Preparing Your ATV For Mud

One of the most thrilling and messy ways to use your ATV is to take it mudding, and chances are your ride can handle it—after all, it’s an all-terrain vehicle! But mud can cause a number of problems for an unprepared quad, and it only has to go wrong once to cost you time and money.

We here at Ball Equipment want to help you keep your ATV healthy and mudding-ready, so we’ve put together a few things you may need before your next mudding trip, below. To learn more, or to see the ATVs and ATV accessories we have for sale, contact our stores in Richmond and Sandusky, Michigan, today!

For You

We have a few things your ATV may need to be equipped with listed below, but step one is making sure you’re outfitted properly as well. First, you need a well-fitted crash-test-certified helmet. Mud can hide hard surfaces, rocks, and other debris that can do a number on your noggin, so it’s best to play it safe. Full-face coverage is ideal, but a motocross helmet with a good pair of goggles will suffice as well.

You should also protect the rest of your body while you’re at it, meaning durable, full-coverage clothing. Even if it’s hot out, you’d rather be sweating than injured. Breathable fabrics can help minimize the heat factor. Gloves will help you stay in control even if your hands are muddy or sweaty, and sturdy boots that go above your ankles can keep you from rolling them.

For the ATV

Snorkel Kits

It can be hard to tell just how deep a mud puddle is, and if it’s too deep then water and mud can get into your ATV’s exhaust system—which is a serious problem. Luckily, with the right add-ons and upgrades, even getting half-submerged won’t kill your engine.

First and foremost is a snorkel kit. These upgrades provide your ATV with extended air intakes, similar to how a snorkel lets you get air while you’re underwater. They also give extended CVT inlets and outlet exhausts, all of which works together to keep vulnerable parts of your ATV dry.

Mudguard Kits

While the snorkel will keep your ATV from getting too waterlogged or muddy, you’re still likely to splash around. If you’re traveling in a group, it’s best to be courteous and not fling mud onto other people or their machines, as well. A mudguard kit provides plastic fenders that can reduce the mud sprayed around by your tires, which can also help protect your ATV further!

Mud Tires

Most ATVs come with fairly standard all-terrain tires, but these are jacks of all trades. Mud tires have enhanced traction and are more buoyant, helping keep you in control and above the mud. Just don’t drive them on hard surfaces!

For more information, or to see the ATVs and ATV accessories we have available, contact us at Ball Equipment. We proudly serve the people of Richmond, Sandusky, and Detroit, Michigan—let us serve you today!