Stay Safer Off Road
Safety is a key element to riding on any off-road terrain where you can always learn, advance and pass along that knowledge to your off-road riding club, family, and beyond.
Gear Up for a Safe Ride
Wearing the right safety equipment is important for your safety and reduces the chance of injury. Be sure to gear up.
Make Sure ORVs are Age Appropriate
Make sure kids are the appropriate age to ride and have fulfilled the necessary requirements.
Never Mix ORVs and Alcohol
Just like driving your car, you never want to drive or ride after consuming alcohol or drugs.
Always Plan for Fuel Stops
As you plan your ride, be sure to plan for fuel stops. For your safety, never carry fuel or other flammable liquids in ORVs.
Designed for Off-Road Riding
Operate only on approved ORV routes and use caution to avoid trail debris.
Trail Debris
While designed and engineered to operate in the off-road environment, know that the undercarriage of any off-road vehicle can be penetrated by large debris or obstacles such as branches, stumps, logs and rocks. Penetrating debris may pose the risk of serious injury or death to the vehicle occupants.
To reduce this risk, observe the following behaviors:
- Understand the capabilities of your vehicle and do not attempt to traverse trail debris or large obstacles that exceed the vehicle ground clearance.
- Scan the path ahead for obstacles and hazards, then choose the safest route.
- Travel at speeds appropriate for the terrain, visibility, operating conditions and your experience level.
- Exercise caution when operating in unfamiliar terrain, on slopes, driving through water, or driving over large obstacles. This includes obstacles that may be obscured by water or other features of the terrain.
Trail Talk
Get an all-new view on all things off road with our Trail Talk YouTube series. Join Evan (and our cameraman, Erik) as they share great tips for your side-by-side and ATV.
Your Guide for Getting Out There
Whether you’re new to off-roading or a seasoned rider, there’s always something more to learn, exciting experiences to share, and new ways to get you out there where you are meant to be.
Designed for the Off-Road
Never operate this vehicle on any public street, road or highway, including dirt or gravel roads unless designated for off-highway use. Avoid driving on pavement as the vehicle handling is adversely affected. If it's unavoidable, travel slowly for short distances only and avoid sudden turns or stops.
Age & Fit Guidelines
All off-road vehicles have age and fitment requirements. Be sure to check the owner's manual for specifics about your vehicle
Requirements for SXS, UTV and ATV
All drivers must be 16 years old with a valid driver's license. It is strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate ROHVA training for SXSs or ASI training for ATVs. All riders must also be able to reach handleholds and place feet flate on the floor while their back is against the seatback with seatbelt on.
Requirements for Youth SXS, UTV or ATV
All drivers under 16 years old should never operate full-size off-road vehicles. Polaris offers youth ATV models for ages 6+ and youth SXS and UTV models for ages 10+. Some models have height requirements, refer to the owner's manual for specifics. All young riders should have adult supervision at all times.
Requirements for SXS, UTV and ATV
All drivers must be 16 years old with a valid driver's license. It is strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate ROHVA training for SXSs or ASI training for ATVs. All riders must also be able to reach handleholds and place feet flate on the floor while their back is against the seatback with seatbelt on.
Requirements for Youth SXS, UTV or ATV
All drivers under 16 years old should never operate full-size off-road vehicles. Polaris offers youth ATV models for ages 6+ and youth SXS and UTV models for ages 10+. Some models have height requirements, refer to the owner's manual for specifics. All young riders should have adult supervision at all times.
Take a Class
The best riders are informed riders. Before driving or being a passenger, it’s important to take a training course to understand the rules for a great day off road. Learn the key skills to handle a SXS, UTV or ATV safely —been riding a long time? Look for more advanced courses to enhance your skills.
Gear Up
Wearing the right protective gear is important for your safety and reduces the chance of injury. Think beyond helmets and eye protection, wear long sleeves, pants gloves and over-the-ankle boots to protect from trail debris and the elements. Also, consider layering to be prepared for changing weather conditions and to keep you comfortable on the ride.
Check Your Ride
No matter how seasoned of a rider you are, always thoroughly assess your vehicle before setting out. Be sure to check your fuel and plan ahead for stops along the way. For your safety, never carry fuel on your vehicle.
Know Your Terrain
By its very nature, off-roading involves riding on different terrains with varying difficulty levels. Be sure to learn what vehicle modifications, accessories and driving techniques you need to understand when tackling different kinds of riding.
Obey the Rules
Understanding the unwritten rules of the off road is important, but following the local, county and state laws is a must. Before you hit the trails, make sure to look up the laws that apply to your route. Ignoring the regulations can not only hurt you or someone else, but it negatively affects trail conditions and lead to stricter riding regulations.
Industry Resources
Like other powersports and outdoor recreation activities, off-roading has many groups and organizations dedicated to safe riding. These groups provide training, tips, and more. Here are a few for you to know.
Off-Road Safety Videos
Owner's Manuals
Your owner's manual is an excellent safety and maintenance guide. They guide on vehicle warnings, protective gear, and operating procedures.
Proper Accessories & Installation
Self-installation of accessories or using accessories not specifically designed with the vehicle in mind can result in injury or vehicle malfunction.
See below for Polaris recommended tips to choose and install accessories safely:
- Use Polaris Engineered accessories only, that are designed and validated specifically for your vehicle.
- Know your technical limits when installing, and when in doubt, have professionally installed by a trained technician at your local dealership.
- For electrical or powered accessories, follow these safety guidelines:
- Never splice into the factory wire harness
- Always follow installation instructions that accompany the accessory
- Don’t connect electrical accessories directly to the battery, utilize the accessory mounting block or accessory wires included in the factory harness
- Confirm all electrically powered accessories are not powered when the key is in off position
- To reduce unnecessary risk, avoid aftermarket modifications not approved by Polaris:
- ECU calibrations, intake snorkel kits, excessive amperage draw accessories, or removal of heat shields can increase the risk of fire or burn injuries
- Cabs, roofs, and roll-over protection structures can affect the stability and performance of the vehicles
- Aftermarket modifications may impact warranty coverage during or after the warranty period
Off-Road Service Videos
Maintaining your machine is an element of safety. Check out our service videos to learn more about keeping your machine running and ready to go.
Outside Responsibility
Being a safer rider also means being a good steward of where you ride. Learn more about how you can make an impact by leaving less impact.
Our YouTube Channels are a great location for all sorts of videos. Ranging from safety to service to fun off road, take a closer look at both the Polaris Off Road and RZR channels below.
Need Help?
Check out our Self Help section for articles, videos, tips, and more.
More Polaris Offerings
Polaris Podcast
Brought to you by the Polaris Help Center, the Polaris Podcast is here to make owning a Polaris Off-Road Vehicle even easier. If you're not an expert, it's okay. Tune in monthly as our experts explain a variety of topics, from how your transmission works to how to store your ORV during the offseason.
