In this blog, I’ll explain “How to soundproof a UTV” and we’ll look at some of the things we can do to make the ride a little quieter. We’ll also go over the advantages of soundproofing a UTV.
If you’re one of the many riders who want to quiet down their UTV, this blog is for you. Adding a silencer exhaust system, damping some elements of the machine, altering the tyres, and more are all options for making your UTV quieter.
If you’re looking for a solution to calm down your UTV, take a look at my suggestions below.
How to soundproof a UTV?
We know how to quiet down your UTV. Here are a few tried-and-tested strategies for soundproofing any UTV.
- Install an exhaust silencer
- Use Dampening material for insulating UTV
- Remove any rattling noises
- Mount delete kit for dump-bed
- Install a soft-top roof or get rid of it entirely
- Get a UTV with an all-gear driven transmission
- Use a headset/intercom
- Fix the problems
- Think about going electric or hybrid
Why UTVs are so loud?
UTVs aren’t built with sound in mind. A consumer vehicle is well insulated and has vibration-reducing upholstery. Although “silent” is a selling point for a small, it isn’t a characteristic of a UTV. As a consequence, the engine is exposed, the plastic panels are thin, and the sound is loud to all passengers. Automobiles tend to get noisier as they age. Parts that are loose or worn will vibrate and squeak more. Furthermore, a corroded exhaust system can greatly enhance the sound you’re currently creating. Noise isn’t only bothersome; it can also cause serious problems.
There are a variety of reasons why you should quiet down your UTV. Some of the reasons to muffle a UTV include:
You Don’t Want To Risk Hearing Damage:
This is a fairly prevalent one. Over time, the steady roar of a normal side by side engine will hurt your hearing. Several farmers have complained of tinnitus as a result of operating UTVs for several months. Loud noises over 85 decibels can cause harm to the human ear, so if you ride your
UTV frequently, you may find yourself gradually losing your hearing. To counteract this, it is a smart option to turn down the volume on your trip.
You Live in a State or County With Noise Pollution Legislation:
You Live in a State or County With Excessive Noise Legislation: If you live in an area where those rules apply, using a UTV that exceeds decibel limitations may be illegal. According to what I’ve heard, noise pollution rules aren’t often enforced, but even if they are, it’s best to avoid breaching them. If you’re aware that your partner is violating the law, you’ll have to do something about it.
It’s a bit of a Nuisance:
Perhaps this has nothing to do with the shooting, noise pollution legislation, or anything else. It could just be that you can’t bear the engine’s noise any longer. Many people who first start riding UTVs enjoy the engine grumble at first, but afterwards, they tyre of it. If that’s the case, read the rest of the article since quieting down the computer is fairly simple.
Install an exhaust silencer
Overall, the best and simplest approach to quiet down your UTV is to put in a new exhaust silencer. One of the biggest benefits of installing a muffler is how simple it is to do so. You don’t have to mess with the engine or other UTV equipment; all you have to do is remove the factory exhaust that came with the UTV when you purchased it and screw it back on. Some exhaust manifolds don’t even need to be screwed on; they can just be placed on the pipe. Ultimately, installing a silencer is a simple task that anyone can complete.
They also offer a big advantage in terms of decibel reduction. This is the way that will reduce decibel levels the greatest of all the methods I discuss. The average exhaust silencer reduces decibel levels by approximately 25%, which is a significant reduction.
As a result, a side by side that emits 70 decibels when idle will only create 55 decibels with the silencer installed. This decibel difference might be enough to save some people’s hearing in the long run.
Unfortunately, there are several disadvantages to getting a silencer, one of which is the cost of most exhausts.
There may be a bolt-on or slip-on exhaust available for your UTV, depending on the model. You’ll like the slip-on because it’s so much quicker to install and eliminates the need for bolts, but based on your side-by-side model, it may or may not be available.
Installation Instructions
- The silencer will fit over the stock muffler exhaust aperture or tailpipe and will be a pressure fit.
- Welding on the adaptor is needed and included with the Exhaust muffler kit so the stock muffler’s tailpipe is not the right size, necessitating the usage of an adapter.
- Just the adaptor is permanent, so the silent rider can be simply fitted and withdrawn. The adaptor will not harm the engine or alter the exhaust flow. It’s best to use a low-temperature weld, such as a wire or MIG weld.
- The adapter accepts the silencer pressure.
- The installation is complete after the robust mounting brackets are in position and firmly secured.
- Installing it should only take a few minutes.
| Material Needed |
| Exhaust muffler kit |
Use Dampening material for insulating UTV
One of the primary reasons why UTVs are so noisy is the presence of large panels composed of thin, non-insulated materials. The sound waves are reflected into the cab, amplifying the sound level. Furthermore, the elastic panels absorb any vibrations produced by the bike and transform them into noise.
You can coat any smooth surfaces with a suitable lining to prevent some of the sound reflecting effects and any rattling sounds. Soundproofing materials such as Blueskin, B-Quiet, and Butyl are commonly utilised on the UTS
To make the dump bed less vibrating, start painting it with a bed liner. To break up the sound waves and prevent them from becoming reflected, the rooftop can be coated with Dynamat or a comparable product.
Install additional heat-resistant Dynamat inside the engine cover to further reduce noise.
If you want to go all out, consider insulating the flooring and doorway panels as well. Always keep in mind that the mass of all this dampening material adds up.
It’s always a good reason to begin by insulating the most vulnerable parts first, such as the roof, engine cover, and bed. Perhaps that is all that is required to reach tolerable noise levels.
The cleaning job after cycling in mud could be a disadvantage of additional insulation. Opt for materials that won’t absorb moisture and can withstand being pressure washed.
| Materials Needed |
| Dynamat |
| Blueskin |
| Butyl |
| bed liner |
| heat-resistant Dynamat |
Remove any rattling noise
There’s a good chance that any creaking noises coming from your UTV can be simply handled and avoided.
Metal hook latches for the dump bed, doors, and the dumping bed hatch is all prominent causes of rattling noises. Adjust them so that there is no free play, or close it with a piece of rubber edging around the borders.
Exhaust header shields that have come loose will likewise be a sight to behold. To fix the problem, tighten the screws again.
Mount delete kit for dump-bed
Although they might be beneficial, dump beds are famous for rattling. Both those made of plastic and those made of sheet metal are affected. Taking out the noise source is an easy approach to silence it.
Several manufacturers offer bed-delete kits which allow you to eliminate your dumping bed without harming the appearance of your UTV. If the bed isn’t crucial to you, this could be a smart way to lower your machine’s noise and weight.
| Material Needed |
| bed-delete kits |
Install a soft-top roof or get rid of it entirely
The noise will be reflected into the UTV by the flat surface of a thin sheet roof if it is made of metal or plastic.
Soft roofs are less durable, but their holey surface breaks sound vibrations and so reduces noise.
Buy a UTV with an all-gear driven transmission
Rather than the more popular CVT transmission that employs belts and pulleys, pick a good UTV with all-metal gear transmission.
These gearboxes are quieter than belt-driven transmissions, that rely on friction to propel the bike forward.
Manufacturers are constantly working to improve CVT technologies to make them more efficient and quieter. Some perform a better job than others, therefore there will be differences in CVT sound between different manufacturers and models.
Opt for a setup that is well matched to minimize vibrations and has a sound-dampening housing design.
Use an intercom
In these sports, it’s crucial to keep the weight down while maintaining a high level of power. As a result, adding extra dampening materials and exhaust mufflers isn’t an option.
However, the requirement for effective communication remains. As a result, they’ll have to come up with other options.
Using robust headphones or intercom in their helmets is one method to tackle this problem. These devices reduce noise while also allowing them to communicate with one another.
If increasing weight to your UTV isn’t a possibility, think about investing in a high-quality race headset with an intercom. This does not make the UTV quieter, but at minimum, you won’t be as worried by the noise.
| Material Needed |
| headphones |
| intercom |
Fix the problems
Lastly, giving your equipment an all-around tune-up can eliminate any unwanted noises and vibrations. Do you have any old bushings lying around? They must be replaced. Are your wheel bearings starting to fail? Purchase fresh ones. Are your belts going to slip? It’s past time for an upgrade.
Check and adjust your bolts as well. Keeping everything tight and in excellent functioning order will help to block out the noise.
Think about going electric or hybrid
If none of the options above meets your need for silence, you might want to choose a fully electric or hybrid UTV option. These machines are available from a variety of companies, and their popularity is growing.
If they continue improving, they could become good options for gas-powered UTV for those seeking a quiet ride.
Just keep in mind that these UTVs will neither be quiet. Tire noise, creaking, and gearbox whine based on what sort of transmission it employs will still be there, just like with the gas-powered options.
Conclusion
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the things we can do to make our rides a little quieter. You could plug every hole and cover every surface to completely insulate the UTV, but the extra weight you’ve added could lead you to lose power in your efforts to prevent echoes and buzzing. Moreover, if you make the cabin of your UTV too quiet, you’ll have to hear your other half complain about how you ride.
The best approach for you will be determined by several considerations, including whether you are ready to work on your UTV, how much budget you want to invest, and how silent you want it to be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How to soundproof a UTV?
Why do side-by-sides make such a racket?
Because of the mixture of high efficiency and low weight and price, UTVs are loud. Most UTVs lack the insulating materials silencers found in cars. The non-insulated cab acts as an echo chamber, magnifying rather than cancelling out the sound.
Is it true that soundproof panels function in both directions?
Isolating noises from each other is a key notion in soundproofing. In the end, practically all soundproofing measures will operate in both directions. Decoupling is used to keep the inside of a room separate from the outside world, while mass is used to absorb acoustic signals.
Do Kawasaki Mules have a low noise level?
This is, in fact, one of the smoothest and quietest gas-powered UTVs on the market. It’s driven by a three-cylinder vehicle engine that’s small enough to fit in your pocket. It’s a liquid-cooled four-stroke with fuel injection. The engine is rubber-mounted and has a large muffler, which helps to reduce noise even more.
What is the distinction between a silencer and a muffler?
The difference between a silencer and a muffler is that a silencer is an attachment to a pistol or an exhaust pipe that minimises the sound it creates, whereas a muffler is a portion of a car’s exhaust system that lessens the noise the engine generates.
Why do side-by-sides cost so much?
The horsepower of UTVs has grown fourfold since the turn of the century. Most of these cars now have 32-inch tyres and suspension that allows for 25-inch wheel travel. This is one of the reasons why the cost of sports UTVs has doubled in recent years.
What is the maximum range of a UTV?
For a UTV, 5.000 kilometres is considered considerable mileage. A UTV may last for thousands of miles with proper maintenance and upkeep. There’s no way of knowing how many miles or how long your UTV will endure. Many elements, such as maintenance schedules and driving skills, play a role.
