Your ATV is a machine and like any machine, it needs to regular care and maintenance in order to continue running properly. To insure your ATV has a long life, give your machine a regular once over.
Getting in the habit of doing a pre-ride inspection will get you in the habit of looking over the big things that can go wrong and spoil a great day out riding your ATV. The great thing about learning to do basic maintenance is that once you get in the habit of doing it, you'll begin to catch little problems before they turn into big problems and sideline your ATVing.
Look over your owner's manual for parts on your ATV that need to be lubricated, adjusted or checked for wear on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb is to check over screws and see if any need to be tightened.
Your ATVs tires will take a lot of abuse out on the ATV trails, make sure they are inflated properly and are in good condition with tread left on them. Don't ride your ATV with bald tires. Your ATVs forward motion depends on its ability to grip the terrain. If you are attempting to climb an incline and you don't have a good tread on your tires, you won't have a very good day of ATVing. Also, tire pressure must be equal on both sides or your ATV will pull to one side.
Other items to look over on your ATV include: Throttle - to make sure there is no sticking, Brakes-they should grab quickly. The Clutch/Foot shifter,spark plugs - you'd be amazed at how often a new spark plug has saved the day of ATVing. Drive chain or drive shaft, steering system, engine stop switch. A little time spent on preventative maintenance will prevent you from sitting out a fun ride due to a broken down ATV.
