ATVs: How to Choose the Best Side by Side ATV

Choosing your first ATV is a big moment that gets your heart racing. You stand, look at these knobby tires, and already see yourself out in the woods, covered in mud, and loving every minute of it. But at the same time, your head is spinning: what to get? The choices can feel endless. Someone wants to hit the trails, and someone needs to haul hay. That's why people often go online to look for an ATV buying guide, so you know what to look for and don’t waste money.

Let’s clear up the terms right away so as not to get confused. People often ask, “What does ATV mean?” ATV stands for “all-terrain vehicle.” Usually, this is the name of classic ATVs, where you straddle the seat like on a motorcycle. But there are also models with a steering wheel, more like a car, and that’s the side-by-side (SxS) / UTV category, with side-by-side seating. Rideworks has plenty of options for both. They know very well that ATVsare not just a hunk of metal and an engine, but your ticket to new trails and weekends outside.

Defining the purpose: utility vs recreation

First rule: be honest with yourself. Why do you need an ATV? This is the most important question when you’re shopping for an ATV. It depends on whether you need a workhorse or a sports machine. Don’t buy a sport model if you mainly need to haul gear.

If you plan to haul firewood, trailers, or go hunting through rough backwoods terrain, you need the utility class. Utility models are tuned for comfort and torque, with higher ground clearance and real hauling capacity. And if your goal is to race your buddies across sand, hit dunes, and catch some air, then look at the sports models. Also, if you want to ride with family or a friend, then a side by side ATV is the better fit. There is a roll cage, roof options, and safer side-by-side seating.

A simple checklist: engine size, hauling space, comfort

To avoid making a mistake, don’t buy on looks alone. Focus on what matters. Here is a quick checklist of three points that decide everything:

• Engine: Don’t automatically go for the biggest engine. For work and simple rides, a medium-sized one is often enough. It’s plenty capable and sips fuel instead of guzzling it.

• Space: If you are taking equipment for the farm, cabin, or property, check the racks or cargo bed. Will it fit a bag of feed, a chainsaw, and a toolbox? This is really important.

• Comfort: The main thing here is seating. Sit on it (ATV) / Sit in it (SxS) before you buy. Your back should not hurt after five minutes, and your hands should reach the controls comfortably.

Maintenance and how to choose the best ATV for you

Buying it is only half the job-you still have to maintain it. Any good ATV guide will tell you: think ahead. Regular maintenance is what will save your nerves. If you have to tear half the machine apart to change a spark plug, it's a bad sign.

When you're looking for the best ATV to buy, don’t rule out used options-you can save a lot. But be careful. At Rideworks, every vehicle is inspected by mechanics. They won’t try to sell you junk here. You can find a cool ATV for sale that has already been tested on trails, has a bunch of extras (a winch, storage boxes, racks), and is priced fairly.

Remember, the best vehicle is not the one with the flashiest marketing, but the one that suits you. Don’t buy based on someone else’s horsepower numbers. Listen to your needs. Stop by, sit in it, and take a test ride. Maybe you wanted one thing, but once you sit down, you'll realize you need something completely different. Trust how it feels, and then every ride will be a blast.