UTV Trail Riding Etiquette - Rules You Need to Know | UTV Academy

[@DarkFox6211818]

The most dangerous thing I find as a motorcycle rider are those on ATVs and side by sides simply because of low skill entry to the sport. In my area I find a lot of operators of these type of machines also enjoy drinking and or smoking while operating their equipment. There is nothing more dangerous than an inebriated operator behind the controls of an 800 lb+ machine on tight single track with foot and motorcycle traffic. Conversely, I greatly appreciate those operators who go out of their way to bring water, chainsaws, brush cutting equipment and winches to help clear trails, recovery gear, extra fuel, tire inflators, tools and especially a proper first aid kit and offer assistance to those who are in need. They are the true ambassadors to their sport.

[@motoxposse]

Excellent suggestions the hand signals are very important not only to other trail riders but hikers and horsemen alike. One thing to add pull over for faster riders when a motorcycle comes up behind you we don’t have horns we will rev the bike so you hear us let us by just common courtesy.

[@breevaldez-kenny1274]

Here in Michigan, there are over 4,000 miles of trails (24”-50” wide)/routes (60” wide) on State or US Forest lands for ORVs (ATV and SxS) or dirt bikes to ride. As a courtesy, riders in a group will give finger signal to oncoming traffic of how many people are approaching in their group. Since our trails are not directional, most dirt bike riders will yield the right on way to ATVs. It’s easier for a dirt bike to move out of the way to avoid collision.

[@MotoSaunter]

Also, please keep right on blind corners (applies to motorcycles too). I’ve been run off the trail several times by nimrods cutting a corner they cannot see through. Also agree with some others about trail damage. Lots of damage by unskilled side-by-side and Jeep operators in the Moab area.

[@davedonedis]

Look behind you. Let bikes by as soon as possible….

[@jlm3303]

Something that should have been mentioned is to absolutely NEVER leave someone broke down without stopping to be sure they have help ... if they are waiting for help to arrive, wait with them until their help gets there... Do exactly what you would want if it was you or your loved ones who are stranded.

[@y00o00u00t00u00b00e]

I am brand new to UTV's. If we were to buy a used one, what are things you'd suggest we look for, and how do we know if it's priced right? I was reading online, and it said 5k miles is considered HIGH milage, so any tips or knowledge would be helpful. Thank you!

[@Dronerangerspro]

Good info. Thank you

[@victorcoots3802]

There is one thing that I would like clarity on, especially at Moab with 2 way trails. As a motorcycle rider, we can usually clear most uphills quickly but if there is a UTV at the top, waiting to make their descent, it only makes sense that there is some level of negotiation prior to making the ascent. Did the Jeep or UTV want to descend first, they appear to be waiting. Uphill has the priority but if a UTV just allowed a group going up to clear, do all people, jeeps, utvs, motorcycles all have the right of way and the person going down just stuck until all people going up have cleared?

[@sheepdawg6946]

Remember uphill traffic has the right of way.

[@OffRoadRider15f]

Forgot to mention width restrictions.

[@heyguyoffroad]

It’s really not that hard. Pack it in pack it out. Be curtious and also lend a hand you never know when you might need help. Let’s all stick together and have fun!

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

One annoyance I have experienced are a few ATV people with very loud stereos in their rigs. Totally uncalled for and very rude 😒

[@adammorgan1198]

*UTV people*...we ATV people don't have stereos on our rigs✌🏽😂🤣

[@adammorgan1198]

But yeah...I personally think the UTV people are annoying. Might as well just buy a Jeep if they put all that crap on their rigs.

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

@@adammorgan1198 I agree.

[@clvrswine]

I was about to say the same thing. Blasting music in nature, near where we are camping... no bueno.

[@breevaldez-kenny1274]

ditto! The only "loud" sounds should be the engines of "trail" machines. I'd rather hear loud 2-strokes!

[@clvrswine]

UTV people: stop rerouting on trails. You are going around wooden bridges that are too narrow and that's a hint that you shouldn't be on that trail. Trails are trails, not roads.

[@breevaldez-kenny1274]

Agreed! 😎 The width of the trails are designed for a purpose. In Michigan, 24" (dirt bikes only), 50" (dirt bikes and ATV), 60" (all dirt machines).

[@johnss11n]

Side by sides. Destroying trails and ruining fun every chance they get. If they aren't littering or blocking trails riding 5+ deep, they are trying to do basic hill climbs in 2wd leaving behind massive ruts. I hear of at least once a year where multiple people have to be med flighted off club property due to at least one drunk driver operating a side by side. You said it though. It takes no skill, anyone can do it.

[@victoria_757]

And please don’t ride drunk. RIP to my friend Ben, killed in a RZR accident in the Oregon dunes by a drunk driver in a hit and run. Ride like your family is out there 🙏🏽

[@noControl556]

If you see a dirt bike pull over and take a silent bow as he rides by

[@lenghtofpull]

Don't drink and drive like 90 percent of UTV drivers do while they trench trails out and get riding land shut down

[@rickyparrish2570]

Number one tip for UTV's... Sell it and buy a dirt bike.

[@stufrowin]

Sadly this video will likely never reach the targeted audience

[@rz350yam]

Worst thing to ever happen to western trails. SxS users are not going to watch this video and certainly will not follow these tips. More trails will get closed sooner due to these SxS users. Nice try, but it will fall on deaf ears.

[@garyscott3656]

Those things have ruined all the trails we used to ride motorcycles on for the last 30 years. They damage the environment, ruined the trails, got the authorities attention which shut down many places we used to go. Lazy beer drinking unskilled operators are drawn to them. Overpriced gadgets to impress small egos. Very little legitimate uses for them.

[@Jack-Tactical]

What is the legitimate use for a dirt bike?

[@garyscott3656]

@@Jack-Tactical if you ride properly it can enhance your hand eye coordination, keep you physically active and be a great way to stay in shape, while scouting fishing , hunting , or looking for antler sheds, not to mention a low impact means of transportation while being extremely economically viable.

[@Jack-Tactical]

@@garyscott3656 Sounds like you could just use a bicycle.

[@garyscott3656]

@@Jack-Tactical go try each for yourself and decide. Bicycles are can get around but they won’t get traction in a forest or stream crossing or up a side hill that is narrow with logs to hop over. But it still would be a good workout and keep your hand eye coordination sharp. We have a tendency to be lazy and just want to sit, but once you push past that on two wheels it’s a whole other workout and sense of freedom. Give it a shot, it’ll open up a whole new world

[@Jack-Tactical]

@@garyscott3656 The question was of “legitimate use”. Anything you can do on a dirt bike you could do with a mountain bike, and you can walk across streams and side hills seeing even more of what you’d be looking for if scouting and having a much lower impact on the environment. You’d be doing just as much for your coordination riding trails on a mountain bike and getting far more exercise. But you do it because it’s fun and you enjoy it. Same reason people enjoy side by sides. You also don’t want dirt bikes to be judged by the idiots, yet you choose to judge side by sides based on the those that do wrong. While they are just as “legitimate” as a dirt bike and the same claims for why someone uses one can be made. Even to the point that a side by side is safer due to the roll cage and harnesses. In the end, it’s people doing what they enjoy. And instead of fighting over which machine is bad, we should work to stop stupid people from doing stupid things. Regardless of their vehicle choice. Allowing the off road community to be divided will only mean everyone going down one group at a time. The people that was to close off the land don’t care what you drive or ride.