I agree - My first upgrade was to Elka Stage 4 shocks. Couldn't afford the Stage 5's but would have loved to! My last ride also had Elka's. The BEST upgrade by far.
Saving up for the shocks... They probably the most expensive after market mod, but definitely the most important mod in terms of a good ride and decent handling.
i come here all the time to watch and learn about all the products and newly released machines. you give the info that everything is looking for. not just numbers.
My first five accessories I bought for my 2013 Polaris Rzr 800 LE EPS were: 1)Tires ITP Mudlite XTR(Right from the Dealer), 2) Winch(Right from Dealer) 3)Front Bumper(WARN) to relocate the winch out of the mud and protect the Radiator, 4) 4 point(2") harnesses(Pro Armor)(Because stock harness do not help in case of Roll over and hold you in place despite cheap seats). 5) A set of accessories I bought was 2" lift kit(Racer Tech) & High Clearance Front A-Arms(Super ATV). Now these are relatively cheap upgrades. The list is still long but I really want Elka Shocks, A heavier Duty Skid plate with Rock sliders, Gibson SS Exhaust, and Seats(These 4 Items Only About $4500). Money is the only hold up!!! But in the mean time I can still enjoy the ride and conquer most trails.
I have a 2012 xp 900. I bought it new. The first thing I changed was seats and 3 point harness. Then I put a removable steering wheel and power steering on. A tmw roll cage with roofrack was next. Then was exhaust and programmer. I found out that I really need beadlocks. We were trail riding and, I lost both back tires. I was riding through a cut and mud pushed into the beads of my tires. And that same day I bent my tie rod. I got an aftermarket tie rod. Still don't have bead locks. Oh almost forgot the winch. When I bought my rzr, I had a 3500# winch installed. I should have went with a 4500#. Always get more than recommended. I broke the 3500# quick. I still love to go riding, just gotta find the time. Here in Texas it gets hot. And the wife doesn't like hot 🔥. But safety is the first thing we all should look at. The stock rzr I got lacked in this department. The ones they make now are better. One more thing is comfort I put a half windshield and stereo. I've done a few more things, but thats the main stuff.
I just bought a 2020 sportsman Turing 1000. The first things I got was a winch, front and rear bumpers, a light bar and gps system for trails like Hatfield McCoy. Although I prefer a quiet ride an exhaust with computer upgrade would be next seeing Polaris has hindered the power of my 1000 in the computer. And an efficient motor last longer and runs better than over killing in power or dumbing down power.
Many are saying a winch, but you covered the reason you left that off the list in your opening commentary. My first upgrade would be wheels and tires. But honestly, I think the BEST upgrade I could make to my sxs would be to hang one of those nice DirtTrax hats from the roll bar so I have something super-trick to protect my shaved head from the sun when the ignition is turned off and the helmet comes off for a break on the trail!
Saving for a General, then will add lights, maybe a five point harness and an exhaust upgrade since it already comes nicely outfitted. Will use it for hunting, fishing, shooting sports, and of course for some fun riding around the ole dirt trails.
For my 900 trail, bumpers and a winch, with spare tire are important because in the southern interior of British Columbia, sometimes you have to blaze your own trail!
I think seats are highest on my list. You guys provide such great info though, makes my list of wants longer each time you show a cool product I didnt even know I wanted.
+DALA BEAST negative. Stock clutches are just like anything else on atvs. Cheap. Aftermarket clutches have way better components and belt wear. Better back shift and engagement. Makes the riding experience worlds better!
I only have 10 miles on mine and already picked up a set of ITP dual beadlocks with motoclaw tires and starting to look for another set of shocks to replace the OEM. Elka was what I had on my last rzr and would like to pick up another set for this one
An after market clutch kit is a great upgrade, no matter how much power you have in a machine, you have to be able to put it to the ground with very little belt slip. :)
I used your review of the Arctic Cat Wildcat Sport as part of my decision making toolkit when shopping for a new UTV to add to my stable and keep my RZR 570 company. I literally made a bookmark folder specifically for upgrades the day I brought my new WCS home. I've been slowly ticking off items as time and money allows, and I ordered the upgrades by order of safety. My first upgrade was a set of 5 point harnesses and a harness mounting bar (that also increased lateral structural strength). Seats are next on my list as I have a nice set of suspension seats already bookmarked. I already added the flip up windshield, soft top, soft rear window, steel frame attached bumpers, audio system, and storage bags mounted in the roof roll bar cross members, and of course the rear view window and two way radios to keep track of our caravan of UTV's and ATV's we ride the National Forest trails with. My Wildcat sport came with the JRI ECX1 shocks and I really could not be happier. After the seats, a winch will be added, and if I start to ride at night more I'll add LED light bars and a high visibility whip. What I really want to upgrade next are the wheels and tires, but the stock ones have done well so far, so it's hard to deem it a practical or necessary expense. When it comes to upgrades, I say make a wish list, and include expected cost next to each item. Then order them first by pure desire, then by safety, then by performance, and then by cost. If an item is near the top of the list no matter how you organize it, make it your next purchase. However, above all things, I have to say that the 5 point harness was the best money spent in terms of both safety and comfort. I have no regrets buying my Wildcat Sport, and everything y'all said in your review videos was spot on. Thanks for all you do and keep up the good work! P.S. My WCS was such a hit amongst my group of family and friends that my brother in law and his girlfriend both bought Wildcat Sports a month after I bought mine. Riding together as a family is the whole reason I got into side by side's in the first place, but how much fun they are was such a unexpected benefit. I spend my weekdays in my home office in front of computer monitors, so getting out into the woods on the weekends is my therapy. Dirt Trax Therapy!
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First addition to my 2015 RZR 570 was a winch bumper - wanted to get the winch up where I could get to it versus down in the mud in the stock mounting position. Secondly I wanted a sure footed tie down location for trailering. Wild Boar Extreme Duty was perfect solution for my needs.
I don't own a SXS but first upgrades are usually the same across the board, 1)Tires (mud or trail, depending on what you drive) 2)Winch b/c getting stuck and being able to get out is kind of important haha 3) Storage box/bag to keep tools, emergency equipment. And from here you can go whatever direction you want, I went with Hand warmers b/c its cold in Canada sometimes, Rigid LED Pods, K&N filter, Line-X my Racks, and I'd like to have a tiger tail but they are way too expensive so I'm saving my pennies So when Yamaha comes out with a Twin Grizzly, I can finally upgrade from my '08 700 Grizz. Thanks DT !!
I sat in a Rzr with new seats and loved them so I think that is the first mod off the list you provided! I have already added factory UTV skids and a CageWrx super shorty cage. Thanks for the great video. XPT!!!
Everyone likes to go faster and gives little thought to safety. I have aftermarket EVO exhaust, Agency Power intake, stage 3 EVO ECU upgrade, 30" Tensor Regulator tires with System 3 bead locks, PRP seats, Baja Design lights, but realized my stack roll cage will not perform well under a high speed crash. I ordered a Cagewrx Super Shorty with a roof and windshield. Safety gear is one of the most important upgrades people (me included) overlook. Be safe, make sure your cage will handle and keep you safe in case of a crash.
I already have lighting, storage, winch, and bumpers. I am saving for tires, clutching, and extra undercarriage protection. When running in heavily wooded areas for me I want to keep the sticks and small stumps from hanging up.
+Dirt Trax Television i would say tires would be a good idea I have Itp mudlites on every thing I own but also a warn winch is great also because as we all know tires can only get you so far the winch will get u a lot farther
My top 5 list for upgrades would have to be...5- Tires (for ultimate grippieness)4- Lighting (you have to see where you're going)3- Skid plate ( you don't want to tear anything off)2- A winch (just in case ya get hemmed up in a mud hole or something while on a solo ride)1- 5 Point harness (safety first)
I never thought I could afford a Polaris rzr, but after being blessed with an english bulldog litter and then some more savings and lay-a-way at a dealer in the next state I finally got a 2009 Polaris rzr efi 800cc, for me and my wife as a couple it is more than just a hobby, for me it's therapy, I have an anxiety disorder and for 15 years I was a shut in, I am now on meds and making progress and my old Polaris is a big part of that since because of my disability I can't get a license to be on the road luckily we live next to the river bed and drive it down there, being as old as it is, it's been an ongoing project, I've already got a thousand into it just getting it mechanically sound, so I would literally take anything you guys could give me to help out with it, but if I had to pick it being just the efi with out a sports suspension and the shocks being as old as they are I would really love to have the custom shocks you spoke about in your video, p.s. I have always used your videos often when daydreaming of getting my side by side and always look you guys up and your advice and reviews of anything off road you guys are the coolest!
I would agree that lighting is a big deal but I also look towards cheaper or diy performance upgrades as being number 1. Things like better intakes (whether just an upgraded air filter or new intake) or gutting a stock muffler and building a custom core and packing it with fiberglass. I have a 06' Arctic Cat 500 that I rebuilt the muffler on and gained 5 mph on the top end, a better crisper sound without being obnoxious and significant power increase (although I can't tell you exactly how much because I don't have access to a dyno).
cluching is a big thing if ur planning on putting a more luggy tire for mud. i also think that a good Accessory would be a storage box that fits in the cargo box. u never know what troubles u may incounter on a trail.
Nothing like blazing the trails to your favorite tunes...a good sound system should be on this list cause once you have rode with one its never the same without it :)
There is so many choices I like having good tires and a winch for sure I also love led lights I would wanna go change all the lights to led and get a led light bar but also something that doesn't come with a bike or sxs is a helmet no matter if u go fast or slow u can still get hurt or even die in any accident helmets and other safety equipment is really important no matter fast or slow anything can happen
I think ecu tune and exhaust are the best upgrades. However I think wheel bearings are the most important especially in rough trail rides. Nothing like Arizona.
Wheels and tires by far are the biggest improvement from factory. Not only do they increase traction, but they add to looks, function, and capability; they also function as an integral part of the suspension which in some cases can have a more drastic change than a shock can.
I have a Commander. First on my list is suspension. I feel that I will never get all the power out of my machine without a good suspension. Therefore, I am saving for a set of Elkas. After that I will be adding harnesses. Then tires to complete the power to the ground.
I actually bought the MBRP exhaust prior to seeing this video and I would agree it's easily one of the top three makers #1 in my book. It's got a very throaty sound but not a lot louder than stock, it also seemed to free up some lower end power. I have a18 RZR High Lifter and am waiting on Super ATV'S tune for it. Hope this helps!
the most common i see at work on polaris and canam. 1 - 5 1 lightbar or a few lightbars. 2 particle separator 3 winch 4 doors 5 anything but bighorns for tires.
2016 wildcat trail: current upgrades in order purchased: front steel brush guard ITP mud lt's rear view mirror rear tow hook for extraction artic cat soft top 32" front light bar super soaker to keep my radiator clean! 🙆🙆 future upgrades in order planned: fender flares 4500# winch rear light bar and whips half windshield
A good upgrade in my eyes would be snorkels. Even if you don't plan on going deep, you never know what's ahead on the trail and it's better to be safe than sorry. It could almost be an assurance thing to some people.
The exhaust is the best accessory for me because it makes that engine sound and perform so much better than the stock plus ya can't beat a new exhaust vs. a rusty stock exhaust system that came on it when ya got it.
It may be because I'm an east coast rider (North Carolina), but I'm waiting to find the right winch set up for my Yamaha wolverine rspec. Going to be mounted on EMP front bumper not factory brackets.
#5 - Upgraded Seats; Mesh seat and back with bolsters to keep the rider and driver solid. And 5 point Harness so I can focus on FUN! So My order of upgrade is; #5, #2, #1, #3 and #4. Keep up the great videos!
While all the things you listed are great upgrade to get (and some of them are often overlooked). Body/suspension protection is top on my list. Skid plates, bumpers, rock slider and exo cage to be more specific. I USE my machine and if I keep ripping axle boots, tearing bedsides off or bending A arms then thats less time i can be riding as the machine is down for repairs.
