Replace Honda ATV with UTV or ??

[timswi]

Sold my ATV privatly...No issue there. Just watch who you are dealing with..ATV's are a hot item. Word of mouth is best.

 

[whistlepig]

There were some posts awhile back about the differences in ATV's verses UTV's. Besides the obvious differences the only thing that I wasn't aware of is that the UTV's are a bit more top heavy.

 

[Harvey9]

The UTV is way more comfortable for your passenger(s) and much safer also.

Harvey

 

[Skyco]

There were some posts awhile back about the differences in ATV's verses UTV's. Besides the obvious differences the only thing that I wasn't aware of is that the UTV's are a bit more top heavy.

I wouldn't say they are more top heavy, in fact maybe less. I think the big factor in rollover accidents is people don't use "body english" in a UTV like is common on an ATV. Kinda hard to do strapped in a chair.

 

[whistlepig]

I wouldn't say they are more top heavy, in fact maybe less. I think the big factor in rollover accidents is people don't use "body english" in a UTV like is common on an ATV. Kinda hard to do strapped in a chair.

I doubt that they are less top heavy. Not with a bed and roll cage up high that an ATV doesn't have. Not being negative about UTV's. Just an observation.

 

[Skyco]

Well maybe but they are a lot wider too. All I know is I never turned over my UTV but I did turn over an ATV once
I've owned both. Both have their good and bad points. I'd bet 90% of UTV rollovers are on hard right turns with a single occupant. On an ATV one tends to lean in the direction of the turn, I couldn't really do that in my Rhino with the mid engine hump.
It would be an interesting test to place various ATVs and UTVs on a moveable platform and lift till they flip and record the results.

 

[gdh]

I have a 2009 Polaris Ranger HD. I added comments after each question.

1. Size. The Ranger is higher and wider than the ATV. It will undoubtedly be harder to use it in the forest on trails designed for an ATV. The longer size also probably will make tight corners tougher. Have you any experiences with this?

It is not as agile as your foreman, but agile enough. My Ranger HD has power steering. One might think this is overkill but it truly is useful.

2. Passenger comfort. My wife hates riding in the "seat thingee" on the back of the ATV. It is hard to talk to each other and she's not that comfy back there. I think the side by side would be much nicer for us to go out together. How is the ride for "comfort" on smooth trails vs an ATV?

The ride comfort is superior to a regular ATV? My wife and 2 year old son go on regular joy rides all over the place.

3. Towing and hauling. I can't help but think that the UTV with the box would be a lot more convenient for quick loads to and from one area to the next. How is the Ranger with a trailer behind? Any comments?

This is where the machine really shines. I always have yard waste or tools in the back. I pull a 6'x10" trailer with ease. This is the same trailer that I use to haul the Ranger.

4. Cost. I could replace the ATV with a new ATV, or frankly I could just keep the one I've got. There really is nothing wrong with it but when I ride my pals new ATV it is quite a bit nicer in general.

No question these UTVs are overpriced. You could buy a good used Jeep Wrangler for less. Mine really fills a work/play niche for me.

My wife thinks I'm crazy to get a UTV and she thinks it is just a "guy thing to get a bigger toy". Could be, but I really think the UTV would be handier than the ATV.

I bet your wife will want to be on the UTV as much as you.

 

[whistlepig]

Well maybe but they are a lot wider too. All I know is I never turned over my UTV but I did turn over an ATV once
I've owned both. Both have their good and bad points. I'd bet 90% of UTV rollovers are on hard right turns with a single occupant. On an ATV one tends to lean in the direction of the turn, I couldn't really do that in my Rhino with the mid engine hump.
It would be an interesting test to place various ATVs and UTVs on a moveable platform and lift till they flip and record the results.

I can see being wider would offset the extra high side weight. Comes to size I guess. ATV to UTV to tractor to pickup truck. Smallest to largest. What works best for us is what works best.

 

[Ronnie South]

If you do a lot of trail riding on your atv, the UTV will not be as nimble but overall, the UTV wins in my book. Have several on the farm and are great for hauling, spraying and it is great to have someone sitting next to you while you are talking. Have also roped a few calves from it. Have several models and all are pretty good. Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki MUle 2510 and a Cub Cadet EFI 4x4. The Cub rides the best and goes through mud the best. They have a diesel model and a carbed model but the EFI is the best.

If you are going to use it mostly for work, these are great. For more sport use, I would recommend the Kawasaki Terex or the Yamaha Rhino.

 

[Ken45101]

We have had a pair of 4 wheelers for ten years (Honda 400 and Yamaha 400). Three years ago, we bought a Kubota RTV and the 4 wheelers get little use now. We have put about 350 hours on the RTV.

Our trails are big enough to handle the Kubota without problem, in fact I'm trying to make them all big enough to mow with the tractor.

Prior to the Kubota, my wife preferred to ride double on the ATV but it always made me a bit nervous with our hills. We feel very safe and comfortable with the RTV. She is capable of handing the ATVs alone but she prefers that we can ride together and talk, point things out, etc.

For trail clearing (hauling a chainsaw, fuel, oil, etc.) the RTV wins hands down. For hauling firewood out of the woods, the RTV wins. For hauling hay to the horses, the RTV wins hands down.

The only time the ATV wins is if I'm checking out a trail and it is blocked by downed trees. The ATV is easier to turn around on the trail.

Actually the one ATV has seen it's most use just hauling the firewood cart from the shed to the garage and parking it until the cart is empty.

The ATV is better for going off trail in the woods but I've built a pretty good trail system so that's rare. I do use the ATV sometimes when doing trail maintenance work in the state parks when I know the trail is too narrow or steep to get the Kubota through, but I do feel safer with the Kubota with the seat belts and roll bar.

We highly recommend the UTV. You might hang on to the ATV for a while and see if it's worth keeping for you.

Ken