ATV Adventures: Choosing between an ATV or a UTV
This Polaris Ace is my personal favorite because it is comfortable, has a roll cage, and tilt steering wheel
This Kawasaki Teryx4, with my wife, Gayle in the passenger seat, is her machine of choice when we go together
Utah has some of the most amazing scenery this country has to offer.
What you can see from the highway is remarkable, but to really appreciate the splendor of Utah requires leaving the main roads and getting into the backcountry. What mode of transportation you choose is up to you, but venturing into the Utah wilderness is worth the effort.
I prefer an ATV or a UTV for my backcountry adventures. I actually like to use both types for different reasons, but the question remains: How do you make that choice?
Before 2004, the choice was between brands and features of ATVs. Since Yamaha introduced the Rhino side-by-side that year, the choices have greatly expanded. However, that does not make choosing any easier.
When shopping, here are some things to consider. As a general rule, a UTV is designed to carry more than one person and an ATV is for one.
In fact, UTVs turned riding into a family affair. I have passed more than one UTV on the trail that was definitely a rolling party barge. Well, not that kind of party — just a lot of happy people enjoying the backcountry. Also, consider a UTV if you want back support.
Trails with restricted widths are a consideration when choosing a machine. When the Paiute ATV Trail system was first opened, there were trails where only machines 50 inches wide or less were allowed — and, in fact, there weren’t any machines wider than 50 inches.
With the advent of wider UTVs, some trails were restricted to the narrower ATVs. Now the trail system has trails restricted to 50 and 60 inches, in addition to the wider trails.
Although some ATVs are designed to carry two passengers, one behind the other, most are built to be ridden by one person. As a rule, they are 50 inches or less in width. Their appeal is in that the rider can use body movements to help control the vehicle. In a UTV, movement is more restricted.
Although an ATV is less expensive than a UTV, you either have to ride alone, which is never a good idea, or buy a second one for your companion. That makes a UTV less expensive than two ATVs, unless you are always fighting over who is going to drive. I know one couple who rented two UTVs in Marysvale because both of them wanted to drive.
I have reviewed more than one UTV that has proved reliable and less expensive than some ATVs, so it pays to shop and compare. It also pays to develop a relationship with the dealer. A good dealer is not going to sell you something that will not be good for the relationship. If you like his work, you are going to recommend him to your friends.
My wife loves the mountains of Utah. She doesn’t go riding as often as I do, but when she does, she likes to look at the scenery. So I bought a four-place UTV in case I can talk any of my grandchildren into going with us. It has a mid-engine design for better stability and it is shorter than other four-place machines.
I also have a single-rider ATV to go out on rides with friends when my wife doesn’t go with me. My Polaris Ace is a 50-inch machine, so I am able to ride all of the trails open to ATVs. It is like a UTV, but it is designed for only one rider. It has a seat with a roll cage and a tilt steering wheel. It is so comfortable that I can ride it all day and not get tired.
LYNN BLAMIRES/Special to the Standard-Examiner
My single-rider Polaris XP 850, which requires using body movement to control the machine, is more practical, but there is no back support.
One thing to consider in making a purchase is what kind of machines your friends are driving. If they are riding ATVs and like to plan adventures on narrow trails, then you should consider an ATV. If they are going as couples in UTVs, then a side-by-side is going to be the best choice — and that might be what could get your spouse to go with you more often.
Whatever type of machine you decide to buy, when you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down, and enjoy the backcountry.
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