Articles

Shopping for a UTV is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. There is a seemingly endless amount of options. With so many models and features to explore, where do you even start?

Here at Southern Illinois Motorsports, we strive to make your life easier. We've created the following side-by-side buyer's guide to help aid your search. If you have questions or want to shop UTVs for sale, head over to our powersports dealership in Carbondale, Illinois!

Many side-by-sides are made with a specific use in mind. They offer the features and specifications needed to excel at certain tasks. Think about the ways you'll use the UTV and the types of models that will best match.

If you'll be tackling property maintenance tasks, look for:

If you'll be enjoying recreational riding, seek out:

If you'll be using the UTV on hunting trips, consider:

Next, think about how many people will be riding in the UTV. Maybe you want to bring along extra hands to help with a project. Maybe you want to take your family for a thrilling ride. Whatever the situation, figure out how many seats the side-by-side needs to offer. Models can fit anywhere from two to six riders, so make sure to get a model with enough seats for everyone.

Next, factor in any unique challenges to the terrains you'll be exploring. For example, maybe you want to explore muddy or sandy areas. Get a model made with those terrains in mind. 

Or maybe you want to explore rocky areas. Get a model with high ground clearance. That way, the UTV can cruise over the obstacles without getting damaged.

Every side-by-side will come with standard safety features. But you may want to get even more. Common safety upgrades include windshields, side doors, and a full cab enclosure. These can help protect you from hazards during the ride, such as kicked-up debris or low-hanging branches. They also add extra protection in the event of a crash. 

We recommend all riders invest in extra safety features. New riders often make mistakes as they learn how to ride, which can create increased safety threats. Experienced riders take on more challenging trails, which can pose more serious safety threats. Whatever your experience level is, you can benefit from getting extra safety features.

There are plenty of accessories that improve the enjoyment of a UTV ride. For example, you could get a hard or soft top roof. It'll protect riders from unrelenting sun, rain, and so on. That way, you can still hit the trail when the weather is less-than-ideal. Spend some time researching side-by-side accessory options, then include the ones you want to get into your budget.

Ready to shop side-by-sides for sale? Check out the selection at Southern Illinois Motorsports. If you aren't sure which model to get, let our expert staff help. Simply tell us about your budget and lifestyle so that we can suggest the models that best meet your needs. We proudly serve those in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as Murphysboro and Marion, Illinois!

The snow’s coming down! That means it’s time to get your UTV ready for some winter riding. If you don’t want to stop the fun just because it gets a little cold, then we’ve got the guide for you. Check out our tips for riding in the snow and stop by Southern Illinois Motorsports with any other questions you might have. We’re in Carbondale, Illinois, serving Murphysboro and Marion, as well as our neighbors in St. Louis, Missouri, so visit us today!

The first thing you’ll need to address is your UTV. Getting your UTV ready for the snow and cold is going to help ensure the season won’t wear down on the machine and that you’ll still be able to use it to its full potential. Around our area, things can get cold. 

On top of that, if you’re going out of your way to find areas of the country that are even colder, then you’ll have to ensure your engine is ready for those frigid temperatures.

Make sure there’s no excess water in your coolant that could freeze and use engine fluids that’ll withstand the winter. Most of the fluids your side-by-side uses have a freezing point of well below 0°F, but it’s a good idea to check anyway.

Riding in the snow might require some specific upgrades. For example, to get better traction, you might want to use snow tires, as opposed to the ones you use for dirt or mudding. You can even ask about switching to tracks. If you want to use your side-by-side for plowing, there are attachments you can use to clear snow away from driveways and sidewalks. 

You might also want to take advantage of any covers you might have. UTVs are handy in that they can be more completely enclosed with the right cover. This can protect you from the chill and any sludgy precipitation that might be coming down. At the very least, we recommend a windshield to deflect some of the winds that’ll pick up once you get going. 

Now to get you ready. It’s already going to be cold, but once you get going, it’s going to feel even colder. Because of this, you might want to upgrade some of your safety gear to provide extra warmth. For example, a more enclosed helmet with goggles can help keep your face warm. You can also include gloves that are waterproof and insulated.

Speaking of insulation, what you wear is important. Of course, you’ll still want to prioritize safety, but to stay warm, you’ll want to wear layers. Each layer should get successively thicker and warmer, with the outermost layer being waterproof. Layers are better at providing insulation and they allow you to cool off more easily if you start to get too hot. 

Another part of preparing is making sure you know how to properly ride in the snow. Even with the right tires or tracks, you’ll need to slow down and take turns carefully to avoid losing traction. If you encounter ice, proceed with caution. At best, it’ll pose a slide risk, at worst it could be a serious danger. Avoid ice as much as possible, especially if temperatures have started warming up. If you can’t drive around ice, try to stick to the edges, where the ice will be the strongest. And, of course, all the standard safe riding practices still apply, like staying sober, hydrated, and rested. 

With the right strategy, your UTV experience doesn’t have to stop just because the snow starts coming down and it gets a little cold. To add some of the upgrades we mentioned earlier, talk to our experienced staff here at Southern Illinois Motorsports about what to get and how to get it installed. So stop on by! We welcome all those from Murphysboro and Marion, IL as well as St. Louis, MO.

Improve your next hunting trip by bringing your trusty UTV along! Use your side-by-side to transport all your gear, traverse difficult terrain with ease, and find the perfect location to wait for your prey. We've rounded up some of our favorite tips for making the most of your UTV hunting trip. If you want more strategies or want to explore side-by-sides for sale, head over to Southern Illinois Motorsports. Our dealership is located in Carbondale, IL. We also proudly serve those in Murphysboro and Marion, as well as our neighbors to the west in St. Louis, MO.

A successful hunting trip starts long before the hunting season. Scouting the location in advance will help you find the best place to set up camp. Your side-by-side can be a great resource for easily cruising around the terrain as you search for the best spot. Look for the types of vegetation that your prey will seek out and keep your eyes peeled for deer paths and trails. You'll also want to find a place with a perch where the wind will blow in your face, which helps you stay downwind of the prey so they don't smell you and leave.

One benefit of using your side-by-side on your trip is that you will be able to pack it full of gear for easy transport to your destination. You aren't limited solely by the items that you can carry by hand, which allows you to pack more cargo.

Start with a rifle scabbard. This will help keep your rifle and scope secure from the elements. It will also keep your weapon secure while you travel by UTV to your destination.

Another key piece of gear is a winch. Use it to pull game out of the brush and onto flat land for easier dressing. You can also outfit your side-by-side with a GPS. You can mark locations on the map that you will want to return to and easily find your way back to your tow vehicle.

When you cruise around the forest in your UTV, you could run the risk of your side-by-side making too much noise and scaring the game away. Fortunately, there are ways you can easily modify your UTV to help decrease the amount of sound it makes. 

First, remove or strap down any loose metal. It's amazing how loud of a clatter loose metal can create! Second, use soundproofing material, such as rubber, to reduce any rattling noises.

Third, keep up with your side-by-side maintenance. Many sounds that UTVs make are due to issues with the powersports vehicle. A whistling noise could be a leak or a crack in the exhaust. Brakes that make a loud, whining noise could be dealing with mud and sand caught in the brake calipers or between the brake pad and rotor. Screeching wheels could be caused by water and mud in the wheel bearings. Regular maintenance can help keep these noisy problems from arising, so be sure to keep up your maintenance schedule. If you start noticing issues, you will want to get them repaired as soon as possible.

We hope you found these side-by-side hunting tips helpful. If you’re in St Louis, MO, or Murphysboro, IL, and want some more hunting strategies or to check out UTVs for sale, visit Southern Illinois Motorsports. Our expert staff is happy to assist you in finding the perfect model for your lifestyle and budget, so stop by today.