UTV Safety 101

Utility terrain vehicles, or UTVs, also known as side-by-sides, are infinitely practical and useful vehicles. People in many different industries operate them as a means of transportation, as a way of towing trailers or equipment and they’re also used for recreational off-roading pursuits.

But these powersports vehicles present some risks to their riders, which is why taking safety seriously is essential when you own a UTV. Not sure where to start? Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont is your Texas UTV dealer. Here are some important safety tips to keep you and your passengers safe while off-roading or working.

1. Gear Up

UTVs can be risky to ride, so you should make sure that you and your passengers are dressed for the adventure. First and foremost, everyone should wear a helmet while riding a UTV. Either a motorcycle helmet with a full face mask or a motocross helmet and a pair of goggles will do nicely. This is to protect your head in case of an impact event where you’re thrown from the vehicle. The face mask or goggles help to shield your eyes from flying debris.

The rest of your attire doesn’t need to be anything special, but it shouldn’t be a T-shirt and flip-flops, either. Wear long sleeves and pants in a sturdy fabric to protect you from the sun and scrapes from branches. A pair of ankle boots with good tread and tucked-in laces is the best footwear. Riding gloves with good grip will help you keep your hands on the wheel. You may want to outfit children with chest plates or other gear for maximum protection, too. Ensure that everyone wears their seatbelt while you ride!

2. Inspect Your UTV

Before each ride, take a few minutes to walk around your UTV and give it a good once-over. You’re looking for obvious signs of damage or disrepair, such as worn parts or loose fasteners. You should also use a tire-pressure gauge to check the tire pressure in all four wheels and examine them for any flaws. Check your oil as you would with a car and fill up your tank fully with the appropriate gasoline for your vehicle.

3. Stock Your Vehicle

Your UTV has lots of storage space, so make sure you use it wisely! Carry a tool kit for making minor adjustments, a tire-patch kit and air compressor, food and water, an emergency radio, a first-aid kit and your cell phone with its charger. You don’t want to be stranded out in the wilderness with no way to address a flat tire or other issue.

4. Perform Regular Maintenance

Any vehicle with an engine is going to require maintenance and UTVs are no different. Follow the maintenance suggestions in your owner’s manual when it comes to performing oil changes and swapping out filters. Make sure that you replace worn tires promptly. If you need some professional assistance in maintaining your UTV, you can always get in touch with the service department here at Cowboy Powersports. Our mechanics will be glad to address any issues you may be having with your side-by-side and get you back to riding.

5. Exercise Caution While Riding

It should go without saying that you should never operate a side-by-side while under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, just like you wouldn’t drive a car after using these substances. Drugs and alcohol lower your inhibitions and make you more reckless, and they also slow your reflexes. If you take prescription medications, you may want to check with your doctor to see if they hamper your ability to operate heavy machinery.

When riding on trails, follow posted guidelines in terms of speed and where you can go. Do not drive off an established trail: you may hit an unseen obstacle or damage the surrounding environment. Watch ahead for animals, people and other vehicles in your path. When using your UTV for work, ensure that no one is in front of you or behind you when operating your vehicle and don’t exceed its weight capacities.

We hope these tips help you to enjoy your UTV experiences. If you’re looking for UTVs for sale, Cowboy Powersports is where you want to go. Check out our selection of new and used side-by-sides for sale at our Beaumont, TX, dealership location. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of