All the people who today know how to drive a quad skillfully were once beginners. Experience and safety, like in any field, are two qualities that are acquired after many hours of practice.

Also because, despite the quad (also known by the acronym ATV, all terrain vehicle) being a means of great fun and excitement, it can be very dangerous if approached without the necessary preparation.

Driving the quad safely: tips for beginners

First of all, beginner quad bike riders should choose a type of quad that, in addition to having an easy-to-understand operation, is also suitable for the strength and experience of those approaching this sport.

It should not be too heavy or too powerful, although the idea of choosing a high-performance ATV is much more exciting, but too much power could be harmful for a beginner, who would risk losing control of the quad soon. It is better, therefore, to seek advice from an expert and opt for a comfortable-to-drive model, with smooth suspensions capable of mixing thrills of adrenaline and fun.

Another aspect to consider is the type of terrain on which the quad will be driven (on road, off road) because each road surface corresponds to a suitable type of tire. Mounting the correct tires on the quad is essential for safe driving, especially when driving on muddy and uneven terrains. Quad tires are classified based on 3 numbers that identify their height, width, and rim size: mounting tires of wrong sizes can damage the quad, compromise its handling, and accelerate the wear of some vehicle components.

Clothing also plays a fundamental role when riding a quad bike. Wearing appropriate protective clothing and gear is the only way to ensure proper safety and protect oneself from serious injuries, since unlike cars, there are no seat belts or airbags, so clothes will protect the quad bike rider in case of an accident.

Therefore, special gloves with a good grip, high boots up to the ankles, and clothing with long sleeves to protect arms and legs are important. Obviously, at the top of the list there should also be a high-quality helmet, much better if full-face, to also protect the eyes.

Furthermore, before getting on the quad, every beginner or experienced rider would do well to check the condition of the vehicle, whose maintenance must be done regularly anyway. The good condition of the quad, in fact, minimizes the chances of risks and unexpected events as much as possible, so you need to:

• frequently check the brakes, especially after driving in bad weather; mud and debris accumulate around the brake pads and this can affect their reliability and operation;
• check the conditions of the tires and their pressure;
• regularly change the oil and check the oil filter, to avoid premature corrosion of the gears and increase the longevity of the quad;
• Tighten nuts and bolts as soon as they loosen or start vibrating.

Driving the quad: basic tips

The most effective advice to give to those who want to learn how to drive a quad bike is to follow the example of a professional and experienced quad biker, in order to improve or perfect their driving skills.

First and foremost, an expert shows the beginner the correct posture to adopt when getting on the saddle to evenly distribute body weight and have a pleasant quad riding experience. Feet should always be firmly planted on the footrests and hands should have a firm grip on the handlebars, with slightly bent arms to avoid elbows locking in case of sudden braking, in order to maintain balance and full control of the quad. The head is held high with eyes fixed on the road.

Most of the responsibility for learning to drive a quad lies in controlling the thumb throttle. Starting slowly, driving at a steady pace to gain confidence and understand how it works, gradually increasing speed as you begin to master the throttle, helps to learn how to drive the quad more easily. To improve throttle performance and maintain the quad's efficiency for longer, it is recommended to refuel before starting to ride.

In addition to acceleration, it is clear that one must learn how to brake correctly, shift gears, use reverse, operate the clutch, and steer agilely. For this reason, it is helpful to drive initially on flat and safer terrain, just as you do when preparing for a driver's license test.

At this point, all that remains is to recommend practicing a lot: the more you practice, the sooner you will be able to have total control of the quad and learn the skills, even if you are new to this adrenaline-pumping sport.

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