MASSIMO UTV

[ukrkoz]

I am in a bit of a pinch. My 2002 Foreman 500 is likely to blow the engine any time soon. So far, bought used, it was continuous repairs. At this point, I started considering a new UTV, a side by side.
I don't want to buy a passenger car worth of UTV. From what I see, most cost efficient are either unknown quality Chinese bikes or Massimo or BMS bikes.

Come to find, Massimo has very few online reviews. I cam across an older thread here, on Massimo bikes. But it talks of carburated machines and that's long gone.

So, any real life feedback? Is BSM any better? If I did that one - BSM - right... I am simply looking for anywhere between 500-700cc machine with 4x4 for pretty light property use. No harsh use intended ever.

Thank you

 

[nybirdman]

Stay away;far away from Massimo.Looked for a decent used machine from any of the Japanese manufacturers.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Stay away;far away from Massimo.Looked for a decent used machine from any of the Japanese manufacturers.

Second this. Avoid these cheap Chinese UTV's- just junk. You would be much better off to buy a used Mule with 1000 hours on it

 

[Code54]

Second this. Avoid these cheap Chinese UTV's- just junk. You would be much better off to buy a used Mule with 1000 hours on it

X2! go with a name brand and be done with it.

 

[ukrkoz]

Thank you. I already bought used brand name and it's been nothing but continuous repare and looks like more of it coming.
But that's fine, I'll scratch Massimo.

 

[Code54]

Please keep in mind the Honda is 15+ years old and it sounds like you got it used so it may have had a hard life. Overall the Honda ATV's (Foreman especially)is a very reliable machine. Some of the newer electric stuff will have minor issues but generally the motors are very solid. Same goes for Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki. Several shops I been around won't even work on the "generic" UTVs/ATVs as it is more hassle than it is worth. I have spend some time working on a few Chinese machines and am always disappointed in the quality.
Good luck in your search.

 

[ukrkoz]

Thank you. No worries, I get it. About my Foreman.
All I need from it is pull a flail mower and utility cart ever so often.
Last time I towed with it, after about 15 min of running, it started making noise like as if there is bearing trying to fall apart. Was getting worse and worse. Add to this disappearing oil with no obvious signs of where it goes(likely blow by burn out). New ECU. New master. New fan. New carb. And now this noise. All this in less than a year of ownership.
It went away after engine cooled and appears to run OK, but I am now afraid that it will simply quit on me and I have no intentions to buy engine. I want to sell it and buy something less troublesome. Same time, I don't want to buy equivalent of a new car. Or, pay dealer over a thousand in fees for this or that.
Sigh...

 

[jaxs]

When buying anything used,it's not so much about WHAT you buy as it is WHO you buy it from and even more so when it come's to off-road vehicles. If you can't buy from someone you know,buying a SxS might be easier and better in the long run. Many people are selling their 2-3 passenger machines and buying 4-6 passenger models. If I were limited to telling you a single thing to be conscious of,would be that seller changed water pump on an older machine. It's listed along with oil changes as routine maintenance but often overlooked until it's too. If when you test drive a water cooled machine,the fan come's on eventhough machine isn't under load,beware of overheating due to worn out pump.

 

[shooterdon]

Buy a used machine from a dealer. They will normally not sell junk. Craigslist is not your friend.

I sold both my UTV's through my dealer. NOTHING wrong with them and they were treated well. Regular oil changes etc.

 

[klm]

I bought a new Massimo 500 from TSC in 2014, it came with a windshield, top, doors, winch, lights, turn signals and horn. I paid around $6k maybe $7, this has been one of the best buys I have ever made, I use it for everything, building fence checking cows and just running around, keeps a lot of miles off the pickup and a lot easier to get in and out of. very few problems. I am not a fan of the Chinese and like to buy American but price a brand name with all the accessories that I have, probably be around $15k. Like all brands, it depends on your dealer. Lot of Massimo bashers out there that don't know what the **** they are talking about. BTW I had a JD Gator and a Mule before the Massimo.

 

[dsgsr]

I have bought a number of chinese products, (being cheap, someone recommended or promotion) I have NEVER been satisfied or impressed. You will find it out after you have owed it for a While.

David

 

[klm]

I have bought a number of chinese products, (being cheap, someone recommended or promotion) I have NEVER been satisfied or impressed. You will find it out after you have owed it for a While.

David

Have you ever bought a Massimo?

I have had mine over 4 years.

 

[K man]

I agree a lot of Chinese brand bashing here. I had a Kawasaki for 14 trouble free years and decided to replace it with an UTV as I will be giving the Kawie to my grandson.
Looked at all the brands Kawasaki, Can Am, Yamaha, Honda etc etc. and the prices where ridiculous so I opted to a Cub Cadet Challenger 750 EPS which most will probably say it is Chinese made which is not. The motor is Hisun chinese but the rest is made and assembled in Texas.
So far the machine is 6 months old and have no issues with it at all. Start great in cold weather especially here in Canada where it is very cold. I use it for plowing and has a lot of power and traction due to the front and rear differential locks. Power steering is amazing for turning with the plow up. Can't complain but only time will tell.

 

[DK35vince]

I agree a lot of Chinese brand bashing here. I had a Kawasaki for 14 trouble free years and decided to replace it with an UTV as I will be giving the Kawie to my grandson.
Looked at all the brands Kawasaki, Can Am, Yamaha, Honda etc etc. and the prices where ridiculous so I opted to a Cub Cadet Challenger 750 EPS which most will probably say it is Chinese made which is not. The motor is Hisun chinese but the rest is made and assembled in Texas.
So far the machine is 6 months old and have no issues with it at all. Start great in cold weather especially here in Canada where it is very cold. I use it for plowing and has a lot of power and traction due to the front and rear differential locks. Power steering is amazing for turning with the plow up. Can't complain but only time will tell.

According to this review the engine and rolling chassis are Hi-Sun
217 Cub Cadet Challenger 75 Review - ATV.com

 

[K man]

According to this review the engine and rolling chassis are Hi-Sun
217 Cub Cadet Challenger 75 Review - ATV.com

Still a pretty darn good review on the machine which has Chinese parts in it. I have looked at the chassis and so did some friends and they all say it is nice sturdy, well built and are impressed with the whole machine and pricing.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That road test said it has an "unlockable rear end".

What is it, chain drive to the rear??

SR

 

[K man]

That road test said it has an "unlockable rear end".

What is it, chain drive to the rear??

SR

That is a good question as I have not seen a chain anywhere on the drive or electronic locks cause I can engage them from the cab dash board switch. Which is located just below the parking break handle in the pic.

 

[K man]

I have not had a lot of snow removal time as there has been none lol. We got on the ground around a foot of accumulation in total this year which is unusual up here. The weather man says 4 inches of snow coming on Tuesday but will believe it when I see it lol.

 

[K man]

That is a good question as I have not seen a chain anywhere on the drive or electronic locks cause I can engage them from the cab dash board switch. Which is located just below the parking break handle in the pic.

View attachment 585380

Bring up to date.
I did look at the machine and all I see is drive shafts no chains. The differential locks are electric which are activated from the switches on the dash just like the 2w/4w drive but have to be stopped to engage any of these features.

 

[Oleozz]

Both Kawasaki Mule Pro FX and the JD Gators use Chinese engines in their gas powered machines (Chery) and have heard no complaints about them so don't think it would be a big deal for the Cub Cadet to have a reputable Chinese motor in their machines.