With more and more manufacturers stepping up to the call for quality side-by-side machines, there are plenty of things for new owners to know. Just because you can buy them from the same dealer you'd buy your ATVs from, doesn't necessarily mean that the maintenance is the same. There are quite a few things that you can apply from your ATV to your side-by-side.
If you've ever purchased any kind of aftermarket part for your quad, you know that there are things to test before you ever get out on the trail. Just in case you haven't done anything like this before or are completely new to the sport, we're here to help. This is where your friendly staff at ATVR comes into play. We've taken our years of ATV and off-road experience to give you 35 helpful tips that'll make your side-by-side experience a fun and trouble-free one.
1. Check Your Tire Pressures
Like with any vehicle, be it an ATV or automobile, you want to have your tire pressures properly set. If you have a tire that's running lower than the others, it can result in an ill-handling machine that can cause trouble for you down the road.
2. Install An Hourmeter
To keep your vehicle running at its best, you need to service it at regular intervals. An easy way to stay on top of this task is to install an hourmeter. This way you know exactly how much time you have between each service.
3. Sure Footing Inside The Cab
Pretty much every side-by-side has a smooth plastic floorboard. When you go through any kind of water or mud, it's inevitable that your feet will be sliding all over the place. A simple solution is to get some grip tape from your local skateboard shop and cover the floor of your machine. This will give you sure footing in any conditions.
4. Aftermarket Suspension
A great way to improve the handling of your machine is to install an aftermarket suspension system. This can give your quad a wider stance and increased wheel travel for a smoother ride. During installation make sure there's no binding through the full range of travel. Binding can lead to premature part failure and an early end to your day.
5. Run The Correct Tire Sizes All The Way Around
This is a very important tip. By running different tire sizes, you can cause binding in the drivetrain and damage the transmission when you engage the four-wheel-drive on your quad. Even tire sizes have all components moving at equal speeds.
6. Don't Overload
Most side-by-sides have motors that come from their ATV counterparts. The ATVs probably didn't weigh any more than 500 or 600 pounds, and you figure that your side-by-side is almost double that without a driver or passenger. Overloading the weight limit with excess cargo in the bed can put excessive strain on the engine, drive belt and even suspension components, which lead to early failure.
7. Proper Securing For Transportation
When you're transporting your machine from one place to the next, make sure you have good-quality tiedowns. Ratchet tiedowns work best, and make sure you secure them to a strong point of the frame. If you hook it to a suspension point, the unit can shift and cause the hook to come off.
8. Maximize Your Accessory Placement
Unlike an ATV, you have a full roll cage around you so take advantage of it. With a simple bungee cord you can secure things, such as flashlights, shovels and other similar items to your cage without any modifications.
9. Wheel Offset Options
If you want to widen your side-by-side but don't want to spend the thousands of dollars on aftermarket A-arms, you still can. Many aftermarket wheel companies offer their wheels in a wide variety of offsets which can allow you to go from 2-6 inches wider than stock per side.
10. Proper Tire Selection
When you purchase new tires make sure that you're getting the right one for the terrain and conditions you'll be in. If you do most of your driving in the desert or sand dunes, an aggressive mud tire will probably not be the best choice for you. Many owners have even opted to run automotive light truck tires for tread longevity and puncture resistance.
11. Check Your Frame For Weakness
When these machines were first designed, most of the manufacturers never imagined the abuse they would undergo. Speaking from experience, we push these machines to the limits every time we're in the driver's seat. After every few trips it's recommended to pull off the bodywork and inspect the frame for cracks or stress. If a stress point is caught early on, you can gusset that particular area and prevent it from getting worse.