UTV riding has become more popular in the last decade with numerous trails to traverse and exciting adventures with family and friends. If you’re just getting into UTV riding, read on to learn five tips to ensure your first UTV ride is successful on the trails.
Driving on the highway or road may pale in comparison to the excitement of taking your new UTV out on the dirt trails; however, that doesn’t mean it’s not essential to talk about safety. It may seem like common sense, but accidents happen when people don’t follow safety rules. To begin, when starting to drive your UTV, stay on existing trails; they’ve been tested and marked safe for ATV/UTVs. Avoid dangerous terrain, such as steep slopes, cliffs, marshes, and swamps. Observe any large holes, ruts, debris, bumps, or other obstacles, and take precautions.
Travel at appropriate speeds for the terrain, operating conditions, visibility, and your ability–particularly if you’re a beginner. Keep an eagle’s eye out for the safest route around any obstacles or hazards. Carefully approach turns, hills, or any other obstacles. Take it easy on unfamiliar terrain until you get enough experience to feel comfortable.
Having a cab storage pack to store things such as maps, water, food, cameras, etc. prevents you from losing valuable items. Depending on your preference, you can store the pack in-between the seats or in a cargo department at the back of your UTV, which secures your belongings. Do you have rearview mirrors? Just like a car needs them, so do UTVs for safety and convenience. They also help orient you with the surroundings.
If you haven’t yet invested in a skid plate, this is a must-have, especially for the non-experienced rider. A skid plate protects the underbelly of your UTV from potholes or other obstacles.
You don’t want to be stuck on the trails if your UTV quits working, so it’s vital to check all fluids before heading out. A quick check of the dipstick will let you know if the engine’s ready to ride or not. Check your fuel and ensure there’s enough for your ride. Also, check your coolant level when the engine’s cold; the last thing you want is an overheated UTV, which could be disastrous.
You may want to get out there and rev that engine good with a new UTV, but it’s not a good idea. You need to let engines have a break-in period, so they run well for their lifetimes. Start with a smooth throttle and even a lower than usual speed to help ease the engine into its adequate running capability–without worrying about busting the insides apart.
Reading a vehicle manual is vital and helps you know how the machine will function, so familiarize yourself with the UTV manual–before you ride. It enables you to understand what each feature is and how it operates. You don’t want to be that guy who asks how to do something or to identify a part. Read it; you’ll thank us later.
Now that you have some helpful tips to make your first ride successful, don’t forget to call and order a wide variety of the best accessories, including our full-tilt, half, and back windshields. When you call our exceptional customer service, we’ll ensure we answer your questions and address your concerns. Call us today!
