KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
Stopped by my dealership today and he had two, one orange and one camo. All I had was the cameraphone...see attached.
My impressions were fairly good. It looks VERY well put together and the tires are every bit as large as the RTV900 even though it is substantially smaller. The rear suspension felt very compliant, much more so than the 900. I'm not sure how that will fare with a load, but seems that it would ride nice when empty. More like an ATV.
It has a full 2" receiver on the back instead of the small 1" on the RTV900...a nice touch. And a 2" slot on the front. Not sure if the RTV900 has that, but it is GREAT to have.
One thing that stood out was the smallish bed. Very much like the ATV side-by-side beds in size. Although it was all metal and well constructed.
The other thing was that the bed is very high. Every bit as high as the RTV900. I have learned that this can be a pain when loading dirt in the bed with the BX backhoe. I have used my side-by-side for this function several times and wish quite often for a John Deere Gator where the bed is very low, right on top of the tires. But a low bed is great for the yard and not for much else, so it is all a matter of compromise.
My dealer had two used RTV900's for sale. Both with 290 hours. One with a full cab and front blade and stored outside for $10k, one with a roof and windsheild (no doors) and stored inside for $9k. I mention this only because these are quite close to the $8.5k my dealership was asking for the RTV500. I prefer new equipment over used, but the purpose of the two vehicles is quite different. RTV500 seems postured for heavy play, while the RTV900 is TOO HEAVY for play and is better suited to work. Depending on your use, a used RTV900 may be the way to go.
The gas engine would certainly be quieter, so that could be a plus or a minus, depending on your viewpoint.
Saw a thread a while ago wondering where these things were...well, here they are.
My impressions were fairly good. It looks VERY well put together and the tires are every bit as large as the RTV900 even though it is substantially smaller. The rear suspension felt very compliant, much more so than the 900. I'm not sure how that will fare with a load, but seems that it would ride nice when empty. More like an ATV.
It has a full 2" receiver on the back instead of the small 1" on the RTV900...a nice touch. And a 2" slot on the front. Not sure if the RTV900 has that, but it is GREAT to have.
One thing that stood out was the smallish bed. Very much like the ATV side-by-side beds in size. Although it was all metal and well constructed.
The other thing was that the bed is very high. Every bit as high as the RTV900. I have learned that this can be a pain when loading dirt in the bed with the BX backhoe. I have used my side-by-side for this function several times and wish quite often for a John Deere Gator where the bed is very low, right on top of the tires. But a low bed is great for the yard and not for much else, so it is all a matter of compromise.
My dealer had two used RTV900's for sale. Both with 290 hours. One with a full cab and front blade and stored outside for $10k, one with a roof and windsheild (no doors) and stored inside for $9k. I mention this only because these are quite close to the $8.5k my dealership was asking for the RTV500. I prefer new equipment over used, but the purpose of the two vehicles is quite different. RTV500 seems postured for heavy play, while the RTV900 is TOO HEAVY for play and is better suited to work. Depending on your use, a used RTV900 may be the way to go.
The gas engine would certainly be quieter, so that could be a plus or a minus, depending on your viewpoint.
Saw a thread a while ago wondering where these things were...well, here they are.
