Before you hit the open trail, you will want to do everything you can to ensure a safe riding experience. While you can't prevent every situation from happening, you can reduce the chances of injury or damage to your side-by-side. We've rounded up proactive tips to staying safe on your ride below. If you have questions or want to check out UTVs for sale, head over to Lawton Motorsports. Our dealership is located in Lawton, Oklahoma. We also proudly serve those in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Wear the Right Gear

Before you hop aboard your UTV, you will want to ensure you are wearing the proper safety gear. You'll need a well-fitting and crash-tested helmet. Add some form of eye protection, such as sturdy goggles or a face mask, to protect your eyes from kicked-up dust and debris. Use full-length and sturdy clothing to shield your skin from scrapes. Sturdy gloves protect your hands and help improve your grip.

Pack a Safety Kit

A side-by-side will offer plenty of storage space and some of it should be dedicated to a safety kit. You will want tire patches, a flashlight, screwdrivers, wrenches, and an air compressor. These can help you handle minor repairs on your utility vehicle so that you can keep riding, rather than visit a mechanic. Of course, if you encounter a bigger repair issue you will want to head to a UTV repair shop as soon as possible.

You will also want a first aid safety kit. Make sure you've got bandages, ointment, over-the-counter medications for minor illnesses, and so on. Pack an emergency radio and a charger for your phone to ensure you've got multiple ways to call for help if needed.

Adjust Your Ride

Not all UTV rides are the same. There are many factors that can affect your ride such as the time of day, the weather, the trail itself, and your skill level. You may often encounter a situation that merits adjusting how you ride, such as reduced visibility due to fog or a trail with new unmarked obstacles. Be alert to any affecting factors and adjust your ride as necessary.

Take Care of Your UTV

Your utility vehicle needs to be in good condition for you to enjoy a safe ride. Make sure you regularly inspect your side-by-side to ensure everything is working well and there are no issues. Otherwise, you could end up with an issue on the trail. Much better to uncover a problem now in the security of your driveway than out in the middle of the woods.

Start by inspecting the tires. Make sure they are inflated to the right air pressure level and have enough tread. Next, check your fluid quality and levels and top off anything that is low. Then, inspect your brakes and electrical systems to ensure everything is working well. 

Beyond regular inspections, you will want to keep up with regular utility vehicle maintenance. Your owner's manual should tell you what steps to take, how often to take them, and whether there are any certain products you should use. For example, it will tell you when to replace tires because their tread is too low or how often to conduct an oil change. Some maintenance tasks you can handle on your own, but when you need to call in the professionals head over to our service department.

We hope you found this guide helpful! For more advice or to explore side-by-sides for sale, visit Lawton Motorsports. Our expert staff is happy to answer questions and offer advice, so stop by and visit our dealership today. You'll find us in Lawton, Oklahoma, and we also proudly serve those in Edmond.