How fast will it go? Beyond the price to own, and some of the features that set a vehicle apart, that question is most often asked by off-road vehicle shoppers. When it comes to motorized vehicles, speed is important. It's understandable that everyone wants to get to where they are going sooner than later, even when venturing into the great outdoors.

But should this be the case? An ATV or side-by-side is meant to traverse crazy off-road conditions, and while they're definitely fun, they are also designed and built for work. Speed may not be that important if you really think about what you're looking for in an off-road vehicle.

On the roadway, most drivers keep the speedometer at the posted speed limit. Of course, there are no speed limits on off-road trails, but speed also equates to power. The prevailing thought is if it'll go fast, then the vehicle can tote a heavy load. That is not necessarily true.

In this article, you will find out more about speed in off-road vehicles, and why it might or might not be important to you.

Let's break down the speed of the most popular Tracker Off Road models. Just remember, off-road driving conditions rarely afford the chance to peg the needle on the speedometer. First, we'll tell you that if you're all about pure speed and don't care about much else, then most Tracker Off Road models may not be the right fit for you. But if you're looking for all-around, off-road vehicles that haul, tow, go through water and mud, and do it all for a great price, then you should seriously consider Tracker Off Road while you're doing your shopping.

First up is the Tracker 450, a great all-around ATV that will haul more than 600 pounds of weight and tow 1,050-pound loads with ease. The 570 has a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, single-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. Displacement is 442cc. In our tests we ran the 450 back and forth several times during a video review. It averaged between 52 and 44 mph. Click here to see the complete review.

We also tested the 800SX, a side-by-side off-road vehicle that comes with a best-in-class suspension and ground clearance. The 700EPS has a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, three-cylinder, dual-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. The 800SX has a rating of 50 hp In our video review we ran the 800SX back and forth in several areas, from open, flat fields, to country roads. We found the speed ranged from about 45 to 53 mph. Click here to see the complete review.

Hopefully that gives you an idea about the speed you might expect from Tracker Off Road. But think about this: What are you really going to do with the vehicle? If you want pure speed, keep looking, but if you're shopping for great vehicles that haul, pull, have amazingly smooth rides, and all at prices that beat the other brands, then Tracker Off Road should be given serious consideration. And don't forget the best built, best backed warranties on every vehicle.

Finally, enjoying outdoor sports takes two things: having fun and keeping it safe. Wearing protective gear is how you do both. On an off-road vehicle, you are fully exposed to everything standing in the way of you and the outdoors. That includes slapping tree branches, flying insects, and airborne gravel. Wear an ATV-specific helmet, eye protection, and appropriate apparel and footwear to keep your off-roading safer.

And finally, please take an ATV safety course. It might even be a requirement, depending on where you plan to ride. The ATV Safety Institute offers the ATV Rider Course, which is a hands-on course that develops safety knowledge and awareness through interactive activities and video. A two-part online and interactive course taught by ATV Safety Institute instructors is available for single riders or families. Find out more at atvsafety.org. You may also find similar programs in Canada for our friends north of the border. Stay safe on, and off-road.