Need utility Side by Side

[DK35vince]

Since we do mostly recreational riding, I sold my Pioneer 500 and purchased a Can Am Maverick Trail DPS 1000. The thing I miss the most from the Honda was the transmission. I’m still not a fan of the CVT but, we love the new Can Am.

Mike

Most of our riding is recreational/trail riding.
For the riding we do I prefer CVT.

 

[Rdrcr]

Most of our riding is recreational/trail riding.
For the riding we do I prefer CVT.

I just miss the direct response from the transmission in the Pioneer 500. And perhaps changing gears manually when the mood suited me.

Mike

 

[deserteagle71]

Since we do mostly recreational riding, I sold my Pioneer 500 and purchased a Can Am Maverick Trail DPS 1000. The thing I miss the most from the Honda was the transmission. I’m still not a fan of the CVT but, we love the new Can Am.

Mike

The CVT was my main concern when I bought my Defender. Just turned 4600 miles on it now and the original belt still looks and measures like new. Follow the owner's manual instructions as to how to treat the belt (no towing in high range, and no driving in high range below 15 mph) and they last pretty well and can't be beat in the rough stuff. Makes it much easier to ease through bad spots. I've seen reports on the Can-am forums from owners who have over 14,000 miles on the original belt.

 

[ArlyA]

All these machines are CVT drive. What is the problem?

 

[LindenBruce]

I have a Kubota rtv 500. 2014 model. This is a gas machine. 2 cyl. 950 hrs and no repairs. I like the hydrostatic. It won’t win a road race but is handy and reliable. If you want something bigger that will get more done, the diesel versions of these are built like a tank. Plus it’s likely a Kubota diesel will outlive its purchaser.

Yeah, the farmer I work for has a few of the RTV500's. One is on the shop right now for a blown motor. Upon disassembly, we found one of the rod bolts had un-screwed itself and fell into the pan. Not long later the rod broke.

The engines on these units are restricted emission motors. Meaning, you can't buy another motor without showing proof of destruction of the original engine. At a cost of 5600 bucks!! Everything else inside looks great, so we are going to try rebuilding it and see how that works out. B.

 

[LindenBruce]

The CVT was my main concern when I bought my Defender. Just turned 4600 miles on it now and the original belt still looks and measures like new. Follow the owner's manual instructions as to how to treat the belt (no towing in high range, and no driving in high range below 15 mph) and they last pretty well and can't be beat in the rough stuff. Makes it much easier to ease through bad spots. I've seen reports on the Can-am forums from owners who have over 14,000 miles on the original belt.

I looked at a Can Am Defender HD10 XT and Limited yesterday. Looks to be a well built unit. Sales rep said it is the heaviest built unit on the market. I think he forgot about the Polaris 1500. B.

 

[ArlyA]

Yeah, the farmer I work for has a few of the RTV500's. One is on the shop right now for a blown motor. Upon disassembly, we found one of the rod bolts had un-screwed itself and fell into the pan. Not long later the rod broke.

The engines on these units are restricted emission motors. Meaning, you can't buy another motor without showing proof of destruction of the original engine. At a cost of 5600 bucks!! Everything else inside looks great, so we are going to try rebuilding it and see how that works out. B.

Kubota's have utterly failed in the hard towing, grooming work world.

 

[LindenBruce]

Durability, longevity and a real work horse, you missed the most obvious. Kubota RTV 900. It will outwork any of the others. It’s not a speed demon but it can outhaul, outpull and outlive your listed choices.

I didn't forget the Kubota. I just don't care for them. B.

 

[LindenBruce]

I've owned two Polaris ATV/UTV, one since 1994 (sold a few years ago, still running). My current is the Ranger Full Size 570cc 3-seater. It is a workhorse plus it is fun. Has the power and brute to handle anything on my 25 acres. Check the specs compared to others -- more pulling power and more cargo weight capability. And it will go almost 60mph when I go to town down the county road. PLUS -- it's made in the USA!

The USA made Polaris is a good selling point for sure. B.

 

[ArlyA]

The USA made Polaris is a good selling point for sure. B.

Its got parts from all over the world but I'm saying its good, or bad.

 

[LindenBruce]

OP also states that he wants to use the machine for trail riding/camping. Automatically eliminates a golf cart or electric ATV. Last I checked the longest range on any electric ATV/UTV these days is 40 miles and that just won't cut it.

Went on a short ride yesterday...99.1 miles by the time we got back to the truck/trailer. I would LOVE an electric side by side with ~ 200 mile range because one of my main complaints about any engine-powered one is the noise. Would love to have one that was silent except for the sound of the tires on the dirt!
View attachment 3285583

We went to the site of a B17 Flying Fortress crash that happened in 1941. After 84 years there were pieces of airplane still scattered all over the mountainside. Any of you who are "old warplane buffs" can tell me what this part of the airplane might have been?
View attachment 3285584

Correct DE71. I'm not much for electric carts of UTVs. Though they have improved in capability these last few years. They are just not me. Nor is a gas golf cart. Not happening (LOL). B.

 

[LindenBruce]

Its got parts from all over the world but I'm saying its good, or bad.

What doesn't anymore? Sad, but just the way the world runs now. B.

 

[deserteagle71]

I looked at a Can Am Defender HD10 XT and Limited yesterday. Looks to be a well built unit. Sales rep said it is the heaviest built unit on the market. I think he forgot about the Polaris 1500. B.

The Polaris 1500 is an all-new unit...new, and unproven 3 cylinder engine and a new, unproven transmission they named "Steeldrive". Only time will tell if they will hold up in the long run. Me, I wouldn't want to be a Beta tester on something where the starting price is ~ $30,000. If, in 5 years or so, the reports from owners are good then I might consider one.

 

[LindenBruce]

The Polaris 1500 is an all-new unit...new, and unproven 3 cylinder engine and a new, unproven transmission they named "Steeldrive". Only time will tell if they will hold up in the long run. Me, I wouldn't want to be a Beta tester on something where the starting price is ~ $30,000. If, in 5 years or so, the reports from owners are good then I might consider one.

Ditto that. And they are expensive. Out of my price range. B.

 

[gsganzer]

I'm starting to go down the path of a SxS for my current 7.5 acres, deer lease and our eventual larger retirement property. I'm heading down the path of needing an ankle replacement from arthritis and my hiking is getting really painful. I think even after I get a joint replacement, rough ground hiking is going to be something I'll want to avoid. I'm leaning towards a Yamaha Viking EPS 3-seater, Kawasaki Mule or a Honda Pioneer 700. Sort of leaning towards the 2 seaters as I think the narrower width will make it easier to get in places. Definitely wanting a roof and windshield.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm starting to go down the path of a SxS for my current 7.5 acres, deer lease and our eventual larger retirement property. I'm heading down the path of needing an ankle replacement from arthritis and my hiking is getting really painful. I think even after I get a joint replacement, rough ground hiking is going to be something I'll want to avoid. I'm leaning towards a Yamaha Viking EPS 3-seater, Kawasaki Mule or a Honda Pioneer 700. Sort of leaning towards the 2 seaters as I think the narrower width will make it easier to get in places. Definitely wanting a roof and windshield.

All nice choices.

 

[JeepHead]

I'm starting to go down the path of a SxS for my current 7.5 acres, deer lease and our eventual larger retirement property. I'm heading down the path of needing an ankle replacement from arthritis and my hiking is getting really painful. I think even after I get a joint replacement, rough ground hiking is going to be something I'll want to avoid. I'm leaning towards a Yamaha Viking EPS 3-seater, Kawasaki Mule or a Honda Pioneer 700. Sort of leaning towards the 2 seaters as I think the narrower width will make it easier to get in places. Definitely wanting a roof and windshield.

If I were looking at a new SxS, those would be my top 3 as well.

 

[jjeff]

Like hondas almost as much as my Yamahas lots of folks prefer glass windshields it's pricy but pretty immune to scratching I'll stay with hard coated polycarbonate windshields which have have had great life, durability ,and results with them. imo ability to vent it either flipping it up, out, down or built in sliding vents is a great option. Anyways a roof and windshield makes a huge difference if riding in rain or colder weather. I use a cheap hand crank wiper on my windshields another bonus having ability to drill a small mounting hole for wiper in polycarbonate. Hand crank wipers have been more than sufficient and gives a passenger something to do lol. Next sxs I'll probably get a far less expensive soft top wonder what others that have them think of them?

 

[Torvy]

The noise your atv or utv makes has to do how carefully they designed its setup, not the number of cylinders it has.

Mine is much quieter than most and it's 100% because of cylinders. It doesnt have any. The only noise i get is from the tires and the shocks.

 

[Torvy]

OP also states that he wants to use the machine for trail riding/camping. Automatically eliminates a golf cart or electric ATV. Last I checked the longest range on any electric ATV/UTV these days is 40 miles and that just won't cut it.

OP also states that he wants to use the machine for trail riding/camping. Automatically eliminates a golf cart or electric ATV. Last I checked the longest range on any electric ATV/UTV these days is 40 miles and that just won't cut it.

Went on a short ride yesterday...99.1 miles by the time we got back to the truck/trailer. I would LOVE an electric side by side with ~ 200 mile range because one of my main complaints about any engine-powered one is the noise. Would love to have one that was silent except for the sound of the tires on the dirt!

I've got an EV SxS. We don't trail ride and if we did, it would just be across the road where neighbors have some trails. It maxes out at about 35 mph.

It works like a champ, though. You do hear more than the tires. The rattles and squeaks that are masked by engines are more noticeable in an EV.

If it wasn't for the trail portion, I'd recommend it to OP. Especially being in CA. Its only a matter of time before Sacramento outlaws most ATVs or SxSs because of emissions. Really surprised they haven't already.