Both of these coveted components can protect your front end, but how are they different? Is one better than the other for certain situations? Read on to learn the answer to these questions and others.
You can think of the bumper as the “armor” piece, and the brush guard as more of a cosmetically concerned accessory. What we mean by this is, the bumper is meant to mitigate damage to the front end of the vehicle in the event of a collision of some kind, where the brush guard (which usually goes over the bumper) is for preventing dings and scratches. Both have their roles to play.
It’s simply in the nature of offroad riding that you’re going to be thrown a few curveballs. Whether that looks like a gnarly stick poking up from the trail, some nice jagged rocks, or slipping down a wet embankment and bumping into a tree. Whatever it is, bumpers and brush guards are an absolute must if you want any chance at reducing damage and visible wear on your vehicle when these things inevitably happen.
Front Bumpers: Not hard to guess, these protect the front portion of your UTV and are usually made from steel or aluminum. Some front bumpers have built-in winch mounts which are great for recovery missions.
Rear Bumpers: As the name implies, rear bumpers are designed to protect the rear of your vehicle. Lots of brands are now manufacturing rear bumpers with hitches built into them, which can accommodate a life-saving winch.
Brush Guards: Like the sidekick to your bumper, brush guards may not be as protective in the sense that they will absorb a ton of force, but they are excellent for keeping your front end from being totally scratched up by all that brush and debris.
Grille Guards: Nobody wants to pick who-knows-what out of their grill when they could be out riding. You also don’t want it to get smashed up by a perfectly (er, imperfectly?) placed rock. This is where grill guards come in, keeping this vulnerable area protected from whatever comes.
Skid Plates: Finally, skid plates are an awesome option for anyone looking to protect their UTV’s undercarriage. These are especially important for those with low-clearance vehicles, and/or anyone who rides through clumpy and unpredictable terrain.
Whether you’re looking to protect the front end, rear, or undercarriage, Side by Side Source has a huge selection of all the protective mods you need, including bumpers, brush guards, and more.