519NASCAR
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2008
- Messages
- 64
I will give you guys an evaluation of my new XUV with 15 hours on the machine. I give JD an overall thumbs up on this machine. I have basically every option that I can get on it and ran change less than 13K including tax. The overall fit and finish of this machine is very good, which is what you expect when purchasing a JD product. This machine isn't the perfect UTV, which in my opinion none of them are; but, I went with it because for the application that I wanted in a machine it fit me well. The fuel injection engine is great and starts like a dream..............I almost went with the diesel, but didn't want the hassle of very cold weather starting............(just me though). The XUV isn't a tire spinning wonder like the Rangers or possibly others, but for what I wanted it for it will do basically anything. I mainly use it for recreation, light work, and mainly in the deer woods...........hauling stands, feeders, etc. The XUV is very nimble , stable, and will handle most problems thrown at it with ease. It will go through deep holes, mud, inclines, and rock grades with relative ease..........and is a very stable platform while doing it. I like the bucket seats and the way they hold you in the machine when on the trails or in the rock hills. The seatbelt restraint system is an added peace of mind. The diff. lock is very good and I can go through most situations with only the diff. lock engaged. The "true" 4 wheel drive is good also.............although, I do not like the fact that it doesn't kick in till the machine senses rear wheel slip. There are times ahead that I can see where it would be better if all four were there all the time. I will say this though; The 4 wheel kicks in and out flawlessly and without driver awareness unless you are looking at the front tires............and with the "Vamps" you are taking a chance of loosing your head from flying debris. The machine had an awful stance when I took delivery from my dealer.............nose down bad !! I quickly took care of that problem with a 2" lift kit on the front.............machine now looks like it should and greatly increased front diff. ground clearance. The bed space on the gator is excellent and is quite capable of heavy hauling. I have had 20 bags of corn for my feeders in it and it was handled by the machine with ease. The rear did sit down to where it was level with the front and no lower ( I was impressed with this). Power is diminished probably 30% under full load, but still had plenty of low grunt to handle hills and rocks to get to the feeders. I had the dealer install full belly and front and rear a-arm skid plates because of how I intended to use the machine. I would strongly recommend this for the protection of the machine........they are tuff and they work. They will scratch up and sound bad when drug over rocks, but they protect the machine like they are supposed to. The ROPS and top are a charm on my ride............no squeaks, rattles or anything. I have a friend that has a Ranger and his top rattles like crazy...........prolly just his, but it is very annoying. The lights on top of the Gator are cool and super bright, but where they are located simply stink..........I am waiting for the first good limb to tear them off. This design needs to be addressed by JD, or a protective limb guard needs to be there to keep them from being torn off of the machine. My machine's steering is quite easily turned..........even under loads and in full 4x4..............This really suprised me, especially since installation of the 27" Vamps. The downfalls of the Gator in my opinion are few, but I will give some that I think are there. There is virtually now storage in the unit. If I didn't get the cab storage system, I would only have the basically worthless glovebox. It would be nice if JD would make a standard speedo and rpm guage (30 is top speed on mine, but a speedo would be still nice). It would be nice also, if JD would stick on a rear bumper of some sort from the factory....................I can see me backing into a tree and messing up some pretty green paint. I knew of these and probably some others before my purchase, and I still found the XUV the right machine for me. The Gator XUV isn't the prettiest machine, it isn't the fastest machine, and it does have its flaws.............but it is a quality machine that will perform well when used in the manner that it was designed for. Will it get stuck? Heck yea............I have had it stuck and had to winch out. But, I am amazed at how much bad stuff this machine will go through and with the relative ease in which it accomplishes it.................more often than not I will only use the diff lock to go where I need to go...............If it quits going with the diff lock, I will engage 4x4 and back out while I still can without having to winch (I hate getting my feet muddy lol).....................I do not think that there is a perfect UTV out there ,but the new XUV's are good machines that will work and perform for their owners and I am sure that they will for several years when properly maintained and serviced. Are these machines for everyone?.............NO !! But, they are good machines that will either go on the work side and do very well. They will also do a good job on the sport side. This is what JD was aiming for in my opinion and I think that they hit the mark !!!!!!..........................Roger
