Beginner Tips And Advice For Riding A Quad Bike

If you’re new to ATV’s or quad bikes, there are a lot of things that you should learn before you go on an adventure, hit the dusty roads and muddy patches. It sure is fun as it lets you be flexible and lets you do a lot of things. However, you should know about a quad bike because it tends to be unstable and requires knowledge to ride one properly. This means that no matter your age, you have to practice and follow this beginner and safety tips if this is your first time.

Man-riding-quad-bike

1. Choosing Your First Quad Bike

This is where it all begins. Make sure that you choose the right bike suitable for your level. For starters, pick a simple machine. High-performance quad bike sounds like a lot of fun, but it may also require more experience to ride one successfully. Take little steps – one at a time. Choosing a more complicated bike for your experience level may not be the best thing right now, and you don’t want to lose control over your machine and get in an accident.

2. Read The User’s Manual

Yes – it’s that piece of paper that comes with the machine, and almost every single product you buy comes with it. Many people tend to discard those, but make sure that you read and check what’s indicated in the manual referring to safety, operation, and other things, in general, that could help you with riding your first quad bike.

3. Perform A Maintenance Check

This goes with any vehicle. Before going out, perform a maintenance check, especially if you’ve purchased a used quad bike. If you’re going to take it out, you need to make sure that the safety hazard lights are working; brakes are functioning, along with the speedometer. Doing this simple routine check before using it can help save you from all the troubles, not to mention, it can also help save your life.

Even if you’re not going off-road, it is still crucial that you inspect the parts and check your oil level gauge, fuel level, the type pressure, both front and back brakes, and steering.

4. Wear Safety Gears

Unlike other 4-wheeled vehicles, quad bikes don’t come with any seatbelts. Instead, you have to make sure that you’re equipped with the right safety gear. This is important and shouldn’t be skipped.

Some of the safety gears you need to prepare may include but are not limited to helmets, the right footwear, clothing, and gloves.

Your head is at most risk when riding a quad bike, and you need to make sure that your head is well-protected in case of fall. A helmet does this job. When choosing one, make sure that your helmet of choice perfectly fits your head without risking your vision. You need to be able to see clearly. A helmet with a tinted visor is a perfect choice as it lets you see even with the bright sunlight.

As for the clothing, you have to choose clothes that both cover your legs and arms completely. This prevents you from sunburn and functions as an extra layer of protection from cuts in the fall case. Your footwear needs to be ankle high and must have a comfortable fit. This is important because the last thing you’d want to happen is your shoe to fall off during your ride. For gloves, find ones that will give you a comfortable grip over fashion. Sure, there are also other designs but take into consideration comfort first before the design, especially if this is your first time riding.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice!

You may want to start biking on a less complicated road for beginners until you start to get the basics of the quad bike. For new riders, motorcycle and scooter on rent are the best options where one can practice till one develops basic riding skills. Some people may immediately learn the ins and outs; some may take longer. Regardless, make sure that you’re completely confident about operating the bike, turning it around, and using it before you go out with other vehicles or decide to go on muddy terrains and hillsides.

6. Learn The Right Posture And Riding Positions

This can help save you from the body and muscle aches. The wrong position may make it difficult for you to drive your bike, and at the same time, could significantly cause sore muscles even after one riding session.

7. Drive Safely

Lastly, no matter how practiced or experienced you think you may be, always drive safely. Take it slow, and adjust your speed slowly. Remember, you’re in for an adventure, but don’t forget to ride with care!

Mopeds, Scooters, and Motorcycles – How Do They Differ?

Mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles are all two-wheeled vehicles that can carry at the most two persons, who remain completely exposed to the element and environment they ride in, unlike cars or other four-wheelers that afford some degree of protection. The difference between these three two-wheelers is mainly in the engine capacity and size of wheels.

Blue_Scooter

The Basic

There many types of bikes but these three types of bikes are the most popular ones. They occupy very little road space, allowing easy maneuverability that can be a significant advantage in heavy traffic. A moped, the smallest of the three, has a small 50cc engine that even has bike pedals that can be used by the rider to propel the vehicle, even if the engine is not working. This can be a great advantage when the moped runs out of fuel, and pedals are also used to propel the vehicle so that it can help to start its motor. Their small engine restricts their top speed to about 28 mph, making them unsuitable for riding highways. Most states legally ban their movement on highways, restricting them to use only in city, town, or other roads. The wheel size of mopeds can vary from small to big and can be as large as a bicycle tire.

Mopeds

Mopeds do not require a license for driving in some states, whereas others may need you to have one. A moped can be considered more of a bicycle-type vehicle and is more of a motorized bicycle with pedals. Hence the name, motor, and pedal. They have a basic electrical system with an engine that can help you when you pedal. Riding mopeds require you to wear protective gear as laid down in most state laws, as even with the low maximum speeds they have, their basic instability because of the balancing required on two wheels can lead to injuries and accidents on spills. As a motorized vehicle, these mopeds do require to be registered and have number plates for identification.

Scooters

Scooters have small wheels, though you will find scooters with a wheel size akin to motorcycles. Still, this is rare. They have a step-through chassis and a platform for resting the feet. Their engine size can vary from 50 to 200 cc, though most vehicles have engines that are not as powerful as those on motorcycles. They require to be kick-started, like motorcycles, though many modern versions do have an ignition self-starter, like in cars. Even in these vehicles, the option to kick start remains. The clutch and gear changing controls are on the handlebar, and this is the one coordination that is required to be mastered while learning how to drive the vehicle. Scooters are considered more fuel-efficient than motorcycles are relatively lightweight, which makes them easier to handle. It is easy to handle them at low speeds, and this makes them more maneuverable. Some of the models have an automatic transmission, making it easier to learn to ride and drive. Most scooters will have storage space under the seat that can take even helmets, which are mandatory when driving scooters. The fuel tank in the scooters is also below the seat. 

Motorcycles

Motorcycles are the two-wheeler vehicles with the longest history, going back to over a century, and thus have many historic brands. It has no pedals, has powerful engines that can vary from 250 cc to much larger capacities. They have 16-inch wheels, though the more powerful motorcycles have larger and broader wheels that make them safer to ride. Most motorcycles have a manual clutch on the handlebar for the shifting of gears. They will require you to use your right foot to activate the rear brakes. Engines are located in the middle of the frame, with fuel tanks just above it and in front of the rider. 

Final Word What then are the key differences between mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles? Mopeds and scooters are smaller than motorcycles. Motorcycles are heavy and thus harder to ride and require more care in maneuvering them. All of them need to be registered, and you to have a license to drive them, though you may not require a license for driving a moped in some states. Top speeds on mopeds are restricted to 30 mph, scooters to 85 mph, though in motorcycles, speeds have been as high as 250 mph. The world record for motorcycle speeds is over 350 mph, achieved on motorcycles with very powerful engines. Scooters are the most fuel-efficient. Mopeds are the cheapest, with motorcycles being the most expensive to buy, run, and maintain. Motorcycles are also the most expensive to insure. All have storage capacities, with those on motorcycles being the ones that can be most upgraded. Scooters are considered the most convenient for use and are also very popular. Ease of riding is best with scooters that have automatic transmission.

What Are The Different Types Of Motorbikes?

What are the different types of motorbikes? This is a crucial question if you’re new to all of this. It’s also very important if you’re trying to decide what kind to get for yourself.

Cruiser-bike-on highway

There are various ways of classifying different kinds of motorbikes, identifying the designer’s purpose, or merely describing how the bikes are to be used, or a combination of both. Six major categories are generally recognized: touring, cruiser, sports, standard, dual-purpose, and off-road bike. The most popular motorcycle is the cruiser class, which are the least costly, but offers the least room. Touring motorcycles are meant for touring and offer more passenger capacity and comfort than any other class.

1. Dirt Bikes

Dirt bikes are the smallest in size, with a maximum height of just over 6 inches. They are made primarily for short-distance travel and are often sporty, powerful machines. Although these motorbikes are not widely available, a small number of off-road motorbike enthusiasts still ride dirt bikes, particularly during special events like Motocross events. Many dirt bike riders also ride in other kinds of races, including mountain biking and motocross races.

2. Standard Bikes

Standard motorcycles are frequently popular due to their all-purpose design and simplicity. They vary from 125cc up to 1,000cc. They can also be fitted with things like different seats, tank bags, and luggage. They don’t typically have a fairing on the front, and if they do, it’s not usually very big. Ergonomics tend to be neutral, as these bikes don’t lean forward or backward that much. Typical seat heights are in the short or middle range, usually seating anyone in comfort.

3. Cruiser Bikes

Cruisers are also known as choppers. They’re designed for cruising, which is how they got their name. The seat height is a bit lower, so it’s good for getting around town. However, just a bit of luggage can make one of these a weekend trip. Engine sizes vary from small displacements up to 1,000cc. Some brands have even more. If you ride a cruiser, you might feel like you’re more in it than actually on it, but riders new and seasoned alike love these.

4. Sport bikes

Sport bikes emphasize agility and speed. These deliberately lean forward, so they’re ready to cut some corners when you ride. The weight of sport bikes is a huge difference, as they tend to be very light. Lightweight materials, such as aluminium, are used for more maneuverability from one side to the other. Seat heights are typically higher than other bikes so that the motorcycle can lean farther to either side without scraping fairings or foot pegs. Shorter riders might wind up on their tiptoes if they use taller seats.

5. Touring Bikes

Touring motorbikes are bigger than most of their cousins, and that’s due to having amenities useful in cruising either coast or all the country in between. Spacious storage and premiere ergonomics let riders carry on for hours. Likewise, they have the biggest fairings to block out wind and weather. Typically, the engine sizes can handle highway speeds while also hauling extra luggage and gear.

6. Hybrid bikes

Sport touring motorbikes are a crossroads between touring bikes and sport bikes. These usually have more luggage possibilities than sport bikes but higher seats than touring bikes. They’re a good balance between short rides and long road trips. Engine sizes for this class start in the mid-range and higher.

7. Dual Sport bikes

Dual sport bikes are created to go anywhere you want and even do anything that you want. The storage options are typically limited, but you can add extra bags. They’re just as good on roadways as they are on offloading.

8. Scooter Bikes

Scooter bikes are sometimes considered as their own thing and not being motorbikes. However, in urban areas, you can use them to get through busy city streets, even without a lot of muscle. Their engine sizes range from 50cc up to 500cc, but it’s enough for some city fun.

9. Mopeds

Some people consider mopeds to be scooters, but they’re not the same. Mopeds are usually 50cc or even less, sometimes even having an electric motor instead of an engine. The frames are often based on bicycles to boot. They’re increasingly harder to buy, as they’re becoming something vintage.

10. Off-Roading Bikes

Off-road bikes do exactly what their name implies. They off-road. Seat heights are higher, as is the suspension since deep bush and rough terrain mean bumps during the ride. True off-roaders might not even turn signals or lights, meaning they have to be trailed when moving on pavement.

Quad bikes are the smallest in size in many cases, but there are certainly exceptions. They are made primarily for short-distance travel and are often sporty, powerful machines. Although these motorbikes are not widely available, a small number of off-road motorbike enthusiasts still ride dirt bikes, particularly during special events like Motocross events. Many dirt bike riders also ride in other kinds of races, including mountain biking and motocross races.

11. Street Fighters

Finally, let’s not forget about the street fighter. There isn’t another type of motorbike other than the classic motorcycle that can be classified as a “street fighter.” These bikes have higher levels of torque and typically don’t have foot pegs. Instead, most of these bikes have single foot pegs so that the rider can reach up and feel the bike as a whole. Many street fighters feature anti-tip braking systems and rear shocks with stronger forks so that they can take on tighter corners and handle bumps and irregularities better.

How to Prepare for Your Long Distance Motorcycle Ride

Most bikers look forward to riding over a long distance, and they will always take the chance to make the trip. The big draw to such a trip is roaming the roads along the beautiful countryside. Many people usually start with regular commuting or sports biking then naturally progress to a long-distance trip. Some challenges come during these trips that you don’t have to worry about when making short trips. Knowing what to expect will be the difference between having one of the best days of your life and getting stressed. Below are tips that will help you prepare for a long-distance motorcycle ride.

riding-riding-bike-on-highway

Begin and end early

It would be best if you started as early as possible. One of the best things is watching things wake up around in the morning. You should also be careful not to start your journey too early because of wildlife. You should also aim to be off the road when dark starts setting in. it becomes harder to spot the dimming light and you to be spotted too. You should be more careful to avoid stress hazards because your safety is of the most important when riding.

Dressing the type

It is vital to choose the right type of dressing because it affects your safety. You will need to have a full-face helmet because it protects you from serious injury if you happen to be involved in an accident. You also need to put on bike clothing that has armor inserts. The clothes should also have visible styling, so it offers protection, and other road users will easily see you. The right clothing is going to look good on you while providing protection. The best type of cloth is a close fit. Baggy clothes are not the best because they can discomfort when riding the breeze.

Wearing motorcycle safety gear can feel clumsy, but you will feel more confident and safer as you hit the highways.

Preparing for changing weather

It is hard to predict how the weather will be because weather forecasts are not always right. This can be even more complicated when riding over a long distance. The best thing you can do to prepare yourself properly is telling yourself you will end up in hot, cold, and wet weather at one point. This is more common when riding during the changing seasons across the country.

Long and Noisy Roads

If you are not used to riding for more than a few hours, it is never a good idea to go straight into a long trip. You should start with extended practice because you want to prepare yourself for the long rides. You will get a small taste of the experience while learning about the challenges and problems that come along the way. You might be enjoying the wind rushing into you, but it becomes fatiguing when you have to do it for many hours. You should consider getting a decent windshield installed on your bike if you don’t have one.

There is a lot of noise on traffic-heavy streets and highways. The honking noise becomes so uncomfortable because the trucks keep honking. An excellent solution to this problem is getting earplugs, and the good thing is you will use them for a long time, provided you choose quality ones. Get a few pairs of earplugs and carry them with you when going on a long-distance trip.

Constantly adjusting stance

Your seat form and riding stance is very important when it comes to stock bikes. You should choose a seat that is going to be comfortable, and these are the firm ones because they don’t sink in. When you have been on the bike for hours, you will feel like moving back and forth because of the inevitable itch. A firm and flat seat makes it easier to move when you start feeling the itch. You can even consider getting an aftermarket seat that comes with a backrest.

You should also consider highway-ready pegs because it is going to help you when securing your footing. When you properly set things up, you will have an easier time bending your knees every time you shift position.

Maps and wireless case trips

Many riders make one common mistake by not paying attention to what is up ahead and focusing on mounted GPS or smartphones. If you want to consult the phone’s map, get off the boke first. You should try your best to have paper maps because you can make them larger by opening them up. Screens are smaller, and you will find yourself having a harder time reading them. Paper maps are far much easier to use compared to smartphones. It should just be a supplement for the paper map.

Plan

One of the most important things to do when it comes to traveling is having a plan. When you have a plan in place, you get the chance to know what challenges you might deal with and how best to deal with them. While it can be exciting to start riding without any plan, it can be a little complicated if it is your first time. You can do it when you feel more comfortable with long-distance rides.

Rest

You don’t have to ride for a long time without breaks because it will worsen the experience. You should try regular short breaks. When you see a roadside place or a nice spot, spot and enjoy it a little. You should try to drink and eat before you feel thirsty or hungry. You also stretch your body when you get off your bike to relax. Riding for the first time doesn’t have to be challenging when you have a good plan in place. You will gain experience, and you will be ready to hit the road in no time. You will start feeling more and more confident as you take more rides. Once you have made the first trip, you should feel more confident in yourself when riding.