From early Yamaha Rhino and Kawasaki Teryx race vehicles to increasingly sophisticated Polaris RZR XP and Can-Am Maverick projects, the UTVGuide.net UTV of the Month collection documents an important period in side-by-side history.
The series began in May 2008, when the recreational UTV industry was still taking shape. Factory machines provided the foundation, but builders frequently relied on custom fabrication, long-travel suspension, engine modifications and extensive chassis work to create the performance they wanted.
By the time the series concluded in 2016, factory UTVs had become wider, faster and far more capable. Turbocharged engines, long-travel suspension, four-seat sport platforms and specialized mud, rock and desert models were readily available. Aftermarket builders responded by pushing those platforms even further.
This archive preserves the race UTVs, dune machines, rock crawlers, desert builds, utility vehicles, promotional projects and one-of-a-kind creations selected as UTVGuide.net’s UTV of the Month from 2008 through 2016.
How Custom UTV Builds Evolved From 2008–2016
The machines collected here tell a larger story about the evolution of the UTV industry. Early projects often required builders to design or fabricate nearly everything themselves. As factory performance improved, builds became increasingly specialized for racing, dunes, rocks, mud, adventure riding and show presentation.
2008–2009: The Early Fabrication Era
When UTV of the Month began, the Yamaha Rhino had already demonstrated that a side-by-side could be more than a work vehicle. The Kawasaki Teryx brought V-twin power and a heavily constructed chassis, while the original Polaris RZR introduced a smaller, sport-focused platform that would eventually transform the market.
Aftermarket companies developed long-travel suspension, cages, chassis reinforcements, engine packages and racing components for machines that had not originally been designed for extreme competition. The Holz Racing RZR, Funco Teryx, Pro Armor Teryx and Rotax-powered Rhino illustrate how quickly fabrication shops began pushing the limits of these early platforms.
These builds complement our broader coverage of the history of the Polaris RZR and the history of the Kawasaki Teryx and Teryx4.
2010–2011: Factory Performance Begins to Catch Up
The arrival of the Can-Am Commander, Polaris RZR XP 900 and Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 marked a major change. Builders finally had factory platforms with substantially more power, suspension travel and sport-oriented engineering.
Purpose-built race vehicles remained important, especially in King of the Hammers, short-course racing and desert competition. At the same time, high-output recreational machines such as Muzzys’ big-bore Kawasaki Teryx demonstrated how far the original V-twin platforms could be developed.
2012–2013: The RZR XP Boom
The Polaris RZR XP 900 became one of the most popular foundations for custom UTV projects. Builders created turbocharged dune cars, desert racers, four-seat family machines and elaborate promotional vehicles. Can-Am, Arctic Cat, Kawasaki and even John Deere also supplied platforms for some of the period’s most memorable builds.
The 2013 RZR XP1K project previewed the next generation of sport UTV performance. Larger engines, stronger drivetrains and more sophisticated suspension systems were beginning to arrive directly from the factory.
2014–2016: Specialization and Factory Turbo Power
The RZR XP 1000 and later RZR XP Turbo gave builders levels of factory performance that would have been difficult to imagine when this series began. Custom projects became increasingly specialized, ranging from high-horsepower dune machines and deep-mud vehicles to professionally prepared rock crawlers and desert racers.
The final years of UTV of the Month featured machines from established builders including TMW Off-Road, SDR Motorsports, S3 Power Sports, Cognito Motorsports, Marshall Motoart and Rugged Radios. Their work demonstrates how custom UTV construction had developed into a mature segment of the off-road industry.
Milestone UTV of the Month Builds
The following vehicles represent important moments in the development of custom and competition UTVs.
Paul Hart’s Yamaha Rhino on the Rubicon Trail
Before UTVGuide.net launched UTV of the Month in 2008, Paul Hart’s Yamaha Rhino represented the type of heavily modified side-by-side that was already helping reshape recreational off-roading. Photographed on the Rubicon Trail in 2007, the Rhino reflects the fabrication, suspension development and technical trail capability that helped establish the early custom UTV movement.
Holz Racing Products Polaris RZR
The May 2008 selection showed the potential of the original Polaris RZR as a competition platform. Holz Racing Products added long-travel suspension, a race cage, chassis protection, clutch and engine modifications, an oil cooler and FOX shocks.
Funco Motorsports Kawasaki Teryx
Funco Motorsports built this Teryx for Championship Off Road Racing. Chad George drove it to victory the first time it competed, demonstrating the early Kawasaki platform’s potential in short-course racing.
Arctic Cat Prowlers Finish the Baja 1000
The Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat team finished first and second in the UTV category at the 2008 SCORE Baja 1000. The accomplishment helped establish that side-by-sides could survive one of the world’s most demanding off-road races.
Rotax-Powered Yamaha Rhino
Built by Brian Bush with fabrication from Lonestar Racing, this Rhino used a Can-Am Rotax engine and extensive custom work. It represents the ambitious engine swaps that defined the early custom UTV era.
King of the Hammers Kawasaki Teryx
This ground-up Monster Energy Kawasaki Teryx was built for the 2010 King of the Hammers UTV race, combining desert speed with the protection and low-speed capability required for extreme rock trails.
Muzzys Big-Bore Kawasaki Teryx
Rob Muzzy’s personal research-and-development Teryx demonstrated the performance potential hidden in Kawasaki’s V-twin engine. Extensive internal engine work transformed the Teryx into a powerful dune and testing machine.
Jagged X Polaris RZR XP 900 Race Car
Jagged X was among the first teams to turn the new RZR XP 900 into a dedicated desert race vehicle. The build marked the beginning of an era in which the XP platform would dominate UTV competition and customization.
Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000
The Wildcat 1000 arrived with long-travel suspension and a large-displacement engine directly from the factory. Its selection reflected the industry’s rapid transition toward purpose-built high-performance sport UTVs.
Polaris RZR XP1K
The XP1K project helped introduce the capabilities of the RZR XP 1000 through aggressive driving and cinematic production. It became one of the most recognizable RZR projects of its era.
Battle of the Builders RZR XP 4 1000
This project brought leading aftermarket companies together to transform the then-new RZR XP 4 1000, illustrating how quickly the industry developed products for major new sport UTV platforms.
Rugged Radios Baja RZR
Rugged Radios created this RZR for long-distance Baja travel, equipping it with communication, navigation, lighting, protection and support equipment suited to remote desert terrain.
Cognito Motorsports Hellraiser XP1K
The Hellraiser XP1K was a professionally developed Cognito Motorsports race vehicle. It represents the highly specialized competition UTVs featured near the end of the series.
Complete UTV of the Month Archive
The archive is arranged in reverse chronological order. Months without a selection are omitted.
2016 UTV of the Month Builds
- August 2016: in2dirt Rat RZR — A radically styled custom Polaris RZR built with rat-rod influences and extensive fabrication.
- April 2016: Ken Block’s Can-Am Maverick Turbos — A pair of Can-Am Maverick Turbo machines prepared for Ken Block and aggressive off-road driving.
- March 2016: TMW Off-Road Blue Magic RZR XP Turbo — A custom RZR XP Turbo combining TMW fabrication with premium suspension, interior and appearance upgrades.
- February 2016: Cognito Motorsports Hellraiser XP1K — Cognito Motorsports’ professionally developed RZR XP 1000 race vehicle.
2015 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2015: Polaris RZR XP Turbo — A customized RZR XP Turbo prepared to showcase the new factory-turbocharged platform.
- October 2015: Rugged Radios Baja RZR — A desert-travel RZR equipped with communications, navigation, lighting and protection for Baja.
- September 2015: Wolf Designs “The Goblin” — A distinctive custom RZR XP 1000 featuring extensive styling and performance work.
- August 2015: “The Instigator” — A long-travel Polaris RZR XP 1000 developed for demanding recreational terrain.
- June 2015: SuperATV Depth Finder — A purpose-built mud UTV designed to tackle deep water and extreme mud conditions.
- April 2015: Marshall Motoart Superleggera RZR — A lightweight, highly fabricated RZR XP 1000 built with a focus on performance and detail.
- March 2015: TMW Off-Road “Genesis” — A custom TMW Off-Road creation showcasing the company’s fabrication and design work.
- February 2015: SDR Motorsports “Delilah” — An extensively customized four-seat RZR XP 1000 built for comfort, performance and presentation.
2014 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2014: K&T Performance Turbo Z1 — A high-output custom UTV powered by a turbocharged Arctic Cat Z1 engine.
- November 2014: UTV Off-Road Magazine’s “Eliminator” — A customized Can-Am Maverick X ds Turbo developed for the publication’s build program.
- October 2014: SDR Motorsports “Christine” RZR XP 4 1000 — A turbocharged four-seat RZR featuring extensive SDR Motorsports fabrication and equipment.
- September 2014: Ultimate Rock Crawler Adventure Teryx — A Kawasaki Teryx developed for technical rocks while retaining trail and adventure capability.
- August 2014: TMW Off-Road El Diablo — A RZR XP 1000 powered by a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R engine and six-speed transmission.
- July 2014: Turbocharged Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 — A forced-induction four-seat RZR developed for high-output dune performance.
- May 2014: Turbo and Big-Bore Polaris RZR XP 900 — A modified XP 900 combining increased displacement with turbocharging.
- April 2014: S3 Show Stopper RZR XP 1000 — A detailed S3 Power Sports build created to demonstrate the customization potential of the XP 1000.
- March 2014: TMW Off-Road Orange Crush RZR XP 4 1000 — A four-seat RZR distinguished by TMW fabrication and its bright orange finish.
- February 2014: Battle of the Builders XP 4 1000 — A collaborative industry project based on the then-new RZR XP 4 1000.
- January 2014: BJ Baldwin’s RZR XP 1000 — A Monster Energy-themed RZR created for desert racer BJ Baldwin.
2013 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2013: Turbocharged Arctic Cat Wildcat — A modified Wildcat combining long-travel factory architecture with turbocharged power.
- November 2013: SDR Motorsports Maverick MAX — A customized four-seat Can-Am Maverick MAX with extensive SDR fabrication.
- October 2013: TMW Off-Road Storm Trooper — A white custom RZR XP 1000 showcasing TMW Off-Road’s long-travel and fabrication work.
- August 2013: Muzzys Big-Bore RZR XP — A RZR XP 900 equipped with a Muzzys engine package for added dune performance.
- July 2013: RZR XP1K — The influential XP1K project that helped introduce the RZR XP 1000 through cinematic off-road driving.
- June 2013: Rockford Fosgate Polaris RZR XP 4 — A four-seat RZR built around a powerful Rockford Fosgate audio installation.
- May 2013: Magnum Offroad John Deere Gator RSX850i — A John Deere Gator transformed into a purpose-built WORCS race UTV.
- April 2013: Ryan Piplic’s Polaris RZR XP — A competition-oriented RZR XP associated with racer Ryan Piplic.
- March 2013: 2013 Polaris RZR XP — A modified XP 900 developed for difficult desert and rock terrain.
- February 2013: Greg Biffle’s Turbo Z1 Arctic Cat Wildcat — A Wildcat built for NASCAR driver Greg Biffle with turbocharged Z1 power.
- January 2013: Brain Farm Cinema RZR — A tracked RZR XP configured to carry a professional Cineflex camera system in remote terrain.
2012 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2012: S3 Power Sports Ranger XP 900 — A heavily lifted 2013 Ranger XP 900 created by S3 Power Sports.
- November 2012: Coastal Racing Polaris RZR XP 900 — A dedicated competition RZR developed by Coastal Racing and Holz Racing Products.
- October 2012: TMW Off-Road Turbo Polaris RZR XP — A turbocharged dune-oriented RZR XP with custom TMW fabrication.
- September 2012: Magnum Offroad “M.O.X” Can-Am Commander — Magnum Offroad’s extensively modified interpretation of the Commander 1000 X.
- August 2012: Muzzys Arctic Cat Wildcat — A Wildcat used to develop and demonstrate Muzzys performance products.
- July 2012: High Lifter Teeter Totter — A specialized RZR XP 4 promotional machine created around an unusual articulating concept.
- June 2012: UTVGuide.net Kawasaki Teryx4 — An adventure-focused Teryx4 developed for family trail riding and difficult terrain.
- May 2012: SxSPerformance.com Polaris RZR XP — A customized XP 900 featuring suspension, protection and performance equipment.
- April 2012: Side x Side Outfitterz Polaris RZR XP 4 — A four-seat RZR prepared for long-distance desert racing and the NORRA Mexican 1000.
- March 2012: S3 Power Sports Polaris RZR XP — A lifted RZR XP created for the mud-riding environment surrounding the Mud Nationals.
- February 2012: SDR Motorsports Polaris RZR XPR — A highly customized RZR XP combining SDR chassis work with premium equipment.
- January 2012: Ryan Villopoto’s Kawasaki Teryx4 — A personalized Teryx4 built for motocross and Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto.
2011 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2011: Fire Department Polaris Ranger Crew Diesel — A Ranger Crew Diesel outfitted to support fire and emergency response operations.
- November 2011: No. 1802 Polaris RZR XP — Kane Fraser’s RZR XP desert race vehicle prepared for the Baja 1000.
- October 2011: Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000 — One of the first factory sport UTVs to combine a large engine with long-travel suspension.
- September 2011: Farmers Insurance Polaris RZR XP — A promotional RZR XP project built around Farmers Insurance branding.
- August 2011: UTVGuide.net Kawasaki Teryx — A lightweight 916cc multi-terrain Teryx with long-travel suspension and trail-focused upgrades.
- July 2011: Warn Industries Can-Am Commander 1000 — A Commander equipped to showcase Warn recovery and vehicle-protection products.
- June 2011: Marshall Motoart Polaris Ranger 6×6 — The “Spider Monkey,” a dramatically restyled and customized six-wheel Ranger.
- May 2011: Jagged X Polaris RZR XP Race Car — An early desert-racing conversion based on the newly introduced RZR XP 900.
- April 2011: HRP Can-Am Commander 1000 X — A Holz Racing Products Commander featuring extensive suspension and chassis development.
- March 2011: Polaris Ranger Super Crew — A stretched High Lifter Ranger created to carry additional passengers through mud and rough terrain.
- February 2011: High Lifter Polaris RZR XP — An early mud-focused interpretation of the RZR XP 900.
- January 2011: Polaris RZR XP — A look at the RZR XP 900 platform that changed expectations for factory sport UTV performance.
2010 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2010: Kawasaki Teryx Race UTV — Robert VanBeekum’s Kawasaki Teryx prepared for professional short-course competition.
- October 2010: Matt Parks Polaris RZR 4 — A No. 1932 four-seat RZR configured for racing and aggressive off-road use.
- September 2010: TCB Can-Am Commander 1000 — An early long-travel conversion based on Can-Am’s first side-by-side platform.
- August 2010: Muzzys Big-Bore Kawasaki Teryx — Rob Muzzy’s personal Teryx research-and-development machine with extensive engine work.
- May 2010: Can-Am Commander 1000 X — Can-Am’s 85-horsepower performance utility UTV as it entered the market.
- March 2010: Polaris RZR 4 — The original four-seat RZR selected for its ability to bring families into sport UTV recreation.
- February 2010: Polaris Ranger HD With Tracks — A hunting and property-maintenance Ranger equipped with Mattracks and a BOSS attachment system.
- January 2010: Monster Energy Kawasaki Teryx — A ground-up race Teryx built for the King of the Hammers UTV race.
2009 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2009: Yamaha Rhino “Fat Rod” — A radically styled custom Rhino built with hot-rod-inspired bodywork and fabrication.
- November 2009: Doug Siddens’ Turbo Polaris RZR — A documented stock-block performance project combining turbocharging with long-travel suspension.
- October 2009: Rotax-Powered Yamaha Rhino — A Can-Am Rotax engine swap supported by extensive Lonestar Racing fabrication.
- September 2009: Polaris Ranger 6×6 Crew — A one-of-a-kind machine created by combining Ranger Crew and Ranger 6×6 components in Iraq.
- August 2009: RJ Anderson’s Polaris RZR S — A Holz Racing Products chassis built for young racer RJ Anderson and Walker Evans Racing.
- July 2009: PRC Polaris Ranger HD — A show-quality Ranger HD with custom paint, onboard air and numerous member-selected upgrades.
- June 2009: Zero Tolerance Fabrication Polaris RZR S — A customized RZR S featuring fabrication, suspension and appearance upgrades.
- May 2009: SDR Motorsports Yamaha Rhino — A black custom Rhino displaying the styling and fabrication of the peak Rhino aftermarket era.
- April 2009: XMF Kawasaki Teryx — A long-travel Teryx built by Xtreme Machine and Fabrication for Battle of the Builders.
- March 2009: Yamaha Rhino Race UTV — A competition-prepared Rhino representing the platform’s continuing role in early UTV racing.
- February 2009: King of the Hammers Kawasaki Teryx — Bob Roggy and Jon Crowley’s durable Teryx built for the first King of the Hammers UTV race.
- January 2009: Polaris Ranger Crew Plow — A customized six-passenger Ranger Crew equipped with dual rear wheels and a snowplow.
2008 UTV of the Month Builds
- December 2008: Yamaha Rhino Wrecker — A mud-oriented Rhino with a custom tow boom, fabricated bed and three Warn winches.
- November 2008: Baja 1000 Arctic Cat Prowlers — The Bi-Polar/Arctic Cat machines that finished first and second in the UTV category at the 2008 Baja 1000.
- October 2008: UTVGuide.net Kawasaki Teryx — An early long-travel Teryx developed for dunes, trails and recreational testing.
- September 2008: Pro Armor Kawasaki Teryx — Mike Lasher’s Side X Side Outfitterz-built Teryx for Best in the Desert racing.
- August 2008: Funco Motorsports Kawasaki Teryx — Chad George’s short-course Teryx, which won the first time it competed.
- July 2008: Jagged X 2009 Polaris Ranger XP — A Ranger XP with Jagged X long-travel suspension, cage and bumper fabrication.
- June 2008: Simpson Racing Yamaha Rhino — A custom Rhino highlighting the safety, suspension and appearance products available during the early aftermarket era.
- May 2008: Holz Racing Products Polaris RZR — The first UTV of the Month, featuring Holz suspension, race fabrication, engine work and FOX shocks.
Builders Who Helped Shape the UTV Aftermarket
The archive repeatedly features companies that helped define early UTV customization. Holz Racing Products and Jagged X pushed the Polaris RZR into organized racing. Funco Motorsports, Pro Armor, Side X Side Outfitterz, XMF and Muzzys demonstrated the strength and performance potential of the Kawasaki Teryx. SDR Motorsports, TMW Off-Road, S3 Power Sports, Marshall Motoart and Magnum Offroad later produced increasingly elaborate builds as factory UTV performance improved.
These projects also show how quickly the aftermarket diversified. Some builders concentrated on desert and short-course racing, while others specialized in long-travel dune cars, rock crawlers, mud vehicles, utility machines, audio systems or show-quality fabrication.
From UTV of the Month to Build Spotlight
The original UTV of the Month series concluded in 2016, but UTVGuide.net continues to feature noteworthy side-by-sides through Build Spotlight.
Build Spotlight covers modern race UTVs, trail machines, farm and hunting vehicles, rock crawlers, overland projects and other thoughtfully modified side-by-sides. Together, the two collections document how UTV customization has continued to evolve beyond the period preserved in this archive.
