UTV LED Light Bar Buying Guide: Size, Beam Pattern and Mounts

Stock UTV headlights are fine for getting back to the truck at dusk, but not for a fast trail after dark or a dusty ridge. An LED light bar is the most common fix, and it is easy to get right if you think about mounting, size, beam pattern and wiring before you order. This guide walks through each step, with a few light bars and mounts we carry.

Step 1: Decide where the light bar will mount

Start with the mount, not the size, because the mounting spot decides how long a bar fits and which bracket you need. The usual spots on a side-by-side are:

• The front of the roof or cage. This is the classic spot for a 30 inch to 50 inch bar. It puts the light high, so it throws farther and casts fewer shadows from the hood.
• The hood or front grille. A shorter bar mounted low and flush stays out of your line of sight and does not reflect off the windshield as much.
• The bumper. Good for small bars and pods that fill in close to the machine.

If you run a full windshield, a roof mounted bar can bounce light off the glass or poly and back into the cab, which is why many riders with one mount the main bar on the hood or bumper.

Step 2: Match the cage tube size

Cage mount brackets are sized to the outside diameter of the tube they clamp to, and different machines use different tube sizes. SuperATV's fitment lists for their light bar brackets show how much this varies. On the SuperATV 30" LED Combination Spot / Flood Light Bar, the 1.75 inch cage mount is listed for many Polaris RZR models, including the RZR XP 1000 (2014+) and RZR XP Turbo (2016-2021). The 1.875 inch cage mount is listed for the Can-Am Maverick Sport (2019+) and Maverick Trail (2018+), and the 2 inch cage mount covers machines such as the Can-Am Commander, the Honda Talon and the Polaris RZR Pro XP (2020+).

That same bar can also be ordered with a universal low profile bracket kit, a flush to hood mount (listed for RZR 900, S 900, S 1000, XP 1000 and XP Turbo models), or with only the included brackets. If you already know where you want it, choosing the matching bracket option at checkout saves a second order later.

Step 3: Pick a size that fits the spot

Once you know the mount, the size usually picks itself. A bar that fits flush across the front of the roof looks right and is easier to protect from branches. A bar that hangs past the cage is the first thing to catch on brush.

• 6 inch to 12 inch bars fit bumpers, grilles, hoods and shock towers. They add a lot of light for their size and are a good second light.
• 20 inch to 30 inch bars are the most common choice for a hood mount or the front of a two-seat roof.
• 40 inch to 50 inch bars suit wide roofs and four-seat machines where there is room across the front.

Maverick X3 owners have a dedicated option. The SuperATV Can-Am Maverick X3 Light Bar Mounting Kit is made to mount any double row light bar up to 40 inches on the X3, and SuperATV lists it for X3 Turbo models from 2017 on (plus the 2018 X3 900) and X3 MAX models. The listing notes it is not compatible with the OE glass windshield, so check that before you order if you run factory glass.

For older RZR models, the SuperATV Polaris RZR 30" Straight / Curved Light Bar Cage Mounting Bracket is listed for the RZR XP 1000 and XP 4 1000 (2014+), XP Turbo and XP 4 Turbo (2016-2021), RZR S 1000 and S4 1000, and the 2015-2020 RZR 900 family. It is powder coated black and comes with the installation hardware.

Step 4: Choose the beam pattern

Beam pattern matters more than raw brightness for how a light bar feels on the trail.

• Spot beams push a narrow cone of light far down the trail. They help most at higher speed, where you need to see what is coming.
• Flood beams spread light wide and close. They are better for tight wooded trails, work around a property, and seeing the edges of the trail.
• Combination bars mix both, with spot optics in the center and flood on the ends, so one bar covers distance and the sides.

If you only want one bar, a combination pattern is the safe choice. The SuperATV 30 inch bar above is a spot and flood combination. SuperATV describes the spot section as lighting the trail ahead and the flood section as keeping your surroundings lit for better trail awareness. It is offered in straight or curved versions. A curved bar spreads the light a little wider to the sides, while a straight bar sits flatter against a roof or hood.

Step 5: Look at build quality and water rating

A UTV light bar lives in mud, rain, pressure washers and constant vibration. Three things on the listing tell you a lot about how it will hold up:

• Water and dust rating. IP67 means the light is dust tight and rated for temporary submersion. SuperATV's listing for their 30 inch bar describes being submerged in about 5 feet of water for 30 minutes without damage. IP69K is a higher rating that also covers high pressure, high temperature spray, which matters if you wash your machine hard.
• Housing and lens. Look for an aluminum housing and a polycarbonate lens, which handle impacts far better than glass.
• Wiring and hardware. Sealed connectors and stainless hardware last longer in wet and muddy conditions.

The Moto Alliance SIRIUS PRO 30" Double Row Light Bar is a good example of the higher end of that list. Moto Alliance lists LED chips rated for 50,000 hours, aluminum construction, US MIL810 environmental testing, an IP69K certification and a limited lifetime warranty. It includes a Deutsch waterproof wiring harness, a Gore pressure equalizing vent to manage internal pressure while keeping moisture out, scratch resistant polycarbonate lenses, stainless hardware with anti-theft bolts, and UV resistant paint. The same SIRIUS PRO line comes in other lengths, including 10, 20, 40 and 50 inch bars, if 30 inches does not fit your spot.

Step 6: Plan the wiring and switch

A light bar should run through a relay and a fuse, not straight off a switch. The relay lets a small switch control the high current the light draws, and the fuse protects the wiring if something shorts. If your bar has no harness, a ready made one is the easiest way to do it right.

The SuperATV LED Light Wiring Harness with Rocker Switch comes in two versions. The single-lead light bar harness has a backlit rocker switch, a 40 amp relay with a 25 amp fuse, and is rated to handle up to 240 W. The double-lead version for cube and pod lights uses a 40 amp relay with a 15 amp fuse, is also rated up to 240 W, and includes two leads. Both use 9.84 foot leads and come with heat shrink tubing for waterproof connections. They are made for 12 volt systems, and SuperATV notes they are not a direct replacement for the harness on SuperATV lights.

A sound bar, a winch and a full set of lights all share the same charging system, so add up what you are running and turn the bar off when the engine is off.

Install tips

1. Mock it up first. Hold the bar in place, sit in the driver seat and check for glare and blind spots before you drill or tighten anything.
2. Route wires away from heat and moving parts. Keep them clear of the exhaust, the steering and the suspension, and use loom where they pass sharp edges.
3. Seal every connection. Use the heat shrink, and add dielectric grease to plug connectors in wet climates.
4. Aim it. Aim the bar slightly down so the hot spot lands on the trail ahead, not in the trees or in the eyes of a rider coming toward you.

Rules for auxiliary lights vary by area, so if you ride on public roads, keep the bar off around other traffic and check your local rules.

Add accent lights after the main bar

Once you can see the trail, whip lights help others see you in dunes and dusty group rides. Our whip lights buying guide covers length, controls and mounts.

Shop UTV light bars

You can see every light bar, mount, harness and accent light we carry in our Lighting & Light Covers collection. Shipping is free in the US and takes 3 to 7 business days. If you are not sure which bracket or tube size fits your machine, call us at 601-771-0070 or email hunter@hunterworks.com and we will help you check the fitment.