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By Ray Barnard
ATV Safety is 1st Priority
So, you’ve bought yourself an ATV!
Is it a new one, or a used one?
I pose this question because I would like to
make an obvious suggestion as to your next
purchase.
 If your helmet is used, has been sitting
around for a while, or dropped, it may be time
to replace it with a new one. Even if your
helmet is in good condition, an upgrade to a
newer model might be in order. One might also
try to match their helmet to the body color of
the ATV they’re riding.
Time and those loose helmets bouncing around
in the back of the truck or trunk of a vehicle
could decrease their impact effectiveness.
Helmets come in several styles and sizes to
fit just about anyone. As to price, which is up
to the purchaser, ask yourself how much your
life is worth.
A significant purchase has already been made,
so please concern yourself with the biggest
piece of safety equipment you can buy--the
helmet. Don’t cut corners on it. Your life may
depend on it.
Snell- or DOT-approved helmets are many and
varied, but I think I would gravitate toward the
Snell-approved helmet because of the extensive
testing this organization does.
I’m told by at least one area dealer that
helmet looks is the main selling point, and I
would say that is certainly true. I know that I
would prefer a camouflage ATV if possible, and a
matching helmet would be what I would choose.
After all, when you are traveling through the
woods, you don’t want to look like “Aladdin’s
Lantern.”
Most of my articles having to do with ATVs
will stress the safety equipment that should be
utilized by ATV enthusiasts, but it seems, in
this area of Kentucky anyway, safety equipment
is not utilized as it should be.
I have read a number of news accounts that
have to do with ATV accidents and fatalities.
Many of the fatalities could have been prevented
if the person had been wearing a helmet. Not
all, of course, but many persons suffered severe
head trauma because of the lack of a helmet.
 The ATV Safety Institute advocates a helmet,
long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, gloves,
eye protection, and over-the-ankle boots. If all
ATV riders wore this basic equipment, then we
would not hear so many horror stories about ATV
fatalities.
According to the ATV Safety Institute, Arctic
Cat, Can-Am (BRP), Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki,
Suzuki, Tomberlin, and Yamaha offer a free rider
course for first-time ATV buyers, and the course
is available for a nominal fee to anyone else
interested in taking the course.
Other guidelines from the ATV Safety
Institute promote age limits for ATV size.
Ages 6 and older should ride ATVs under 70cc,
ages 12 and older 70cc-90cc, and age 16 and
older over 90cc.
I myself have taken the Rider Course. The
course is fun and very informative as to how to
handle an ATV in most rider situations. If you
haven’t taken the course, don’t assume that you
know all there is to know about handling your
ATV. Shifting body weight, and knowing when to
shift your weight, is extremely important.
Never ride double on an ATV that is designed
for just one rider, and always ride ATVs that
are suited for a person's age group.
Sport quads are popular, although I confess I
haven’t been too interested in racing, but then
again I guess I’m just too old to be interested;
and I don’t know of anyone in this area that
races. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t
anybody racing them in this area. Because both
of our local dealers carry protective gear,
somebody must be racing.
 Safety gear, or protective gear is a given on
the racing circuit. However, there is nothing
that says you can’t wear it on a trail ride. I
think it would fit in nicely. With protective
gear you have chest protectors that usually
include arm protection, but can be purchased
separately if the protector you’re considering
doesn’t have arm protectors. Leg protectors are
also available. Protective gear is available to
cover the whole torso. There also are tether
cords, kidney belts, and Moto-Cross/Off-Road
boots for a rider’s protection.
Most of the Motocross/Off-Road boots are
designed for performance and comfort. Most are
made from leathers with durable rubber and
plastics. Some also feature an internal steel
shank, special internal padding to absorb shock,
and all have some sort of locking/quick release
buckle system and steel toe plate.
If you don’t race, you can opt for hunting
boots or motorcycle boots. The important thing
to remember is that they should be “over the
ankle” boots.
Being a complete beginner to the racing
segment of the ATV world, and trying to learn
about protective gear, I came across a term for
the chest protector that is called “roost
protection.” I always thought that was something
you would use to help keep the fox out of the
hen house.
Most protective gear is injection molded and
comes in many styles and sizes to fit just about
any rider. These items are adjustable allowing
for a comfortable, but snug fit.
 Another essential part of a rider’s gear is a
good pair of goggles.
I didn’t think there was anything better in a
set of goggles than Scott's, but I have perused
some web sites for goggles, and have found that
there are many styles and qualities of goggles.
There are goggles manufactured for folks who
wear glasses. If you wear glasses, ask your
dealer to steer you toward goggles designed for
this purpose.
There was a pair of camouflage gloves at one
of the dealerships in this area. I will own them
soon. Camouflage is important to me, although
they really aren’t necessary. I just like
camouflage, and as an old saying goes, “that’s
the reason they make more than one color of
paint.”
So, if you are riding your quad on trail
rides wear the ATV Safety Institute’s basic
recommended equipment, or protective gear. If
you are racing on MX tracks, or if cross-country
is your thing, wear the best protective gear you
can find. Wear protective gear to protect
yourself while riding, whether it is on the
trails, at the MX races or cross-country.
Just be safe out there. ATVs are fun, but as
we all know, if mishandled they can be
dangerous. With a little basic training, ATVs
can be very safe.
See you on a trail ride sometime. I’ll be the
one dragging up the rear.
It is always the owner’s choice as to what
they will wear while riding ATVs.
Please make that choice a good one.
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