How To Replace and Install an ATV or UTV Nerf Bar

If you like the idea of riding your ATV aggressively on the trail you should install a nerf bar on your machine. Nerf bars serve as a safety net for your feet.

Nerf bars are aluminum frames that have interlaced webbing that provide a place for your foot to land (other than the ground where it may be run over by the rear wheel) if it is dislodged from the foot peg. If you race, the nerf bars also offer some side protection from competitors' wheels as most bars extend outward just beyond the width of your tires creating a "bumper" of sorts.

Almost all late model sports ATVs have mounting holes pre-drilled making installation easy and quick.

• Nerf bar kit for your make and model ATV
• Ratchet
• Extender (depending on model of ATV)
• Socket set
• Vice grip or C clamp
• Allen wrench

Open your nerf bar kit and compare the parts to the parts list that comes with the kit to ensure you have everything you need. Generally speaking, there should be a mounting plate, two nerf bars, 6 to 8 bolts, washers and nuts, and strips of webbing material.

The exact locations for installation will vary from brand to brand but typically installation involves securing the nerf bar mount to the engine mount and then sliding the front tube of the nerf bar into the mount and securing the rear by bolting to the foot peg. Once the hardware is installed you weave the webbing making a "basket" for your foot to land on. Older models may not be pre-drilled for nerf bar installation. If that's the case, simply use the nerf bar piece as a template for the drilling operation.

1. Locate the engine mount locations that will be used for the nerf bar mount and remove the bolts.
2. Install the nerf bar mount using the provided bolts but do not tighten. You want a little wiggle room to accommodate the nerf bars on both sides.
3. Locate the pre-drilled holes on the foot peg. Note that some nerf bars have new foot pegs integrated in the design which means you will have to remove the existing foot pegs.
4. Slide the front tube of the nerf bar into the mount and use a C clamp to hold the back to the foot peg while you drive the bolts.
5. Perform the same procedure for the second nerf bar on the opposite side.
6. Tighten down the mounting bolts.
7. Follow the instructions provided and install the web strips to create a basket for each nerf bar. This is actually must easier than it sounds. If the webbing material is made of plastic and is not seamed at both ends, carefully apply a lighter to the ends to sear them close to prevent fraying.

That's it. While the nerf bar doesn't eliminate the need for proper footwear it does give you significantly more protection from serious injury and at less than $200 is an affordable insurance policy.

- End of Procedure -

Return to all Repair & Install Guides