UTV or multi-passenger utility vehicles are getting popular for all the right reasons. One of the main pulls for buying a UTV side-by-side is because of their speed. After all, who doesn’t love to enjoy a fast ride? There’s no better feeling than riding a fast open vehicle like a side-by-side.
Many companies manufacture side-by-side vehicles. With so many options, it often gets confusing which one to choose, especially if you are buying it for the first time. A simple tip would be that you should go for a faster side-by-side vehicle. But before that, you need to know how fast a side-by-side can go.
The speed of a side-by-side may vary depending on the model and the company manufacturing it. But an average side-by-side when driven on flat ground can offer a speed up to 60 mph in just 8 to 9 seconds. But an average UTV, on the other hand, is a bit slower. It can reach up to a speed of 60 mph in 9 to 10 seconds. This is just for the average models, there are bigger side-by-side vehicles with powerful turbochargers and engines that can run much faster. As you would have guessed, they are more expensive than your average options.
Side-by-side models like Polaris RZR XP Turbo can reach a speed of up to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds which is as fast as a car. Basically, if you want the fastest option in the market then you need to do your research right.
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Some of the Fastest Side-By-Side Models
Now that we have already discussed the speed of a side-by-side, it’s time that we get to know about the fastest options available out there. You have many options in the market but we have shortlisted three of the best ones below.
Can-Am Maverick X3 X RS Turbo R
Can-Am took charge of the UTV world by introducing one of its top-speed models. The Can-Am Maverick X3 X RS Turbo R is one of the fastest models the company has ever created. It comes with a 72-inch width and 2 feet of suspension travel.
The sales of this turbocharged model have skyrocketed in the past few years. The model is mainly known for its excellent speed. It can reach up to 60 mph in just 6 seconds on a light dirt surface. For anyone looking for a high speed, side-by-side vehicle they can opt for this model.
The only downside of this model is that it is way too expensive, meaning it’s not a suitable option for budget buyers. It will cost you around 25 grand which is way too expensive compared with many other models.
Yamaha YXZ1000R SE
The next best choice is Yamaha YXZ1000R SE which is the fastest model ever from Yamaha. It comes with the same acceleration as the Can-Am mentioned above, but the good thing is that it is much more affordable.
This is a manual model and comes with a foot clutch just like you would find in a car. Other than that it also has a little bed in the back to increase practicality. The manual gearbox offers you greater control over the vehicle and the one thing you will surely like about this model is the handling.
Polaris RZR Turbo XP S
In the third spot, we have Polaris RZR Turbo XP S which is no less fast than the other two models. This is one of the bestselling side-by-side vehicles in the market today. If you are looking for a performance vehicle then this could be the perfect option for you.
In just 6 seconds, it can accelerate up to a speed of 60 mph which is great. However, you should know that these numbers can be achieved only in the 4WD model. You also need to make sure that you are using the right gas for your vehicle or it may slow down.
How to make your side-by-side faster: What are the options?
You already know the maximum speed you can get from a side-by-side vehicle. But for those who do not have the fastest side-by-side right now, you can follow a few simple steps to make your side-by-side faster. We have listed below some of the best ways for you to try.
Remove the roof, if it’s detachable
You can try and remove the roof of your UTV vehicle. Many brands manufacture their UTVs with detachable roof and if you own any of those models then you can easily remove the roof of the vehicle. This will help you to make your vehicle lighter and faster than before.
The weight of the roof attached is as close as 100 lbs. and as a result, the speed of the vehicle reduces. But once you remove it, you can drive your vehicle faster. In other words, it will help accelerate your vehicle and make it run just that little bit quicker.
Use an octane booster or racing fuel
Another thing you can do is use racing fuel in your vehicle. This is considered to be a great way to make your vehicle faster. Octane boosters are known to enhance your vehicle’s gasoline. It boosts the fuels octane rating and helps your engine to produce more torque.
This is one of the easiest ways of improving the performance of the vehicle. All you need to do is give your vehicle some octane booster, rather than carrying out expensive mods.
Get rid of the plastics
This may be a bit more difficult and time-consuming but it can provide good results. By plastics, we mean parts such as skid plates. You can get rid of these plastic parts to make your vehicle faster. The skid plates are usually screwed under the vehicle. Best that you can go through the manual to find out how to remove the skid plates and other plastic parts on your vehicle, though.
