Purchased a mini instead of a UTV

[5030]

Not around here, SE Michigan. Most towns around here have enacted special ordinances to allow Side by sides to traverse roads (on the berm) and in town as well. All you need is an SMV triangle and road legal tires (DOT approved) though no one ever checks them). We regularly drive our side by side into town to pick up items or to eat at the local beanery. In fact, the local town has special parking slots just for them. Guess that is the difference between living in rural America versus living in a suburban or city area. Often times there are more SxS's in town than automobiles or pickup trucks.

 

[jmc]

Not around here, SE Michigan. Most towns around here have enacted special ordinances to allow Side by sides to traverse roads (on the berm) and in town as well. All you need is an SMV triangle and road legal tires (DOT approved) though no one ever checks them). We regularly drive our side by side into town to pick up items or to eat at the local beanery. In fact, the local town has special parking slots just for them. Guess that is the difference between living in rural America versus living in a suburban or city area. Often times there are more SxS's in town than automobiles or pickup trucks.

Good municipal policy. We noticed the same tolerance in Baldwin MI back in the 70's, running motoX bikes along on berms between trails. No lights, no muffling, no problem.

 

[Rdrcr]

I finally decided to replace my SxS with a Mini of sorts.

I purchased a (RHD) 1999 Suzuki Jimny 4x4 (JB23W) with a manual transmission and 25K original miles to replace my 2024 CanAm Maverick Trail DPS 1000. The Jimny is powered by a tiny 660cc, 3 cylinder, turbocharged engine (K6A) making 64HP and 64 TQ. It is road legal and capable of a top speed of 75 mph on the highway.

The Jimny is 4 inches wider, 10 inches longer and 3 inches shorter than my 50 inch wide CanAm. I realize that the Jimny can’t go all the places the CanAm can but, we mostly do low speed trail riding, nothing crazy. My lady prefers to not wear a helmet, have the ability to communicate in the cabin, not deal with tons of dirt/dust and have some creature comforts like A/C and heat (I love it, but each their own). The Jimny provides a lot of the same riding possibilities and experiences but, with a lot more comfort for 1/3 the price.

I’ve found the little Jimny to be extremely capable off road. It’s shockingly good. Though, not surprisingly, it’s nowhere near as fast off road as the purpose built CanAm and can’t quite absorb the impacts as well as the Maverick, which is okay.

Mike

 

[deserteagle71]

My lady prefers to not wear a helmet,

Helmet? How fast are you driving that Can-am, and how gnarly is the terrain?

There's a lot of side by sides out here in outback Nevada and I've yet to see anyone wearing a helmet. Other than at off-road races, that is. So if your wife wears a helmet in the Can-am while off-roading, why is she not wearing a helmet in the Jimny?

I'm not criticizing - just wondering.

 

[Rdrcr]

Helmet? How fast are you driving that Can-am, and how gnarly is the terrain?

There's a lot of side by sides out here in outback Nevada and I've yet to see anyone wearing a helmet. Other than at off-road races, that is. So if your wife wears a helmet in the Can-am while off-roading, why is she not wearing a helmet in the Jimny?

I'm not criticizing - just wondering.

We’re required to wear helmets in the SxS when driving on public roads in Washington state which we do often while traveling to our destinations.

To my knowledge, helmets aren’t required off road, but stowing the helmets after getting to the trail(s) is challenging in the SxS.

Mike

 

[deserteagle71]

We’re required to wear helmets in the SxS when driving on public roads in Washington state which we do often while traveling to our destinations.

To my knowledge, helmets aren’t required off road, but stowing the helmets after getting to the trail(s) is challenging in the SxS.

Mike

Wow! Didn't know any states had helmet requirements other than for motorcycles.

If that's the case then I think that Jeeps and Broncos that drive public roads with top and doors off should be required to wear helmets also!

 

[shooterdon]

IIRC, helmets are required in a SxS even off road in Michigan unless you have a windshield

Years ago on the Hatfield and McCoy trails we had to have helmets even with a windshield on the Ranger.

 

[Torvy]

Yet another reminder that laws vary widely by state.

Even the use of flashers when driving on the road is illegal in some states and encouraged in others.

Be sure you check the current laws where you are driving

 

[CliffordK]

One thing about age. In most places anything that is over 25 years old is relatively easy to register for the road "Antique/Vintage". So, while the OP was able to register a relatively new one, there would be some benefits to get one from 1999 or older.