If you have ever been riding for a long period of time, you know that you are more than likely going to need a couple things with you in case of something unexpected. We put together a list of what we think are the top 10 things you should take with you when riding. 1. Tool/Survival KitWhen you are enjoying the trails, you are typically miles away from civilization or help. Having a kit that can help get you back to civilization is important. For instance, if you bust a tire and don’t have anything to plug that tire then it could take a long time to walk out and get help. Most tool or survival kits for SXS have the basic items you would need incase of emergency. 2. Spare Wheel/Tire (If you have space)If there is an instance that you can’t plug your tire, then having a spare is crucial. Some people don’t take a spare tire because they either don’t have the room, or they don’t like the mounting of the spare tire on their machine. We do suggest that if you don’t want to take a full tire, at least pack a patch kit that can help get you back to civilization. 3. FluidsPlanning a weekend trip is very exciting, but you need to remember that your machine is much like a car. The fluids of your machine is run based off mileage and how hard you push your machine. You don’t want to get halfway through the weekend and run out of fluids and take the risk of overheating your machine or causing damage to the motor. 4. Extra ClothesDepending on how hard you ride, the weather conditions you are riding in, and how far you are going, clothes can be very handy to have. If you end up riding into the night, get wet, or muddy you are able to change and not be miserable the entire ride. Some people may not think that clothes are that important, but to others they are very helpful. 5. Drive BeltEvery trip your machine is getting pushed, whether its water splashing into the engine or just the style that you are riding. Taking something as simple as a drive belt can be important to getting your machine back up and running. 6. CoolerMost SXS have a tailgate of some sort; some are bigger than others but most of them have a place where you can store a cooler. Keeping snacks and drinks with you during your trip can keep you riding without having to worry about getting dehydrated or hungry!7. Tie-Downs/Tow StrapsIf you have a cooler on your machine, tie-downs are very important. Being able to keep all of your valuables secured to your machine during any terrain is what everyone is looking for. You don’t want to be riding with your friends and you are having to stop to make sure you have all of your goods and equipment. They are also important if you or a riding partner gets stuck and needs to be pulled out. 8. WinchA winch can be just as important to have as tie-downs/tow straps. If you have a winch, you have a built in anchor point to be able to pull your partners out if they get stuck. A winch can also be used to move debris that could be blocking your path through. 9. Fire ExtinguisherWhen pushing your machine to the limits in the trails, there can be instances that a fire extinguisher can become very important. They are easy to store in the roll over cage which does not interfere with your riding experience or room in the cab. 10. Protective GearLastly, protective gear is a no brainer but we thought it should be added to the list. Riding can be very dangerous depending on multiple variables. Having the appropriate helmet, goggles, gloves, etc. on before hitting the trails can help make sure that you and your passengers are safe. Most trails do require that you at least wear a helmet before riding. Obviously, these are not set in stone items to take riding with you. All ten of these items are suggestions from us, or things that we take ourselves when we hit the trails. You will find things that you want to bring that we did not list and that is perfectly fine. We wanted to give a base to start with for any beginner eager to get into the hills.
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