Rider Safety

Hammerhead Off-Road endorces youth riders to take Off-Road safety courses before getting into any Off-Road vehicles. Below you will find links to many safety riding websites.

ATV Safety Institute

How to Be Safe on All-Terrain Vehicles.

General Riding Safety Information
Off-road vehicles are not street legal vehicles. They are not to be operated on any public road, street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or alley. To do so would be in violation of the local law. These vehicles may be operated only on private property and upon areas approved by local law. Avoid operating this vehicle in any area with stationary objects that the vehicle could travel under. Do not ride in areas where other recreational vehicles are being operated. Be respectful of landowners and the environment

1. Vehicles should never be operated indoors. The exhaust from the engine contains carbon monoxide, which is a tasteless, odorless, and poisonous gas.

2. Unless otherwise specified in this manual, all screws, nuts, and bolts must be kept tight to ensure that the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The engine must be kept free of all dirt and other accumulations, paying particular attention to throttle linkage area.

3. Prevailing-Torque-type locknuts lose their locking capability with repeated use and require replacement. Ensure locknuts are functioning properly.

4. The tire pressure should be checked prior to each use. The recommended inflation pressure is the maximum tire pressure as printed on the tire’s sidewall. Improper tire pressure may cause instability and may prevent proper braking or steering.

5. Modification of this vehicle or removal of any original equipment or safety decals may render the vehicle unsafe or illegal. Never Remove any chain guard, belt clutch guard, torque converter guard, or jack shaft guard. These covers are for operator/passenger’s protection. If any guards are removed for maintenance or servicing of the vehicle, ensure that they are secured in place prior to operating the vehicle.

6. The vehicle should never be started without first checking to see that the throttle is in idle position. Do not start engine without verifying proper function of the throttle. Never attempt to start this vehicle without having the operator seated in the proper position or the front of the vehicle against a stationary object. When starting with the operator in the seat, the operator should have their left foot on the brake. The gas pedal on the right may be used to assist in maintaining RPM during a cold start.

7. The vehicle is not designed or intended for racing, any form of competition, or use on rental tracks.

8. The operator’s ability to operate this off-road vehicle safely is largely dependent upon the operator’s ability to exercise proper judgment. An operator also must not be too small or too large for controlled operation. The operator must be of sufficient age, understanding, mental capacity, and physical capability to safely operate this vehicle. This vehicle should only be operated after mature, supervised instruction and sufficient practice in decongested areas. Safe operation includes responsibility for the safety of a passenger (if any).

9. The engine should be stopped when the vehicle is not in use.

10. The operator and passenger (if any) of this vehicle should always wear a helmet approved by agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT), Safety Helmet Council of America (SHCA), or Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL). Most off-road vehicle accident fatalities are due to head injuries. The operator should also wear face shields or goggles, boots or closed-toe shoes, gloves, and other appropriate protective clothing.

11. Loose clothing, long hair, or articles worn by any operator or passenger must be fully contained, or covered to prevent them from possibly being caught in rotating parts of the vehicle or the surrounding environment while riding. Failure to obey could endanger the personal safety of the operator or passenger.

12. Do not place hands, feet, or any other part of the body or any clothing near the engine, muffler, wheels, chain, and other rotating parts of the vehicle while riding or running the engine. Caution must be used in performing required maintenance on or near an operating engine. Special caution should be taken after the engine has been running, since the engine and other drive components may be extremely hot.

13. Wet, slippery, rough, or steep terrain is potentially dangerous and may result in injury if proper caution is not observed. Slow speeds are required to safely operate this vehicle under those conditions. The operator must use mature judgment, skill, and experience to choose a speed suitable for the terrain and riding conditions.

14. The governor settings for this vehicle’s engine must not be tampered with, altered, or changed. The governor is set by the engine manufacturer and limits the maximum speed of the engine (and vehicle) and protects the engine from damage. Excessive speeds are potentially dangerous to the operator and the engine.

15. Each time before using this vehicle, the fuel supply should be checked. The fuel tank should never be filled while the engine is running or while the engine is hot. Do not fill tank in a closed area such as a garage, while smoking, or in the vicinity of an open flame. Do not overfill the tank. Always follow the directions in the engine owner’s manual. There should not be any fuel in the filler neck. Replace cap tightly to prevent spillage of fuel and potential fire hazard. After filling tank, move the vehicle at least 15 feet away from spot of filling before starting.

16. If the vehicle should start making unusual noise or vibrating abnormally, the engine should be stopped and the spark plug wire disconnected. The vehicle should then be checked for damage. Excessive noise or vibration is generally a warning of loose or worn parts.

17. When making repairs or adjustments to the vehicle which do not involve adjustments to the engine, the spark plug wire must be disconnected and kept away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. When working on or around, or when restarting engine, use extreme caution to avoid contact with the muffler, cylinder head, or any other potentially hot area on or around the engine.

18. Always perform a Pre-Ride Inspection before starting the engine. See Pre-Ride Inspection section in this manual.

19. Always perform a Pre-Ride Inspection before starting the engine. See Pre-Ride Inspection section in this manual.

20. The Custom Bar Cage assembly provided with this vehicle is not designed as a “roll bar”. Do not operate this vehicle without the cage properly installed. Only operate this vehicle during daylight.

21. When storing the vehicle, it must be kept in a place where gasoline fumes will not reach an open flame or spark. For long period of storage, such as for winter, the fuel tank should be drained in an open, cool area. The engine must be allowed to cool before storage in any enclosure. Read and keep all printed material supplied with this vehicle. Timely and specific instructions and a Operator’s Manual revisions are included in supplements. If any printed material included is unclear, contact your dealer/ retailer for assistance.

22. Never operate this vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication of any kind. Such operation could be dangerous to yourself and/or others.

23. When turning on pavement, knobby tires may increase the risk of loss of control. ALWAYS SLOW DOWN!

24. Do not Race, jump, perform stunt riding or spin out when operating this vehicle. This vehicle is not designed or intended for such operation.

25. This manual, along with the other supplements provided with your vehicle, provide guidelines for the assembly, maintenance, and operation of this vehicle and is not intended as a service manual.

26. Assembly, maintenance, and/or repair of this vehicle should only be performed by persons of sufficient mechanical skill, experience, and judgment (such as outdoor equipment dealers, motorcycle dealer/shops, or small engine dealers) so that no unsafe condition or modification is made.

27. The battery (if applicable) contains sulfuric acid and must not come in contact with skin, eyes, or clothing since this will cause severe burns possibly causing disfigurement. Also, battery may generate explosive gases and must not be exposed to sparks, flame, cigarettes, or anything flammable or an explosion may result causing severe injury.

28. OPERATOR MUST ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATELY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE.

29. Operating this vehicle requires skills acquired through practice over a period of time. Take the time to learn the basic techniques well before attempting to operate the vehicle.

30. Operate only on safe and familiar terrain. Avoid loose gravel and rocks. Be careful on wet surfaces and allow for extra braking distance.