What SXS Parts and Accessories Are Worth Upgrading?

Whether you’re outfitting a new SXS or upgrading your existing one, your SXS parts and accessories can make significant differences in performance. Your needs, preferences and budget determine the upgrades you choose for your vehicle. But if you need some ideas, this helpful guide may steer you in the right direction.

SXS Parts and Accessories Worth Undegrading

You may not be surprised to see SXS tires as a top recommended upgrade. The important thing is choosing models that best fit your terrain. Many UTV owners ride on a wide variety of terrains – if this sounds like you, your best bet is an all-terrain model. Riders aren’t shy when talking about their gear, and a few all-terrain tires consistently get top ratings: the Kenda K99 Bear Claw, the Sedona Rip-Saw RT and the Maxxis Carnivore. But what makes them so awesome? Here’s a rundown on some key features:

• The K99 Bear Claw is a 6-ply tire with longitudinal all-terrain tread. It’s an incredibly versatile tire, but the tread style gives you an extra performance boost on snow.
• The Sedona Rip-Saw RT has 1 1/8-inch deep tread and siped knobs laid out in a well-spaced pattern. The Rip-Saw performs especially well on watery ground and rocky terrain.
• The Maxxis Carnivore lives up to its name with aggressive tread, an 8-ply construction and protruding tread on its sidewalls. It delivers solid performance on any terrain, but its bite makes it a boss at handling mud.

You’ve seen all-terrains that excel on snow, mud and hard terrain, but let’s quickly take a look at sand tires. Traction can be a bit more difficult on sand, but lighter-weight tires with paddle-style tread can better master both flat spaces and dunes. The CST Sandblast gets high marks for its performance – it’s a 2-ply model with 12 paddles on the rear tire’s tread and two rows of deep-bladed knobs on the front.

How To Change SXS Exhaust System

You’re likely not surprised to see SXS exhaust parts as recommended upgrades. Thankfully, there are options that fit most riders’ budgets. Swapping your stock muffler with a slip-on is one possibility. Consisting of a metal body with special packing material in the core, a slip-on can improve how your bike sounds and looks. Meanwhile, you’ll also get minor power gains. Most come equipped with spark arrestors – small devices that prevent sparks and hot exhaust particles from leaving your tailpipe. If you want to “go big or go home,” a full exhaust upgrade could be your best option. Full systems can replace a bike’s stock exhaust to increase power and torque. Depending on your choices, a new system can also improve your bike’s aesthetics.

Slip-ons are easy to install and just require a bit of time and a few tools. An exhaust system upgrade is more complicated. Correct installation ensures there are no leaks, but you may also need to modify the jetting to get a balanced fuel-air mixture. There are guides for DIY exhaust installation, but you can always hire professionals to do the job. And whether you’re upgrading tires, exhaust, braking components or anything else, choose a reliable powersports parts dealer when you shop.