Anyone ever drive their side by

[The motor guy]

Anyone ever take an atv or side by side out on the main road? I don't mean country backroads. Around here we have a lot of roads called FM farm to market roads. I just wonder how far you would get before a cop pulls you over lol would be fun to make the 20 mile trip to my brothers house

 

[tmorris1]

It is legal on some roads here. Can't answer that because I have no idea where you live or what the laws are.

 

[AZjeff]

Legal here in Arizona with minimal requirements for brake light, horn, etc. Supposedly on roads posted 45 and under because of DOT tire requirements but you see SxSs out on local divided highways doing 60+ often enough pretty sure the police don't care.

 

[The motor guy]

It is legal on some roads here. Can't answer that because I have no idea where you live or what the laws are.

Looks like you can register it in another state that is legal. All it needs is a license plate and turn signals. Weird because I always thought you have to own property in another state to do that.

 

[racer12306]

In response to the question: What legal requirements are needed to drive a side by side on texas roads and what roads can be driven on

In Texas, operating a side-by-side vehicle (also known as a UTV) on public roads is generally restricted. However, certain conditions and local ordinances permit limited on-road use. Here's what you need to know:

Legal Requirements for On-Road Operation:

Equipment Standards:

Your side-by-side must be equipped with:
At least one headlight
At least one taillight
Good working brakes
An unmodified Forest Service-qualified spark arrester
A working muffler with no cutouts or bypasses
Seat belts (if the vehicle has them)
A slow-moving vehicle emblem if operated at speeds of 25 mph or less
A windshield and rearview mirror
All occupants must wear helmets and eye protection.
DIRT LEGAL
Licensing and Registration:

Obtain an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) license plate from your local County Tax Office.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Ensure the vehicle is insured and that the driver holds a valid driver's license.
Permissible Roads for Operation:

Local Authorization:

Cities and counties may permit side-by-sides on roads within their jurisdiction.
Operation is typically allowed only on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
Always check with local authorities for specific regulations.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Proximity to Residence:

Some allowances exist for operating a side-by-side within a certain distance (e.g., two miles) from your residence, primarily for agricultural purposes.
TWTEX
Important Considerations:

Local Variations:

Regulations can vary significantly between different municipalities and counties.
It's essential to consult local laws and ordinances to ensure compliance.
Safety Compliance:

Adhering to safety equipment requirements is crucial for legal operation.
Regularly inspect your vehicle to ensure all mandated equipment is functional.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or law enforcement agency.

Note: This information is subject to change. Always verify current laws and regulations before operating a side-by-side on public roads in Texas.

Sources per ChatGPT

• Dirt Legal: Texas Street-Legal UTV Guide
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles - Unique Vehicles
• Two Wheeled Texans Forum - SXS Street Legal Now (Sort Of)

 

[dadto2]

IDK about atvs and side-by-sides in NY, but you can drive your snowmobile on roads that have been closed for snow, as long as you obey the speed limit. Though I'm not really sure who is going to catch you for speeding...

 

[The motor guy]

In response to the question: What legal requirements are needed to drive a side by side on texas roads and what roads can be driven on



Sources per ChatGPT

• Dirt Legal: Texas Street-Legal UTV Guide
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles - Unique Vehicles
• Two Wheeled Texans Forum - SXS Street Legal Now (Sort Of)

Looks like even with a license plate and everything, you're still restricted to 35mph roads

 

[Shel_B]

In 1994, Alvin Straight hitched a trailer to his recently purchased thirty-year-old John Deere lawn tractor, which had a maximum speed of about 5 mph. He set off on a 260+ mile journey from Laurens, Iowa, to Mount Zion, Wisconsin to visit his ailing brother.

He traveled from Laurens, Iowa through West Bend, Charles City, Prairie du Chen Wisconsin and on to Mt. Zion.

 

[The motor guy]

In 1994, Alvin Straight hitched a trailer to his recently purchased thirty-year-old John Deere lawn tractor, which had a maximum speed of about 5 mph. He set off on a 260+ mile journey from Laurens, Iowa, to Mount Zion, Wisconsin to visit his ailing brother.

He traveled from Laurens, Iowa through West Bend, Charles City, Prairie du Chen Wisconsin and on to Mt. Zion.

That would have taken a week. Nobody cared? Lol

 

[Shel_B]

That would have taken a week. Nobody cared? Lol

It took him longer than a week, and many people cared. I don't understand the point of your LOL ...

 

[The motor guy]

It took him longer than a week, and many people cared. I don't understand the point of your LOL ...

I see people people on riding mowers all the time around here, but I mean they do 5mph like stated, so what harm are they? Usually they're on the shoulder if there is one

 

[JWC86]

I have no idea and i’m sure it depends on your local area but when I visited friends in Texas recently we drove them on public roads like they where “cars”(going to town for lunch, supplies, beer, etc, sometime 15-20min trips) and nobody including law enforcement cared.

 

[The motor guy]

I have no idea and i’m sure it depends on your local area but when I visited friends in Texas recently we drove them on public roads like they where “cars”(going to town for lunch, supplies, beer, etc, sometime 15-20min trips) and nobody including law enforcement cared.

I stay on the 30mph backroads with mine. I see several others do the same, and it's my understanding they don't care in my area, but they WILL care if you get out on the main hwy. I've never seen one on the main hwy in my area

 

[02SE]

One of our neighbors has a SxS that is plated, and legal on the roads here. I don't complain about it, and they don't complain when I take our illegal on the road 2-stroke dirtbikes out, and do wheelies up and down the road. That said we only have a few neighbors close by, and we are not packed together like in a subdivision.

The neighbors seem to love my youthful exuberance...

 

[supton]

I'm guessing it's very dependent on local.

Why you would I'm not sure. I've never been in an SxS but I'm guessing it's not quite the couch on wheels that my Corolla is? let alone anything larger? For bouncing around on a dirt road, the SxS is probably wiser. But is it better on pavement? I'm thinking, between having heat and a/c, not having to listen to wind noise, having an actual safety cage around me ('cuz it's always the other drivers fault not mine)... and then actual running cost, that if most of the drive is on pavement, then a "real" car is always better.

I tend to think of off-road tires having short lives when forced to run on asphalt--which is probably not true, low traction dirt roads probably wear tires faster, due to that slippage--but at the very least, probably not rated to get the same milage as regular auto tires. Then actual fuel burn. Then what if my family members insist that I take leftovers home?

It's a free world, go for it, have fun. I recall a coworker who once road his riding lawn tractor to work (maybe it was his parents, we were after all in high school). All backroads so precisely 100% zero chance of danger to anyone at any time (it was maybe 2 miles in a podunk small town and on roads that people actually drove slow on). But funny all the same.

 

[The motor guy]

One of our neighbors has a SxS that is plated, and legal on the roads here. I don't complain about it, and they don't complain when I take our illegal on the road 2-stroke dirtbikes out, and do wheelies up and down the road. That said we only have a few neighbors close by, and we are not packed together like in a subdivision.

The neighbors seem to love my youthful exuberance...

Yeah it's a two way street with the neighbors here too. They don't complain about my long grass and I don't complain about the random refrigerator in his front yard I call it the unwritten rule.

 

[The motor guy]

I'm guessing it's very dependent on local.

Why you would I'm not sure. I've never been in an SxS but I'm guessing it's not quite the couch on wheels that my Corolla is? let alone anything larger? For bouncing around on a dirt road, the SxS is probably wiser. But is it better on pavement? I'm thinking, between having heat and a/c, not having to listen to wind noise, having an actual safety cage around me ('cuz it's always the other drivers fault not mine)... and then actual running cost, that if most of the drive is on pavement, then a "real" car is always better.

I tend to think of off-road tires having short lives when forced to run on asphalt--which is probably not true, low traction dirt roads probably wear tires faster, due to that slippage--but at the very least, probably not rated to get the same milage as regular auto tires. Then actual fuel burn. Then what if my family members insist that I take leftovers home?

It's a free world, go for it, have fun. I recall a coworker who once road his riding lawn tractor to work (maybe it was his parents, we were after all in high school). All backroads so precisely 100% zero chance of danger to anyone at any time (it was maybe 2 miles in a podunk small town and on roads that people actually drove slow on). But funny all the same.

My side by side basically has r1 tractor tires on them. Hasn't had an effect on wear and they work great off road. I'd like put some normal tires on it that would be smoother on the road. These tend to create a bunch of uncessary vibration and I think I have a wheel bearing out now.

 

[supton]

My side by side basically has r1 tractor tires on them. Hasn't had an effect on wear and they work great off road. I'd like put some normal tires on it that would be smoother on the road. These tend to create a bunch of uncessary vibration and I think I have a wheel bearing out now.

Wasn't sure how long they lasted. I know my Suzuki quad had nearly bald tires when I got it, and it had either 880 or 980 miles on it, something like that. Dubious the odometer has rolled over... but no idea, it's 30 years old now. Quick web search revealed that "everyone" complained about tire life. I sure don't like driving on pavement further than I have to, I think the tires flat spot, or are out of round, something, the Bearclaws get decent traction but smooth riding they aren't.

 

[The motor guy]

Wasn't sure how long they lasted. I know my Suzuki quad had nearly bald tires when I got it, and it had either 880 or 980 miles on it, something like that. Dubious the odometer has rolled over... but no idea, it's 30 years old now. Quick web search revealed that "everyone" complained about tire life. I sure don't like driving on pavement further than I have to, I think the tires flat spot, or are out of round, something, the Bearclaws get decent traction but smooth riding they aren't.

I've heard the same thing about dirt bike tires and everyone just let's them dry rot in the grage with 90 percent tread left instead of just using them and not worrying about it.

 

[cptbarkey]

Saw several in Missouri driving like idiots at night. Too much money, not enough brains.