Buyer's Guides to UTV Long Travel Kits

Stock vs. Long Travel Suspension for a Polaris RZR

How to pick a Long Travel Kit for your UTV

Aftermarket suspension kits for side x side vehicles are a very popular way to increase the wheel travel and handling of UTVs. Companies like Funco and Fireball Racing have teamed up with shock manufactures like Sway-A-Way, Bilstein, Elka, King and Fox to create suspension kits that far exceed anything seen in a stock vehicle.

UTVGuide.net has the most complete information for the side x side vehicle owner that is looking to improve vehicle handling by adding a long travel suspension. Our buyer's guides not only list manufacturer contact info, but also show detailed pictures of all the different kits in one place so you can do all of your research from one page.

What is included in a Typical Long Travel Kit?

Before you go running off to buy one of these long travel kits, it is best to understand what is included so that you can make side by side comparisons.
All long travel kits include new a-arms, either a completely new axle assembly or just new axles to use with the stock CVs and either new tie rods or tie rod extensions. From there, things vary quite a bit depending on manufacturer and vehicle. For example, the Polaris RZR requires longer brake lines, but the Kawasaki Teryx does not.

A-Arms - There are a few different types of a-arms are out there. Most are made from chromoly tubing, others are boxed, and a few are made from billet aluminum or mild steel. Each material type has pros and cons. Ask questions about why a particular material and arm design was chosen.
Some kits come powder coated in a standard color. Others come unfinished or offer custom colors.

A-Arm Hardware - Inner and outer a-arm hardware is may be replaced. Many of long travel kits come with new bushings (Delron, Daystar, etc.) on the inner side of the a-arm, but some convert to heims for more adjustability. On the outer or spindle side, some kits use heims, others use uni-balls, and a few reuse the OEM ball joint. There are pluses and minuses to each type of setup and quality can vary from heim to heim and bushing to bushing.

Axles - When you extend the wheels out, you are going to need longer axles. There are two approaches to this. The cheaper route is to reuse the stock CVs and just replace the axles. The more expensive route is new axles and CVs. Swapping axles and reusing the stock CVs takes more time, so if you are paying for the kit to be installed, factor this in.

Shocks - All of the long travel kits and most of the mid-travel kits include new coilover or air shocks.

Tie Rods - Some kits come with tie rod extenders. A few come with complete new tie rods.

Shock Towers - A few of the kits have optional shock towers that move the upper shock mount location up and out. This allows for a longer shock and more wheel travel.

Frame Gussets - Long travel kits put more stress on the factory a-arm and shock mounting locations. Several manufacturers are now offering bolt-on or weld-on gussets to help beef up the stock frame in critical areas.

Long Travel Kits for Side x Side Vehicles:

• UTV Long Travel Kits
• Yamaha Rhino Long Travel Kits
• Polaris RZR Long Travel Kits
• Kawasaki Teryx Long Travel Kits
• Arctic Cat Prowler Long Travel Kits
• Polaris Ranger Long Travel Kits

Long Travel Reviews:

• Kawasaki Teryx Long Travel Kit Review
• Polaris RZR Long Travel Kit Review
• Yamaha Rhino Long Travel Review

UTV Shock Resources:

• UTV Shock Guide
• Polaris RZR S Replacement Shocks
• Kawasaki Teryx Replacement Shocks
• Elka Elite 46mm Race Shocks

How to get listed:

If you manufacture long travel kits or shocks for side by side vehicles, and are interested in being listed on our buyer's guides please, send us an email. We'll need specs on your kit and a few web-size images to use.

A link to www.utvguide.net and www.duneguide.com from your website is always appreciated.

About UTV Guide:

UTV Guide was created to help guide you through the differences between side x side vehicles. We review basic information on each vehicle - general features and specifications. Then we dive in for a more detailed review of many popular UTVs. We have done lots of homework for you on aftermarket products for your UTV - long travel kits, roll cages, performance products and accessories. We also do thorough product reviews on all sorts of aftermarket UTV products, vehicle buildup projects, feature UTV of the Month, and keep you informed with UTV Industry News.

New UTV website at UTVUnderground.Com

A NEW forum and informational site for UTV's and Side X Side's was introduced this week. UTVUnderground.com was designed to be a one stop informational site for all UTV enthusiasts with a focus on UTV Customization, Fabrication, and Racing. Its open forum allows for enthusiasts to discuss all topics relating to the UTV and SXS hobby and industry. From engine and chassis modification, to pictures of their UTVs, and links and maps to your favorite local riding spots, UTVUnderground.Com has it all.

You will notice that UTVUnderground has also created some important topic sections such as the one titled "Fight For Your Rights". This is a place where members can get informed as to what's going on with the legal side of the off road industry. Land use and vehicle laws as well as regulations affecting UTVs. Another one of UTVUnderground.com's special sections is brought to you by UTVGuide.net and will include industry updates, News, and Reviews. You will also notice a section dedicated to racer's and the different racing associations and events being held in and around the USA. There is a Private Racers Only section where racer's and their teams can access and discuss different topics pertaining to their vehicles and anything else race related.

We hope you will check us out and enjoy the site - www.utvunderground.com.

www.utvguide.net

New Side x Side from Yamaha to be announced on February 10, 2009

Looks like Yamaha will be announcing a new side x side vehicle on February 10, 2009. Lots of rumors have been floating around about a new 2010 Rhino, a sport version to compete against the Polaris RZR, a four seat Rhino or even a more utility based vehicle.

Most speculation seems to point to a four seat "Rhino" with a transforming rear bed similar to the Kawasaki Mule Trans where part of the bed can be converted to an extra bench seat.

We sure hope it is some sort of a sport version with a v-twin! Something smaller than a Rhino, but bigger than a RZR would be perfect.

More "details":
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/launch/trailer.aspx

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