Riding a quad bike can be exhilarating as well as dangerous. Regardless of whether you are riding on rough terrain or are using your off-road vehicle on a designated ATV course, there are risks involved. If, for example, you are planning on using your all-terrain vehicle for tricks like jumping, it is essential that you learn how to do it safely. Luckily for you, there are safe ways to do tricks on your ATV or quad bike.
Guide to quad jumping
Although there are many safety rules for jumping your ATV, they are fairly easy to master. Below are some of the most important factors that you need to consider when quad jumping.
Be ready
The most important thing you need to know before quad jumping is whether or not you are ready for it. If you do not feel 100% confident in yourself and your driving abilities, you should not be quad jumping. Confidence is key, and without it, you will constantly doubt yourself on the circuit. This can lead to bad decisions that might be dangerous or fatal.
It is recommended that you begin quad jumping only after you have substantial riding experience. Riding on rough terrain alone can be dangerous so when you hit a circuit with the intention of jumping and doing tricks, you increase the danger level. You should only try quad jumping when you are confident in your riding abilities.
Use protective gear
Don’t even think about guad jumping if you don’t have the necessary safety gear. In most cases, the basic safety gear that you use for your everyday riding will suffice. The piece of safety gear that you should absolutely use is a helmet. It is also essential that your helmet properly fits. It should be fairly tight on your head with no movement. While the best option is to get a helmet with a built-in visor, you can use motor-cross style glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.
Additional safety gear that you should invest in include:
- A moto jersey
- Riding pants
- Riding gloves
- Elbow and knee pads
- Riding boots
Everything you need to know to avoid ATV accidents
Be aware of your wheel position
Now, on to the riding itself. There are certain tips that will make for a smoother ride and improve your jumping technique. The first thing you need to think about is your wheel position as it will make a big difference in how you land your all-terrain vehicle. When landing, you need to ensure that your front wheels are higher than your back wheels. That way, the back of your bike will take the majority of the impact of your landing, and you can smoothly bring down the front wheels to keep riding.
Be conscious of your body position
Body position is an important element of the quad and dirt bike riding experience. When jumping, you should not be sitting on your cushioned seat, but standing. The reason you need to stand when landing jumps is because your legs provide you with extra suspension. A large amount of an ATV’s suspension is in the seat, which means it is dangerous to be sitting in it when the suspension is in use.
Once the seat has been compressed due to the suspension, it needs to come back up. The resulting rebound can eject you from the vehicle if you are still sitting on the seat when this happens. By contrast, when you stand, your legs act as the suspension, and you won't be thrown off your bike. Moreover, when you are standing up, it makes it easier to move, and you can use your body weight to properly position your bike for take-offs and landings.
Stay straight
Keeping the left and right side of your vehicle level is important when jumping. If you tilt, your landing will be uneven, and your quad will flip over on to one side, which could lead to serious bodily injury. If you notice that your quad is tilted while you are in the air, you can easily fix the problem. All you need to do is shift your body weight to the side of your vehicle that is higher. This should even out the weight distribution of your ATV and straighten it out, thereby preventing you from hurting yourself.
Watch your jumping angle
Getting your jumping angle right is essential. The good news is that once you have figured out the best angle, getting your quad into position is actually fairly easy. The best way to do this is by testing the angle on smaller jumps. Do not commit to huge jumps without first knowing the right angle you need to get your bike into. Bear in mind that each quad bike is different. Therefore, even if you are a seasoned driver, you have to test out the angle every time you use a new vehicle.
In order to test the angle, you need to make sure your ATV is at a speed that is reasonable. Then, once you approach the jump, you need to move your body weight slightly to the back of the vehicle. You want to be able to lift the front wheels off the floor first, keeping your rear wheels fairly low. Once those front wheels are up, keep consistent pressure on your throttle, so that you don’t lag down. This technique will allow you to find the angle that you need to hit in order to get your ATV off the ground.
Customize your ATV for maximum comfort and efficiency
Shop for quad accessories
Quad riding and jumping is a fun sport. Apart from the riding experience it offers, it is also an opportunity for self-expression. Which is why vehicle customization is such an inherent element of the sport. Riders take it upon themselves to customize their vehicles in a way that shows who they are and allows them to ride in a manner of their choosing.
Perfex Industries has worked alongside riders for years. We supply riders with a range of quad and ATV accessories. The main accessories we sell are:
