New 2008 Rhino

[rutwad]

Tommy, you are probably right. It may not say that you must go straight when the diff. is locked. And you don't have to. You should only need to lock it in the very worst conditions, otherwise 4wd should do. So if you are in a terrible situation and have the front diff. locked, then the tires are probably already spinning and the distance travelled does not matter.

Where you will find a problem is locking the front diff. with good traction, unless you are going straight. Why? because going straight all the tires are travelling the same distance whether locked or not. But say you are on concrete and have the front diff. locked. Being locked caused all tires to turn exactly the same. So if you made a complet circle, your outside front tire has to travel about 25 more feet than the inside front tire. So with the front tires travelling the same distance, something has to happen to compensate for the extra 25'. In mud or other soft conditions, traction is the weakest link, so the inside tire will spin. On concrete, you may be the weekest link trying to hold the steering wheel turned. But if you are not, then you better hope the traction breaks before the axle does. SOMETHING has to give.

 

[rutwad]

I traded up my 2005 Camo Rhino for a 2008 Rhino Midnight Armor. I waited to post until I had run 20 hours on the unit and had it serviced. The new Rhino has been perfect for the first 5 weeks.

Overall I have been very pleased with the new Rhino. Yamaha made a number of improvements some of them I knew about others were kind of surprises.

Pluses (over the 05)
* Fuel injection (starts, idles, and accelerates much better than the 05)
* Better handling (The 08 steers much easier than the 05. I did not see this listed anywhere but has been noticeable to all the drivers.)
* Quieter and less vibration.
* Fuel gauge and cup holders are nice to have. Fuel gauge is not quite linear and reads more empty than the amount gas left in the tank.
* Frame is stronger. We noticed this we we loaded it on the trailer.
* Better CV joint protection.

Minuses
* Runs a little warmer than the 05. It did cool down after break in but definitely runs warmer.
* Yamaha did not improve the headlights. I can overdrive these headlights easily.

My only additions are my ITP 14" Terra Cross tires and a WARN XT25 Winch.

Other changes with the new Rhino include larger diameter axles, a lower geared reverse, better exhaust mount, and less squeally front brakes. A good machine, no doubt.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

thats the only bad thing about the rhino to me is the rearend doesn't have a diferential unlocker. it't pretty rough on the tires and lawn. i do try to keep it in regular 4x4 mode but like you said when in the thick stuff it does help to have locked just for safety. if you see that your movment is slowing down it's not a good idea to stop to engage it so in most ruff stuff i engage it before i get into it. i never tried the bumping the brakes to lock the front diferential . it works on my hpx if i just barely put my foot on the brake pedal the front end acts just like a locked front deiferential.i'm gonna have to try the rhino and see what happens i don't put the hpx in the mud anymore it's just a worker now.

 

[rutwad]

You may already be aware of it, but the '08 Rhinos are being recalled.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

nope nobody called me infact i went to a big party at the dealer the other night and won a bunch of stuff for it and the salesman never mentioned it. whats the recall for??

 

[rutwad]

Yamaha has issued a recall alert for 2008 models of its Yamaha Rhino 450 and 700 side-by-side vehicles. The brake caliper on the left front wheel could have been made incorrectly, resulting in a brake fluid leak.

This can cause loss of braking and vehicle control, posing serious safety risks to driver and passenger.

Consumers should stop using the recalled Rhinos and are asked to contact an authorized Yamaha Rhino dealer to schedule a free repair. Registered owners should have received a direct mail notification of the recall.

The recall involves model year 2008 Rhino YXR450 and YXR700 vehicles sold nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008. Contact your Yamaha Rhino dealer and provide your vehicle's primary ID number to verify if your specific vehicle is included in the recall.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

i have to look up mine to see if it's on the list . it's parked anyway due o a automoble accident . i can't drive the hpx or the rhino . i have been spending alot of time on the sofa. if i find out mine is on the list i'll get my dad to bring it in and drop it off.

 

[Chris2520]

I have a 2008 Rhino. it has a 2 inch lift and 27 inch mudlite XTR's
i installed the unisteer power steering. it is expensive thay were about a $1000 dollars. there slowly comeing down. I gave $895 for mine at Rhino outfitters. there is nothing you can do to your rhino that is as nice as this.
it steers so easy. even in diff lock you cant tell any difference. you know how hard thay are to steer on pavement cause the rear tires are locked. now its no different than being on dirt. you can drive it with one finger. i recommend
this to anyone with any UTV.

Chris....