Riding Off Road on an OHV

No matter what brings you to the backcountry in your OHV, it’s important to feel comfortable and safe when riding off road trails. Whether you’re driving for work or for pleasure Sky Powersports wants to help you have the safest, most fun ride possible; Come stop by our dealership in Lakeland, Florida and have our knowledgeable staff help you get the most out of your off road riding!

Stay on Trail

If you want to have a safe day in the backcountry, one of the first and most important rules you need to follow is: Stay on the Trail! Trails are there to keep you safe, and if you start heading out into the wilds, it’s not going to take long before you wind up waste deep in water, or fouled in mud over your engine. It’s not uncommon to see riders cutting across switchbacks or heading out onto an open flat just to see what their vehicle can do, but this practice destroys trails, and puts riders in danger. When you stay on the trail, you keep yourself, your riding area, and your fellow riders safe.

Carry Proper Equipment

Don’t get out on the trail unprepared or you’re just setting yourself up for injury. Whenever you ride it’s important to wear the right equipment: A helmet, goggles, long sleeve shirt, gloves, long pants, and sturdy boots. All of that gear should do a pretty good job protecting you from hazards on the trail, however if you’re in for a particularly wet ride, adjust your gear to accommodate. YOu should always make sure you carry a basic repair kit for your OHV, including a wrench and screwdriver with proper heads, duct tape, appropriate sized nuts and bolts, and some spare spark plugs. It’s also wise to carry (and know how to use) a basic first aid kit.

Care for your Riding Areas

When you’re riding the trail it’s really important to take care of your area. Plenty of folks will head out for a day of riding with a backpack full of candy bars and water bottles and they’ll come home with their pack empty because every last bit of garbage is now strewn across miles of wildlands. Don’t be the guy who’s getting your local riding area shut down for misuse, take responsibility for your riding area and you’ll be able to enjoy and share it with your friends for years to come.

Share the Trail

When you’re riding on public lands you’re likely going to encounter other riders on the trail. It’s awesome to be able to share the trail with like-minded riders, however it’s important to be friendly and polite with other riders to make OHV riding a welcoming activity for everyone. Make sure you give faster groups the right of way if they’re coming up behind you, and always signal how many riders are following you to riders you’re passing in the other direction. It’s also just good manners to stop and check on riders who look like they might be in trouble, you’d appreciate the same if you got stuck 20 miles out from the trailhead!

Call Us Today at 866-454-8365!

We hope that the tips and advice above help you feel more secure in your knowledge on how to properly ride for and care for off road and backcountry trails. For more information and advice from our friendly staff, stop by our dealership in Lakeland, FL near Tampa; Orlando; and Brandon, Florida!