A Beginner’s Guide to ATVs

About to purchase or have just gotten your first ATV? All-terrain vehicles or ATVs are awesome for off-roading fun and recreational riding on the track or the trail. Dozens of great ATVs exist with powerful engines that offer optimum performance, including those manufactured by Polaris®. Your local Polaris® ATV dealer is Family Powersports of Odessa, and we’re here to help you learn more about ATVs so you can become an expert rider in no time!

For New Riders

Starting small is the best way to stay safe when you’re new to ATV riding. Don’t go for the biggest and most powerful model just because it looks cool, because you likely don’t have the skills to handle it yet. Work your way up to that on a model with a less powerful engine and lower speeds that you can comfortably enjoy on flatter trails and surfaces. Be safe and ride smart, not only when you’re new to ATV riding but even when your skills are more advanced. Riding with another person who is more experienced can be very helpful for novices, since a more experienced rider can guide you on a reasonable path to take when off-roading or help you navigate a trail that they may be more familiar with. They can also keep their speeds low as a guide for you while you follow them. Don’t attempt any tricks when you’re a new rider, either. It’s important to take your time to familiarize yourself with how your particular ATV works and to test things out in a flat field if you need to.

Brands of ATVs

There are many brands of ATVs available on the market. Polaris® has been manufacturing quality, high performing ATVs since 1985 and they have a range of ATVs to suit various purposes, depending on the rider’s needs. Some of their current models are even geared for young riders, like the Phoenix®, which is suitable for teens aged 14 and up, with adult supervision. The air-cooled, four-stroke 196cc engine provides plenty of power while the suspension soaks up bumps and rough patches to protect the rider. The Outlaw® is another model for young riders that can be ridden by kids as young as ten with adult supervision. Adjustable speed control can be tailored to a rider’s experience level from 15 to 29 mph, while the 112cc four-stroke engine provides the ATV with enough power to make riding fun and exhilarating. Check out models by Polaris® when you want reliable, safe performance in your ATV.

Gear You’ll Need

When riding an ATV, it’s important that you invest in the right gear to keep yourself safe and riding comfortably. The most vital component of your gear is a well-fitting helmet that has high crash test ratings and is meant for high impact extreme sports. This helmet can either be a motorcycle helmet with a protective face mask or a motocross helmet with a pair of goggles for eye protection.

You should also be wearing long sleeves and pants with gloves and sturdy boots to protect as much of your body as you can from bruises, bumps and flying debris. Wearing breathable layers will keep you cool and protect you from the sun.

On your ATV, you should carry water, a first aid kit, a repair kit with tire patches, an air compressor to quickly inflate low tires, an emergency radio, your phone and charger, flares and a flashlight so that you’re prepared for emergencies and minor injuries.

Still haven’t found the ATV you’re looking for? Come down to our Odessa showroom to see our selection of new and used ATVs, including popular models by Polaris®. Family Powersports of Odessa serves the cities of Lubbock and San Angelo, Texas.