Purchasing a New UTV

[Rustyiron]

I believe that we're just not the "target group" the designers are shooting for any longer. Many cars, SUVs, "crossovers", and most of the atv/sxs (to me) look like a cross between a stylish sneaker and some "transformer" toy.
Some will grow on me, but most look like a 12 year old drew their dream machine.
That I guess is my official entry into becoming a "grumpy old fart" .

 

[Milo]

Belts come off when you it most inconvenient.

I've never hard of a belt coming off? I'm sure they probably have somewhere. I have heard of them slipping under abuse such as under water or using high range when not appropriate. But I've never had one slip nor ever needed to replace a belt on either of my 2 Mules or the Polaris, or my three Harley Davidsons, or Arctic Cat snowmobile. In fact the only belt was a timing belt on a Tundra at 100,000 miles.

 

[deserteagle71]

I've never hard of a belt coming off? I'm sure they probably have somewhere. I have heard of them slipping under abuse such as under water or using high range when not appropriate. But I've never had one slip nor ever needed to replace a belt on either of my 2 Mules or the Polaris, or my three Harley Davidsons, or Arctic Cat snowmobile. In fact the only belt was a timing belt on a Tundra at 100,000 miles.

They don't just "come off". That's pretty much impossible given the design. Generally takes a special tool to push apart the pulleys to get them off.

They do burn up though. By that I mean they get so hot from slippage that they begin to disintegrate. Comes from people either not reading their owners manual or not following the recommended procedures. I burned up the belt on my Yamaha Kodiak trying to back a trailer loaded with a cord of wood up under a shed - something it was never designed to do. The smell of burning rubber told me I screwed up. These machines have a high and a low range in the transmission; the owners manual makes it plain that whenever traveling below a certain speed, or working the machine hard pulling a load or climbing a steep hill or traversing deep mud or soft sand - low range should be used. States that plainly in my Yamaha and Can-am Defender manuals, and in the Polaris manuals our SAR group uses.
I've watched too many UTVs come slowly up a steep, rough hill and when they got to where I was on top, I could smell the hot belt. Sure, the engine has plenty of power to pull the hill in high range - but that's also what burns up the belt.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I'm just waiting for someone to say they used the wifes pantyhose as a drive belt to get out of the woods. Remember that old story?

 

[MoKelly]

Some will grow on me, but most look like a 12 year old drew their dream machine.
That I guess is my official entry into becoming a "grumpy old fart" .

I’m in that same club. My wife tells me that at least once a week!

MoKelly

 

[DK35vince]

I've owned multiple CVT machines.
Snowmobiles, ATV's , UTV and they worked just fine

 

[nybirdman]

Yamaha's belt warranty is 10 years.Never had a problem with one in any of the four that I have owned.

 

[Zebrafive]

My former (gave it to my daughter) 1996 Kawasaki Mule 2510 still has it's original belt.

 

[LouNY]

Well I've had to change the belt on old snowmobiles back in the 60's and 70's that broke while out riding.
However the newer ones sure do last good even when abused.
If you don't want plastic on your UTV you can get an all steel one;

I like mine, all steel, it will get up and go, it has a good suspension when riding it hard.
I seldom ride it hard, did one day with a cow that just would not behave for us at all.
Couldn't get her into the corral our normal way of walking her in slow and easy with a couple of others.
She would bolt and run you over, 3 atv's and my UTV changed her mind but it took some hard
running to stay up and crowd her were we wanted her to go.
It's a Bennchee Warrior 800.
The weather is heading towards when she will be getting used more finally.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Now your talking my language. YES, a UTILITY vehicle! Gotta love the extra space on the hood. Ever fill up the back with firewood and have no place to put your saw, oil and gas?