Things to Keep in Mind When Trail Riding
Trail riding is serious fun and comes with its shares of thrills, unpredictability and risks. As the incorrigible adrenaline junkie that you are, it’s important that you have a sensible head on your shoulders when you’re out trail riding. When hitting the trails on your motorsport vehicle, whether that’s an ATV, UTV, or a dirt bike, make sure you’re being smart about your trail riding and taking all the right precautions.
Interstate Cycles brings you a list of basics for taking care of your vehicle and yourself while out on the trails. In the market for a new rig? Swing by Interstate Cycles in Lake City Florida for a look at the latest vehicles in the market. We proudly serve Gainesville and Jacksonville!
Vehicle Care
Don’t wait for any unpleasant surprises on the trail. The rule of thumb when trail riding is to give your rig a thorough onceover before heading out for the adventure. Start by giving your vehicle a thorough cleaning on a regular basis or after every particularly high-octane ride. As exhausted as you may be, don’t let the dirt and grime settle on your vehicle. That causes more damage than you think. If required, let a professional check your vehicle for glitches before you head out. The vehicle should be in peak working condition before a ride, so you don’t have a sudden slow down in the middle of a trail and find yourself with a few miles walk back to your car.
The insides need as much care as the outside (if not more)! Give your carburetor a thorough cleaning on a regular basis. This may require you to disassemble the vehicle, so if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, then bring your vehicle to our dealership for servicing by our team of experts. Check the fuel, engine fluids, oil, tires, and other essential parts to ensure that there are no untoward incidents as you blaze the trail on a thrilling journey.
Gear
Your riding gear should be in place for a safe off-road adventure. Safety apparel includes chest padding, riding suits, or long sleeve jackets and pants (preferably waterproof and made of durable material), proper riding boots, and riding gloves. We advise that you wear a helmet when riding a bike, even in a state where it isn’t mandatory. If your helmet doesn’t come with a face shield, then you’ll also need goggles for the best eye protection.
The kind of adventure you are embarking on determines the kind of tires your vehicle should have. For example, the tires you require for mud riding are different from the tires you require when traveling on sand. In this case, consulting a professional is always the smart thing to do.
Talking about the upgrades for your bike, there are plenty of things which can enhance your overall riding experience and make it safer at the same time. If you’ll be riding through deep water, make sure your ride is equipped with a snorkel kit so no water gets in the essential parts of the vehicle. Similarly, if you are aware that certain places have noise restrictions, you’ll definitely want a spark arrestor. Just remember that there’s nothing called ‘being too cautious’!
When riding an ATV or a UTV, consider getting a cooler and a dry box. While the cooler is good place to keep the beverages and food, the dry box is where you keep your phone and wallet to prevent them from getting muddy or wet.
Want to check out our awesome collections of motorsport vehicles? Drop by our dealership in Lake City and our dedicated team will be more than happy to show you around! Check in with our parts and service department for top quality service and care. For repairs, maintenance, servicing, and upgrades, trust the experts to keep your rig looking and working as good as new! We happily serve Valdosta and Sanderson.