So you’ve gotten a UTV, experienced the thrill of off-roading, and are looking for the best upgrades you could put on your rig. It can be a bit confusing to know what upgrades are more important than the others, especially since it depends on the type of terrain you favor.

Thankfully, we’re here to clear it all up for you. So whether you’re thinking about getting a new bumper or a spotlight to scare the ghosts away with, we’ve prepared an article that will help you put two and two together.

Without further ado, here’s our list of the most common aftermarket UTV upgrades, broken down into two main categories for your reading pleasure.

Don’t know where to find the best and most affordable off-road upgrades? See Rad Parts UTV accessories here!

Protection

Every UTV needs an added layer of protection against the dangers of the wilderness. Like it or not, at one point you’re going to bump against a rock, a shrub, or a tree, and then your dented rig will leave a hole in your pocket when it comes to repairing it.

Your safety as a rider is also paramount. This is why it is important to stock up on more than just vehicle accessories. First, we’ll start off with the…

Helmet

The first and most important aspect of UTV safety. You should never ride your UTV without a helmet, as even a slight concussion can leave you permanently affected. Off-road drivers are frequently prone to accidents, especially since the terrain they drive over is both difficult and dangerous.

Fortunately, wearing a helmet when driving a UTV isn’t so much a matter of style and being cool as it used to be, with companies from around the world clamoring to design highly fashionable models with which to win over the off-roading fanbase.

Bumpers

While all UTVs come with a decent quality stock bumper, they will soon break down after extended exposure. An aftermarket bumper is typically much more durable and will help protect the vital parts of your UTV, which can receive surprise blows from sharp objects or tire shrapnel.

Bumpers can also hold up additional accessories like light bars, which help light the way when you’re driving at night.

Windshield

When you’re going off-road, the terrain becomes your number one rival. While you’re going to enjoy the time spent driving around extreme terrain conditions, your UTV will suffer a lot, whether from debris, large bugs, the wind, rain, or God forbid, sleet or hail.

The best choice is to buy a more pricy windshield. If you get into a tragic accident where, say, a rock manages to smash into your windshield at full speed, then you’ll be very thankful that you bought a more expensive model instead of opting for a weaker, cheaper one.

Nerf Bars

Just as the front of the UTV needs protection, so do the sides. Nerf bars are essentially bumpers for the sides of your rig. They are adequately called rock sliders and tree kickers on account of the obstacles they help protect against.

Skid Plate

You can protect the underside of your UTV with a skid plate, which is an abrasion-resistant material that can prevent any damage received from low-lying objects. Even if you’re driving over terrain that doesn’t have obstacles that could affect the underside of your UTV, a small but sharp rock hitting the side of your tires can indeed damage it.

Storage

Having more space to lug your items around is always a good idea. Going off-road implies taking a lot of equipment with you, whether we’re thinking of first-aid kits or batteries.

Cargo Box

A cargo box is essentially a modular trunk for your UTV that can easily be attached to it. Cargo boxes are especially useful as they are made from durable materials that can keep your items pristine.

Overhead Bags

Being able to retrieve your equipment from an overhead compartment is highly convenient. Overhead bags tend to be pricy, but if you can afford them, then they can make a difference. Clear or transparent bags are great for storing your phone.

Upgrade Your Rig

There are no limits when it comes to what you can upgrade your rig with. If anything, there is a very active community that thrives on adding crazy accessories to their UTVs! While this list has only presented the basics, there is a wide world out there for you to discover.

In the end, what’s important is that you have fun and respect the environment while you’re at it.