ATV Safety

Riding an ATV offers you the freedom to tackle any terrain you desire with all the speed and power you need to do so. As much fun as you can have tearing things up on , there are a few safety considerations you should take into account before and as you ride. We know the importance of safety here at Family Powersports Odessa, which is why we’ve provided this guide to ATV safety to help you enjoy your quad without damaging it or injuring yourself. If your ATV needs parts or servicing, don’t hesitate to call our repair department so our capable mechanics can get you taken care of!

Obtain Correct Gear

When you’re on a four wheeler, you’re at risk of rollover or impact events that could throw you from your vehicle. You don’t have the same enclosed protection offered by a car, so it’s important that you wear gear to protect yourself from injury. The best piece of safety equipment for four wheelers is a well-fitting helmet rated for high-impact extreme sports. This either means getting a motorcycle helmet with a full face shield to protect you from flying debris, or a motocross helmet and a pair of goggles for eye protection. Motorcycle helmets can be weighty and warm to wear while riding quads, so the motocross helmet is probably a better option. Either will do, though, to protect your head in the event of an impact. Your clothes should serve to protect you from scrapes and bruises along the trail, so wear long sleeves, pants, ankle boots and gloves with good grip.

Maintain Your ATV

Similarly to how you keep your car maintained with regular tune-ups and oil changes, you’ll need to do the same for your ATV if you want it to provide you with reliable transport on all manner of terrain. This means checking your tires before each ride to ensure they’re evenly pressured and not too worn, checking your fluids like oil and coolant and making sure your lights and signals work. You should always fill up your gas tank before every ride so you’re not caught with an empty tank far from anything. If you’re looking over your ATV and see anything amiss that you’re not capable of fixing yourself, have it looked at by a professional mechanic.

Use Common Sense

Finally, you should use common sense and follow rules and regulations as you ride your quad. Obey any signage regarding trespassing. If you’re riding on a trail, don’t deviate from it. You could do permanent damage to the surrounding ecosystem if you go off the path. Watch out for animals and people using the surrounding area, and don’t rev your engine or speed around them. Slow down and be cautious around campsites and parks. Ride with at least one other person during daylight hours and good weather conditions so you can reduce your risk of having an accident. Never drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before or during your ATV ride, as these will impede your focus and increase your risk of crashing your quad. You need to stay sober to remain alert to the obstacles around you, and sobriety will also help you to avoid taking undue risks that put you or others in danger. Never overload your ATV either with too many passengers or too much cargo. Most quads only seat one person, the operator, so everyone who rides will need to have their own ATV.

To see a huge selection of new and used ATVs, come to our Odessa dealership today! We have all the latest brands, plus plenty of great used models for the budget-conscious. You can become a first-time owner or add another four wheeler to your fleet. Family Powersports Odessa serves the cities of Midland, Andrews, Pecos and Fort Stockton, Texas.