How-To Make the Most of a Mini ATV
Getting started young in ATVing is paramount to getting the next generations of enthusiasts to follow in our footsteps. Fortunately the ATV manufacturers realize this as well and offer a whole plethora of minis in all shapes, sizes, displacements, and performance potentials.
However, unlike say buying your kid a Playstation, an ATV is quite a responsibility and an ever-changing one at that. The following guide offers up some tips to make the most of the mini experience and to hopefully keep your youngster good and healthy in the process so that advancing up through the ranks is on his or her to do list.
1) Lead by Example
Sounds simple but the fact is kids learn by emulating adults. Bad riding habits like going out without a helmet, tearing up public trails or drinking and riding are all traits we sometimes don’t consider in the moment but can leave a lasting impression to the youth who aspire to be like us. Set a smart example by playing by the rules and demonstrating how much fun there is to be had in the sport even without acting the fool.
2) Proper Set-Up
Just like we do with our quads after we buy them, take the time to customize your youngster’s cockpit to suit their size/ riding style and comfort. There is some degree of adjustability with things like lever position right off the showroom floor but if that’s not enough, many companies actually sell handlebars with bend and sweep specifically designed for smaller bodies. Simple swaps like this (and different grip compound, higher pegs, more or less seat foam etc.) can make all the difference between your little ripper living for the next ride and dreading it.
3) Safety Considerations
As confident as you may feel now shredding a dune on your ATV, think back to the first time you rode. Surely there was a lot to consider, a lot to remember and much of the experience felt intimidating. Making mistakes is a part of the learning curve so what you want to do is minimize the risk of a simple mistake having lasting repercussions. To this end we recommend considering adding a whip flag to the quad so that it is more easily visible to other machines out there, especially important in areas with blind turns or hilly terrain. Another consideration is a tether cable/ kill switch. These work just like on a Jet-Ski; if the rider and machine become separated, the motor is immediately killed. We’re actually surprised this one hasn’t become standard equipment on all ATVs to be honest. They’re simple and they work.
4) Gear Up
We’re not sure why this is but we seem to encounter riders out on the trails who are, themselves, decked out in full safety gear from head to toe but their kid following on the mini is wearing sneakers and a bicycle helmet. The common excuse is that because they’re growing, gear is too expensive to re-buy every season. Even if you decide to go used off Craigslist or eBay then sell it again the following season, you will be doing your little rider a huge favor to get them in a proper helmet, riding boots, gloves etc. If you find the cost of gear intimidating, you don’t want to know about how much hospitals charge to repair a broken ankle!
5) Stay Within the Recommended Operator Ages
It’s easy to follow the logic that a bigger machine will give junior something to grow into, the truth is that forcing a rider to advance to a larger chassis, engine or both before they’re ready is a very good way to get them hurt or, at the very least, intimidate them out of any enjoyment in riding. Oftentimes larger machines come with new responsibilities such as shifting, independent front and rear braking, having to work a clutch etc. in addition to obviously being more vehicle to handle with more performance on tap. Take the recommended age warnings into consideration and above all else, trust your instincts, talk to your kid, evaluate their abilities and confidence on what they’re currently riding before making any purchase decisions.