Accessories and Bolt-ons

The maker of the newest accessory for our GMC truck really did think of everything, right down to the nitty-gritty details of fishing a bolt through a blind hole and including a trick little tool to make it easier.  That’s not always the case when installing an accessory.  Often times it can be a frustrating matter of trial, error, rework and refit.  Not this time!  The ACCESS ORIGINAL SLANTBACK Roll-Up Cover was all access right down to the smallest details.

Most ATV and Side x Side owners enjoy recreational riding and some are hooked on the thrill of competition, but it’s the ability to transform into extremely capable work machines that has put one on every farm and job site in the country. Wherever there is something to haul, tow, or cut that doesn’t fit a tractor or full blown dump truck you can bet an ATV or Side x Side is ready to tackle the job.

Watch practically any powersports event, race, or adventure show and you’ll see small video cameras sprouting from the rider or vehicle. The invention of high definition, highly durable mini cameras has changed how events are filmed and viewed by others. There is no shortage of POV (Point Of View) high definition cameras on the market, and recently we tried one available at CAN-AM dealers called the CYCLOPS GEAR CGX2.

Practically every ATV comes with some storage and a rack system. It’s an incredibly useful tool! Not all racks are created equal though and the manufacturers have to balance fender protection with load handling capability needed by the average user. Like most riders we use our ATVs for everything from hauling rocks to hunting season and a better rack system would surely help.

You can never have too much storage on any off-road machine. There are always tools, tow straps, tie-downs, and snacks to carry. On most utility style ATVs and Side x Sides manufacturers do a pretty good job of building in storage compartments under seats, the front hood, or in the dash, but on any sporty machine, available space is often limited. That is particularly true for our trusty Polaris RZR 900 S, but QuadBoss had the answer to our problem.

While it’s fairly easy to find a way to prop up an ATV to get a corner or an end off the ground, a 1200+ pound SxS is another story. Having a small jack with you can turn a big problem (and perhaps an injured back) into a small ordeal. There are several SxS related products on the market. We’ve also found that a trip to an auto salvage yard with a few bucks can get you a compact scissor jack that is plenty strong to lift your SxS.

The Kawasaki Teryx4 is a rock solid machine. It’s tough, powerful, comfortable, and it’s more nimble than any other four-seater on the trail. We love it! We also can’t leave well enough alone, and after a couple trips to the woods, we decided that the Teryx4 was the perfect candidate for a few, simple bolt-on accessories to make our trail riding experience even better.

Lifted vehicles always get people’s attention and they’re common in the off-road world. Jeeps are lifted, trucks are lifted and so are ATVs & Side x Sides. There are two big reasons for lifting your ride; a macho, ready for anything style, and trail function. Lifting a vehicle gets about as much attention as anything else you can do, and huge tires, bead lock wheels, and a custom paint job always draws a crowd, especially when combined with a throaty sounding exhaust. It’s performance that counts most though.

Regardless of how much dust is on your dash, how many tools are rattling away in the door pockets, or important papers sprouting from the center console of your truck, when riding in nasty weather, it doesn’t take long to appreciate the comfort of a windshield and roof.  Side x Sides can be down-right miserable in cold or wet weather.  Unlike an ATV where body movement helps to keep you warm, with a Side x Side, you simply sit there and suffer through the misery as best you can.

While western desert and dune riders rejoice as cooler weather creates prime riding conditions, the rest of the country prepares for Mother Nature’s worst as winter bites down. That doesn’t mean riding season is over for everyone outside the southwest though. There are still jobs to be done, wood to be hauled, hunting season is still open, and a trail ride through a white, wintery landscape reveals a quiet beauty all its own.