Ranger vs Kubota video..

[Robert_in_NY]

The Rhino is a sport UTV and doesn't fit my needs (isn't it a 2 seater anyway?). When I am demoing these machines they are going to come however they would from the factory. Hopefully I can get an RTV with the atv tires but it will depend on what the dealerships have. I figure if all 4 or 5 machines I am looking at have the same stock tires it will give me an accurate comparison as I will know if one gets stuck with similar tires and the others make it thru then it won't make a difference as if whichever machine I get I can put 589's on and the ones that made it thru before will make it thru much worse now (I think that makes sense). The only machine I would be worried about not being able to upgrade tires on would be the 6x6 ranger as there doesn't look like much room between the rear wheels. But then again it should float quite well as long as the front wheels keep turning.

I really am looking forward to this spring when I can demo these machines.

One thing I do know is the major difference a good set of tires will make. I had Vampires on my 350 Yamaha Big Bear and I had to keep saving my friends Honda Foreman in his swamp. It got to the point I just started pushing them thru when they got stuck instead of trying to get in front to hook a strap up(they were leading me). It was my first time there and most of the swamp was under water with spots a couple feet deep. I know with the stock tires the 350 came with I would have been done with. Our Bombardier has stock tires on it and I am glad it came with a winch because it gets stuck easier and doesn't climb out of ditches very well. But like the RTV, the Bombardier Traxter XT is built like a tank and I am sure if we ever decide to upgrade tires on it that it will do much better here but right now it spends most of its time on the driveway pulling water barrels and more aggressive tires lead to more wear and tear on the rider and the machine.

Its ok if you promote your machine. The information I gather from people who actually use their machines the better I am prepared for when I start to demo them as I have different ideas on what to look for with each machine.

I like the suspension and speed of the Ranger but I can make due without the speed as any of these UTV's are faster and easier to get in and out of then my tractors. There is a corner store half way between my house and the further fields so it is a great place to stop and grab a sub (they make great subs), drink or snack. The machine needs fuel and so do I

Two things that I am most interested in on the RTV is the suspension and the transmission. The suspension because of my back and the tranny because of the issues discussed on here. As Ava gets a little older I would like for her to be able to use this if she wants to come out back where I am working (its a mile and a half from our house to our farthest field on our own land at the main farm and you have to cross a creek and two muddy ditches that can have up to 2' of water running across them at times.

One more thing (I ask a lot of questions so please bear with me), how well does the RTV steer? One of the Polaris videos shows them using a tourqe wrench to check how many pounds you needed to steer. The Ranger was requiring 8 pounds and I think the Mule was 11 pounds and one of the sport utvs was 22 pounds. I think the new ranger has power steering but I can't remember for sure and don't remember if the RTV does either.

From looking at some of these guys pictures of the RTV1100's cab I kind of would love that machine but a cab doesn't fit my use very well as I want to be able to get in and out of the machine as easily and hassle free as possible and doors are a hassle. Maybe when I am older I can buy a cabbed RTV to just ride around my property in

 

[rapracing]

I only found one dealer who would bring a demo unit to me. I was a mule. It was a unit he used personally and also for demo work. I did demo the ranger and the rtv but at the dealerships. If you can find a dealer who is willing to let you take a new machine and slop around in the mud I will be surprised. That would be a nightmare for them to clean up and would devalue the machine. It would never look new, unless they are willing to tear it down and clean the little areas you can't really get at but can see. I am sure you have seen atv's or motorcycles that have been in the mud. It is all but impossible to make them look like new. I personally wouldn't pay full price for a machine that was used that way. Unless of course I did it. That would however leave a couple other machines for someone else buy. .


The RTV is power steering. If Ranger is that is new for '08

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I only found one dealer who would bring a demo unit to me. I was a mule. It was a unit he used personally and also for demo work. I did demo the ranger and the rtv but at the dealerships. If you can find a dealer who is willing to let you take a new machine and slop around in the mud I will be surprised. That would be a nightmare for them to clean up and would devalue the machine. It would never look new, unless they are willing to tear it down and clean the little areas you can't really get at but can see. I am sure you have seen atv's or motorcycles that have been in the mud. It is all but impossible to make them look like new. I personally wouldn't pay full price for a machine that was used that way. Unless of course I did it. That would however leave a couple other machines for someone else buy. .


The RTV is power steering. If Ranger is that is new for '08

The RTV dealers I am a little concerned about getting a Demo. However, I have been told I can demo the Rangers (they will deliver them) and the Trekker (I would pick that up myself). I could also demo the Gators if I wanted as they are the same dealer as the Rangers. It is common place to demo machines here in regards to tractors and UTV's. The local Kubota dealer might be a challenge in regards to a demo though as he just doesn't seem like he cares. The Mule dealer I have not talked to yet but when I first started looking I stopped at a dealership and looked at the Rhino and they were willing to load it up for me to take to my home for a day right on the spot. I had never even been in this dealership before (pure ATV, UTV, motorcycle, watercraft type dealership).

 

[TWO GUNS]

robert,

I've had two back surgeries, I know how " the ride " makes a differance.
But the ride of a side x side is no comparison to four-wheelers.
We have Honda Rubicons, great vehicles, but If I work on them all day in the woods or farm. I get in at the end of the day, I can hardly move or walk, stoved-up, you can say.
But, with the RTV, I come in and go on about like as normal. I will say, bench seat is better on the back than sport single seats, or should I say this, better on MY back... Any bench seat on whatever make is going to be better on my back, than the other single seats.

 

[rapracing]

Riding the 4 wheeler is more like being on a horse I would say. That would put more pressure on the lower spine than just sitting on a bench. Makes sense to me

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks Two Guns, I am not sure how my back is going to be once I am cleared to go back to work but it is a big concern I have. Right now I don't have too much trouble with it unless I stand for any length of time (which I hope this problem goes away as working in construction I am on my feet a lot).

 

[Donegal_TDI]

Personally don't have much time for one company bashing another's product to promote their own.
Both are good products in their own right but sufficiently different that direct comparison is unfair.
Heavy vehicles have generally a slower speed but good for towing.
Lighter vehicles more agile and good for higher speeds.

The only problem I had with the RTV 900 was legroom as I come in Xtra large/tall size
Other than that, folks here have good things to say about them.
That's a good enough recommendation for me,
those from the end user.

 

[Skipholiday]

robert,
I will say, bench seat is better on the back than sport single seats, or should I say this, better on MY back... Any bench seat on whatever make is going to be better on my back, than the other single seats.

Please explain how a bench seat is better for YOUR back.

It seems the extra support of a bucket would be better.
If it is indeed better, maybe I will get a Ranger..

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Please explain how a bench seat is better for YOUR back.

It seems the extra support of a bucket would be better.
If it is indeed better, maybe I will get a Ranger..

Skip, I am not sure as far as Two Guns is concerned but with me I don't like getting in and out of bucket seats as well as the entire way you sit in them. We have bucket seats in the 2006 Ford Escape and I don't like riding in them but prefer the bench seat of the 2006 Ford F-250 diesel. It has a stiffer suspension but the way you sit in the seat is much more comfortable to me. Maybe it is because it is easier to move around a little bit while the bucket seat doesn't allow you to move much.

But in the case of the UTV it doesn't matter as the bench seat is the only thing I am considering as I need to be able to haul three people (one is my daughter).

 

[Skipholiday]

Skip, I am not sure as far as Two Guns is concerned but with me I don't like getting in and out of bucket seats as well as the entire way you sit in them. We have bucket seats in the 2006 Ford Escape and I don't like riding in them but prefer the bench seat of the 2006 Ford F-250 diesel. It has a stiffer suspension but the way you sit in the seat is much more comfortable to me. Maybe it is because it is easier to move around a little bit while the bucket seat doesn't allow you to move much.

But in the case of the UTV it doesn't matter as the bench seat is the only thing I am considering as I need to be able to haul three people (one is my daughter).

It seems the majority of people like the bench seat.
The rtv 1100 seat is very comfortable. Being able to ride a 3rd person upfront is a definite plus.
I don't see how it could be any better for a bad back. Maybe the extra room allows you to move and stay comfortable.
Luckily I only have bad hips and knees. Back is a little crooked but it works well.