ATV Safety Institute Begins ATV Safety Week

Courtesy of ATV Safety Institute

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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The ATV Safety Institute hosted its first-ever Autumn ATV Safety Week event yesterday near Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, giving national media outlets the opportunity to experience the nationally recognized, hands-on ATV RiderCourse and speak with key staff members.

ASI instructors and ASI Executive Vice President Paul Vitrano were on hand with several ATVs, two riding ranges, and a scenic trail located on the green rolling hills of a small farm in Sykesville, Md. Joining national media outlets were a local father and his two daughters, demonstrating a pair of age-specific, youth-model ATVs. 

"The ASI looks forward to making this an annual safety-promoting event, and to instituting a yearly Spring ATV Safety Week as well, delivering key safety messages at times of the year when ATV sales and riding traditionally go up," said Vitrano. "ATV Safety Week will further the ASI's primary goal of promoting the safe and responsible use of ATVs, thereby reducing crashes and injuries that result from improper operation by the rider." This is the latest in a number of public awareness initiatives conducted by ASI since 1988. 

The ASI launched this week-long campaign as yet another opportunity to spread ASI member company safety messages to existing and potential ATV riders through national and local media outlets. In addition to yesterday’s RiderCourse, the ASI is mounting a multi-faceted, social media outreach that will highlight the importance of taking the ATV RiderCourse, the ASI’s free online eCourse, and the ASI’s Golden Rules of ATV Riding, with links to ATV safety videos, PSAs and collateral, links to ASI’s “Do The Ride Thing” contest submission videos and more. 

The ASI looks forward to making this an annual safety-promoting event, and to instituting a yearly Spring ATV Safety Week as well, with the idea of delivering key safety messages at times of the year when ATV sales and riding traditionally go up. This is the latest in a number of public awareness initiatives conducted by the ASI going back to 1988. 

"Experiencing the 16 exercises of the ASI RiderCourse under the guidance of highly experienced licensed instructors provides a first-hand perspective about the importance of making your first ride an ASI RiderCourse and to make the right choices when out on the trails," Vitrano said. “It was great to have our guests go from being somewhat apprehensive to having fun on the ATVs, after getting the proper safety instruction. We hope to provide the hands-on experience of the ASI ATV RiderCourse to as many mainstream media as we can to help spread the word about the importance of training." 

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs. 

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887. 

The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute develops rider training programs and promotes the safe and responsible use of ATVs. The ASI works to reduce crashes and injuries resulting from improper ATV use. Formed in 1988, the ASI is a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

2013 Yamaha Grizzly 550 EPS First Ride

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Competing in every discipline of motorcycle racing possible, when he isn't mastering his skill of social networking, the new kid will do just about anything to throw his leg over a bike and ride it until he simply cannot hold on anymore.

MotoUSA was recently invited to Yamaha’s dealer incentive trip to ride countless miles of trail with standout dealers while testing the U.S.-assembled 2013 Yamaha Grizzly 550 EPS. We headed over to the beautiful lands of Duck Creek, Utah and blazed through over 200 miles of trail during three days of riding. The riding included several different types of terrain, from asphalt roads to wet and rocky up-hills, which gives us a wide range of perspective on the ATV. 

Hop up on the Grizzly and you’ll notice a comfortable cockpit with neutral seating and bar position. The handlebars contain all the standard controls. Being that the 550 is an automatic, a secondary rear brake lever on the left end of the bars takes place of a clutch lever. It is linked to the foot brake pedal. On the right side of the bar are the front brake, start button and 4WD switch. In the center of the bars is the instrument panel which features a multifunction LCD display with a speedometer, odometer, duel trip display, hour meter, 4WD status, transmission position, clock and fuel gauge. 

The Grizzly utilizes a 558cc powerplant derived from its older brother, the Grizzly 700. It carries the largest engine in the mid-sized 4x4 class and Yamaha claims it’s the lightest overall at 648 pounds. That includes the added electronic power steering 

We explored Southern Utah aboard the Grizzly 550 putting it to the test in every kind of situation imaginable from rocks to jumps.

option ($700) which provides extra comfort on rough terrain due to lighter handling. The engine makes usable power though we could feel the effects of Duck Creek’s 8000-foot elevations. Wheelspin was minimal as there wasn’t quite enough power to get the rear tires to easily light up, but who’s to say that’s a negative? Traction is always a plus. 

Using Courtesy While Driving an ATV

Since its introduction to the public in the 1970's, those who ride All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have had to deal with a number of issues regarding their behavior. Some of these issues deal with safety, while others deal with rider's behavior towards sharing trails and those whose land they trespass on. Many drivers irresponsibly disregard laws that prohibit the use of ATVs in certain areas. Because of this, hundreds of trails have been designated as safe and legal places for ATV riders to use. As with all forms of vehicular travel, there are a number of rules, both implied and legislated, which have been developed to ensure the safety of those who drive ATVs.

Regardless of why someone is using a trail, it is important to remember that all trail users are responsible for watching and listening for others. This should result in those who use trails actively looking and listening for others, as opposed to merely reacting when someone or something comes their way. This approach will go a long way towards preventing the accidents and misunderstandings that can take place on the trails.

It is generally accepted that traveling on the right side of the trail removes indecision about the proper side on which to pass. If you need to pass on the left for one reason or another, always ask for and get permission before you do so. Make sure that you are able to slow down significantly and use caution at all curves and junctions. While riding an ATV is not the time that you want to experience a surprise! Surprises are never safe - regardless of what type of vehicle you happen to be riding!

If you should encounter a horse while you are riding your ATV, always yield to the horse and rider. Go out of your way to make sure that the horse has seen and heard you. In addition, you will want to give the horse adequate room to pass you on the trail. Remember that motorized recreation vehicles, such as ATVs, can usually be heard coming, and the horse rider may be well out of the way. If not, be courteous, and shut off your motor. Then allow the rider to get a safe distance beyond you before you start it back up again. If you happen to notice that a horse is becoming edgy, nervous, or agitated, always turn off your engine. Then ask the rider what you can do to make the situation better for him and the horse.  

Unfortunately, the great majority of responsible riders have had their reputation negatively affected by those who do not follow the rules of the trails and who do not take the necessary time to be courteous. Simple courtesy and respect for others and their property will discourage riders of ATVs from riding on non-designated trails, or from using other's private land without permission. This type of responsible thinking will also prevent riders from driving their ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A number of accidents happen each year because of this unfortunate behavior.

If you are planning riding your ATV on a trail designed for ATV use, keep in mind that there is always a good chance that you may encounter someone who is using the trail for a purpose other than the driving of ATVs. In these situations, it is best to give others the respect that you desire from them. Be active in your effort to hear and see other who is on your trails. When you do encounter them, always yield.

Off Roading Off the Strip

What do you think of when you hear “Las Vegas”? Slot machines, casinos, showgirls, money, glitz, spectacular shows and some of the best buffets in the States, right? What very few people realize is that southern Nevada has some of the best outdoor activities in the south western United States. Lake Meade National Park not only offers a great tour of the Hoover Dam, but Lake Meade is a hot spot for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing and even some scuba diving. The roads that wind around the lake are frequented by motorcyclists and bicyclists, runners and walkers. If you go far enough into Lake Meade National Park you run into the Valley of Fire, a park named for it’s spectacular fiery red rocks and stunning landscape. On the west end of Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, more spectacular landscaping for horseback riding, hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking and motorcycling.

And let’s not forget the trails for the ATV crowd. In Las Vegas there are two major areas where the locals go to ride. The first one is about a half hour outside of Las Vegas at the north end of the strip just past Nellis Air Force Base. There are two ways you can reach the Nellis Dunes. You can either follow Las Vegas Boulevard (aka The Las Vegas Strip) to the north and past the Las Vegas Speedway until you get to the end of it or you can take the I-15 to the Apex exit and turn right. You can’t miss the Dunes on this lonely stretch of road. If you came off the I-15 the Dunes will be immediately on your left, in fact, you will be able to see them from the exit ramp. Every weekend there are trailers and RVs parked up on the Dunes. You can watch kids and adults riding the trails on ATV’s and dirt bikes from the road.

If you follow the Boulevard south as far as it will go, you will find yourself paralleling the I-15 going towards California. This stretch of road will take you to the Jean Dry Lake Beds. The area here is also wide open desert with plenty of space for ATV trail riding and should take only twenty to thirty minutes from the Strip.

Venturing outside of Las Vegas you can find another ATV hotspot, the El Dorado Dry Lake Valley Area. Take US 95 or the Boulder Highway south towards Searchlight. Seven miles after the Railroad Pass Casino before you reach Searchlight you’ll find the trails. And finally off of US 93 is the Logandale Trails System.

An inexperienced rider or first time visitor to Las Vegas might want to consider hiring a trail guide. Most of these trails are unmarked and difficult to follow if you aren’t familiar with the area. A guide will also be able to help you over the rougher patches of trail. All ATV outfitters in Las Vegas offer training on the ATV to make sure that you understand how to operate the vehicle. Off road vehicles in Nevada are usually don’t require registration, license or titles to drive, but drivers under the age of 15 require adult supervision and everyone needs to wear a helmet. Headlights are also required to be on from dusk to dawn. Another safety precaution is having a brightly colored flag attached to your ATV while riding the trails so that other riders can see you. Do not ride your ATV on the roads or highways either; trailer your vehicle to the site and stick to the trails. Above all else, do not operate your ATV or any other motorized vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Why Some People Dislike ATV Riding in Nature Areas

There has always been great debate between motor sport activists who want to enjoy riding their machines in the outdoors and other nature lovers who claim that off-road motor vehicles harm the environment and ruin the area for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors in other ways.  The argument can be made that motorcycle and ATV riders have as much right to use state lands as anyone else, but most other outdoor activities don’t interfere with riding the way riding can interfere with hiking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, or even the balance of nature and maintaining consistent flood plains.  Although there may always be a conflict, understanding what other nature lovers do and how your riding affects them will help keep ATV riding in current areas, and possibly help it spread to even more areas.

The number one justification for banning ATV riding in certain areas is the detrimental affect it can have on the environment.  Although ATVs smoke, are noisy, and help redistribute the mud on a piece of property, these factors have little affect on the environment.  However, ATV riding, if done improperly or carelessly can damage waterways and have very noticeable effects on the local environment.  The biggest and most likely risk is damage done to vegetation on the banks of waterways and nearby areas.  Because those plants hold the riverbank together, if the plants are killed by riding over them, the soil in that area can be easily washed away, changing the flow of the river and oftentimes causing flooding.  This kind of flooding causes damage to bottomlands, which is usually very fertile and a hotspot for deer, turkey, wild mushrooms, a plethora of wild birds, and many other things that other nature lovers seek out.  In addition, increased erosion along rivers and streams cause fine sediment to fill the water, making it difficult for creatures like tadpoles and crawdads to grow and develop, which hurts the ecosystem, as well as the fish population and fishing opportunities.  Most state laws do permit you to cross a river or stream on an ATV, but the most damage comes from riding up and down waterways because so much sediment is stirred up in the water.

Other than not damaging waterways and floodplains, there are several other things you can do to ensure that your riding doesn’t interfere with other activities that go on alongside the trail.  For the most part, you should be fine as long as you keep your riding on the trail.  It is when you stray from the trail that you will bump into people who don’t appreciate motor sports as much as you, and you may, in some cases, ruin their entire day.  If you ride in areas that permit hunting, you should take a minute or two to find out what animals are in season so you know what else is going on in the woods.  Many hunters complain of ATV riders driving by their hunting spots to see if they’re having any luck.  Although most hunters don’t mind chatting it up, keep in mind that many hunters look forward to bagging a big deer or turkey for months, and an ATV off the trail is often enough to disrupt an animal’s normal patterns and keep hunters from seeing anything.  It would be the same as if you were looking forward to a riding an area, only to turn your back for a second and have a hunter ruin your trip by slashing your tires.  Your day, as well as weeks or months of planning and anticipation, would be destroyed in a few short seconds.  The same can be true of bird watchers, hikers, and people fishing in streams and ponds where you ride.  Although you may not realize it, an ATV is a noticeable presence in the woods, and not one that all creatures, including humans, appreciate.

Although there can be some conflict between motor sports lovers and other outdoor enthusiasts, a little respect can go a long way.  Also keep in mind that many people who hunt, fish, hike, etc, also ride or have ridden ATV’s and vice versa.  Many hunters will use ATV trails to cover ground quickly and get into areas that are usually undisturbed and catch their prey unsuspecting.  Most hunters realize that deer and turkey do get used to the sight and sound of ATVs on trails.  However, when you leave the trail with your ATV, you are disturbing the wildlife and possibly flood plains, which give other nature lovers and lawmakers a solid reason to restrict ATV riding to certain designated areas.

The Great Debate: Two Stroke vs. Four

The battle for supremacy between two stroke and four stroke quads is likely to rage on forever, except for outside factors that may end this age old debate; it is very likely that upcoming legislation could end production of two stroke engines, making it impossible to get a new two stroke quad.  So if you’ve ever considered getting a two stroke quad, the clock is ticking.

Mechanically the difference between a two stroke and four stroke lies in how often the spark plugs fire.  In a two stroke, it fires once with every revolution of the cam, while a four stroke only fires the plugs every other revolution of the cam.  With everything being equal, a two stroke will have twice as many combustions as a four stroke, which causes it to produce much more energy with the same size engine.  While this may make a two stroke sound like an obvious choice, there are several drawbacks to the design and performance characteristics of two stroke ATV engines.

The extra energy and heat produced by a two stroke requires oil to be added to the gas to keep the engine properly lubricated.  Because oil is put in the combustion chamber, two stroke engines smoke a lot, which is the reason for the imminent ban on them.  One side effect of the impressive power that two stroke engines produce is that the top end of the engine must be rebuilt somewhat frequently, depending on how hard the engine is pushed.  Although the rebuild is not terribly expensive, it must be done periodically to avoid rebuilding the entire engine.

For many riders the constant maintenance is worth the performance they get out of their two stroke engine, but the accessibility of this power may be prohibitive for some riders, riding styles, and terrain.  In order to tap into the power of a two stroke engine, you have to keep the throttle close to wide open to stay in the power band.  Although some models are better than others, some stock two strokes lack real power on the low or midrange.  In the hands of an experienced rider, a two stroke is an amazing machine, but in certain scenarios, you can lose all your power by making a necessary up shift or slowing down without a hard down shift.  However, their explosive power makes two strokes the engine of choice for many racers, especially in racing disciplines that require frequent jumps and quick acceleration out of turns, such as Motocross.

As far as typically maintenance, most four stroke quads require relatively little attention.  Spark plugs and oil changes are always necessary, but you do not need to rebuild the engine on a regular basis.  However, many riders complain of the high cost of rebuilding four stroke engines when necessary, but a four stroke engine should hold up longer than a two stroke if it is rode properly.  If you keep a four stroke high in the rpm range all the time, you are asking for trouble.  Although four strokes do not possess the characteristic break-away acceleration of a two stroke engine, they have access to power through a larger rpm range, which eliminates the need to have the throttle wide open all the time.  Access to power in the low and midrange allows for a much more leisurely riding experience, or the ability to dive into deep mud and come out the other side.  Because a four stroke has power on the low end, it has a much easier time freeing itself from deep mud, while a two stroke is usually doomed if it comes to a stop in mud.  Four strokes, in many cases, have a higher top speed than two strokes, but will take much longer to get to their top speed.  Four strokes have improved a lot over the years, with some many dominant racing quads being propelled by four stroke engines.  However, the Honda 250R, a classic two-stroke quad, is still taking podium spots over ten years after it began production.

For the most part, two stroke engines are better suited for light sport quads and four strokes, which produce most of their power on the low end, are more suited for heavier quads made for mud, rocks, and work applications.  The debate between two stroke and four stroke engines is not likely to end soon, but production of two stroke engines may.  If you prefer high speed, airborne, adrenaline heavy riding and you don’t mind spending some time turning a wrench, you may want to get your hand on a two stroke quad while you still can.

Tips for Taking Jumps and Sharp Turns on Your ATV

You may notice that some ATV riders can make certain obstacles and jumps look like child’s play while others make them look dangerous and impassable. Although superior equipment may be partially responsible, experience and familiarity with your quad is what separates the men from the boys. Riding time is the best way to get better, but there are a few techniques, like making you quad pivot around a corner or taking a jump, that can make riding a lot more fun.

If you want to take a corner quickly without losing much speed, depending on your ATV’s setup and capabilities, you may be able to conquer the turn by making your quad pivot around it. Although this technique works best with light, powerful sport quads, it can be used with utility ATV’s as well. Enter the corner wide and fast instead of slowing down or coasting through. When you get to a point in the corner that you hit a spot where you can turn your quad in the direction you want to go, turn your wheels in that direction, hit the front brake hard, and open the throttle. When done properly, this will momentarily cause your rear tires to lose traction and spin your back end around. When you have turned your quad far enough, simply release the brake and keep on the gas. You may fishtail as you finish this maneuver, but steering into the skid will keep you going where you want to go. The result is your quad turning quickly around an obstacle without losing much speed. Making your back wheels lose traction and spin you sideways is the key to this maneuver, so you may get better results if you lean forward and take some weight off the back wheels. This technique is easier accomplished on quads with stiff suspension, low center of gravity, and lots of power on demand. The lack of these characteristics will make this maneuver more dangerous and difficult to do properly, but it can be done if your front brakes can slow you down and you can get your back wheels to break loose.

The key to doing jumps on an ATV is technique and respect for your ride. When done properly, most jumps are relatively safe, but if you bite off more than you can chew, you will get hurt. With this said, easy does it when it comes to learning to get your wheels off the ground. No two jumps are exactly the same, but there is a simple technique for getting air without kissing the handlebars when you land. The length and steepness of the jump will play a large role in how fast you want to be going when you hit a jump, but be conservative on the first couple passes and that will tell you what kind of jump you’re dealing with. Sometimes a jump will have a lip on it that will do unexpected things to your quad, so be prepared. On your first pass, you will want to approach the end of your ramp(whatever it may be) with enough speed that you feel you would get a little bit of lift if you just held the throttle steady all the way through. However, just before you reach the end of the ramp, let off the gas momentarily, but then quickly give it as much gas as possible. This accomplishes two things: first, the burst of power right before you leave the ground launches you into the air; second, it causes your front end to shoot up into the air, much like doing a wheelie. By entering a jump with this posture, your back tires should hit the ground first, ensuring that you and your quad don’t do a swan dive into the ground. When you are airborne, let off of the throttle so that your quad doesn’t over rev while to wheels can spin freely. After your first successful pass, you will know a lot about that particular ramp and what your ATV is likely to do when you jump it. Using this information, you can get an idea of the best speed to hit the ramp at and how much throttle to give it before you leave the ground. For many ramps, especially those that are short and have a sharp angle (like the edges of dried out ponds), first gear may be plenty of speed and power, and if the ramp is too steep, trying your approach in second gear could be painful.

Anytime you ride an ATV you should exercise caution, especially when riding in a new area or trying new techniques. Modern ATVs are extremely powerful and can get out of control quickly if you do not respect their power. When trying any new techniques, take it easy and master it at low speeds. Although something may look simple, every quad handles differently and will react to obstacles and maneuvers differently. Trying to do things that are beyond your skills or your ATV’s handling capabilities can be disastrous and keep you from riding again for a very long time.