Side-by-side (vehicle)
{{short description|Type of off-road vehicle}}
File:Yamaha yxz1000r in the ycp.JPG YXZ1000R side-by-side.]]
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A side-by-side vehicle (SxS or SSV), is an utility vehicle with a minimum of two seats positioned side by side and enclosed within a roll cage structure. They have a minimum of four wheels (or continuous tracks) and are operated by foot controls and a steering wheel. Depending on use and application they can also be called a utility task vehicle, utility terrain vehicle (UTV), recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV), or multipurpose off-highway utility vehicle (MOHUV).{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Alistair |title=What is SXS Racing? |url=https://sxsracing.co.uk/what-is-sxs-racing/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=SXS Racing |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=ATV vs SxS UTV |url=https://www.brp-world.com/kw/en/Our-vehicles/can-am-off-road/blog/atv-vs-sxs-utv.html |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.brp-world.com |language=en-KW}}{{cite web |url=https://offroad.polaris.com/en-us/atvs-sxs-utvs/ |title=Explore Types of Off-Road Vehicles |author=Polaris |year=2022 |accessdate=2022-08-22 }}{{cite web |url= http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Recreational-Off-Highway-Vehicles/ |title= Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles |date= 4 May 2011 |publisher= U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission }}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-09 |title=What is a Side-by-Side Vehicle? A beginner's guide • Axiom Side by Side |url=https://www.axiomsidebyside.com/side-side-vehicle-beginners-guide/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Axiom Side by Side |language=en-US}}
Side-by-sides may be included in the category of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs),{{Cite web |title=All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), Quad bikes and side-by-side utility vehicles - Agriculture - HSE |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/machinery/farm-vehicles-3.htm |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.hse.gov.uk}} but do not include vehicles with saddle-seats that are operated using handlebar-type controls that are the conventional meaning of that term.
Definition and standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes two standards for side-by-sides. ANSI/OPEI B71.9-2016 sets standards for multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles (MOHUV) specifically intended for utility use which are intended to transport persons and cargo, have a non-straddle seat, are designed to travel on four or more wheels, use a steering wheel and pedals for controls, have a top speed of at least 25 mph (40.2 km/h), are 2030 mm (80 in) or less in overall width, have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of no more than 1814 kg (4000 lb), and with a minimum cargo capacity of 159 kg (350 lb).{{Cite web |url= https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/OPEI/preview_ANSI+OPEI+B71.9-2016.pdf |title= American National Standard for Multipurpose Off-Highway Utility Vehicles |publisher= ANSI |access-date=2020-01-10 }} ANSI/ROHVA 1-2016 sets standards for recreational off-highway vehicles as having speed capability greater than 30 MPH (48 km/h), GVWR no greater than 1700 kg (3750 lbs), and engine displacement equal to or less than 1,000cc (61 cubic inches) for gasoline fueled engines.{{cite web|url=https://www.cohv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/COHV-2-2017-for-ROVs-approved-by-Committee-March-8-2017-for-website.pdf|title=ANSI/ROHVA 1-2016|access-date=2020-01-20 }}
Safety
In 2009, the U.S. CPSC warned: "The vehicles may exhibit inadequate lateral stability, undesirable steering characteristics, and inadequate occupant protection during a rollover crash." According to the CPSC, between 2003 and August 2009, 116 deaths occurred in ROV/UTV accidents.{{cite news |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125514460269277785 |title= CPSC Staff Calls for Mandatory ROV Standards |first=Melanie |last=Trottman |newspaper= Wall Street Journal |date=2009-10-09 }}
Use and application
= Motorsports =
Since the 2017 Dakar Rally, the SSV category vehicles have competed in a separate class, which is defined as four-wheel side-by-side vehicles with 1000 cc maximum displacement.{{cite web |url= http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2017/us/stage-1/live-feed.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170103062523/http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2017/us/stage-1/live-feed.html |url-status= dead |archive-date=2017-01-03 |website= dakar.com |publisher= The Dakar |access-date=2017-01-07 |title= 2017 Stage 1 Live Feed }} Previously, they were classified in the Cars T3.3 subclass. In 2021 Dakar Rally organizers and the FIA introduced common categories - Group T3 for light prototypes and Group T4 for production based side by side vehicles. The trucks were reclassified to Group T5.
Other off-road racing series include side-by-side classes, such as the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, TORC: The Off-Road Championship, SCORE International, Best in the Desert, and Grand National Cross Country.
=Agriculture=
=Overlanding=
= In combat =
Ukrainian forces have used UTVs during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, using a crew of two, fitted with Stugna-P missiles, some with machine guns, to destroy Russian tanks and positions. They have been referred to as "Mad Max" buggies.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russiaukraine-conflict-ukraines-mad-max-style-buggies-used-to-destroy-russian-tanks-and-planes/news-story/8bec2c06cbdece1e5c8271c0f77e28be |website= news.com.au |access-date=2022-05-03 |title= Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine's Mad Max style buggies used to destroy Russian tanks and planes |first=Katie |last=Davis |publisher=The Sun |date=2022-05-02 }} The US Marines are amongst other military forces to utilise forms of side-by-sides such as Polaris RZR.{{Cite web |title=Marine Corps Utility Task Vehicles receiving multiple upgrades |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2037310/marine-corps-utility-task-vehicles-receiving-multiple-upgrades/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marines.mil%2FNews%2FNews-Display%2FArticle%2F2037310%2Fmarine-corps-utility-task-vehicles-receiving-multiple-upgrades%2F |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=United States Marine Corps Flagship |language=en-US}}
= Road and Street use =
Side-by-sides are allowed to be street legal in various U.S states however the vehicle requirements and the types of road allowed for use vary.{{Cite web |title=Street Legal UTVs: Support and Opposition |url=https://www.dirtlegal.com/street-legal-utv-guide/strengthening-support |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Dirt Legal |language=en-US}}
See also
- Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)
- Squad Solar - Solar electric side-by-side
References
{{commons category|Side by Side vehicles}}
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