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Getting Started with Side-by-Sides

Written by ATV Escape Staff

Yamaha Rhino Polaris Ranger RZR

Side-by-sides have grown in popularity in the last few years, and now represent the leading area of growth in the ATV segment. Side-by-sides offer some great benefits. They have been around for many years, but mostly for utilitarian purposes. Kawasaki has had the Mule out for years, and Polaris has had the Ranger line. Until recent years, “sport” was not a thought that popped into a person’s head when he thought about a side-by-side. Now the field is full of contenders offering Sport models. So put on your helmet, buckle your safety belt, pick a direction, slam the throttle down, and hang on for a great ride.

Side-by-sides have a range of great benefits by comparison to traditional ATVs, and many of the models out now can pull double duty as work horses or as really fun rides. Side-by-sides allow you to carry a passenger with you to hit the dunes, trails, or mud holes, or to help with the fence on the back forty. One is great, but two are better (except maybe for in-laws). Sitting in a vehicle also appeals to some people more than sitting on an ATV, as does the ability to tag along without having to drive (or so I have been told….I myself would much rather drive). Side-by-sides also offer users the ability to carry along more cargo than traditional ATVs do. With all of these benefits, they also have some limitations. Many Side-by-sides are substantially wider than a traditional ATV. In some states, the law considers ATV's to be defined as no more than 48 to 50 inches wide. All side-by-sides, with the exception of the Polaris Ranger RZR, exceed that width. The result is the inability to travel on public trails which restrict width to 50 inches. Trails without such restrictions still may be difficult to traverse because of the shear size of side-by-sides. In the world of ATVs, size does matter. The pros and cons to side-by-sides need to be considered before spending around $10,000 for a vehicle.

Side-by-sides generally can be broken into three groups: those which are mostly for utility, those mostly designed for sport and utility, and those designed for sport with the ability to do a little utility also. Until recently, the latter category didn't exist. Polaris created this segment within the side-by-side market with the introduction of the Ranger RZR. The RZR is definitely designed for sport over any utility use even though it has a little pick-up bed. The width of the RZR is 50 inches, making it the only machine in the segment which can travel almost all trails. Kawasaki then came out with the Teryx which is more designed for sport, but its size is still more for sport and utility. The Yamaha Rhino would also fall into the sport and utility segment. The Rhino is the best-selling side-by-side on the market for any kind of recreational use, and most would consider that it actually started the sport and utility side-by-side segment of the market. On the utility side, you have the Kawasaki Mule and the Polaris Ranger. Both of these models have been around for quite some time, and though they have sportier models of both, they are still primarily for utility. Sounds simple enough, right? Honda, Kymco, and Bobcat also have thrown their hats into the side-by-side ring with the ‘09 models, and more manufacturers will surely follow. All of the manufacturers make comparable side-by-sides, and, as always, you can narrow your choices down by how you are going to use your own machine.

The good news is that most all manufacturers have only a couple of different option packages for their side-by-sides. These packages mainly consist of engine size, and a sport model. Most models come fully loaded, so your choices will be minimal. What is not minimal is the price tag. Side-by-sides are priced higher than traditional ATVs. Prepare to spend $10,000 or more on many of the models now on the market. Once you purchase a side-by-side you now have to accessorize it, and, as with traditional ATVs, there are many options from which to choose. Skid plates, tires, wheels, shocks, gun racks...the list is endless, especially with many new accessories coming out daily. Prepare to spend considerably more money after your initial purchase.

This is a “crash course” in side-by-sides, and should get you started. We will include a basic list below of the different manufacturers and what side-by-side categories their models fall into. This market segment has virtually “caught fire” with manufacturers, riders, and aftermarket manufacturers---with many more things to come.

Below is a basic list of side-by-sides on the market in their respected segments. We will add to the list as more become available.