UTVs & Side by Sides for Sale in Key Largo, FL

Utility terrain vehicles, called UTVs or side by sides for their bench-style seating, offer you versatility and power in one rugged machine. These vehicles are capable of handling difficult terrain with ease while carrying heavy payloads and lots of passengers at once. Your local side by side dealer is Riva Motorsports and Marine of the Keys, serving the Florida Keys area. We wanted to share some info to help you figure out what to look for when buying a UTV, so we’ve created this guide.

Recreation Or Utility?

UTVs have two main purposes: recreational off-road riding and workaday utility towing and transport. It’s important to determine which purpose you plan to use your side x side for when you’re shopping for one, as certain UTVs will be more suited to work than play and vice versa. For recreational riding, you might seek out more speed and a narrower profile that’s more aerodynamic. If you want to go over very steep or rough terrain, you might want a longer wheelbase that can take bumps easily and has a better suspension. These machines might not be as fast, but they will be more stable and often are the models that seat more passengers, which is a boon if you want to take a group off-roading.

For utility purposes, you’ll want a UTV capable of towing. Check out potential towing capacities and make sure there’s a place to hitch your equipment or trailers to. You’ll also want a lot of cargo space, so seek out a side x side that has plenty of space for payloads and tools. UTVs that seat more passengers can be useful on job sites where you need to transport a lot of workers over long distances quickly.

Accessories

A number of accessories are available that will improve your UTV riding experience whether it’s for work or play. You should carry a spare tire with you for emergencies where a tire blows and simply can’t be patched up. You’ll need a good portable jack to go with it; look for one that folds up compactly to save space. For lesser tire issues, an air supply and tire repair kit will definitely come in handy when you get a flat. A set of tools for general tune-ups and quick maintenance should stay in your cargo or storage compartment, including wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and sockets. A jumper box will help you start a dead battery, which would otherwise ruin your trip.

For rider comfort and security, you can add a rear-view mirror to your UTV to give you more visibility. A windshield will protect you from the elements as well as any debris that your UTV kicks up. Finally, adding a roof, whether soft or hard, can further shield you from elements, including harsh sunlight, which increases rider comfort.

Driver Experience & Power

The higher the power of the UTV, the more versatile it can be, whether you’re off-roading or working on the farm or construction site. More power allows you to get over difficult slopes, tow hundreds of pounds of cargo or speed across fields. However, a very high-powered UTV will be much more difficult to drive, requiring more driver experience. If you are new to UTVs, you may want to stick with a lower-power machine that will allow you to become comfortable with its operation without being overwhelmed.

As you can see, a side x side can help you out on the work site or it can be a great recreational off-roading vehicle for the whole family. It’s up to you how you use your UTV, but if you want to get your hands on one, come down to the Riva Motorsports and Marine of the Keys dealership today! We proudly serve all the Florida Keys from our location in Key Largo, as well as the city of Miami, Florida.