| So, you’ve bought yourself an ATV! | | | | |
| | | | Sport quads are popular, although I confess I |
| Is it a new one, or a used one? | | | | haven’t been too interested in racing, |
| | | | but then again I guess I’m just too |
| I pose this question because I would like to | | | | old to be interested; and I don’t know |
| make an obvious suggestion as to your next | | | | of anyone in this area that races. However, |
| purchase. | | | | that doesn’t mean there isn’t |
| | | | anybody racing them in this area. Because |
| If your helmet is used, has been sitting | | | | both of our local dealers carry protective |
| around for a while, or dropped, it may be | | | | gear, somebody must be racing. |
| time to replace it with a new one. Even if | | | | |
| your helmet is in good condition, an upgrade | | | | Safety gear, or protective gear is a given on |
| to a newer model might be in order. One might | | | | the racing circuit. However, there is nothing |
| also try to match their helmet to the body | | | | that says you can’t wear it on a trail |
| color of the ATV they’re riding. | | | | ride. I think it would fit in nicely. With |
| | | | protective gear you have chest protectors |
| Time and those loose helmets bouncing around | | | | that usually include arm protection, but can |
| in the back of the truck or trunk of a | | | | be purchased separately if the protector |
| vehicle could decrease their impact | | | | you’re considering doesn’t have |
| effectiveness. | | | | arm protectors. Leg protectors are also |
| | | | available. Protective gear is available to |
| Helmets come in several styles and sizes to | | | | cover the whole torso. There also are tether |
| fit just about anyone. As to price, which is | | | | cords, kidney belts, and Moto-Cross/Off-Road |
| up to the purchaser, ask yourself how much | | | | boots for a rider’s protection. |
| your life is worth. | | | | |
| | | | Most of the Motocross/Off-Road boots are |
| A significant purchase has already been made, | | | | designed for performance and comfort. Most |
| so please concern yourself with the biggest | | | | are made from leathers with durable rubber |
| piece of safety equipment you can buy--the | | | | and plastics. Some also feature an internal |
| helmet. Don’t cut corners on it. Your | | | | steel shank, special internal padding to |
| life may depend on it. | | | | absorb shock, and all have some sort of |
| | | | locking/quick release buckle system and steel |
| Snell- or DOT-approved helmets are many and | | | | toe plate. |
| varied, but I think I would gravitate toward | | | | |
| the Snell-approved helmet because of the | | | | If you don’t race, you can opt for |
| extensive testing this organization does. | | | | hunting boots or motorcycle boots. The |
| | | | important thing to remember is that they |
| I’m told by at least one area dealer | | | | should be “over the ankle†boots. |
| that helmet looks is the main selling point, | | | | |
| and I would say that is certainly true. I | | | | Being a complete beginner to the racing |
| know that I would prefer a camouflage ATV if | | | | segment of the ATV world, and trying to learn |
| possible, and a matching helmet would be what | | | | about protective gear, I came across a term |
| I would choose. After all, when you are | | | | for the chest protector that is called |
| traveling through the woods, you don’t | | | | “roost protection.†I always |
| want to look like “Aladdin’s | | | | thought that was something you would use to |
| Lantern.†| | | | help keep the fox out of the hen house. |
| | | | |
| Most of my articles having to do with ATVs | | | | Most protective gear is injection molded and |
| will stress the safety equipment that should | | | | comes in many styles and sizes to fit just |
| be utilized by ATV enthusiasts, but it seems, | | | | about any rider. These items are adjustable |
| in this area of Kentucky anyway, safety | | | | allowing for a comfortable, but snug fit. |
| equipment is not utilized as it should be. | | | | |
| | | | Another essential part of a rider’s |
| I have read a number of news accounts that | | | | gear is a good pair of goggles. |
| have to do with ATV accidents and fatalities. | | | | |
| Many of the fatalities could have been | | | | I didn’t think there was anything |
| prevented if the person had been wearing a | | | | better in a set of goggles than Scott's, but |
| helmet. Not all, of course, but many persons | | | | I have perused some web sites for goggles, |
| suffered severe head trauma because of the | | | | and have found that there are many styles and |
| lack of a helmet. | | | | qualities of goggles. There are goggles |
| | | | manufactured for folks who wear glasses. If |
| The ATV Safety Institute advocates a helmet, | | | | you wear glasses, ask your dealer to steer |
| long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, | | | | you toward goggles designed for this purpose. |
| gloves, eye protection, and over-the-ankle | | | | |
| boots. If all ATV riders wore this basic | | | | There was a pair of camouflage gloves at one |
| equipment, then we would not hear so many | | | | of the dealerships in this area. I will own |
| horror stories about ATV fatalities. | | | | them soon. Camouflage is important to me, |
| | | | although they really aren’t necessary. |
| According to the ATV Safety Institute, Arctic | | | | I just like camouflage, and as an old saying |
| Cat, Can-Am (BRP), Honda, John Deere, | | | | goes, “that’s the reason they |
| Kawasaki, Suzuki, Tomberlin, and Yamaha offer | | | | make more than one color of paint.†|
| a free rider course for first-time ATV | | | | |
| buyers, and the course is available for a | | | | So, if you are riding your quad on trail |
| nominal fee to anyone else interested in | | | | rides wear the ATV Safety Institute’s |
| taking the course. | | | | basic recommended equipment, or protective |
| | | | gear. If you are racing on MX tracks, or if |
| Other guidelines from the ATV Safety | | | | cross-country is your thing, wear the best |
| Institute promote age limits for ATV size. | | | | protective gear you can find. Wear protective |
| | | | gear to protect yourself while riding, |
| Ages 6 and older should ride ATVs under 70cc, | | | | whether it is on the trails, at the MX races |
| ages 12 and older 70cc-90cc, and age 16 and | | | | or cross-country. |
| older over 90cc. | | | | |
| | | | Just be safe out there. ATVs are fun, but as |
| I myself have taken the Rider Course. The | | | | we all know, if mishandled they can be |
| course is fun and very informative as to how | | | | dangerous. With a little basic training, ATVs |
| to handle an ATV in most rider situations. If | | | | can be very safe. |
| you haven’t taken the course, | | | | |
| don’t assume that you know all there | | | | See you on a trail ride sometime. I’ll |
| is to know about handling your ATV. Shifting | | | | be the one dragging up the rear. |
| body weight, and knowing when to shift your | | | | |
| weight, is extremely important. | | | | It is always the owner’s choice as to |
| | | | what they will wear while riding ATVs. |
| Never ride double on an ATV that is designed | | | | |
| for just one rider, and always ride ATVs that | | | | Please make that choice a good one. |
| are suited for a person's age group. | | | | |