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Course Outline

The type of rear axle on your ATV, as given in the owner’s manual, affects where you should position your body on the seat during a turn. The rear axle may be either of these types.

  • A solid axle causes the wheels on both the inside and outside of a turn to rotate at the same speed, even though the wheels on the inside of the turn cover a shorter distance.
  • A differential axle lets the outside wheel rotate faster than the inside wheel, resulting in an easier and smoother turn.

If your ATV has a solid rear axle (or a differential axle that is locked), use a turning technique that lets the inside rear wheel skid during the turn. When turning at:

  • A low speed, slide your body forward and to the outside of the seat. Then lean into the turn.
  • A faster speed, slide forward and to the inside of the seat. Then lean into the turn.
Solid axle ATV or locked differential labeled
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