(NC)-No other sport can offer up the same sense of freedom and adventure that comes with off-roading. Young or old, male or female, riding a motorcycle, snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle down winding trials and through ravines is a thrill seeker's delight.
However, it's not a sport to be taken lightly. So whether you plan to go off-roading locally or want to take a trip to a popular place like Quinn Trail in Ontario, be sure you are prepared.
"Personal and vehicle safety are critical to avoiding an accident or breakdown," says Megan Currie with Honeywell Consumer Products Group, maker of both small engine coolants and spark plugs.
First off, pack and wear proper clothing and gear. Whether on a motorcycle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, it's essential to have a helmet, gloves and special padding in case of an accident. You also need to choose your trails wisely. If you are new to the sport, pick a location that reflects that. Some trails are meant for experienced enthusiasts only. You may even want to consider taking a compass and a cell phone - it's easy to get turned around when out in the hills and you'll want to be sure you know how to get back where you started.
In terms of getting your vehicle ready, there are some essential maintenance routines Currie recommends. "Since motorcycles, snowmobiles and ATVs feature smaller engines, they are sometimes more prone to overheating. That's why cooling system maintenance is so important." Prestone now offers a specially formulated small engine coolant that is designed to protect all conventional engine cooling system metals found in today's popular motorcycles, snowmobiles and ATVs from -36.6 degrees C to 129.4 degrees C.
You also should read up on things like proper tire pressure for your off-road vehicle. According to offroader.com, a tire's material composition, vehicle weight and load, in addition to wheel width, all play a key role. Plus the surface you are driving on makes a difference - be it sand, clay, ice snow or a harder terrain.
Finally, to get faster fuel combustion and better performance, owners of off-road recreational vehicles can enhance their experience by using a line of premium small engine spark plugs from the Autolite brand. Engineered to offer faster fuel combustion and help prevent fouling, Autolite Xtreme Sport small engine spark plugs were designed to withstand the extreme operating temperatures experienced during a small engine's combustion as well as the extreme conditions they can be used in.
More information on small engine performance products is available online at www.autolite.com.
Credit: www.newscanada.com