How-To

Motoring enthusiasts know all the advantages of Smartphones and smartphone technologies. They have made it paramount for us to access the virtual world. These units allow you to consistently stay connected to the internet and enjoy your favorite apps. Auto Head units allow you to access apps and other smart features for your leisure, including a geo-location or map app. An auto head unit in a vehicle has become a luxury. However, it has grown to be a standard integration on most highway vehicles today. Whether you see…

Find your mojo again By the staff of Dirt Wheels There was a time when it was fairly rare to replace the CVT drive belt on a 4x4 quad, but now some of these models are very powerful and come with large and aggressive tires. What we need here is some good TECH: to remedy the situation. Plus, owners are riding them harder and punishing the CVT and its belt with high-load situations like mud-running and using track systems. In our case, the belt on our Polaris Scrambler S let go while racing, so it was being ridden…

Fast and safe fuel By the staff of Dirt Wheels TECH: We recently caught up with Best in the Desert race series competitor Rick Smith who has been racing a 2017 Can-Am X3 with some light modifications suited for racing. While competing in the 2020 Laughlin Desert Classic in Laughlin, Nevada, Rick explained he lost a lot of time in the pits while fueling. The issue was filling the stock fuel tank with traditional fuel cans. His pit team tried using a high-capacity fast-fill fuel can thinking it would save some…

By Joe Kosch DUNES & DON'TS To subscribe to Dirt Wheels Magazine in print or digital form click here https://hi-torque.com/product/dirtwheels. Dune fun riding is one of the most thrilling things you can do with UTVs and ATVs. That's a fact, Jack.  The sand dune riding season is already in full swing, in the hottest parts of the country. But, did you know that getting full enjoyment from a trip to the dunes, doesn’t require massive amounts of planning and preparation? With that being said, here are our…

Anytime you have extra time on your hands, is the right time to work on your ride. These 8 things you can do to your ATV while off work cover a wide range of issues older or well used quads face. They should help you pass the time until the next riding trip. Nearly every ATV comes with very thin, plastic skid plates. They work fine if you don’t use them. But if you are like us and go on as rough as trails as possible, the stockers don’t hold up. This article will help you choose the right tool for the job. HOW TO…

By Allen Knowles  and staff of Dirt Wheels FOUR-STROKE TEAR- DOWN TIPS When performance quads were two-strokes without power valves, rebuilding an engine was relatively cheap, even with labor included. Modern two-strokes with power valves are definitely more expensive to work on, but those are not available for quads unless you are willing to build your own. With modern quads, it doesn’t matter whether you are working on a sport quad or a 4x4, you will be working on a four-stroke. Costs soar with the increased…

By Cameron Dickie CVT CLUTCH SYSTEMS CVT clutching may seem like magic: they work, but not many people understand how. They do not operate on spells and wizardry but on simple ratios. This is an article on learning the basics of how a clutch operates and answering some of your questions (based on Polaris-style clutches). It may seem like a crazy thing to learn, but trust me, if I can understand how they operate, you can as well. The definition of a CVT clutch is an automatic clutch that can change seamlessly…

-- 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.…

-- STEP-BY-STEP HOW TO GUIDE --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels We recently noticed that there was a lot of wet lubricant on one of our Polaris RZR front axles. Looking closely, we found that a stick had gone through the lower front part of the machine and wedged between the front axle CV and the front differential. We assumed the CV boot was punctured, so we pulled the axle out. This is what we found, and we thought it might help our readers. To begin, make sure the machine is supported safely, then remove the wheel.…

If you get a flat, beadlock wheels will hold the tire onto the rim, allowing you to limp back home. This is why experienced UTVers always use them.

During the making of our project Raptor 734 we gathered parts to widen it up and beef up the suspension. Part of matching the longer Houser A-arm setup is a wider racing axle, like the one we got from Tusk for under $200. The $196.95 axle is adjustable from 2 3/8 inches wider to 4 3/8 inches wider than stock, depending on which spacers you use for the hubs. This particular axle requires a 70mm and 46mm axle nut wrench, or a giant crescent if you have it, so make sure you have all of your tools ready beforehand! So, let’s…

Every ATV currently being sold by a reputable manufacturer has shock absorbers. It’s how they isolate rough terrain from the rider, and it’s perhaps the most important part of your ATV besides the engine. Shock tuning can make or break a machine, as it controls comfort, handling characteristics, safety in rough terrain, and how enjoyable your ATV is to ride. We have been working with shocks since day one, and we can never leave the settings alone. Why would manufacturers offer adjustable shocks if they didn’t intend for you…