Buyer Guide
Side-by-Side Guide.
Sport, utility, touring, or youth — find the right UTV for your land, your trails, and your lifestyle in North Dakota.
Types of Side-by-Sides
Four Categories, One for Every Rider
Side-by-sides (also called UTVs) come in four main categories. Understanding which one fits your needs is the most important first step.
Sport
Best for: Adrenaline seekers, dune riders, and trail enthusiasts
Built for speed, jumps, and aggressive trail riding. Sport side-by-sides feature long-travel suspension, high-output turbocharged engines, and race-inspired chassis. They are the fastest and most exciting UTVs on the market.
Models: Polaris RZR Pro R, RZR XP, RZR Turbo R
Utility / Work
Best for: Ranchers, farmers, landowners, and property managers
Designed for getting work done. Utility side-by-sides have cargo beds, towing capacity, and durable construction built to handle farm chores, land management, and heavy hauling. Many can plow snow, pull trailers, and carry feed.
Models: Polaris Ranger XP, Ranger Crew, Ranger SP, Yamaha Viking, Yamaha Wolverine
Touring / Recreation
Best for: Families, camping trips, and comfortable trail cruising
Comfort-focused models with room for the whole family. Touring side-by-sides offer car-like cabs, climate control, premium sound systems, and smooth suspensions for long-distance trail riding.
Models: Polaris GENERAL XP, Polaris Xpedition, Yamaha RMAX, Yamaha Wolverine
Youth
Best for: Kids ages 6-16 learning to ride
Smaller, speed-limited models designed for younger riders. Youth UTVs come with safety features like geofencing, speed limiters, and helmet-aware technology to keep kids safe while they learn to ride.
Models: Polaris RZR 200 EFI, Ranger 150 EFI
Key Features to Compare
Once you know the type, drill into these specifications to narrow your choice.
Engine Size & Power
UTVs range from 150cc youth models to 2,000cc turbocharged monsters. For general recreation and trail riding, 900-1000cc naturally aspirated engines provide plenty of power. Turbocharged models (Polaris Pro XP, Turbo R) add 50-100% more power for extreme terrain and performance driving.
Seating Configuration
Two-seat models are lighter and narrower for tight trails. Four-seat (crew) models carry the whole family but add 12-18 inches of wheelbase. Some models like the Polaris Xpedition offer convertible rear cargo/seating.
Suspension Travel
More suspension travel means a smoother ride over rough terrain. Utility models typically offer 10-12 inches; sport models push 20-30+ inches with fully adjustable FOX or Walker Evans shocks.
Cab & Climate
Enclosed cab models with HVAC are game-changers for North Dakota winters. Polaris Xpedition and Ranger Northstar models offer factory-installed windshields, doors, heaters, and air conditioning.
Cargo & Towing
Utility models tow 2,000-2,500 lbs and carry 500-1,000 lb bed loads. Consider your hauling needs — feed, firewood, game, building materials — when choosing between sport and utility platforms.
Accessories & Protection
Windshields, roofs, doors, winches, plows, and light bars are common additions. Polaris offers extensive factory accessory catalogs. Buy the base vehicle that fits your primary use, then accessorize for secondary needs.
How Will You Use It?
Common Use Cases
The best side-by-side is the one that matches your primary use. Here is how North Dakota owners typically use theirs.
Ranch & Farm Work
Feed livestock, check fences, haul supplies, plow snow, and traverse rough pasture. A Polaris Ranger with a cargo bed, winch, and plow attachment replaces an ATV and a small truck for daily ranch tasks.
Our pick: Polaris Ranger XP or Ranger Crew
Trail Riding & Recreation
Hit the trails for weekend adventures with friends and family. North Dakota offers access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail area, badlands OHV routes, and numerous USDA grassland trails.
Our pick: Polaris GENERAL XP, RZR XP, or Yamaha RMAX
Hunting
Access remote hunting spots, haul deer or elk from the field, and set up in areas trucks cannot reach. Quiet EFI engines, front racks, and cargo beds make UTVs the ultimate hunting vehicle.
Our pick: Polaris Ranger with camo finish
Family Recreation
Introduce kids and family to off-roading in a safe, controlled environment. Four-seat models with proper restraints, doors, and nets provide a secure experience for all ages.
Our pick: Polaris GENERAL 4, Ranger Crew, or Yamaha Wolverine
Where to Ride
Riding in North Dakota
Maah Daah Hey Area
Badlands, western ND
While the trail itself is non-motorized, surrounding USDA National Grasslands and designated OHV areas offer stunning badlands terrain for side-by-side riding.
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge Area
Near Kenmare, ND
Designated trail systems near the refuge area offer scenic riding through rolling prairie and wooded coulees.
Turtle Mountain State Forest
North-central ND
Forested trails through the Turtle Mountains — a unique riding environment in a state known for open prairie. Check current forest road access with ND Forest Service.
Private Land / Permission-Based
Statewide
Much of North Dakota off-roading happens on private land with landowner permission. Many ranchers welcome riders who respect the land. Always ask first and ride responsibly.
Featured Brand
Polaris at Vallely
Polaris is the world's leading side-by-side manufacturer, and Vallely Sport & Marine is a proud authorized Polaris dealer serving Bismarck, Minot, and the surrounding region. From the legendary RZR sport line to the workhorse Ranger utility series, Polaris covers every use case.
Being a Minnesota-based company, Polaris understands the demands of Northern Plains riding — extreme cold, snow, mud, and wide-open terrain. Their machines are engineered and tested for exactly the conditions you will encounter across North Dakota.
Vallely's certified Polaris technicians provide factory-trained service, warranty work, and genuine Polaris parts and accessories. We stock popular accessories year-round so you can customize your machine at the time of purchase or anytime after.
Find Your Side-by-Side
Browse our current side-by-side inventory or visit our Bismarck or Minot showroom. Our Polaris-certified team will help match the right machine to your needs.
