Quad Bike Safety Tips: Understanding Centre of Gravity

Quad bikes are one of the most useful machines on the farm, but they’re also one of the most dangerous if not handled correctly. A key factor in staying safe on a quad is understanding centre of gravity: how weight shifts on your machine, and how that affects stability.

At Farm Wise Skill Safe, we train operators across New Zealand in safe quad handling. Here’s a breakdown of what every rider should know.

What is Centre of Gravity on a Quad?

Every machine has a centre of gravity, the point where its weight is balanced. On a quad bike, there are two main types:

• Longitudinal centre of gravity: running front to back along the bike.

• Lateral centre of gravity: running side to side across the bike.

If you could run a steel rod through the exact middle of the bike, it would balance perfectly. But shift the weight even slightly to one side - like carrying gear or leaning too far - and the centre of gravity changes, affecting stability.

The Dynamic Centre of Gravity

Beyond static balance, there’s also a dynamic centre of gravity - the shifting of weight when the bike is moving.

Think of a motorbike doing a wheelie or braking hard on its nose. That sudden acceleration or deceleration moves all the weight to one end.

On a quad, the same thing can happen if you:

• Ride across a slope and hit a hidden bump.

• Carry a heavy load that shifts suddenly.

• Brake sharply while on uneven ground.

This shift can quickly move your centre of gravity downhill, leading to a rollover before you have time to react.

Why Loads Matter

The stability of a quad isn’t just about the machine, it’s also about what’s on it.

Anything above the seat raises the centre of gravity and makes the bike less stable.

• Dogs: Sitting on the carrier can move unexpectedly.

• Bales of hay: Add extra top-heavy weight.

• Spray tanks: Especially dangerous, sloshing water shifts suddenly to one side, pulling the quad over.

One of the worst mistakes is carrying a passenger on one side with their feet in the footwell. This throws the balance completely off, making a rollover much more likely.

If you must carry a second person (now legal in emergency situations), keep speeds very low and always prioritise safety.

Key Takeaways for Safer Quad Use

1. Know your limits – The bike might feel unstable before it actually reaches tipping point, but never push those limits.

2. Secure your loads – Avoid carrying loose or shifting weight above the seat.

3. Respect dynamic forces – Speed, bumps, and sudden movements change stability instantly.

4. Avoid passengers – Quads are designed for one rider. Carrying more than that is risky.

   
   

Final Thoughts

Understanding centre of gravity is one of the most important lessons in quad bike safety. Staying alert to how weight shifts, whether from the terrain, speed, or what you’re carrying - can mean the difference between a safe ride and a rollover.

At Farm Wise Skill Safe, we’re committed to building practical skills for safer farming. Our quad safety training covers not just theory, but hands-on techniques to keep you and your team safe in real-world conditions.

For more information on our Quad courses and other training opportunities, contact us at kevinm@fwskillsafe.com