GATOR'S TIPS
I would like to welcome you to the current posting of “Gator Tips”. These postings well not always be from my own experience. The expertise in vehicle maintenance, riding tips, and general safety will be gathered from S.C.O.R.V.A Club Members and a variety of published magazines dealing with most recreational vehicles that you may find at the School Creek riding area at any given time. I do hope the postings are helpful and create a stress free riding experience.
Two Stroke Mix - For those who don't have injection systems here's two common pre-mix ratio's, 32 & 40:1 (parts fuel to oil) . Please check your manufacturers user manual for the correct measure of oil. Always use a good pre-mix oil such as Silkolene or Castrol NOT engine oil.
Mobile Phones - now considered a must when out trail riding, you just don't know when you want the wife to put the dinner on ! BUT if you are carrying one put it in a sealable plastic bag like those keep food fresh bags, as mobiles-n-water-n-mud do not mix !
Sidepanel fixings -cover the screw fixing area with a small piece of Gaffa tape, this will ensure if they work loose (& they will) the screw stays with the panel for re-fitting !
Bike checks -before riding out, get a friend to check-over your bike, he's more likely to spot things you might have missed !
Handlebar positions - after taking hours to get your handlebars in the right position, ensure you never loose it, by using a centre punch and putting a small punch mark on the clamp and a corrisponding one on the bar. This also applies to lever positions.
Save those hands - when working on the rear tire or sprocket bolts, save those hands by wrapping a piece of pipe-insulation foam around the exposed teeth and taping or tie-wrapping in place.
Dont forget - important jobs on the bike by writting them onto a strip of masking tape and sticking this to the bike. If its brakes or oil put the tape over the ignition key this way no one will ride-off without first seeing the note.
A PWC is very maneuverable and is responsive to slight turns of the steering control. At high speeds, a quick turn can make the PWC unstable causing the operator and passengers to fall off. Because falling and taking spills is all part of the fun, everyone nboard a PWC must wear a PFD and should know how to swim.
Safety
Keep hands, feet, and hair away from the pump intake. When cleaning debris away from the pump intake, always shut the engine off.
Never exceed the manufacturer's recommended capacity for your PWC. Know your limits and ride according to your abilities.
If the PWC should turn over, the machine has a sticker to remind you which way to roll it. Rolling the vessel over the wrong way will let water into the engine, causing serious damage to it
Do not operate in shallow water as sand and vegetation will damage the PWC engine and the environment and damage the engine. Remember YOU are responsible if you damage the machine.
Courtesy On The Water
While these rules of courteous operation are especially important for PWC operators, they apply to all other boat operators as well.
Jumping the wake (waves left behind a moving boat) of a passing boat, or riding too close to another boat, creates special risks and is restricted or even prohibited in some states. Here's why:
Visibility around the boat making the wake may be blocked, both for the PWC operator and for oncoming traffic. It can be very stressful for boat operators to have PWC continually in close proximity to their boats.
Wake jumping and riding too close to other boats are common complaints boaters have against PWC operators.
Share the waterways responsibly with other boaters, fishermen, swimmers, surfers or skiers. Respect their right to use the waterways safely and enjoyably.
While these rules of courteous operation are especially important for PWC operators, they apply to all other boat operators as well.
LINKS
SCORVA Home Page
Other Helpful Sites
Just For The Kids
