Polaris ATV Experience

Yes, it has four wheels, but Mossy finds a bike connection while riding the ATV

- Chris Moss

OK, I’m sure you must bethinking we’ve all goinga bit mad here at MSL. Only a couple of issues ago I was doing backflips of praise for a three-wheeler, the Yamaha Niken. Now, I seem to be selling out completely by trying some four-wheelers. What an earth is going on, I hear you protest? I’ll happily admit, on the face of it, testing some Polaris quads, or ATVs (all terrain vehicles) as they’re officially known, does seem to have only a slightly tenuous link to motorcycling. After popping up to the Lake District to ride a few of them, however, I discovered there is a connection. Read on, and I’ll explain. There’s no doubting my nerves on the morning of the test. I’ve got zero experience of riding ATVs, and with dominant thoughts of celebrities like Rick Mayall and Ozzy Osbourne seriously hurting themselves on such vehicles, my approach to the whole event was tentative, to say the least. Luckily, the Polaris team weren’t keen on me harming myself in any way either. They’re aware of the attendant risks, so organised the escorted rides to run along an approved route with plenty of guidance on how to get the best from the quads in total safety. The first link with motorcycles was made. Ride them properly, or risk injury. Quality bike kit, the very same stuff I use when I’m riding off-road, was donned and the experience began. It doesn’t take long at all to realise there are other factors common to both disciplines.

FINDING CONTROL