Normally when you hear the word “beginner” you might think of a youth rider. But learning how to drive an ATV can come at any age, whether you’re very young and going on easy trail rides with the family, or you’ve become interested in the sport later in life as you’re looking for new challenges.

Keeping that in mind, ATV Trader put together a list of skills that any new rider should know and practice, preferably before going out on your first off-road trail ride. The type of vehicle you ride and the kind of ATV transmission will also have a bearing on training. 

What you need to know and run through on a manual transmission quad is very different from the skills you’ll want for an automatic transmission or CVT (continuously variable transmission) side-by-side or UTV. For starters, we will concentrate on true ATVs and UTVs and the essential skills you should develop to conquer the terrain.

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UTV Basics To Know 

Even though riding a manual ATV is very different from driving a CVT UTV, we want all of our readers to be as safe as possible. So, here are three things you should learn before taking your UTV out for a ride:

1. Riding Gear

This one goes for both ATVs and UTVs. Always wear proper riding gear and put on your seatbelt every time you get into the unit. A lot of crazy things can happen off-road, so stay protected from potential harm. A DOT-approved helmet is the most important piece of equipment you can wear, but you’ll probably also want riding boots and gloves, as well as goggles to protect your eyes. In addition, always keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the vehicle while riding in a side-by-side.

2. CVT Belt

Your CVT belt will help you ride in the right gear on your machine based on the conditions, even on long journeys or tough terrain. However, when you set off on the trails, you should always have a spare on you, and you should learn how to change it in case it breaks or burns out while you’re out there.

3. Confidence

Don’t confuse driving a car with the skills you’ll need in your UTV. The power, steering, and traction are all different, so take a few test-runs on a variety of terrains BEFORE you go out on your first big ride.

ATV Basics To Know

If you’re taking a four-wheeler for a ride instead of a UTV, stay sharp out there and consider these skills to improve your driving experience.

4. Throttle

ATVs have power, so practice several short bursts of acceleration before anything else to get used to how much pressure you’ll need to apply in every given situation.

5. Shifting

Once you have the throttle operation down, you’ll want to learn how to change gears (manual transmission vehicle). The clutch is normally on the left side of the handlebars versus the throttle, which is on the right. Run through a few shifting scenarios to get used to the timing and speed. You’ll want to practice downshifting in addition to upshifting.

6. Brakes

Most quads have front and rear brakes, so try both several times to get the feel of which would work best in different situations out on the trail. Sometimes, you may need both, so test that out as well.

7. Turns

Turning on a quad is different from what you may have learned while riding a bike or motorcycle. Instead of leaning into the curve, you’ll generally have to shift your body weight away from the curve to keep from tipping over.

8. Stance

In many cases, it’s best to stand or hover over your seat while riding to give you the best body movement and control. When going up a hill, you’ll want to lean forward to put the weight on the front of the vehicle. When coming down, you’ll want to lean back. 

9. Feet

Always keep your feet on the footpegs for the best overall control. It might be tempting to let them dangle, but if a tree branch reaches up and grabs your foot or it gets caught in the spinning back tires, the rest of the trip is going to be very uncomfortable for you.

Bonus Tip: Ride with others when possible and let people know where you’re going before you head out. If you end up having an accident or breakdown and can’t contact anyone, it will help other people track you down.

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Consistency

It’s best to practice your skills on the ATV you intend to use out on the trails so you can grow comfortable together. When you’re ready for that first quad, ATV Trader can help you find the right machine. We have the largest selection of online listings for new and used vehicles, so if you ever want to trade up to something else, we’ll be there to help you with that, too.

Have fun and be safe!