Ride a Fourwheeler
Have you ever wondered what it's like to ride a four-wheeler? This article will show you how to ride a four-wheeler or ATV.
Contents
Steps
- Get the proper gear. Below are some types of gear that you should wear & a brief description of each article of gear:
- Helmet: The helmet will protect your head from serious injuries
- Goggles: Goggles will protect your eyes from flying dirt, bugs, dust, etc.
- Chest protector: A chest protector will protect your ribcage, chest, & organs, from getting injured.
- Jersey & riding pants or jeans: These two articles of clothing will protect your limbs.
- Gloves: These will protect your hands.
- Riding boots: These boots will protect your legs.
- Position yourself onto the ATV itself. When riding an ATV, you should:
- Have your hands properly on the handlebars.
- Have your bottom on the seat.
- Start the ATV. Some ATVs have a lever that you might pull upwards, to start it, others may have a switch in various places that you simply switch to on. After you've done this, you'll be ready to ride!
- Once the engine is on, press your thumb into the gas (While you do this, your hands should still be placed on the handlebars).
- Depending on what type of ATV you have, you'll need to know how to shift gears. Some four-wheelers have a lever that you push up and down with your foot when riding. Others require a clutch to shift. Understand the function of the different gears.
- 1st Gear: 1st gear is the slowest, not counting neutral. When in first gear, the lever just below your foot should be pushed down completely (To the point where you can't push it down anymore).
- Neutral: Neutral is a neutral gear. No matter how much you push in the throttle with your thumb, you'll always stay in place. This gear is either between 1st & 2nd gear or before 1st gear, some ATVs require you to be in neutral before it will start..
- 2nd Gear: 2nd Gear is a little faster than 1st. It is right after neutral, so just switch up one on the lever.
- 3rd Gear: This gear is a little faster than 1st & 2nd Gear, just switch up one!
- 4th Gear: This gear is a little faster than 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. Again, just switch up one.
- 5th Gear: Some ATVs only go up to 5th gear. Just switch up one.
- 6th Gear: Most ATVs go up to 6th gear, depending on what four-wheeler you have, of course. Again, just switch up one.
- Now, time to shift gears! To shift gears, pull in the clutch while letting go of the gas some, then pressing back on it quickly, all at the same time! It sounds hard, but you'll get the hang of it! For Example: to shift from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, you would:
- Get to 2nd Gear.
- Pull in the clutch, shift up one (to 3rd gear), let go of the gas, then press back in the gas.
- Use the brakes to decelerate or stop. The brakes are located on the opposite side of the lever to shift gears on. There is also a brake on the opposite side of the clutch, on the handlebars. Brakes are very important. Take control of the ATV!
- Try practicing in an open field, to get better!
Tips
- Shift down when decelerating.
Warnings
- Don't get your foot caught in the tire.
- Be sure not to shift too early or too late, for this puts strain on the transmission.
- Always wear your gear! Especially your helmet. Without it, your injuries will be more serious in the event of a crash. They could even be fatal. Even worse, you could be killed outright!
- Don't forget about the brakes!
