Owning an off-road vehicle means you’ve got tons of ground to cover. Question is: how does it handle and perform on different surfaces? These tips are general guidelines to get you off-road with an idea of what you may encounter once you slip on your helmet.

STARTING OUT

Loose dirt, soft ground, packed sand: there’s a lot to take in, so familiarize yourself with the vehicle and terrain in either a wide-open space or a well-traveled trail.

PAVED SURFACES

If you need to drive on pavement, asphalt, or concrete for short distances, stay in 2x4 and drive with caution: it’s an “off-road” vehicle, not an on-road vehicle and is not designed for asphalt or road use.

HILLS

Treat every hill with caution, and travel up or down in the straightest line possible. Why? Driving at an angle, or sidehilling, shifts the vehicle’s weight to exactly where you don’t want it, and can lead to a rollover.

MUD

Before entering any mud hole, inspect both the terrain and your machine. How deep? For both regular models and X mr models, try to keep your tires visible at all times. (Keep that radiator clean, too!)

SNOW

Yes, you can totally take your Can-Am Off-Road vehicle out in the winter. There’s going to be less grip when accelerating, turning, and stopping. We apply the brakes more often in the winter to keep temperatures up and reduce snow / ice buildup.

ROCKS

You’re a beginner, right? If so–find yourself an experienced spotter or off-road club, and take things slowly.

Your off-road vehicle can take you nearly anywhere—and you may one day encounter every type of terrain on a single ride. Be prepared, travel at your own pace…and start racking up those miles.