practiced earlier.

Making Quicker Turns

Quick turns will help you avoid obstacles. To do this, you will adjust your body position, shift your weight, and change your speed.

• Space five markers 35 feet apart. Travel to the left of the first marker, and then weave back and forth around the other markers.
• Start slowly, and then gradually accelerate without going past second gear.
• When you feel comfortable with the original spacing, move the markers closer together, working your way to a minimum distance of 18 feet.
• If you hit any markers, swing wider around the marker and shift your weight more. Try adding a burst of speed but not so much that you pop up the front wheels

Climbing and Traversing Hills

Climbing and traversing hills is part of the fun of riding an ATV. This exercise will help you build skills to ride up hils and to turn around using the techniques for making a U-turn safely. (Note: Before you attempt this exercise, review the techniques for Riding Uphill and Traversing a Slope so that you’ll know what to do if you stall going up or start to tip over as you traverse the hill.)

• Start by accelerating at the base of the hill.
• If necessary, shift into a lower gear to maintain momentum.
• Turn your ATV to the left, making an arc over the face of the hill.
• Continue to turn until you’re headed back down the hill.
• Shift into a lower gear, and apply your brakes to slow down.
• Repeat; however, this time turn in the opposite direction.

Stopping while Descending

• As you descend, shift your weight back toward the rear of the ATV. On steep slopes, straighten your knees and elbows but don't lock them.
• Bend forward so that your rear is over the back of the seat.
• Shift into low gear, and apply the brakes to slow your descent.