UTV Accessibility

[Stalkin Prey]

Alright everyone, I’m tired of tearing up my diesel hunting and scouting new areas (no I do not road hunt) but I do drive around a lot to find newer areas and have thought about buying a utv. I would make sure it was street legal but I’m curios how much I’ll get hassled. I’ll be driving it as I would my truck and only on open roads. I’ve seen a lot of utv’s running around, how many of you have gone down this path and what were some of your experiences? Any issues with LEO? I’d be using it on both east and west side.


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[wallab]

Even if they are legal on county roads and state roads they are still illegal on all Forest Service roads.  I know there have been quite a few tickets handed out in Kittitas County because of this.

[CAMPMEAT]

Even if they are legal on county roads and state roads they are still illegal on all Forest Service roads.  I know there have been quite a few tickets handed out in Kittitas County because of this.

First off, they are NOT illegal on ALL forest circus roads. Get a Motorized Vehicle Use Map from the forest circus areas you want to explore. Have to call each ranger rick and ask for them. You'll need your UTV inspected, but the place (dealer ) you buy if from shouldn't charge you for that. Have it mad into street legal and get your GREEN License Plate specific to your UTV with both onroad/offroad tabs from the state. As for LEO, I never had any trouble at all, EVER. I was told by the LEOs I know, that they have bigger issues to worry about than a UTV driving down a forest circus road. Most likely, the forest service cop is the one who will be a dick about it. Most likely a greenie, who hates UTVs/ATVs and the ranger of that particular area is a huge greenie and hates his kids too.

Good luck....

Knock Knock is really well read on UTVs use too.

[Stalkin Prey]

I know there’s rules and regs and green dot roads etc. I know no one wants people out tearing up roads and driving/ riding behind closed gates and closed rds. There’s always a few that ruin it for the rest, from the little research I’ve done myself it seems like that’s the biggest concern. Maybe I’m thinking about it wrong and only in my own perspective but in my mind a utv will be a lot easier and less damaging on the rd’s then my 10k lb diesel.


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[trophyhunt]

I know there’s rules and regs and green dot roads etc. I know no one wants people out tearing up roads and driving/ riding behind closed gates and closed rds. There’s always a few that ruin it for the rest, from the little research I’ve done myself it seems like that’s the biggest concern. Maybe I’m thinking about it wrong and only in my own perspective but in my mind a utv will be a lot easier and less damaging on the rd’s then my 10k lb diesel.


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Heck, I think my quad does less damage to a road or trail than most horses! 

[MADMAX]

I did the kit to make my ATV street legal got plates, paid extra and when I was up near Winthrop told I couldnt use it in NF.
I agree if you use a licensed street legal ATV/UTV on the FR it should be no different than a truck, but more economical.
Its the bad apples that go off road that screw it up for the rest, I think
watch for small signage saying NO, easy to miss

[White Pass Outfitters]

There is no way a horse can cause more damage to a road than an ATV. I have had Atv's race by me without even slowing down while Im leading a string of mules. It only takes a few Dumb Asses to ruin it for everyone. Thank Goodness for the Wildernesses !!!

[trophyhunt]

There is no way a horse can cause more damage to a road than an ATV. I have had Atv's race by me without even slowing down while Im leading a string of mules. It only takes a few Dumb Asses to ruin it for everyone. Thank Goodness for the Wildernesses !!!

Im fully aware there are a lot of dumb asses in this world, I always get off the road or trail and shut my quad off when I see horses.  But trying to walk in on a well used horse trail is almost impossible at times, I’m not against them, I just think they cause as much damage.  Now if I was out to cause damage w my quad by doing burn outs or doughnuts and stuff, then I’d agree.

[Stein]

Before I spent $12k on one of those big fancy atvs to drive down a road, I would simply buy a $6k used truck which would be more comfortable, cost less, not require a tow vehicle, trailer, multiple more license fees, haul more stuff, quieter and something you could sleep in when needed.

[Special T]

A Suzuki sidekick, or Geo Tracker would fit that bill easily.

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[blackpowderhunter]

A Suzuki sidekick, or Geo Tracker would fit that bill easily.

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or an older single cab tacoma/ toyota pick up 4x4.
driving around on a UTV/ATV in the rain and mud sucks..a lot, just about as much as following a truck on a dusty road when scouting the eastside.

[Mudman]

Every area has its own rules.  UTV should be street lic.  Not wise to do it to replace a truck.  If access is available and trail systems then yes.  Westside is pretty much useless for em.  Either break the law or go play in select few areas between the regulated calender dates after spending serious change on blinkers, horns, lic., passes.  East much more friendly.  Storage, passengers, wipers, heaters, comfort you give up with utv.

[Stalkin Prey]

I’ve thought about buying another truck specifically for Hunting, I agree it would be the best option. However, I typically pull my toy hauler and set up camp for my family to come and spend some time. Most of my scouting and finding new areas is also a family event that we pull the camper as well. That’s what has pushed me towards a utv.


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[Mudman]

I am similar.  Go for it but remember u limited where to use them.  It can be lots fun for family.  Not cheap either.  Idaho more user friendly. 

[jrebel]

I bought one with the same hesitation.  So far I have had no regrets.  I drive mine around town more than I drive in the hills.  I used it in Idaho last year and plan on taking it out in the washington hills this year.  I plow snow at the house and around the neighborhood.....multi purpose machines!!  My kids are learning to drive with it too which makes it easy and fun. 

[Alchase]

I bought one with the same hesitation.  So far I have had no regrets.  I drive mine around town more than I drive in the hills.  I used it in Idaho last year and plan on taking it out in the washington hills this year.  I plow snow at the house and around the neighborhood.....multi purpose machines!!  My kids are learning to drive with it too which makes it easy and fun. 

Jreble, which one do you have?

[jrebel]

I bought one with the same hesitation.  So far I have had no regrets.  I drive mine around town more than I drive in the hills.  I used it in Idaho last year and plan on taking it out in the washington hills this year.  I plow snow at the house and around the neighborhood.....multi purpose machines!!  My kids are learning to drive with it too which makes it easy and fun. 

Jreble, which one do you have?

Honda pioneer 1000-5.  It is wider than 50" so somewhat limited in Idaho.  With that being said, I am thinking of buying the honda 500 for smaller trails and to have two.  Then no one has to ride in the back.   

[Skyvalhunter]

Where you going to put your animal?

[Stalkin Prey]

I was looking at the Honda pioneer 700-4. Hard to find used, everyone seems to hold onto them. Animal would go in the bed. Have yet to get an animal to jump in the bed of my truck, I’ve always had to pack them out and put them in the bed in pieces.


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[jrebel]

All the honda utvs have plenty of room for animals.  I had two deer in the back of my 1000 last year and they fit great....with all my gear.    

[Mudman]

I would strongly consider a 50".  For access, Idaho for example.  I believe Wa will have similar laws in place in the future.  If for Farm n work then no, or play, no. I downsized to a 50".  Check out the Teryx 60" if a combo use is needed.  Honestly I think its tougher and more reliable than the Hondas and priced better with a better warranty cause you wont need to use it probably.

[CAMPMEAT]

I did the kit to make my ATV street legal got plates, paid extra and when I was up near Winthrop told I couldnt use it in NF.
I agree if you use a licensed street legal ATV/UTV on the FR it should be no different than a truck, but more economical.
Its the bad apples that go off road that screw it up for the rest, I think
watch for small signage saying NO, easy to miss

Winthrop is very, very anti ORV use. Yuppies have taken over.

[CP]

Oddly enough there are large portions of the NF where driving WATVs off road – cross-country is perfectly legal but driving that same machine on a NF road is illegal.

[MADMAX]

I did the kit to make my ATV street legal got plates, paid extra and when I was up near Winthrop told I couldnt use it in NF.
I agree if you use a licensed street legal ATV/UTV on the FR it should be no different than a truck, but more economical.
Its the bad apples that go off road that screw it up for the rest, I think
watch for small signage saying NO, easy to miss

Winthrop is very, very anti ORV use. Yuppies have taken over.

I know
Spandex and Subaru’s
It’s a shame

[Dick in the Dirt]

I did the kit to make my ATV street legal got plates, paid extra and when I was up near Winthrop told I couldnt use it in NF.
I agree if you use a licensed street legal ATV/UTV on the FR it should be no different than a truck, but more economical.
Its the bad apples that go off road that screw it up for the rest, I think
watch for small signage saying NO, easy to miss

Winthrop is very, very anti ORV use. Yuppies have taken over.

Old travel plan still in use.Can't legally stop you from riding on our(FS) road.

[NOCK NOCK]

I did the kit to make my ATV street legal got plates, paid extra and when I was up near Winthrop told I couldnt use it in NF.
I agree if you use a licensed street legal ATV/UTV on the FR it should be no different than a truck, but more economical.
Its the bad apples that go off road that screw it up for the rest, I think
watch for small signage saying NO, easy to miss

Winthrop is very, very anti ORV use. Yuppies have taken over.

Old travel plan still in use.Can't legally stop you from riding on our(FS) road.

Are you referring to the FS.....Travel Management Plan / MVUM map?

There are 2 ways that FS can make it illegal to ride on FS roads,
1. If the particular ranger dist. has produced a MVUM map, CFR mandated,
2. If no MVUM has been produced, there is 1 other way they can make it illegal.........but not going to say it on here, where I ride they have not done either of these.

Read the CFR's (Code of Federal Regulations)  ALOT can be learned!!!