Tips For UTV Summer Rides

For those who want an all-season, all-weather vehicle that can take on rugged terrain and tough conditions, UTVs are the answer. Since a lot of people spend summer months chasing thrills on trails or working hard with their side by sides, they are exposed to the sun and high temperature for hours on end. This means there are some precautions that should be taken to ensure the ride stays safe and fun. 

As your local UTV dealer in Fort Gibson, OK, we at Mike Cooper Tractors want to help you enjoy your vehicle responsibly, so read our summer riding tips below. If you’re looking for UTVs for sale near Tulsa or Muskogee, get in touch with our sales department and one of our friendly staff will help you out!

Dress The Part

You need the right clothes and gear to protect you from passing branches, flying debris and even from any collisions. You’ll want to wear clothes that keep your skin protected, not only from these obstacles but also from the sun. Wearing light layers of long sleeves and long pants made out of breathable fabrics like cotton and linen will go a long way in saving your skin in more ways than one. 

Always wear a helmet when you’re riding your UTV! A motorcycle helmet can feel very hot and stuffy in summer (especially if you’re out for hours) so you can invest in a motocross helmet, which is designed for extreme sports. Wear a pair of well-fitting goggles if you don’t have a helmet that shields your face because your eyes need to be protected, and you can get these tinted with UV ray protection to double as sunglasses. Gloves and boots might seem excessive in the heat, but they’ll go a long way towards protecting your hands and feet from all that debris, too.

Ride In The Shade

To avoid dehydration, you should try to stay away from direct sunlight as much as possible. If you can, alter your usual UTV route for one that’s more shaded and will keep you cooler than an open track or trail. If you do have any skin exposed to the sun, such as your nose, neck and ears, you should apply a sweat-proof sunscreen and touch it up throughout the day.

Stay Hydrated

As we mentioned, it’s important to avoid dehydration. If you're out in the sun, you will lose a lot of water and salt from your body. You have to ensure you replenish these by staying hydrated. When you become dehydrated, you become less able to react quickly, your focus suffers and you’re just not firing on all cylinders. So keep a few bottles of water in your cargo bay and sip from them whenever you take a break.

Take Breaks

Breaks are good when you’re riding in warm temperatures. This helps you to relax and recharge your batteries. If you keep riding hard, you will lose focus and tire out your muscles as the heat bogs you down. Make sure you stop several times on a long trail. Maybe you’ll want to dip your feet in a creek or take a short hike around to clear your head and ready you for more riding. Whatever you do, make sure you know your limits and don’t push yourself any harder than necessary.

We hope these tips will help you have fun in the summer without any hiccups! For more information or if you’re looking for UTVs for sale in Fort Gibson, OK, get in touch with the sales team at Mike Cooper Tractors and one of our helpful staff will assist you! We’re also proud to be the leading tractor dealer for our friends from Tulsa and Muskogee!