UTV Helmets

UTVs or side x sides are simultaneously a valuable work tool for farms, construction sites and ranches, and a great weekend play vehicle for powersports enthusiasts. But regardless of how you’re using your UTV, you and your passengers need to be safe and protected, and that includes wearing a properly-fitted helmet suited to side x side riding. At Langston Motorsports of Perris, California, we understand the importance of UTV safety both on and off the road. If you have any questions after reading this guide to the best UTV helmets, don’t hesitate to come down and see us!

Why Helmets Are Important

When UTVs first became available, safety concerns were not as stringent as they are now, and laws have been passed in many jurisdictions that require helmet use on all sorts of motorized vehicles, and this includes side x sides. Even if your particular state or locality hasn’t made it law yet, helmets are the most important safety equipment you can have on a UTV. While your UTV feels sort of like riding in a car and you might feel protected by the roll-over cages and sturdy suspension, you’re much more liable to fall out or be flung from your UTV in the event of a crash or roll-over. When you’re riding on hard terrain or a construction site, it may only take one big pothole or chunk of rock to send you careening, especially at higher speeds. Even if you don’t crash, UTVs will kick up small rocks and other debris, and you can save your face serious injury if you protect yourself. So the best thing you can do is provide suitable helmets for every passenger riding in your side x side.

Helmet Types

Hundreds of styles of helmet exist for riders of all kinds of vehicles, both motorized and not, but there aren’t many specialized UTV helmets. However, many suitable helmets are available at a range of prices, so you’ll be bound to find one you can afford that will keep you safe.

For a UTV, you’ll want to go with something sturdier than your average bicycle helmet, preferably one rated by the Department of Transportation for safety and protection from an impact. The half-helmet styles with no face protection will not help you much on a UTV.

Motorcycle helmets with their full-face protection will definitely protect you in the event of a crash since motorcycle riding presents similar dangers as UTV riding, with the open-air seating making you more liable to be thrown from the vehicle in a crash. However, these helmets are hot and heavy, which won’t be very comfortable on a hot day riding your UTV.

The closest helmet to ideal for side x side riding is a motocross helmet. This style will protect your face from debris, branches and forward impacts while being more breathable and lighter in weight than a motorcycle helmet. Motocross helmets are perfectly suited to extreme sports, which includes UTVs. Some helmets are made specifically for off-road racing with built-in radios for communication and clean-air systems to filter out the dust of the track. These can be beneficial on a dirty work site or on desert sands.

Comfort & Fit

No matter which style of helmet you choose, you should make sure it fits comfortably and correctly. A well-fitting helmet shouldn’t slide around and ought to fit snugly over your head. A little pressure when you put it on is fine, but if it’s so tight that you feel like you’re wedging your foot into Cinderella’s glass slipper, go with a bigger size. When your helmet fits, it’s most likely to protect you completely in a crash, so don’t be afraid to try on several until you find the perfect one.

Face Mask or Goggles?

After you’ve decided on a helmet, you’ll want to protect your face in some way. If your helmet doesn’t come with a face mask installed, you’ll need to wear goggles which are more common with motocross helmets. Buying goggles separately from your helmet allows you to customize the fit of your safety gear more and choose the options you want, such as anti-fogging lenses or UV filtering. Eye protection is another key element of UTV riding safety, so don’t neglect this just because you’ve protected your brain.

If you’re in the market for a great new or used UTV, come down to our showroom to see our UTVs for sale. The Langston Motorsports dealership can be found in Perris, conveniently located for easy access by our customers in the cities of Temecula, Riverside and San Bernardino. We serve the entire Inland Empire region, including greater Orange County, California.