One of the hottest off-highway vehicles right now is the Side-by-Side. Seemingly out of nowhere, the fun and versatile Side-by-Side seems to be everywhere. In a market where motorcycle, dirt bike, snowmobile and other powersports sales have been in a prolonged slump, Side-by-Side sales have exploded. So, what are they; where did they come from; and what makes them so popular?
Side-by-Sides are compact off-road vehicles intended for recreational use. As the name implies, they are set up for a driver and passenger to sit side-by-side within a frame and roll cage. Some variants have two rows of seating (or even three). You ride in a Side-by-Side – not on it, like you do on a motorcycle or four-wheel ATV.
Side-by-Sides use automobile-style controls, including a steering wheel and foot pedals for throttle and brake. Again, different from a four-wheel ATV, which uses motorcycle-style steering, hand-controls and foot controls.
Most use four-stroke gasoline engines, so you don’t need to mix oil and gas, and the majority have continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVT) that operate without a clutch pedal or manual shifting. Rear-wheel drive is common, while all-wheel drive is a feature of higher-end machines.
Side-by-Sides usually have four-wheel independent suspension with plenty of ground clearance and great amounts of travel, some up to 24 inches. This setup, along with big wide tires, allows the vehicle to soak up bumps and landings that would rattle your bones in an SUV. Sophisticated shock tuning and suspension geometry delivers control and comfort that allows for surprising speed over rough terrain.
And that’s where a lot of the fun comes from. A Side-by-Side can go places that wider SUVs can’t go, and quickly. Learning to operate one is simple, and as you accumulate experience and skill, the fun just piles up.
The first sport Side-by-Sides were arguably built by Polaris, the Minnesota-based powersports company that also builds Indian motorcycles, Polaris snowmobiles, ATVs and other products. The RZR lineup of Side-by-Sides debuted in 2007, and Polaris now commands about 40 percent of the Side-by-Side market. Other manufacturers include Arctic Cat, Kawasaki, BRP/Can-Am, Honda and Yamaha.
The great grandfather of the Side-by-Side is the Jeep, and its grandfather is the Dune Buggy.
The Side-by-Side’s parent is the UTV or Utility Task Vehicle. The Kawasaki Mule, which debuted in 1988, is a good example. These rugged four-wheel off-highway vehicles were designed as compact work trucks, and found their homes on ranches, farms, and estates. Gearheads took a look at the UTV and realized that with more power and greater suspension travel, these little work trucks could be modified for entertainment and competition, and the sport Side-by-Side was born.
The price of entry to the Side-by-Side world can be quite reasonable. You can rent a Side-by-Side by the hour at many popular off-road venues, sometimes for as little as $80 per hour. I have rented vehicles at California’s Oceano Dunes in Pismo Beach, a great public park on the Pacific coast with some fantastic sand dunes, trails and bowls to explore. You don’t need a motorcycle endorsement to drive a Side-by-Side, but most rental companies restrict rentals to licensed drivers aged 18 and up. Some won’t rent to anyone under the age of 25.
If you get a taste for Side-by-Side ownership, new entry-level machines start around $5,000. A full-zoot, high-performance machine can run upwards of $20,000, and there’s a wide variety of machines in between. Don’t overlook the used market for your first Side-by-Side, either – many enthusiasts upgrade frequently, and there may be bargains at your local dealership or online.
Driving a Side-by-Side is a managed risk, of course. Use your seatbelts and restraints every time you drive, and don’t let your ambition overwhelm your ability. Always wear a helmet and proper gear when driving, and insist that your passengers do the same. Alcohol and Side-by-Sides do not mix – drive sober and live longer. Do some research before climbing behind the wheel, and get some instruction from an experienced driver or guide before you head off on your own.
And have fun! Because that’s what Side-by-Sides are all about.
