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ATV Equipment Safety: What to Know Before You Go

Posted by ATV Discounter in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Apr 07, 2008

On a perfect day in Texas, you’re anxious to jump on your ATV and go! You can ride further in one hour on an ATV than you can walk in a day, so a pre-ride inspection of your ATV parts will reduce your chance of being stranded or worse yet, injured. The most common checks include ATV tires, wheels, controls, lights, switches, oil, fuel, chain/drive shaft, and chassis. your friends at ATV Discounter offer you these ATV equipment safety tips to make sure that you and your off-road machine are ready for a day of rowdy fun:

OIL AND FUEL:

Check for leaks around the fuel tank, and in the ATV fuel and oil lines.
Check oil level while the engine is off.
To avoid being left behind, always start your ride with full tanks.

CONTROLS:

Check your ATV cables and controls for buildup of dirt and mud which may impede operation and for damage from a spill.
Throttle and other cables – Check throttle and cable operation while moving the handlebars from fully left to fully right, and make sure the throttle moves smoothly and snaps closed with the handlebars in any position. If your ATV is equipped with an adjustable throttle limiter, check that the adjustment is appropriate for the rider, and that the adjustment is securely set.
Brakes – Hop on while your ATV is motionless, and test the brakes for smooth operation. Make sure they are adjusted according to the instructions in the owner’s manual. Your brakes should be positioned for the rider’s easy reach, as this is one of the most crucial functions of riding an ATV.

TIRES:

Air pressure – Always inflate the tires to maintain the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. If the tires are over or under-inflated, your ATV may not steer or handle properly. To measure pressure accurately (usually 2 to 6 psi), pick up a low-pressure gauge, as automotive tire gauges are not accurate for use on ATVs.
Condition – Check for cuts or gouges that could cause air leakage.
Wheels – Avoid loss of control by checking that your ATV axle nuts are tight and secured by cotter pins, and make sure that the wheel nuts are tight as well. Grasp the tire at the front and the rear and try to rock it on its axle for any free-play or slippage as you’re moving it. Movement of this kind can signal worn-out bearings or loose nuts.
Your ATV footshifter should be firmly attached and positioned for safe operation; not so low that the rider’s toes are pointed downward toward the ground, or so high that shifting is awkward.

ATV LIGHTS AND SWITCHES:

Ignition switch – Check the condition of the switch and make sure it operates properly by switching it on and off.
ATV engine stop switch – Be sure it turns off the engine.
Lights – if your ATV has them, turn them on and off to ensure operation.

CHAIN / DRIVESHAFT AND CHASSIS:

Chain – Inspect your chain for wear, adequate lubrication, and proper adjustment.
Driveshaft – If your ATV is equipped with a driveshaft rather than a chain, check for oil leaks. Maintain the oil supply as outlined in your owner’s manual.
Nuts ‘n Bolts – Rough terrain will loosen the various parts, so look and feel for these when the engine is off. Shake the footrests, handlebars, and other pieces of ATV equipment before hopping on again.
As a final check for ATV safety, periodically check the major fasteners of the machine with a wrench.