When you buy your first ATV, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and want to hit the trail right away. There are a few core safety checks that you should do before you consider breaking it in. Here is a look at some of the things that you should address to make sure that your new ATV, like the Honda Side X Side ATV, is safe and trail-worthy.

Check All the Fluid Levels

Low oil levels and insufficient coolant can be devastating to your ATV's engine. Since you have no way to be sure that it was shipped with the proper fluid levels from the factory, you'll want to check them before you take it out for a ride.

In addition to the oil and coolant, you'll also want to check the fluid in the differentials. In addition to checking these fluids before the first ride, it should be part of every pre-ride checklist.

Tighten the Lug Nuts

Even if the lug nuts were properly torqued from the factory, they may have come loose in transport. As a result, you'll want to torque the lug nuts on each wheel. Since aluminum wheels have a reputation for allowing lug nuts to come loose, you'll want to check them before every ride. A loose lug nut can not only affect your ride quality, but it could damage the wheel and the suspension if the wheel starts to wobble.

Test the Pressure in the Tires

Tire pressure is easy to overlook when you're taking your ATV out on the trail, but if you run it with under-inflated tires, you risk damaging the rims or breaking the tire bead. Running the tires overinflated can cause uncontrollable bouncing and limited traction. Make sure that the tire pressure stays around the recommended level found in the owner's manual of your ATV for optimal handling.

Adjust Your Ride Position

If the position of the handlebars and the clutch levers isn't comfortable for you, you're going to have trouble handling the ATV properly. You'll want to loosen the handlebars and adjust them so that you can reach them comfortably from both a sitting and standing position.

Then, you should make sure that the clutch and brake levers are easily accessible from your most comfortable ride position. You don't want to struggle to reach them, because it could be problematic on the trail. Once everything is adjusted to your liking, you should tighten it all down so that everything is secure.

Configure the Clutch

Once you have adjusted the position of the handlebars and the levers, you'll want to set the clutch engagement. You can configure your clutch adjustment wheel so that you can easily engage the clutch without having to completely let go of the handlebar. Gradually move the adjustment wheel forward or backward as you pull the clutch lever until the clutch engages where you want it.

Set Your Foot Shifter

The ATV's foot shifter is typically set to a default position from the factory. This position may be ideal for you, but it may not. The goal is to ensure that the foot shifter is in a position that is comfortable when you're riding. Sit down with your riding boots on so that you can be sure that your foot will have enough room to move around the lever without getting stuck.

Hitting the trail on your new ATV for the first time is an unforgettable feeling. In order to be sure that your rides are safe, you'll want to be sure that the machine is safe and ready for the trail. The tips here will help you to conduct a thorough safety check before your very first ride as well as each subsequent one.