Back

Finding the Perfect UTV

May. 27 2022 Buying Guide By Gina's Motorsports of Monee

Share

Whether you’re in need of a dependable-yet-compact workhorse or just want a safe-yet-powerful vehicle to go off-roading in, one of your best bets is going to be a UTV. Utility terrain vehicles, also known as side-by-sides, are hardy, fun, and rugged machines, but sorting through all your options can sometimes be a hassle.

We here at Gina’s Motorsports of Monee want to help you get exactly the tool or toy you’re looking for, so we’ve put together some tips on buying the right UTV, below. To learn more, or to see the UTVs we have for sale, contact our store in Monee, Illinois, today!

Passengers

Bringing friends and family along on off-roading trips can be a blast, and bringing people to help you on a work project can sometimes be a necessity. UTVs have more seating than most off-roading vehicles, but it’s important to know how many seats you’ll need beforehand in order to narrow down your possibilities.

The average range for a UTV’s seating is for between 2-6 people. Try to find a balance between the most seats you know you’ll need and not paying for too much machine—too few seats and you’ll need to make multiple trips and leave some people behind, but too many and you’re wasting fuel and space. 

Location

The standard UTV is designed to travel on hard packed earth, but more challenging or specific terrains may require a more specialized model. Rocky terrain, for instance, can be brutal on your average UTV’s undercarriage, scraping and denting it and causing expensive internal damage. For terrain like that, you’ll want a UTV with a higher ground clearance to avoid all of that.

Consider the terrains you want to explore, what challenges they pose, and what features or styles a UTV will need to combat them properly.

Usage

Finally, keep in mind how you plan to use the UTV so you know what amenities and features it needs. Make sure that the UTV will need as few aftermarket upgrades, add-ons, or modifications as possible to get it where you need it. For instance:

  • Farming: Prioritize compact size to fit through gates and a cargo bed or towing capacity to haul tools and materials.
  • Hunting: Find a model with matte finishes, a camouflage paint job, and quieter engine to avoid scaring your game.
  • Landscaping: Focus on storage capacity and fuel efficiency to ensure you’ve got all your tools and minimize overhead costs.

Ready to see what the right UTV can do for you? If you have any questions about how to find the perfect match, or you just want to browse through the UTVs we have in stock, contact us at Gina’s Motorsports of Monee. We proudly serve the people of Chicago and Kankakee County, Illinois—let us serve you today!