What To Look For When Buying A Side-By-Side
A utility terrain vehicle, commonly known as a UTV or a side-by-side, is a type of powersports vehicle that can host anywhere from two to six passengers. Side-by-sides can be for recreational or work purposes, with some models capable of traveling on nature trails and others better suited to open off-roading areas.
If you’re interested in buying a side-by-side, you may be wondering what you need to think about before you make a decision. 2Brothers Powersports, located in Onalaska, Wisconsin, is proud to be your local side-by-side dealer. Here are some of our recommendations for things you’ll want to consider when shopping for the ideal side-by-side for your riding needs.
What’s The Purpose?
First, think about how you plan to use your side-by-side.
- Are you going to make it a utilitarian vehicle that helps you with work tasks on the farm, ranch or construction site?
- Do you own a landscaping business and want easy transport for your work crews and their gear?
- Do you perform regular maintenance on large properties or need to transport students or residents around a big campus?
A more utility-focused side-by-side will have higher hauling capacities and more cargo space, though it may be bulkier.
Would you prefer to use your side-by-side for recreational riding? Many trails can accommodate UTVs under 50” wide, so you’ll want to make sure you get a model that’s suitably sized for trail riding. General off-roading will require a smaller and more agile side-by-side that’s faster and easy to handle on difficult terrain. You can also find models that can serve both work and play purposes, if you want something that’s more dual-purpose.
What’s Your Budget?
Your next order of business is to think carefully about how much you can afford to spend. Side-by-sides aren’t cheap, after all, and you don’t want to put yourself into debt with a model that you can’t really afford. Determine what you can comfortably spend after looking up some price ranges. Don’t forget to think about aftermarket additions, safety gear, insurance, and maintenance costs when developing your budget, as these are all important components of owning a side-by-side.
How Many People?
As we noted above, side-by-sides are capable of seating anywhere from two to six people. The seats are generally arranged in rows of two. If you’re traveling alone or with one other person, then you obviously won’t need more than one row of seats. However, if you’re transporting a work crew or your family, you’re going to need one of those four- or six-seat models. If you’re transporting work crews, you may want a roomier model with more storage space at the rear or between the seats for their tools and other gear.
What Features Do You Want?
Finally, it’s important to think about what additional features you may want on your UTV to provide you with more comfort, security, and utility. If you plan to ride for long hours, comfortable seating should be a priority, and some models even have adjustable seats. Going out in inclement weather or into the hot sun? A model with a roof will shield you from rain and sun. Want to prevent objects from hitting you? Get a side-by-side equipped with a windshield to deflect debris. Have a lot of obstacles to travel over? A model with higher ground clearance is essential to help you cross that uneven terrain. Need to plow snow? Get the attachment.
In Closing
Visit our dealership to take a look at our current stock of new and used side-by-sides for sale, including models by Honda®, Can-Am®, and Yamaha. We offer financing options that you can take advantage of, along with our next-level service. We also have pick-up and delivery options available, and our set-up and operation verification is completed by our certified technicians. 2Brothers Powersports proudly serves the cities of Madison, Eau Claire, and La Crosse, Wisconsin.
