New UTV

[jimgerken]

Yea, they can drive them on the road. I understand they are supposed to have an SMV sign on the back, and claim to be using them for farming. My buddy says it is also legal to have a bottle of beer open while operating on the road, as long as you are not over the blood alcohol limit.

What I can't figure out, is why are these AVTs legal, with no signal lights, no doors, no windhshield and wipers, brakes lights, etc. But you can't license an imported mini truck which has a cab, all the safety gear (even airbags on some). I guess our congresmen havent discovered the mini truck yet. When they do, it will become legal for road use somehow. And at half the price of a UTV, they seem like a real bargain.

 

[TWO GUNS]

From what I gather, I've talked to the Louisiana State Police about this, and it is all about the " Certificate of Orgin "
And they said that they cannot be titled properly by some state codes .
I know in Mississippi, you can get a tag on them, but then again, all you have to have in Mississippi is a bill of sale to tag anything. They are still a zillion years behind things. To prove a point about Mississippi, Bars, Lounges, Liquor Stores still have to purchase their liquor from the state. It's in the whoven web on the prohibition days somehow.

 

[SuperDuty335]

I have ridden in some of the cheaper models like the Yerf Dog and whatever TSC sells and they seemed extremely loud and too much like a lawn mower with an extra seat. I would suggest something from one of the major ATV manufacturers like Polaris, Kawasaki or even the new Big Red by Honda. The Ranger and Kubota RTV are my favorites.

 

[Stonehaller]

Isn't it illegal to operate these things on the highway???

In order to use a slow moving vehicle sign and drive a UTV on the road in most states the vehicle must not be capable of going more than 25 MPH which excludes a lot of UTVs. Also it supposed to be farm use meaning you are going from one field to another. Also remember that if you put your UTV or tractor on a trailer and haul it down the road you need to take the SMV sign off. You can get ticketed for that.

 

[LBrown59]

Yea, they can drive them on the road. I understand they are supposed to have an SMV sign on the back, and claim to be using them for farming. My buddy says it is also legal to have a bottle of beer open while operating on the road, as long as you are not over the blood alcohol limit.

What I can't figure out, is why are these AVTs legal, with no signal lights, no doors, no windhshield and wipers, brakes lights, etc. But you can't license an imported mini truck which has a cab, all the safety gear (even airbags on some). I guess our congresmen havent discovered the mini truck yet. When they do, it will become legal for road use somehow. And at half the price of a UTV, they seem like a real bargain.

They hain't legal here.

 

[JeffandTamara]

Thanks for everyone's input...Very interesting. I was hoping to hear from someone who has owned the bush hog or the Cub Cadet. I think the bigger more establihed names would be fine, at least I have read a lot of reviews that people post that say they are good and well liked.

The Bush hog which is about $6500 seems to have as much cargo capacity and towing capacity as most of the big names. Which are the primary Features I need to look at. But some downfalls as well. For nearly Twice the money, about $10,000 you can have your pick.

Anyway... I don't plan on doing a lot of high stress recreational riding. But will be more work oriented. So speed and suspension travel are probably not that important to me.

I have looked for some used machines as well...but that is really a gamble, unless you know where they came from and who has been using them.

Again thanks alot for the input and ideas.

 

[KentT]

Thanks for everyone's input...Very interesting. I was hoping to hear from someone who has owned the bush hog or the Cub Cadet. I think the bigger more establihed names would be fine, at least I have read a lot of reviews that people post that say they are good and well liked.

The Bush hog which is about $6500 seems to have as much cargo capacity and towing capacity as most of the big names. Which are the primary Features I need to look at. But some downfalls as well. For nearly Twice the money, about $10,000 you can have your pick.

Anyway... I don't plan on doing a lot of high stress recreational riding. But will be more work oriented. So speed and suspension travel are probably not that important to me.

I have looked for some used machines as well...but that is really a gamble, unless you know where they came from and who has been using them.

Again thanks alot for the input and ideas.

At roughly the $7000 point, if you'll shop around, you can have your choice of the Kawasaki Mule 610 or Yamaha Rhino 450. Either one can carry around 400 lbs in the bed (like a truck, that's just what it is RATED for -- lot's of people overload them and take their chances), or tow about 1200 lbs. Is that enough for your needs?

Both are reliable, brand name products with wide dealer and aftermarket support. Either one will hold its value much, much better than the names you've been mentioning...

I looked at 4WD golf carts, Kei trucks, the Mule 610 and ended up with holdover Rhino 450 at a great price. I'm well pleased, for my purposes...

 

[farmboy12]

At roughly the $7000 point, if you'll shop around, you can have your choice of the Kawasaki Mule 610 or Yamaha Rhino 450. Either one can carry around 400 lbs in the bed (like a truck, that's just what it is RATED for -- lot's of people overload them and take their chances), or tow about 1200 lbs. Is that enough for your needs?

Both are reliable, brand name products with wide dealer and aftermarket support. Either one will hold its value much, much better than the names you've been mentioning...

I looked at 4WD golf carts, Kei trucks, the Mule 610 and ended up with holdover Rhino 450 at a great price. I'm well pleased, for my purposes...

Or the new Ranger 400 or Electric Midsize. Slightly smaller than the 500-800. Eletric will be nice, but if they're anything like the price difference between gas and electric golf carts, then they'll be pretty expensive. Also, an RTV 500 would be nice if you could dish out the cash.


Kyle

 

[KentT]

Or the new Ranger 400 or Electric Midsize. Slightly smaller than the 500-800. Eletric will be nice, but if they're anything like the price difference between gas and electric golf carts, then they'll be pretty expensive. Also, an RTV 500 would be nice if you could dish out the cash.


Kyle

I didn't know the price of the new little Rangers. I knew the 500 was certainly more than $7K when I was looking. I'm surprised if they can sell an electric at that price -- if they can.

 

[Brokermike]

I just bought a 2002 Rolaris Ranger with 300 hours for 3500 cash. I've put 200 on it in tires and about 100 for a complete tuneup. best money I've ever spent. Check craigslist regulalry and you'll stumble on a deal, just have the cash handy and don't delay in going to see it. You'll know if it's a bargain as a soon as you get there