UTV's and ATV's general discussion.

[Runner]

How do you like that Mule SX/FI? I was considering that when I was shopping for a SxS. I wanted a smaller one, since I have a tractor set up for forestry work for the bigger jobs. I ended up with a Honda Pioneer 520, but it was a close choice. I was impressed by the construction and reputation for reliability of the Mule. The two big deciding factors for me were that lack of Kawasaki dealers in my area and the engine braking on the Honda (helpful in our hills).

The main reason I went with the mule is it appeared to be the cheapest new S x S you could get.
Likes: fuel economy, ease of access (you can slide in/out from either side), seems to get decent traction and 4x4 if needed.
Dislikes: CVT transmission (non-responsive and no engine braking), poor drum brakes, no standard hitch receiver, hard to put a windshield on it that doesn't interfere with the front storage, solid rear axle, not a lot of content for the money (compared to some of the China built models), heavy steering, hard to access the dump release handle, have to have the valves adjusted at 25 hours, lights that stay on all the time, too loud, drum brakes

Didn't know the Honda had engine braking, I would really like to have that feature. If I were buying again (and I may be) I would probably look at the little Kubota with the hydrostatic transmission. I don't need speed, but would like better driveability....

 

[ArlyA]

Most of today's atv's and utv's have engine braking. I don't pay attention to the lower cost market machines or sport types and can not comment on them.

 

[John_Mc]

Most of today's atv's and utv's have engine braking. I don't pay attention to the lower cost market machines and can not comment on them.

When I was shopping a couple of years ago, I found that many do not, particularly in the smaller SxS class.

 

[ArlyA]

When I was shopping a couple of years ago, I found that many do not, particularly in the smaller SxS class.

Was that those small sport machines?

 

[John_Mc]

Was that those small sport machines?

No, I have no interest in those, so never looked at them.

 

[Code54]

We had a Honda 500 when they first came out and it was a solid little machine that is ok for work and not bad for trail riding. I ended up selling it when our needs changed.
This year we wanted a new small utility machine and looked at the little Kawasaki Mule but decided against it for some of the reasons mentioned above. I also have a good friend who got a Kawasaki KRX1000 and has had a TON of problems (two engines, a bunch of transmission work, a new fan twice, and a bunch of little issues) . Even though it is under the Kawasaki extended warranty the dealer and Kawasaki don't seem to care to get it up and running or perhaps change it out for a non-lemon. In the 24 months he owned it he said it has sat in the shop for 9 months while he made payments.

After seeing how they handled his problems I decided to skip it and get a little Kubota 520. I love the little thing. It is slow and NOT a trail-riding machine. Just a good little worker. Engine braking - let off the gas on about any downhill and it will stop unless it is extremely steep, then it will slow to a walking pace. It turns on a dime and it is easy to steer even though it does not have power steering. It is slow on the uphills, and you need to use low range for climbing with a load, but it is built solid.

We just sold our sport machine to buy a Can-Am Defender limited for trail riding so the Kubota is only for working and is what it is built for. The Kubota is much more tractor-like than the normal UTVs.

 

[Runner]

We had a Honda 500 when they first came out and it was a solid little machine that is ok for work and not bad for trail riding. I ended up selling it when our needs changed.
This year we wanted a new small utility machine and looked at the little Kawasaki Mule but decided against it for some of the reasons mentioned above. I also have a good friend who got a Kawasaki KRX1000 and has had a TON of problems (two engines, a bunch of transmission work, a new fan twice, and a bunch of little issues) . Even though it is under the Kawasaki extended warranty the dealer and Kawasaki don't seem to care to get it up and running or perhaps change it out for a non-lemon. In the 24 months he owned it he said it has sat in the shop for 9 months while he made payments.

After seeing how they handled his problems I decided to skip it and get a little Kubota 520. I love the little thing. It is slow and NOT a trail-riding machine. Just a good little worker. Engine braking - let off the gas on about any downhill and it will stop unless it is extremely steep, then it will slow to a walking pace. It turns on a dime and it is easy to steer even though it does not have power steering. It is slow on the uphills, and you need to use low range for climbing with a load, but it is built solid.

We just sold our sport machine to buy a Can-Am Defender limited for trail riding so the Kubota is only for working and is what it is built for. The Kubota is much more tractor-like than the normal UTVs.

Wondering how the 520 handles trailer towing? Looks like Kubota lists it for up to 1100 lbs or so. The Mule is also spec. for 1100 lbs and it is good for towing, which is about the only real work I use it for. Mostly just transport around the property.

The other task is occasional water hauling duty

 

[paulsharvey]

Wondering how the 520 handles trailer towing? Looks like Kubota lists it for up to 1100 lbs or so. The Mule is also spec. for 1100 lbs and it is good for towing, which is about the only real work I use it for. Mostly just transport around the property.

The other task is occasional water hauling duty
View attachment 873754

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

 

[John_Mc]

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

Never had that problem on my 2022 Honda Pioneer 520. It has spent most of it's time doing low speed, high work load stuff. I can hear the fan kick on after a bit of sitting still and idling (other times, the sound of the fan gets lost under the other noise).

 

[Code54]

I need to check the electronic fan on our Honda 700-4; BUT ours gets hot when not running down the road. It doesn't really like high work load, slow speed stuff, and the overheat light comes on fast.

Check your radiator carefully. The dust and dirt builds up in them and will really hurt the cooling. The outside sometimes looks good but the middle gets the build up. I normally flush with tap water