How To

Do your wheels & tires look like they're tilted in funny angles? Here's how to measure them & get everything lined up properly.

-- Interview with Louisiana's top swamper -- CAN-AM PRESS RELEASE: The thrill of powering through the deepest, gnarliest mud holes on earth doesn‘t come naturally to most people, but Dustin Jones isn‘t most people. Born, raised, and based in Shreveport, Louisiana, his passion for challenging himself and his machines has led not only to S3 Power Sports—but a growing trophy case as proof of all the hard work. We sat down with Dustin and asked him how it all got started—and how you can dip your toes into mud riding to have…

Got a problem with your ATV or UTV? Boss McKannick knows how to fix it. E-mail your questions to him at [email protected]

-- Moose Racing keeps your older machine going strong -- ATVs are designed to be rugged machines that can last for a long time, if they get maintained and serviced on a regular basis. One area that doesn't usually get much attention is the fuel petcock mounted at the bottom of the fuel tank. Over time the rubber gaskets can get brittle and start to leak. This is especially true if ethanol fuel has been used. Well, Moose Racing has you covered with their fuel petcock rebuild kits. They range from $12 to $25 and are…

-- Dirt Wheels shop foreman to the rescue -- By Boss McKannick: Hey Boss -- My son has an RZR170 and I would like to get a speedometer to measure current speed and distance traveled. It would also be nice to accurately measure any performance modifications done. By the way, what is the max speed of a stock RZR170? Do you recommend mechanical or electrical speedometers? Dean Daniels Tabor, SD.     Well Dean, I don’t believe there is a mechanical speedometer made. If there is I am not aware of it. Plus if…

-- Installing a better skid plate & testing it out --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels Polaris has not left the underside of its UTVs unprotected. Each has a factory plastic skid plate installed, but the plastic isn’t heavy or thick. It balances weight with maximum protection, but some people drive terrain that is a bit challenging. Ricochet Off-Road has been providing protection for off-road machinery for over 35 years. The reason? Ricochet is located right at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and there is ample…

-- Make sure your ride is ready, By the staff of Dirt Wheels -- Have you noticed that your ATV or UTV isn’t tracking straight like it used to? Or it might be that the handlebar or steering wheel isn’t in the correct position? Either way, these things can become a nuisance if the front end is off even slightly. So, how can these things be fixed without taking it to a repair shop? Fixing each of these problems is much easier than you think, and hopefully you’ll save some time, money and aggravation with these tips.…

-- ATV Safety Institute Urges Families to Sign Up for Free, Hands-On Safety Training During Its Fifth Annual ATV Safety Week, June 1-10 -- The ATV Safety Institute will provide free rider training for the fifth straight year during ATV Safety Week June 1-10, 2018. The ASI is working with partners across America who are volunteering to provide safety education and conduct free half-day, hands-on ATV RiderCourses led by ASI licensed instructors. “We invite everyone with an ATV to take the first step toward safe ATV…

-- Not all of us live at a place where we can just ride to the trails right from our back door. Even if you can, there's always other great riding areas you like go to. So, that means hauling your ATV or UTV somewhere is a standard part of the sport. There are many different ways to do that, from fancy haulers to not-so-fancy. We typically see the full range of dos and don'ts when observing how off-road machinery is transported. Here is an example of some of that creativity and improvising. . When you gotta go… and you…

-- Better protection with CageWrx -- We say it time and time again—protection is the most important factor when it comes to off-roading any machine. Wearing the right helmet, eye protection, switching out the stock UTV seat belts with harness systems—all of these are great ideas to keep you riding longer. If you ask one of our editors which UTV accessory you would purchase after the helmet and harnesses, they would tell you to get a stronger roll cage. STEP-BY-STEP PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS…

-- Winston "Boss" McKannick is the shop foreman here at Dirt Wheels and one of his main jobs is to help out readers who may have a problem with their quad or UTV. He is the Mister-Know-It-All when it comes to mechanical problems and how to fix them. Today's question comes from a reader in South Dakota: Dear Boss, I purchased a leftover 2016 Polaris Ranger High Lifter 900. I love it, except for its ability to “eat” headlight fuses. About three times a month the 10-amp headlight fuse blows. I do not ride in…

-- BOSS McKANNICK TO THE RESCUE -- Dear Boss, We own an old 1999 Honda TRX300. The battery had been weak for years, and we just kick-started it to get it running. Well, my son purchased a new battery and installed it, but the cables were frayed, and when he first started it, the positive cable touched the battery-hold-down plate on the frame, and it got red hot, sparks flew and the cable melted. Luckily, the machine didn’t catch fire. But, now everything is dead. What are my options now to get it back in…