ATV & SXS - UTV Product Reviews

Cell phones have burrowed their way into almost every type of activity these days.  They’re handy tools that can be a map, a gps system, a source of information, and even a rescue lifeline.  Thanks to countless apps, placing actual calls has almost become a secondary function, but other than a few techno-geeks who camp out overnight in front of the Apple store, most of us also feel a little too connected at times.  Nevertheless, if you’ve got a problem far from camp, you’ll happily grab your phone for help or directions.

Yamaha was onto something when they introduced electronic power steering with their 2007 Grizzly ATV.  Since then more and more models either come equipped with EPS, or it’s at least an option right from the factory.  The advantages of power steering – less steering effort, reduced kickback, less arm fatigue – are hard to ignore, but not every machine has it.  Wicked Bilt can cure that!       

Anyone who has ever tried a Polaris Ranger 800 can tell you it’s a fantastic machine.  We’ve even named it Side x Side of the year in its class several times.  Accessories can make an already great vehicle even better, however, and to complement the working capabilities of our trusty Ranger 800, we decided it was time to add a front winch.  

Whether you ride an ATV, a sporty Side x Side, or a hard working UTV, if you’re going to haul it, you’re also going to need ramps.  Most ATV ramps easily handle the weight of the ATV and rider, but are dangerously overloaded with a Side x Side that is often more than double the quad’s weight.  Crashing to the ground as an undersized ramp collapses, and in the process screwing up your machine, your truck, and possibly you, is not the way to start a great weekend of riding.

Your front and rear drive shafts are some of the most vital and most vulnerable parts on your machine.  Whether you drive a Can-Am, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, or any brand though, once you tear the boot covering the articulating CV joint and a little water or grit enters the joint, it’s sayonara for the joint; it’s truly amazing how fast it happens.

Part of the fun in ATVs and Side x Sides is spinning wrenches from time to time and installing modifications.  We’ve seen all manner of modifications over the years, from highly modified mud runners, to powerful motocross racers designed to soak up the biggest jumps with ease, to rock crawlers that can climb crab-like over boulders we can’t even walk up.  The owners always love their ride, and they also love to talk about it, but we’ve never heard anybody brag about their oil filter.

A new set of gloves is always nice, but it’s not usually something we get overly excited about.  After all, if they fit well and keep our hands protected or warm, we’re usually “happy, happy, happy,” as the guy from Duck Dynasty would say.  Recently though, we tried a new set of gloves from Cabela’s that took hand comfort and convenience to a whole new level.

Woods Powr-Grip has been making tools for lifting and maneuvering difficult to grip pieces such as glass, stone, metal, etc. for almost 50 years.  Their gripping tools can be found working away on automotive assembly lines, installing glass panels on new skyscrapers, and even in the car repair shop pulling dents from body panels.  If you’ve got a tough surface to work with, they’ve got a tool that can get the job done.

Many off-roaders like to modify their machines or even fabricate their own parts.  There’s something very satisfying about saying “I built it myself”, and with the right tools in your shop much can be accomplished.  Whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a professional fabricator though, sooner or later you’ll need bent tubing for your project and the right tool for making smooth, strong, consistent bends is a tubing bender.  When you need one nothing else will do.  Rogue Fabrication has your next favorite tool.  

Part of the fun in any outdoor adventure is cooking out, and it seems everything tastes better outside.  For the past few years, Yamaha has been partnering with Camp Chef to provide the cooking gear for our desert oasis and they could hardly do any better.  Camp Chef has a huge lineup of high quality outdoor cooking equipment.  Whether you’re grilling brats at a pre-game tailgate party outside the stadium, making flap jacks for the crew at the hunting cabin, or warming up a single can of soup on your climb to the summit, they’ve got the perfect tool for you.