[[Dealer.Name]] Ina Blog
| Fact: The History term “All-Terrain Vehicle” or ATV is used in a general sense to describe any of a number of small open motorized buggies and tricycles designed for off-road use. However, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines an ATV as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, and with handlebars for steering control. By the current ANSI definition, it is intended for use by a single operator, although a change to include 2-seaters (in tandem) is under consideration.
The rider sits on and operates these vehicles like a motorcycle, but the extra wheels give more stability at slow speeds. Although typically equipped with three or four wheels, six-wheel models exist for specialized applications. Engine sizes of ATVs currently for sale in the United States (as of 2008 products) range from 49cc to 1000cc and 49cc to 700cc for two stroke ATVs. |
The engine purrs beneath you as a string of motorcycles snakes through the hills in front of you. With a quick look in the mirror, you see your buddy following close behind with a smile on his face that matches yours. The camaraderie forms because, at just this moment, you’re all on the same page.
That’s what a group ride is all about. It’s an opportunity to share the open road and wonderful scenery with other like-minded people.
But like most motorcycle experiences, this one is best enjoyed by following a few simple guidelines that keep everyone safe. Here are a few from our friends at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Your motorcycle tires are the only thing between you and the road. Be sure they are in safe riding condition before EVERY ride. Once it becomes a habit it should only take a few minutes to make sure your safe for your ride, every time.
1.Tire Pressure– Checking your tire pressure is the first thing you should do before getting on your bike. Too many riders neglect this important, easy step. Check the tire pressure before you start your ride while the tires are still cool. Always use the owner’s manual recommended PSI. If your tires are not standard then go by the PSI printed on the tire. Add air when necessary to the recommend PSI. If you over-inflate bleed out some air by depressing the center of the Schrader valve. Tires also wear quicker when not properly inflated so there is no reason not to be safe while extending the life of your tires.
2. Inspect Your Tires– Be sure to look for any signs of puncture, bulging or cracking that might occur with old tires. Also be sure to roll your bike a few feet to see the entire surface area of the tire. When in doubt, don’t ride. The possibility of a tire blowout is not worth it.
3. Check the Tread– Good tire tread is essential for maintaining grip to the road, especially in wet conditions. Use a quarter to measure the depth of your tread. There should be enough tread to reach the top of Washington’s head. If the tread is too shallow to reach, you should replace them as soon as possible.
Enjoy your ride while riding safe on quality tires. When in doubt, don’t risk it. Did you know RideNow installs tire for FREE? Give us a call or click here to learn more.
Popular Off-Highway Trails in Arizona
Arizona is one of the best states to enjoy the great outdoors and the almost endless variety of off road trails to live it up on your ATV, side-by-side, dirt bike, Jeep or SUV. Below is a list of the most popular off-highway trails around Arizona from AZoffroading.com. Do you have any other trails to share? Please do in the comment section below. Remember to always ride safe and sober and with proper protective gear. Happy riding!
Northeast Phoenix, Apache Junction area:
- Apache Trail (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- The Rolls / Four Peaks (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Sycamore Creek (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Bulldog Canyon (easy) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Sunflower Mine (moderate) [Jeep, ATV]
- Mt Ord Lookout (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Pyeatt Draw (moderate) [Jeep, ATV]
- Reno Pass (difficult) – limited access [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
North Phoenix, Prescott, Crown King, Wickenburg area:
- Bradshaw Mountains (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Desoto Mine (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Wickenburg Mountains (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Box Canyon at Hassayampa River (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Castle Hot Springs Road (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Backway to Crown King (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Bloody Basin Road (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- New River Canyon (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Harquahala Mountain (easy) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Belmont Mountain (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
Florence Junction, Superior area:
- Montana Mountain (easy) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Hackberry Creek (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Woodpecker Mine (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Ajax Mine (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Martinez Cabin (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Martinez Canyon (difficult) – closed [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Jack Handle (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Box Canyon (easy) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Coke Ovens (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Walnut Canyon (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
Tucson, Oracle, Nogales area:
- Backway to Mt. Lemmon (easy) [Jeep, SUV]
- Rice Peak (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Charouleau Gap (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Chimney Rock (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Chiva Falls (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Gunsight Pass (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Gardner Canyon (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Bull Springs Road (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Patagonia Mountains (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
Gila Bend, Sentinel, Why area:
- Oatman Massacre Site (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Butterfield Stage Route (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome area:
- Lockett Meadow (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Schultz Pass (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Elden Mountain (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Cinder Hills OHV Area (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Soldier Pass (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Van Deren Cabin (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Schnebly Hill Road (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Greasy Spoon (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Oak Creek Homestead (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Broken Arrow (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
- Hutch Mountain (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Smiley Rock (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Mingus Mountain (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
Grand Canyon N.P., Tusayan area:
- Toroweap Overlook (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Fire Point, Timp Point (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Saddle Mountain Road (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Point Sublime (moderate) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- South Bass Trailhead (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Grandview Lookout (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
Bullhead City, Kingman area:
- Sleeping Princess (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Chloride Mines (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Pass Canyon (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Secret Pass (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Backway to Oatman (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Moss Wash (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Hualapai Mountains (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike, MTB]
Lake Havasu City, Parker area:
- Crossman Peak (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Mohave Wash (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Vampire Mine (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Swansea Townsite (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Buckskin Mountains (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Cattail Cove (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- President’s Choice (difficult) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
Quartzsite, Yuma area:
- Plomosa Mountains (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Sand Bowl OHV Area (difficult) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Dripping Springs (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Palm Canyon (easy) [Jeep, SUV, ATV, DirtBike]
- Castle Dome Mountains (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
- Laguna Mountain Ridge (moderate) [Jeep, ATV, DirtBike]
We all love to ride motorcycles. And for those of us with kids, there’s a sense of urgency to pass along our enthusiasm for two wheels.
However, that passion could also preempt some important details that make the learning process safer and more fun. If you rush it, you could miss the opportunity to establish the good judgment and skills that could provide the foundation for a lifetime of safe riding.
Even worse, without the right approach early-on, a young rider could adopt bad habits that could persist through adulthood.
Knowing the commonly used off-road hand signals could save your life or the life of another! Remember the number of fingers equals the number of riders in their group behind them. Do you know any other common signs or signals you’ve seen out on the trail? Share below!
A non-rider often asks, “What’s the best motorcycle?” The experienced rider answers, “That depends on what you want to do with it.”
Today, motorcycles are better than ever and also more specialized than ever. The key to being happy with your choice is not finding the “best” motorcycle, but rather finding the motorcycle that’s right for you and the kind of riding you want to do.
Some motorcycles are obviously more suited to new riders than others, however.
The two things most likely to add to a new rider’s confidence level are light weight and the ability to get both feet on the ground at a stop. Lighter is always better when you’re still learning to balance, steer, accelerate and brake. And while experienced riders often learn to become comfortable just getting one foot down at a stop, it’s more reassuring to plant both feet when you’re just getting started.
So you got yourself a motorcycle! Congrats! Now what? Your first priority should be to get yourself a quality helmet that will keep you safe while riding in comfort. Not only will it keep you shielded from the elements, but a helmet could save your life and your good looks. Riders who wear helmets are less likely to suffer permanent or long-term disablement caused by head or neck injuries.
For a new rider it’s difficult to know where to start. New buyers may be attracted to flashy graphics or a good deal, but there is more to a good quality helmet than looking sharp or saving the most money.
Don’t feel rushed to grab any helmet just to get on the road. Take your time and find the right fit for you and you’ll thank yourself later.
- Look for the D.O.T. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a standard for all helmets that a helmet must take a significant amount of the impact during a crash, prevent most penetration, and have a fastening system that will withstand a significant impact. Look for the D.O.T. sticker on the back of any helmet. Snell is also a common standard for helmet testing. The Snell Foundation is comparable to D.O.T. but a good rule of thumb is if a manufacturer has gone the distance to meet both standards they are likely to be a safer bet overall. Check out D.O.T. and the Snell Foundation’s website for more information.
- Fit Next, you need to make sure the helmet will stay on your head and fit comfortably. First you should try a retention test. Fasten the helmet and feel the force of the fasten on your chin. Next, grab the rear of the helmet and attempt to lift it off your head and roll it forward. You should not be able to get the helmet off. Make sure the helmet fits snug and it doesn’t move when you shake your head front-to-back, side-to-side and up and down. Too loose and the helmet can come off during impact, too tight and it could effect your comfort while riding and possibly take your full attention away from the road. Have a sales rep. help you compare fits while you shop. Keep in mind many cheek pads are interchangeable in some helmet brands. If your dealer lets you, try to take a test ride with your prospective helmet. This way you can test the comfort, wind noise, wind pressure at higher speeds, and traffic noise that comes through the helmet.
- Full Coverage vs. Half Helmet That’s an easy one, the more the merrier. Half helmets are mostly about looks and less about protecting your skull. Imagine what could happen to your face during a crash with a half helmet. It isn’t a pretty thought. Your head will thank you for the full coverage. A full coverage helmet will, of course, provide full coverage protection. The EPS liner is the styrofoam-type foam lining of the helmet which absorbs most of the energy during an impact. Full coverage obviously contain more EPS. Check that the EPS is extended to the chinbar.
- Cost Many factors can effect the cost of a quality helmet. Graphics can effect the cost greatly. The more elaborate the design, the more expensive the helmet will be in most cases. If you need to save a few bucks but the helmet you’re eyeing has lots of graphics, check if the same model is available in a solid color. Try going for brighter solid color rather than black. You’d be surprised how much a bright-colored helmet can effect your visibility.
Come by RideNow anytime to have one of our sales professionals fit you in the right helmet to optimize your ride and your safety on the road.
The video pretty much says it all. No other ride can pull you through the muck and grim while loving every second of it like a CAN-AM can. Come by either RideNow 22nd or RideNow Ina locations to pick up one of these badass off-road beasts for yourself. You won’t regret it.