Originally published in 2008. This report covers the ninth annual Off-Road Expo, held October 3–5, 2008, at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. It has been rebuilt using a curated selection of the original full-size photographs. Photos were taken by Joey DiGiovanni and Paul Hart.
Side-by-sides occupied a much larger part of the 2008 Off-Road Expo than they had in previous years. The Yamaha Rhino aftermarket remained strong, but the new Polaris RZR and Kawasaki Teryx were attracting suspension companies, fabricators, engine builders and accessory manufacturers at an extraordinary pace.
The show also pushed UTVs into new forms of competition and entertainment. Funco participated in the debut of a side-by-side drifting exhibition, while Hart’s Rhino Motorsports demonstrated that a properly prepared Yamaha Rhino could negotiate a purpose-built rock-crawling course.
Across more than 20 acres of exhibits, the event brought together more than 350 manufacturers, dealers and distributors representing nearly every segment of the off-road industry.
The World Debut of UTV Drifting
One of the event’s most unusual attractions was the Side x Side Super Jam drifting exhibition. Developed by people associated with CalROCS and W.E.ROCK, the demonstration placed UTVs on a figure-eight course inspired by full-size drifting competitions.
Funco used a modified Kawasaki Teryx for the exhibition. The Teryx’s 749cc V-twin, long-travel suspension and wide stance made it a natural platform for a demonstration built around controlled slides and rapid direction changes.
The proposed Super Jam concept extended beyond drifting to disciplines such as rock crawling, rallycross, sled pulls and mud competition. Although UTV motorsports ultimately developed in different directions, the exhibition showed that event organizers were already looking for new ways to showcase side-by-side performance.
Hart’s Rhino Motorsports Rock-Crawling Demonstration
Hart’s Rhino Motorsports provided another demonstration of how far early recreational UTVs had progressed. A modified Yamaha Rhino negotiated artificial rock obstacles in front of the show crowd.
The compact Rhino had a major advantage in this environment. Its short wheelbase and narrow body allowed the driver to select lines that would be difficult for a larger four-wheel-drive vehicle. Long-travel suspension, larger tires and underbody protection helped the machine negotiate the uneven course.
Demonstrations like this helped the Rhino redefine what a side-by-side could be. Read more about the platform’s influence in our history of the Yamaha Rhino.
2009 Kawasaki Teryx Monster Energy Edition
Kawasaki displayed the 2009 Teryx Monster Energy Edition. Its black-and-green appearance connected the new recreational UTV with Kawasaki’s broader performance image and stood apart from the traditional red and green utility colors used on many early Teryx models.
The Teryx had entered the market only that year, yet the Off-Road Expo contained numerous examples with long-travel suspension, multi-seat cages, custom paint, exhaust systems and engine modifications.
See how the platform developed in our history of the Kawasaki Teryx.
Long-Travel RZR and Teryx Builds
CST displayed long-travel suspension systems for both the Polaris RZR and Kawasaki Teryx. The two vehicles approached recreational performance differently, but owners of both platforms wanted more width, wheel travel and suspension control.
The RZR was lower and more performance-oriented from the factory. The Teryx retained a cargo bed and more utility-focused dimensions, but its V-twin engine and robust chassis gave builders considerable potential.
Companies such as HCR, CST, Funco, Custom Creations and Side x Side Outfitterz were already turning the Teryx into a wider, more aggressive recreational machine.
HCR Kawasaki Teryx Suspension
HCR displayed another long-travel Teryx suspension package. The system replaced the factory suspension arms with wider fabricated components designed for increased travel and stability.
Four-Seat Kawasaki Teryx Conversions
Custom Creations displayed a Teryx with an extended cage and rear passenger seating. Conversions like this were common before manufacturers offered a broad selection of factory four-seat recreational UTVs.
The extended cage and seating increased the machine’s versatility, but they also added weight and changed its center of gravity. Builders frequently paired these conversions with wider suspension to improve stability and support the additional load.
Empyre Widebody UTV Bodywork
Envy Concepts displayed Empyre widebody plastics, reflecting another major early-UTV trend. Instead of retaining factory fenders and adding small accessories, owners could replace much of the exterior with more aggressive custom bodywork.
Replacement bodywork was especially popular on show vehicles and long-travel builds because wider fenders could better match the expanded suspension stance.
Lifted Polaris RZR Builds
Not every RZR builder pursued a low, wide desert setup. High-lift RZR builds explored the platform’s mud and utility potential with dramatically increased ride height and oversized tires.
The variety of RZR builds demonstrated the platform’s adaptability. In little more than a year, owners were developing it for desert racing, dunes, short-course competition, mud, trail riding and custom shows.
Follow that evolution in our complete history of the Polaris RZR.
Gear One Drivetrain Components
Gear One displayed performance drivetrain components, including a race-oriented Rhino clutch and heavy-duty axles, CV joints and cages for long-travel applications.
These components addressed an important problem created by the growing UTV aftermarket. More suspension travel, larger tires and additional engine power increased the loads placed on factory axles, joints and hubs.
Off-Road Lighting Moves Toward LEDs
Baja Designs displayed both HID and LED lighting products. HID lights still provided the high-output solution used on many desert race vehicles, but LED technology was beginning to offer a more compact and power-efficient alternative.
Within a few years, LED light bars and compact LED pods would become some of the most recognizable UTV accessories. The 2008 show captured that transition near its beginning.
Audio Systems Become Part of the UTV Experience
As UTVs became more recreation-oriented, owners began adding audio systems originally designed for boats, cars and other powersports applications.
Alpine-equipped Rhino and SSV Works display vehicles demonstrated how amplifiers, speakers and enclosures could be integrated into cages, roofs and body panels while surviving dust and off-road vibration.
Redline Riot and Revolt
Redline displayed the Riot and Revolt, two performance-oriented machines that took a different approach from the more familiar Rhino, RZR and Teryx platforms.
The presence of smaller manufacturers illustrated how unsettled the market remained. The basic formula for a high-performance side-by-side was still being developed, leaving room for manufacturers and fabricators to experiment with engine placement, suspension architecture, seating position and body design.
The 2008 UTV Aftermarket Takes Shape
The 2008 Off-Road Expo showed that side-by-sides were becoming a distinct and important segment of the larger off-road industry.
The Rhino remained the established foundation, especially for rock crawling and elaborate custom builds. The RZR was rapidly becoming the preferred starting point for compact performance machines, while the Teryx’s V-twin engine and larger chassis gave builders another promising platform.
The most notable trends included:
- Long-travel suspension for the RZR, Rhino and Teryx
- Four-seat conversions and extended cages
- Organized UTV drifting and rock-crawling demonstrations
- Lifted RZR builds for mud and extreme ground clearance
- Stronger axles, CV joints, steering and drivetrain components
- Replacement widebody plastics and custom paint
- Vehicle-specific audio systems
- The early transition from HID to LED lighting
Many of these ideas eventually became factory features. Today’s UTVs can be purchased with wide suspension, four seats, premium audio, integrated lighting, large tires and model-specific packages directly from the manufacturer. In 2008, specialist fabricators and aftermarket companies were still creating that formula one vehicle at a time.
Compare this event with our 2008 Sand Sports Super Show coverage and explore additional historical shows in the UTVGuide.net Events & Shows archive.
