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Built for abuse By the staff of Dirt Wheels Building a project machine is always rewarding, but we like it best when we get to start with a great machine. Collin Duffy is our project specialist, and he set his sights on Polaris’ RZR XP Turbo S Velocity for an epic adventure build. The goal for this RZR, which we have named “Rocky,” was to tackle nasty desert obstacles like you’d find in Southern California’s Johnson Valley, home of the infamous King of the Hammers UTV race. To do so, you must protect the machine’s…

Friction is key By the staff of Dirt Wheels If you want to go fast, you need to be able to slow down quickly. While you may think that is counterintuitive, the quicker you can stop, the longer you can hold the throttle open. With that logic in mind, we went to DP Brakes for a set of $39.95 SDP Pro-MX sintered brake pads and $109.95 Moose Racing OEM replacement brake rotors that are made by DP for a Honda TRX450R. The old pads had seen their day, the rear rotor was bent and the fronts had some warping, so it was time…

Computer shocks for all By the staff of Dirt Wheels Computerized suspension arrived in the UTV world with the Polaris Dynamix. And while it may sound lazy, after you have suspension that you can instantly adjust from inside the car, you are spoiled. There are many times when you will gain performance and comfort by adjusting your UTV suspension, but most people don’t bother when it means stopping the car, climbing out and manually adjusting the shock adjusters. Then, of course, you need to stop and put them back to…

Mike Sloan’s WORCS champion By the staff of Dirt Wheels What it takes to be a champion: skill, talent, strength, commitment, motivation, courage, endurance and much more. That’s the stuff WORCS 2018 ATV Pro Championship winner Mile Sloan is made of. However, some of the most crucial aspects of a pro racer’s program are a machine that is built for battles and a team that supports the effort. Duncan Racing International has been in the pages of Dirt Wheels quite a lot throughout 2019 and 2020 issues. That simply stems…

We are happy to report, Brimstone Recreation in Huntsville, Tennessee, the premier place to ride east of the rockies, has fully reopened. Load up your toys and head down to enjoy hundreds of miles of trails, beautiful scenery, waterfalls and more. The cabins, camping, headquarters, rentals and showers are all open. Unfortunately, the White Knuckle Event scheduled for Memorial Day weekend is still canceled. But, the park and all amenities  will be open for you to enjoy with friends and family. More good news, the 2020  …

So many good ones to choose from By D. West This March issue of Dirt Wheels is the one that has our official “2020 UTV Buyer’s Guide.” You should keep it stashed away in a safe place, because it’ll be handy to refer to throughout the year. Any questions you may have about a particular UTV can be answered by flipping to the specs and info on that machine. We include around 100 vehicles, so anything you’d be interested in is covered. Buyer's Guide A-K   Buyer's Guide K-Y What is the biggest difference between the…

Communicate with your passengers By the staff of Dirt Wheels Rugged Radios is the biggest name in off-road communications applications. When you see serious UTV off-roaders, it is more than common to see an intercom system and/or a radio kit from Rugged. Until you have experienced clear conversation with your passenger(s) without shouting, you don’t know what you are missing. In addition to talking between passengers, you may listen to music with the RRP660 system. All in-car communication is hands-free. You simply…

Old school meets new By the staff of Dirt Wheels Speed and style. Going fast and looking good doing it is the goal of many of our readers and certainly our test riders and editors. UTV drivers spend lots of money upgrading their machines to go faster and then spend more on wraps, graphics, colored wheels and custom powdercoated parts to make them look fast. So, why not invest in just the right helmet? Simpson Racing is well-versed in speed and style. It offers vast lines of protective equipment for racing and…

A Husqvarna 3-wheeler? No such thing, good sir! Husky doesn’t dip a toe too far in the waters of three and four-wheeled off-road machinery. So, how did this trike come about, you ask? Daryl Rath, owner of Rath Racing, likes to create hybrid ATVs and ATCs. While a lot can be done to make an old machine work better than new, sometimes it is best to start off with a new ride and customize it to your wants and needs. Photos by Wayne Davis Photography Rath’s white Husqvarna 3-wheeler began life as a 2018…

Fun with friends, family and computers By the staff of Dirt Wheels We were in the room when Honda announced the 2020 Talon 1000X-4 and Talon 1000X-4 Fox Live Valve to the dealer network. There was no mistaking the dealers’ excitement; however, our enthusiasm was somewhat tempered by the announcement that the 1000X-4 siblings would be based on the shorter-travel 64-inch Talon 1000X rather than the long-travel, wider Talon R. A great percentage of long-wheelbase, four-seat sport UTVs are sold where driving conditions…

Phone protection for riding By the staff of Dirt Wheels Many people in today’s culture view their cellular devices an extension of themselves, and thus they are never without them. There are plenty of arguments for and against the intrusion of technology into everyday life, but we are not going to get into any of that here. As editors, we use technology to present readers with up-to-date information. That means our pricey pocket computers need proper protection from the elements. Pelican understands that need all too…

The best offerings in this category By Casey Cordeiro, Photos courtesy of the manufacturers and Dirt Wheels There are so many categories and options in the UTV world these days that we often get asked, “How do I choose the right one for me?”  The 60-inch side-by-side vehicles on the market offer a lot of great features that many enthusiasts look for when purchasing a UTV. They are legal on many different trails across the country. They offer a good assortment of engine sizes across the different manufacturers, with…