Need utility Side by Side

[John_Mc]

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.

I went with the Honda Pioneer 520. I wanted something that was comfortable for two people, and smaller and lighter than my tractor, so I could go out on my trails without tearing things up when conditions were too soft for my tractor. The narrow width (50") lets me get to places I couldn't go with a larger vehicle.

I like the transmission on the Pioneer 520 better than the 700, but that's probably a matter of personal preference.

For some, the 520's lack of power steering is a negative. I've never found it to be a concern, even when I have the snow plow mounted out front. (Likewise, my wife and daughter have no problems managing the manual steering.) Some people add aftermarket power steering, but we have not found the need.

 

[deserteagle71]

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 you ride only flatlands then a narrow side by side is fine. If you ride in the mountains - they are trouble because they roll so easily. One of the reasons I chose the Can-am I have is because it is wide - and stable in off-camber situations. True, it can't fit on narrow trails or in between trees like a narrow unit but the last thing I want to do is roll down the side of a mountain. Watch this video at about 5:20 to see what happens with a narrow side by side. That spot would be no problem in my Can-am. And the video shows the terrain I ride all the time.

Nevada trails:

 

[gsganzer]

You might have swayed me to a 3-seater, especially if my wife is using it.

 

[John_Mc]

Terrain does make a big difference in the choice of ATVs, as does what you are doing on that terrain. More importantly, the operator needs to know their own limitations and that of their equipment.

I got my SxS to run on the trails in my woods. It's mostly a work vehicle: I didn't need a "go fast" recreational vehicle. This is a hilly area, but since my trails are laid out to minimize erosion issues, there aren't really places where things are steep enough for rollovers to be a problem.

 

[EddieWalker]

One of the best things about my Mule is how easy it is to get in and out of it. Low to the ground, no doors, have a seat and go!!!

 

[ning]

Do any of these dump bed utilities have a stakebed for lightweight bulky stuff?

 

[ArlyA]

Do any of these dump bed utilities have a stakebed for lightweight bulky stuff?
View attachment 3421494

I'm pretty sure most if not all UTV's all have dump beds these days. Sport models might not.

 

[ning]

I'm pretty sure most if not all UTV's all have dump beds these days. Sport models might not.

Right; I'm wondering if there's a way to increase the volume of the bed for carrying lightweight bulky stuff.

 

[grsthegreat]

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?

My poly windshield got so scratched i could not see thru it. I went with glass replacement. I made my own electric windshield wiper system which did not need to penetrate glass.

 

[deserteagle71]

Right; I'm wondering if there's a way to increase the volume of the bed for carrying lightweight bulky stuff.

Don't know about ALL models - but I know that my Can-am Defender and the Search and Rescue Polaris Rangers I maintain have stake pockets on all four sides of the bed. I have seen all sorts of lightweight sides to fit those stake pockets - some home made and some that are available commercially. Usually they are about as high as the roof on the unit. My neighbor's Polaris Ranger is equipped that way because he hauls a lot of brush and trimmed-off branches from his trees.

Here's a couple examples:

 

[ultrarunner]

Locally someone was killed over the weekend crashing UTV…

Sounds like he was thrown from the cab and speed and drinking involved…

Just a word of caution…

Man killed after UTV plunges off road on Sonoma County property

A man operating a UTV on a road near Cooley Ranch in Cloverdale died when he lost control of his vehicle.

www.sfchronicle.com

 

[Runner]

Right; I'm wondering if there's a way to increase the volume of the bed for carrying lightweight bulky stuff.

Bed extenders help a little:

 

[5030]

We agonized over a utility sxs and finally settled on a Kubota sxs but the gas powered one. The diesel sxs was just too slow, running one was like watching paint dry on a barn. So far, been very pleased with it.

 

[tradosaurus]

Locally someone was killed over the weekend crashing UTV…

Sounds like he was thrown from the cab and speed and drinking involved…

Just a word of caution…

Man killed after UTV plunges off road on Sonoma County property

A man operating a UTV on a road near Cooley Ranch in Cloverdale died when he lost control of his vehicle.

www.sfchronicle.com

The word of caution is don't be drinking and speeding. That would apply to any vehicle.

 

[Torvy]

We agonized over a utility sxs and finally settled on a Kubota sxs but the gas powered one. The diesel sxs was just too slow, running one was like watching paint dry on a barn. So far, been very pleased with it.

I think this highlights a key about UTVs. The details matter. Your property, geography, and purpose (among other things) greatly affect which UTV will be best for you.

Speed doesnt matter much in our case. 98% work machine. Forest terrain with terraced landscape. Few places to go fast. The only time I'd really want a different machine is when the kids are around (more seating). We just pull the trailer with some square bales, instead. UTV can handle our OTR utility trailer easily.

 

[ArlyA]

Bed extenders help a little:
View attachment 3421525

BRP offers bed extenders as well.

 

[ArlyA]

The word of caution is don't be drinking and speeding. That would apply to any vehicle.

Lack of seat belts bring used.

 

[tradosaurus]

Lack of seat belts bring used.

Yes, wearing your seatbelt would apply to any vehicle also.
When I use my SxS around property I'm driving 5-10 mph and never use my seat belt.
If I was on trails I would have a helmet and wear my seatbelt.

 

[5030]

Never ran the Kubota on any trail, not what we bought it for in the first place. I have a spray rig in the bed and it totes my inverter generator so I can power 110 volt tools when working around the farm.

Far as seatbelts are concerned, the Kubota has an interlock on the belts and it won't start unless the belts are secured. When I'm using it to spray with, I put the seatbelt behind the seat and lock it in, that defeats the interlock.

Like I said, didn't buy it for 'recreation' at all. Bought it for use around the farm, mainly for spraying. My buddy has a Polaris Ranger or some such and it goes like a raped ape and he does the trail thing. We don't and not interested anyway. I do on occasion run it up town to fetch the odd can of mower gas and I was cognizant of that when we bought it and why we didn't buy a diesel Kubota as top speed on the diesel is about 22 mph, whereas the top speed on the gas Kubota we own is 50. I don't want to impede traffic going up town at 22 mph. Around here, you can operate a sxs on the shoulder of a paved road and in town, they are allowed as well. Most town dwellers around here have golf carts, even my renters have one but they don't interest me as they are even slower and I'm not into charging anything electric in the first place, except for starting batteries maybe.

 

[EddieWalker]

I just saw this on FB and it's shocked me.

2025 Polaris xd 1500 upfit ranch edition​

$79,494