Preparing for Your First UTV Ride

Your first UTV is an exciting time! But it can also be nerve wracking as any new experience tends to be. Calm those nerves by reading the following guide to preparing for your first side by side ride. Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy a great time. For all your side x side needs, visit Family Powersports Lubbock. We proudly serve those in Lubbock, Texas.

Get Ready to Get Dirty

UTVs are designed to plow right through Mother Nature with speed and force. This is a recipe for kicking up dirt, dust, mud, rocks, and other pieces of debris. Each time you cruise on through a puddle or creek, you’re likely to get splashed. By the end of your side by side ride, you probably will look as if you took a few tumbles in the dirt.

This isn’t the time to wear nice clothes – grunge it up! You’ll want to wear clothes that are sturdy and easily washable (but you won’t be too heartbroken if that stain doesn’t come out). You’ll also want to cover and store any delicate personal belongings (especially electronics). The mud, dust, and water will go everywhere and seems to always find delicate surfaces like your phone screen or camera lens.

Get the Safety Gear

Riding a side x side is not an inherently safe activity. You’ll want to throw on all the right gear to help protect yourself against this fact. While UTVs drive similar to cars and even offer the same seat belts, gas and brake pedals, and headlights, they are much more dangerous. They lack a ceiling and hard sides, which is how dangerous injuries happen. The protection just isn’t there.

You’ll need a well-fitting helmet of course. You can pick up a motorcycle or motocross helmet (since there isn’t a big selection of side x side helmets and you don’t need one tailored for side by side riding anyway).

You’ll also need a form of eye protection. If your helmet comes with a visor. then you are good to go. If not, then you’ll want a pair of goggles. As for your clothing, you’ll need full-length clothing. It’ll protect you from the beating sun, bitterly cold wind, and from the ground in the event of a crash.

Follow the Leader

It’s always good to ride UTVs in a group. If someone gets hurt or needs assistance, there is someone ready to help. As a new rider, it also helps to follow a more experienced side by side rider. They can blaze the trail ahead for you and all you need to do is follow their footsteps. You’ll still need to proactively scan the road for hazards, such as a pothole or an animal darting in your path. But you can do so with a bit of ease that the trail has already been blazed by an expert and deemed safe. They can keep you on the routes best suited for your ability level. It helps keep your side x side lower stress, which means a more enjoyable time for you!

Have Fun

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by your first side by side ride. You’re worried about making a mistake or forgetting how to do something. A little bit of nerves helps keep you focused, but don’t forget that you are out there to have fun! Relax, trust yourself, and enjoy your side by side ride!

We hope you found our guide helpful! For all your side by side needs, visit Family Powersports Lubbock. We offer a range of new and used UTVs for sale. We also offer parts replacement and service options. We proudly serve those in Lubbock, Lake Tanglewood, Plainview, and Seminole, Texas.