Christmas Shopping

If you have an off-road rider in your family, shopping for Christmas can be very easy. There are so many things to buy a rider but it all starts with one question…. “what brand and model of ATV or Side-by-Side do you ride/drive”? If you are hesitant to ask, check out their social media. They are off road riders! They will have pictures of their machines all over Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Your shopping should start with the local powersports dealer. Make sure to go armed with the vehicle info or screenshots from their social media. Your knowledgeable dealership employee should be able to guide you to a great gift. Your local dealer may even have their purchase history to help determine if they need a battery tender or not.

A good tip is to sneak out to the store with their existing gear. Most riders in Canada have put their bikes and gear away for the winter. They probably won’t miss a glove, helmet or boot. If that special someone has footwear on their Christmas list you can grab an insole from any old pair of shoes and compare it for size with the new boots.

If Covid restrictions prevent you from visiting the local dealer try their websites. Many websites allow you to shop by vehicle. Punch in the brand, model and approximate year and the website will populate with great gift ideas applicable to that type of riding. When buying online, it’s best to shop with a reputable dealer or outlet.

If you’re on a budget you usually can’t go wrong with a branded hat, t-shirt, sweater or jersey. Smart battery chargers and care kits (wash, wax, lube, etc.) are also popular. If you are shopping for riding gear or parts you need to be very specific. Have the rider send you specific links to what they like. When all else fails, most riders would appreciate a Gift Card from their local dealer.

As you probably know, Covid has turned retail shopping upside down. You may not know that the pandemic has caused a resurgence in off road riding. When combined with interrupted production, the supply of motorcycle goods has been very limited. It’s best to shop early to avoid being disappointed by bare shelves.