There are few places more beautiful and fun to ride than the trails of the southwest. But going from riding rocky desert routes and steep ledges of trails like Harquahala Mountain Summit Road to sand washes and dunes of places like Sand Hollow State Park can be a challenge. Throw in extreme temperatures, which can shift from day to night, and it’s easy to see how your rig’s suspension system could struggle. Bottoming out. Harsh vibrations. Extra wear and tear. These are all common issues, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid riding.
Prepare for the elements and upgrade your suspension with durable, high-quality parts that are built to take on the terrain you’re going to tackle and you’ll be trail-ready.
High clearance A-arm upgrades are one of the most important additions you can make to your machine before hitting the rocky trails. These A-arms provide additional clearance without lifting your machine or altering the steering geometry, allowing you to retain the control and steering radius you’re used to while still giving the space you need to avoid getting stuck on rocks.
Quality aftermarket A-arms have stronger joints made of high-strength steel that can withstand rugged desert conditions, providing more confidence when you’re taking on all the obstacles rocky terrain can throw your way. If you’re rocking stock A-arms and gearing up to hit the desert, check out SuperATV’s high clearance A-arms for an easy, long-lasting upgrade.
Stock radius arms are prone to getting stuck, bending, or even breaking on rugged rides. More robust, higher strength aftermarket radius arms stand up better to impacts, while still protecting the integrity of your rear suspension geometry when you’re tearing up the trails. When you’re looking to upgrade your radius arms, you’ll have the choice between boxed and billet options.
High-quality boxed radius arms are made from multiple pieces that are welded together and use thick steel plating that make them nearly indestructible. Billet radius arms are made from a single bar of billet aluminum that offers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio—esepcially useful if you’re looking to cut weight from your rig. SuperATV offers both billet and boxed radius arms that offer premium performance, strength, and durability. Check out our inventory to find the perfect match for your machine.
Stock bearings and bushings aren’t really designed for the rigors of the desert. The heat, dust, and all those vibrations can do damage quickly, meaning you’ll start feeling every bump and pebble when you ride. If you want to keep your ride smooth, swap out your OEM bushings with high-quality, super durable replacements.
If you love to send sand flying on high-speed desert adventures, you’ll need bearings that can keep up. Upgraded bearings help improve rotational accuracy and keep your rig riding smoothly, even on uneven desert trails. SuperATV makes it easy to replace your original bearings for less than OEM—explore our selection to find the perfect fit.
Your stock shocks might have been great for the first few rides, but the wear and tear of southwest trails can take their toll. By swapping in high-quality, durable replacement shocks, you can ensure top-quality performance over any terrain, including rocky desert ground. SuperATV is on the forefront of shock innovation, with our remote reservoir shocks. These are especially invaluable in desert environments, as the remote reservoir design helps to minimize shock fade while improving dampening performance. They also offer fully adjustable compression, preload, and rebound, allowing you to perfectly tune your shocks to how and where you ride.
If you’re going on a rock crawl, taking on uneven canyon trails, or going on really any desert ride that isn’t just flat sand, extra clearance is a must. The additional height will keep your rig from getting caught on obstacles, and when paired with upgraded A-arms, you’ll be set up for the ultimate in performance and durability. If you’re looking for a lift, but don’t want to mess with your handling or turning radius, explore the options at SuperATV. We’ve designed kits to keep your handling the same as stock, so you don’t have to think twice about taking on the toughest obstacles on your ride.
Desert rides don’t have to be uncomfortable. Adding a long travel kit to your side-by-side will widen your stance, giving you better control and a smoother ride, no matter how rough the terrain is. They can also give you some extra clearance and the opportunity to run bigger tires. Long travel kits aren’t all about comfort, either. If you’re speeding along desert trails, the improved stability and articulation provided by these kits is invaluable. Check out our long travel kit selection to find the right fit for your machine.
When you’re prepping your ATV’s or UTV’s suspension for taking on southwest desert trails, there’s no denying the tires you choose will be a huge part of your machine’s performance. Everything from size to tread pattern, sidewall stiffness, and inflation can influence how your suspension responds. If you’re only interested in riding dunes, purpose-built sand tires with paddles are your best bet. However, if you’re like many desert riding enthusiasts who go from hardpack to loose sand washes to rocky terrain in a single ride, your best bet is high-quality all-terrain tires with multi-directional lugs, reinforced sidewalls for extra protection, treads that offer plenty of bite, and materials that can hold up to desert heat. SuperATV has various high-quality AT tire options for you to choose from—shop our selection to find an upgrade for your rig.
Desert riding can be punishing on your machine, so making sure you keep it in tip-top shape is a must. Routinely check and clean components like bushings, shock seals, and ball joints. Dust can accumulate on these parts and cause wear and tear if not cleared away. These types of parts of components can also get damaged from high heat, so keep an eye on them and swap in high-quality replacements whenever necessary.
It’s also important to regularly inspect your entire machine for metal fatigue, dents, dings, and lodged debris after a weekend on the trails. By keeping your ATV or UTV free of debris and damage, you can help make sure that you won’t have to miss a weekend desert ride with your rig in the shop.
Conquering desert trails is some of the most fun you can have with your ATV or UTV, especially when you’ve upgraded your suspension to take on the southwest terrain. From top-quality aftermarket A-arms to radius arms, lift kits, tires, and suspension components, there are all kinds of ways you can better prepare for your desert adventures. And the good news is, you don’t have to overhaul your rig all at once. Take the time to evaluate the terrain you like to ride, your driving style, and performance priorities, and then decide what upgrades best fit your needs. No matter what parts and accessories you decide your desert-riding rig needs, you can find all the premium parts you need at SuperATV. Explore our inventory today!
