Riding Your UTV in the Snow
Even though winter is on its way here in Illinois, you may still want to ride your powersports vehicle through the cold weather. Riding your UTV in the snow is a great way to explore nature from a new perspective and it’s certain to get your blood pumping. But because of the cold and the dangers presented by snow, you’ll need to take some extra precautions and plan accordingly to keep yourself and your fellow passengers safe on the trip.
Gina's Motorsports of Monee is proud to be your Illinois UTV dealer, so we’ve assembled these tips for riding your UTV in the snow to help you enjoy all that winter has to offer!
Get Your UTV Cold-Weather Ready
You should begin the process by ensuring that your UTV is ready for cold weather conditions. Swap out engine fluids for winter-friendly products, like adding antifreeze to your coolant. You may want to invest in snow tires or chains to improve your traction on the cold, wet stuff, too. A snowplow attachment is a useful way to clear the path ahead for yourself and for other vehicles, and it can do double-duty by helping you keep your driveway clear at home! Adding a cover or a windshield (or both!) to your UTV will help to shelter you and your passengers from the cold and from light precipitation, too.
Keep Yourself Warm
Your next priority is to keep yourself and everyone else in your UTV warm and dry! Bundling up in layers is a smart move, since it allows you to add or take off layers as needed. Wicking wool or acrylic clothing is best, since these materials prevent sweat from sticking to you and freezing. Make sure that you’re still wearing the necessary safety gear like a well-fitting helmet for extreme sports riding, eye protection in the form of goggles or a face mask, ankle boots with good tread and riding gloves that are insulated and have good grip. You might even want to invest in handwarmers to keep in your pockets. Your outer layer should be wind-resistant and waterproof. Snow pants and a snow jacket may be your best bet for riding in winter weather.
Practice Good Safety
You’ll also need to take your standard safety game up a notch when it comes to riding your UTV in the snow. Slipping on ice or snow is a hazard you’ll want to watch out for, even with the appropriate tires, so it’s best to go at a slow to moderate pace, rather than trying to book it full-speed ahead.
Keep yourself hydrated and well-fed with plenty of high-calorie snacks, since your body will be burning more energy to stay warm. Ride during daylight hours and only in good weather conditions. Checking the forecast before you head to the off-roading area or trail is a smart move, too. Watch for people, animals and other vehicles in your path so that you have ample time to stop with your reduced traction.
And, as ever, ride while sober and alert, not when you’re sick, tired, hungover or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Remember that even some prescription medications can reduce your ability to operate heavy machinery, so talk to your doctor if you have concerns in this arena.
Come see us in Monee, Illinois, to take a tour of our full stock of new and used UTVs for sale. You can talk to our staff about snow-ready UTVs and modifications that you can make to improve your traction on icy ground. Gina’s Motorsports of Monee welcomes all of our customers throughout Chicago and Kankakee County, Illinois.