Features

-- Building the ultimate 2-stroke quad -- Honda TRX250Rs don’t have fans. They attract devotees—riders and owners with a two-stroke obsession that infests every cell with a sneaky efficiency that would make a papa virus proud. Like many TRX250R obsessions, Eric Christiansen’s started out many years ago. When he bought this machine 20 years ago, it was a wedding gift for his wife. Yes, we have all heard the “it’s for my wife” line before, but she actually spent a lot of time riding it for the first six years they owned…

-- 10 to 16 year olds in the UTV World Championships -- Youth off-road racing has now grown beyond the age limit of the 170 and 250 classes. In 2019, the UTV World Championship will introduce the Youth Production 570 Class that will showcase racers from ages 10 to 16. “ The Youth Production 570 Class is the perfect bridge to the full size production classes and gives young racers time to develop their driving skills and learn the basics of off-road racing. The future of off-road racing starts here at the UTV World…

-- Keep your drinks cool on hot rugged rides -- We are accustomed to going to Assault Industries when we want hard parts—stuff whittled and welded from steel, aluminum and even shaped from glass. But, the popular aftermarket builder has soft items as well. One is the handy and effective off-road cooler bag. It comes in white or black. At first we groaned when we saw the white color, but went ahead and tossed it in the back seat of a RZR XP 4 Turbo S for days in the dunes. We loaded the bag with bottles of water and cans…

-- Single seater build by Sector 7 -- Pro Moto Billet has been an innovator in off-road for many years. It started with billet parts, added Fastway to the stable, and now has brought its own brand of innovation to the UTV market. Its signature UTV part is a truly exceptional mirror set with powerful built-in lights that illuminate ahead and to the side. Do we have lights available? Or mirrors? Certainly, but Pro Moto Billet’s UTV arm, Sector 7, is combining both in a quality, innovative package. PMB is a family company,…

-- Testing top-of-the-line foot protection -- Convincing ATV riders to wear a motocross-style boot is a difficult task. Most 4x4 riders wear shoes or work boots, and we see too much of that on sport quads as well. The riders that wear true moto-style boots are generally racers, or riders who like to ride as fast as they would racing. Just because your foot won’t hit the dirt as consistently as it would on a dirt bike doesn’t mean the protection and stability of a motocross boot isn’t worth it. Hard landings, the jerking…

-- Fast facts on the big 4x4 quads from Polaris -- You may not always need it, but it’s nice to have massive quantities of horsepower available to your right thumb. Big engines in 4x4 quads are not just about high horsepower, though; it’s also about strong, stump-pulling torque at lower rpm. You basically move quickly down the trail with less pressure on the throttle and an engine running at lower revolutions per minute. If that’s the kind of riding you prefer, then these big Polaris Sportsman quads were made for you.…

 -- Shopping for the best deal -- By D. West In the February issue we have the “2019 UTV Buyer’s Guide.” You’ll find every available model with photos, prices, information and abbreviated quick specs. We went to great lengths to round up the complete list of choices for you to consider. It’s just a matter of studying the 2019 lineup and picking the right one for you. Okay, we know it’s not always that easy. My buddy Scott is a good example of that.  Just recently Scott showed me a brochure and said, “Here it is,…

-- A modern version from 220 Trikes LLC -- If you're looking for the latest new 3-Wheeler with KTM flavor then this is the machine for you. The man responsible for this machine is Michael Noska who owns 220 Trikes LLC, which is a company that specializes in building 3-wheelers. Michael started this conversion with a 2006 KTM 450exc and turned it into a modern day 3 wheeler using all KTM components except for the customized Lonestar swing arm.  The seat, rear fenders, subframe, and grab bar are all OEM KTM 450xc ATV…

Another year has passed already and the 2019 Nitto King of the Hammers delivered great rock and desert racing action. Hammer town opened on February 1st, and  once again holds some of the best products on display by vendors with live footage of the racers battling through giant boulders, deep sand and flat out desert sections. Last year, over 60,000 spectators, racers, pit crew, vendors, and more set up camp at KOH and each year the numbers grow, just like the UTV competitor numbers do. Over 100 teams entered the…

-- On sale now: March 2019 Dirt Wheels -- Full report on the exciting new performance UTV from Honda. Plus, this issue is packed with lots of other good stuff you'll want to see. Make sure you pick up a copy at your local newsstand.  Or, you can do what most people do and have us deliver Dirt Wheels to your home every month. You get 12 issues for a super low discount price and you also get a $25 gift card. Look over the special offer here> https://hi-torque.com/product/dirt-wheels-holiday/ For a preview of what's…

-- Testing a smart wiring solution for your RZR --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels One of our editors has been building a project Polaris RZR XP Turbo that will be featured in Dirt Wheels soon. Installing everything has required many hours. We’ve had to collect parts and persuade things to fit correctly. Modifications have been made, while blood, sweat and tears have been shed, but none of those problems were from XTC Power Products. Wiring can be relentlessly tedious if you are not an aficionado or have the…

-- Testing for grip and strength -- By the Dirt Wheels test crew: Manufacturers of UTV tires are in a constant battle to build the best tires. Some tires are specific to the terrain you love to ride, while others offer a broad range of traction for multiple types of terrain. One thing stays consistent—these companies are struggling to make a tire that is light yet strong enough to withstand the harsh abuse drivers put their favorite toys through. Fuel Off-Road came out with its Gripper R/T 32-inch tire and Anza D918…