My New 2005 Camo Yamaha Rhino

[Green_Center]

After driving about everything with four wheels, I decided on the Rhino. Basically I use the machine to ride around on 11 acres and do a little light work. (Most all the work that needs done on my property I use the utility tractor.) The dealer is great and that also helped seal the deal. I can also post my thoughts on all the test drives I did on (Rhino, RTV, HPX, XRT, Mule, Ranger, Big Country) if anyone wants to hear what I thought were the pluses and minuses.

For reference I paid (seemed fair):
9149 - Rhino
800 - Four year YES warranty

 

[bczoom]

Congrats on your new toy!!!!
Glad you took the pic in the yard. If you backed it up about 100' I'd bet it would disappear due to the camo.

Brian

 

[Dargo]

Awesome Dude!! Let's race! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe we can get a few RTV's and HPX's in the race too. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Enjoy!

 

[Green_Center]

Cool. I will handle the stock CDI class. You can have the aftermarket CDI class.

I have got about 4 hours on the unit. I also did a little night riding to check the headlights.

 

[Dargo]

You will love it! After I got about 25 hours on mine, I changed the oil, filters, and started with the mods. The 27" Bighorn Radials made a huge difference. Also, the BRP CDI (along with the reverse rev limiter disable switch - can turn it on or off) made mine run awesome. I can run right at 53 mph according to my GPS. I've added lots and lots. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif So far, the only true waste was the billet aluminum exhaust tip. All it does is ruin your light throttle performance and make it loud. Don't waste your money on that!

Have fun! Besides the tires, you will probably want to add the skid plates, stick stoppers, and a winch. Those items are almost a must. Well, I do sort of like the digital dash too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Enjoy!!

 

[Bowhunter]

Congrats on the Rhino. A coworker of mine bought a camo Rhino with Kenda Executioners a couple of months ago at the Evansville Boat & Sport Show. He's very happy with his.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

It would be nice to hear feedback concerning your test drives. Up to now, Dargo has been keeping us posted as to how the rhino vs. RTV compare.

 

[Green_Center]

I started with the list of all the main UV's. I narrowed the list pretty quickly by taking out the Cub, Ranger, XRT/Bobcat, and Mule. All four had dealers who were not informed and did not seem to care about the product. The Mule also seemed tough to steer and handle compared to all the others.

The final three were the HPX, RTV, and Rhino.

HPX
Hits
* Good ride and smooth acceleration.
* Attractive exterior
* Excellent Diesel Engine (felt real solid)
* Bed lift was much improved from previous gators
* Underbody skid plates
* Felt solid to the ground while driving and with a small load
* I really liked the controls in the middle and low range was nice

Misses
* Canopy/ROPS should have been standard. No seat belts without.
* Battery under the passenger seat
* Can't raise the bed with the power lift unless power is applied.
* Needed more gauges.

RTV
Hits
* Solid construction
* Awesome bed and Hyd lift
* Power steering made this unit handle real well in cornering
* No belt tranny

Misses
* Dealer was an arrogant tyrant (He sells the RTV at all four local stores near me.) According to him he had never seen fogged gauges. He had a few in his lot. He wanted darn near MSRP on every model.
* The ride and engine braking. I do not haul heavy loads on hills. I actually waited on the speed control lever and had the unit brought out. I liked the unit better with the old style speed control. My wife hated the RTV. This narrowed the selection to the HPX and RHINO. I test drove no fewer than 5 RTV's over a 12 month period.

Yamaha Rhino
Hits
* Price and Warranty
* Dealer
* Better ride with smooth acceleration
* A lot of happy users on the net.
* Scads of accessories

Misses
* Cold Blooded Gas Engine
* Choke is hard to pull out

The main reason I selected the Rhino was that I did not need the heavy hauling and the dealer lives close. He will pickup and deliver for service. I was able to get the Rhino with a 4.5 year warranty for 2 grand less than either the HPX or RTV. If I needed the heavier hauling I would have chose the HPX. I also made a list of chores I do and most of the real work is done by the tractor and not the UV.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Thanks for posting your notes. My F-I-L bought the HPX with 56 hours and got a decent deal. The more I ride in it, the more I like it. But compared to my rinky dink EZ-GO with ATV kit, it rides rough and steers heavy. Also, I like my electric cart for quietness and no waiting for a cold engine to warm up. I tried to convince him to get a Rhino but he's a good sized fellow and wanted something easier to ingress/egress. He loves his HPX.

 

[fencebuilders]

I was looking at Rhinos today,as Im thinking about selling my Rancher and going with one.First impressions:very comfortable,ergonomics looked easy to read and use.They didnt have the digital gauge model,only the std.What is the story on the 450 vs the 660? Is it worth the extra money?Im no speed demon,just be putting with it, pulling a mower or my trailer with some equipment.Do they hold up long term? The tailgate and bed seemed on the flimsy side to me.Suspension looked nice,I imagine its a smooth ride.Appreciate any feedback.Thanks,Mark.