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Prevention
5. Chassis
Grass and leaves can gum-up your sus-
pension and shocks. Clear and clean the
suspension arms, shock springs, and
fenders. Check smoothness by turning
the handlebar full-left and full-right. Ver-
ify there is no binding, restrictions, free-
play, or looseness in steering compo-
nents.
6. Miscellaneous Items
Inspect your air filter. Look for debris or
damage that may indicate you need to
replace it. A clogged filter can stop an
engine. Check your battery terminals for
corrosion. Also, be sure to tighten any
loose parts, nuts, or bolts.
You need to prepare for the unexpected.
Emergencies and accidents are traumatic
enough, but they’re even worse when
you’re not prepared for them. At the min-
imum during every ATV ride, you should
have the following items on board:
• Tools
• Water
• Identification
• First Aid Kit
For rides that are longer in duration and
distance, the following additional items
are recommended:
• Cellular Phone
•Maps/GPS
• Emergency Kit with Flashlight and
First Aid Kit
Tools
Routine maintenance will generally elim-
inate the need for emergency repairs.
Riding on rough terrain could cause loos-
ening of nuts, bolts, and fasteners. Espe-
cially on long rides, carrying the right
tools can prevent an inconvenience from
becoming a crisis.
Water
Water is so important that you need to
carry it regardless of the duration of your
ride. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can
creep up suddenly and can take you out
of commission. If you become dehy-
drated, you could find yourself physi-
cally unable to safely operate your ATV.
Identification
If something does happen to you, the
emergency personnel will want to know
who you are and whom to contact. It’s
possible you may be in no condition to
give them that information. Put your I.D.
in your pocket before you ride. Without
it, you’re anonymous.
Cellular Phone
It may be necessary to make an urgent
phone call.
Maps/GPS (Global
Positioning System)
Maps may be unnecessary when you’re
familiar with the area. But when you’re
riding on unfamiliar trails, it’s good to
know where you are, what’s coming up,
and how to get back.
First Aid and Survival
Check:
1. Suspension arms
2. Shock springs
3. Fenders
4. Steering
Check:
1. Air filter
2. Battery
3. Tighten parts, nuts, and bolts
Carry these items on your ATV:
1. Bulbs
2. Duct tape
3. Rope
4. Spare parts
5. Tool Kit
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