Side by side UTV's

[ovrszd]

I have a buddy who has a 20k polaris.

Why not just buy a beater old Toyota

ultrarunner has it going on. Sami's are the best investment for a 2 seater 4x4.

 

[ultrarunner]

There should be a law against calling a Patriot a Jeep. They are a total piece of crap, cheap butt, tin can car.

Alamo and others here are flooded with Patriots in the rental fleet...

My cousin picked one up two weeks ago and will have 2400 miles on it by tomorrow... SF, Vegas, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, San Diego, LA, Santa Barbara and even took it for a spin on Pismo Beach...

I do like my Sami a lot and have been asked many times to sell... nope!

 

[Piston]

I would purchase the Honda right now if I was ready to buy. I've sat in a lot of them and liked the pioneer 1000-5 the best as far as ergonomics and features. I didn't want to take it for a ride in fear of actually buying it when I wasn't ready

With two little boys I think the flip up seats would be fantastic. They loved climbing around it.

I think Honda nailed it with that 1000.

 

[2ndhalf]

I would purchase the Honda right now if I was ready to buy. I've sat in a lot of them and liked the pioneer 1000-5 the best as far as ergonomics and features. I didn't want to take it for a ride in fear of actually buying it when I wasn't ready

With two little boys I think the flip up seats would be fantastic. They loved climbing around it.

I think Honda nailed it with that 1000.

You should certainly buy that for those little BOYS :thumbsup:

 

[airbiscuit]

The Arctic Cat trail is a 50" wide machine and thus will be allowed on all park trails and state areas since it's no wider than most full size 4 wheels.

It has a lower center of gravity and drives great. It's sporty and faster than most all side by sides.

Not really a work machine but a winch can be added and the small bed on the back is plenty for a days worth or gear and being a little smaller it fits on any 5x10 trailer or a long bed pickup with gate down.

If you want utility AC makes a great prowler as well.

I love my AC Trail and it's super easy to drive and is rocket fast and has great suspension and won't beat you up.

The dash had a nice digital display with lots of info available. View attachment 483714

It also fits inside my van!
View attachment 483715

I have an Arctic Cat Prowler 650 XT. It has been horrible. They have weak transmissions. I had to replace the whole engine/transmission unit. I asked my motorcycle who makes the best UTVs. He said any of the Japanese or the new Polaris.
I

 

[westcliffe01]

I have been pretty happy with my Kubota RTV 500. It is underpowered and does not have a lot of ground clearance and given the fact that the gas pedal only controls the HST, it has some quirks for getting up hills. The design seemed to have been rushed. It has a huge hood and the way the hood is hinged it interferes with a rigid windshield. That is why the factory glass winshield has a vinyl "skirt" at the bottom... The only reason the hood moves is to access the brake cylinder, they could have done all that much better given the fact that they have had diesel powered UTV's forever which have proper cabs. There used to be a full cab with "real" doors for it, but it was recalled due to fumes from the engine compartment getting into the cab through a myriad of leak points, not least being the tilt up bench seat base. Engine access is very poor due to the mid engine layout.

Having said all that, the transmission is perfect for steep and rocky property. Speed was never an issue for me as it was never going to be a toy. The fuel economy is staggering. I have driven it from 9am through 4pm at 10 000ft in the rockies going up and down mountains and then it would take 2 gal of gas to top off the tank back at base. It is regularly used for pulling a hay rake during hay season, one just has to keep the radiator guard clean and not allow too much chaff to build up on top of the engine. With front and rear hitch and winch it serves to park loaded hay wagons in the barn using the front hitch, far more intuitive that trying to back a trailer in with a tractor. Everyone has driven it, including kids although it usually stays in low range for them....

I am planning on getting tracks for it to solve wintertime snow limitations. If there is more than 6-8" of snow on the ground it will build up under the engine subframe until you no longer have any traction. Tracks are a $4000-5000 investment, but I would get a lot more use out of them than a snowmobile. And I need doors. Not the cloth zipper type doors but something that one can open and close like the original doors before they were recalled.

The number of UTV's have proliferated dramatically, but in my opinion, except for people living on flat ground, most of the new ones are toys for teenagers at new car prices. Few are really suited to doing any real work or for steep and rocky terrain. I would not like to do a long steep gravel descent in one of the belt driven models where one is 100% relying on the brakes every step of the way....

 

[ArlyA]

Our Can-am has real doors and a cab. Its CVT drive is just like a manual transmission and will not cost free while operating it down hill. It cost us much, much, more than 10K but you couldn't trade us for a Geo tracker, Patriot Jeep or a Suzuki Samurai. Its 1000cc V twin does have towing torque and HP.

Its review can be had here. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/355357-can-am-2016-defender-hd10.html

I have been pretty happy with my Kubota RTV 500. It is underpowered and does not have a lot of ground clearance and given the fact that the gas pedal only controls the HST, it has some quirks for getting up hills. The design seemed to have been rushed. It has a huge hood and the way the hood is hinged it interferes with a rigid windshield. That is why the factory glass winshield has a vinyl "skirt" at the bottom... The only reason the hood moves is to access the brake cylinder, they could have done all that much better given the fact that they have had diesel powered UTV's forever which have proper cabs. There used to be a full cab with "real" doors for it, but it was recalled due to fumes from the engine compartment getting into the cab through a myriad of leak points, not least being the tilt up bench seat base. Engine access is very poor due to the mid engine layout.

Having said all that, the transmission is perfect for steep and rocky property. Speed was never an issue for me as it was never going to be a toy. The fuel economy is staggering. I have driven it from 9am through 4pm at 10 000ft in the rockies going up and down mountains and then it would take 2 gal of gas to top off the tank back at base. It is regularly used for pulling a hay rake during hay season, one just has to keep the radiator guard clean and not allow too much chaff to build up on top of the engine. With front and rear hitch and winch it serves to park loaded hay wagons in the barn using the front hitch, far more intuitive that trying to back a trailer in with a tractor. Everyone has driven it, including kids although it usually stays in low range for them....

I am planning on getting tracks for it to solve wintertime snow limitations. If there is more than 6-8" of snow on the ground it will build up under the engine subframe until you no longer have any traction. Tracks are a $4000-5000 investment, but I would get a lot more use out of them than a snowmobile. And I need doors. Not the cloth zipper type doors but something that one can open and close like the original doors before they were recalled.

The number of UTV's have proliferated dramatically, but in my opinion, except for people living on flat ground, most of the new ones are toys for teenagers at new car prices. Few are really suited to doing any real work or for steep and rocky terrain. I would not like to do a long steep gravel descent in one of the belt driven models where one is 100% relying on the brakes every step of the way....

 

[EddieWalker]

I would purchase the Honda right now if I was ready to buy. I've sat in a lot of them and liked the pioneer 1000-5 the best as far as ergonomics and features. I didn't want to take it for a ride in fear of actually buying it when I wasn't ready

With two little boys I think the flip up seats would be fantastic. They loved climbing around it.

I think Honda nailed it with that 1000.

I haven't actually been in a Honda, but the biggest issue I had with it was that the back seats are where the bed is. You either have back seats, or a bed, not both at the same time. For me, that's a huge deal breaker. Usually I have my Mule set up with the back seats folded up and the bed as big as possible. A bigger bed would be even better!!! But when we have friends over, the back seats are down and there is always something in the bed that we are hauling around.

 

[nybirdman]

I have been pretty happy with my Kubota RTV 500. It is underpowered and does not have a lot of ground clearance and given the fact that the gas pedal only controls the HST, it has some quirks for getting up hills. The design seemed to have been rushed. It has a huge hood and the way the hood is hinged it interferes with a rigid windshield. That is why the factory glass winshield has a vinyl "skirt" at the bottom... The only reason the hood moves is to access the brake cylinder, they could have done all that much better given the fact that they have had diesel powered UTV's forever which have proper cabs. There used to be a full cab with "real" doors for it, but it was recalled due to fumes from the engine compartment getting into the cab through a myriad of leak points, not least being the tilt up bench seat base. Engine access is very poor due to the mid engine layout.

Having said all that, the transmission is perfect for steep and rocky property. Speed was never an issue for me as it was never going to be a toy. The fuel economy is staggering. I have driven it from 9am through 4pm at 10 000ft in the rockies going up and down mountains and then it would take 2 gal of gas to top off the tank back at base. It is regularly used for pulling a hay rake during hay season, one just has to keep the radiator guard clean and not allow too much chaff to build up on top of the engine. With front and rear hitch and winch it serves to park loaded hay wagons in the barn using the front hitch, far more intuitive that trying to back a trailer in with a tractor. Everyone has driven it, including kids although it usually stays in low range for them....

I am planning on getting tracks for it to solve wintertime snow limitations. If there is more than 6-8" of snow on the ground it will build up under the engine subframe until you no longer have any traction. Tracks are a $4000-5000 investment, but I would get a lot more use out of them than a snowmobile. And I need doors. Not the cloth zipper type doors but something that one can open and close like the original doors before they were recalled.

The number of UTV's have proliferated dramatically, but in my opinion, except for people living on flat ground, most of the new ones are toys for teenagers at new car prices. Few are really suited to doing any real work or for steep and rocky terrain. I would not like to do a long steep gravel descent in one of the belt driven models where one is 100% relying on the brakes every step of the way....

The Yamaha's are belt driven and the best engine breaking feature made.Polaris ruined everyone thinking on belt driven UTV's.

 

[westcliffe01]

Well, those doors are certainly nice. It does not look like Kubota will be re-visiting the door issue, I will probably have to make my own.

Regarding the shed in your review. If you had fitted some 3/8" x 4" steel flat bar skids to the floor skids it would actually glide over gravel. The other thing is that the tow coupling needs to be as short as possible and try to get 12" of rise to the attachment point on the UTV. That way when you pull, it lifts the front side of the structure, this helps prevent digging in.

Of course when all else fails there is still the regular tractor...

I paid $6500 for my Kubota with 90 hours on it. Those CanAm UTV's are pricey as heck.

Our Can-am has real doors and a cab. Its CVT drive is just like a manual transmission and will not cost free while operating it down hill. It cost us much, much, more than 10K but you couldn't trade us for a Geo tracker, Patriot Jeep or a Suzuki Samurai. Its 1000cc V twin does have towing torque and HP.

Its review can be had here. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/355357-can-am-2016-defender-hd10.html

 

[Piston]

I haven't actually been in a Honda, but the biggest issue I had with it was that the back seats are where the bed is. You either have back seats, or a bed, not both at the same time. For me, that's a huge deal breaker. Usually I have my Mule set up with the back seats folded up and the bed as big as possible. A bigger bed would be even better!!! But when we have friends over, the back seats are down and there is always something in the bed that we are hauling around.

It's funny, that is actually the exact reason I do like the pioneer. I would like to be able to bring my boys out for a ride but didn't want the really long wheelbase of all the other side by sides on the market. I like that you could have a short wheelbase, maneuverable machine and either haul people, or haul gear or both. One of the rear seats can be left folded down if you don't need the whole bed, and likewise you can get storage behind the rear seats with the addition of a bed extender, but not much.

I also like that transmission, and the motor being the same as the new Honda Africa Twin which is getting great reviews doesn't hurt either.

I love that they have all these different choices though. It's amazing how fast the side by side industry is growing. I just wish they allowed them on more snowmobile trails and atv trails. In my area they are pretty much banned everywhere.

 

[teejk]

It's funny, that is actually the exact reason I do like the pioneer. I would like to be able to bring my boys out for a ride but didn't want the really long wheelbase of all the other side by sides on the market. I like that you could have a short wheelbase, maneuverable machine and either haul people, or haul gear or both. One of the rear seats can be left folded down if you don't need the whole bed, and likewise you can get storage behind the rear seats with the addition of a bed extender, but not much.

I also like that transmission, and the motor being the same as the new Honda Africa Twin which is getting great reviews doesn't hurt either.

I love that they have all these different choices though. It's amazing how fast the side by side industry is growing. I just wish they allowed them on more snowmobile trails and atv trails. In my area they are pretty much banned everywhere.

Was only in the past 3-4 years that side-by-sides were allowed on our state/county trails. The whole "sport" has grown to the point where the trails and bridges have been widened (and where not possible, permissible road use has been expanded...we have a lot of swamps around here). The economic impact to motels, restaurants (and bars...it is Wisconsin after all) is big. Overall I think the users are the types of people that businesses want...they have and spend $$$ and are generally respectful of property.

 

[teejk]

Couple friends of mine have Can-Am ATVs. They seem to be very well built.

Yes, I believe you are overly optimistic to expect under 10 grand for a UTV.

Keep us posted on your progress. Someone later will benefit from your leg work.

Checked out the Honda's today (their 500 and 700 Pioneers). I didn't like the 500 (cramped because the front wheel wells intrude into the passenger compartment a lot). So looking at the specs of the 700 compared to the Polaris 570, I think they are almost identical in dimensions and clearance. Polaris has electronic drive control (1,2,4 WD...the "1" being what they call "turf control"...what I would equate to the old "posi-traction" now call "limited slip" so you don't tear up your lawn as bad if that's your goal). The Honda looks to be a mechanical linkage for 2, 4, 4 locked differential. The Honda 700 has 7.9 gal fuel tank vs. the Polaris 9 gal. so I guess with a gal. less plus a bigger engine on the Honda the "range" will be less...might be important if you plan to run trails where there are no gas stations. The Honda "bed" is rated for 1,000 lbs. whereas the Polaris is 500 lbs. (not a big deal for me...we get some big deer around here but not that big). To finish up this "update"...the Honda dealer is 50+ miles away. They sell Honda, Polaris, Suzuki and CFMoto. He said they sell many more Polaris machines simply because of the options available. I really liked the Honda 700 though and I can get into that for about $11,000 (tax included). And it sticks in the back of my head that Honda's have been known to last forever (don't know about their side by sides but I have a few friends that have owned and abused their ATVs and rave about them). On the other side, I have a Polaris dealer about 7 miles away. Probably the same cost for a smaller machine but a local dealer might be a better option. Will run back into the local dealer on Monday to check out some things...the Polaris 570 model I checked out had a very cramped passenger compartment AND the passenger side had a built in tray that seemed like a shin buster. Today I saw a different version of the 570 where it wasn't that bad. So far I'm leaning Honda.

 

[ovrszd]

I have a philosophy about "dealer location" and "warranty". If I buy a quality product I shouldn't care where the dealer is and/or what the warranty is. So when I shop, I shop for quality.

I have a LOT of Polaris around me and very little Honda. Polaris dealer in the area, no Honda dealer within 75 miles. Polaris are good machines. My concern for them is they continually expand the HP and size/weight of the machines using the same powertrain. This doomed to fail philosophy is beginning to show up. Lots of driveline failures.

You don't seem to be shopping for high HP, high performance machines. That is in your favor.

I think the Honda will serve you very well.

 

[teejk]

I have a philosophy about "dealer location" and "warranty". If I buy a quality product I shouldn't care where the dealer is and/or what the warranty is. So when I shop, I shop for quality.

I have a LOT of Polaris around me and very little Honda. Polaris dealer in the area, no Honda dealer within 75 miles. Polaris are good machines. My concern for them is they continually expand the HP and size/weight of the machines using the same powertrain. This doomed to fail philosophy is beginning to show up. Lots of driveline failures.

You don't seem to be shopping for high HP, high performance machines. That is in your favor.

I think the Honda will serve you very well.

You are correct...my "need for speed" left the building a long time ago. Like I said the Honda 700 Pioneer is currently tops on my list and the decision will most likely be made on Monday. My utility trailer is 10'x5.5' (will accommodate the 700 but not much room to spare). I have a larger enclosed trailer (14'x7' v nose) but that is a beast to maneuver and lacks the ramp doors (made a mistake there and got swing doors as I did in building the apron to my driveway). So it might be a rough ride with an empty trailer to pick it up (or maybe I'll see if they will deliver to the door for a $100 or so). As for the Polaris...odd that the "curb weight" is much less than their competitors. I have a friend that has owned/abused a Polaris ATV for years and he has no complaints. His dad on the other hand has owned/abused a Honda Foreman for many more years and says to stick with Honda. Went out for Friday fish last night and ran into a group that came in after riding all day (made me laugh about the warnings about not consuming alcohol)...one had a new fully equipped CanAm (heated fully enclosed). A few had the Polaris. The smartest guy in the bunch (IMHO) said to stick with the Honda. Btw, I did check out the Honda 1000. It's actually a 3 seater and while it looks comfortable it's much bigger than what I want. I'm hoping to get whatever I buy into my 2 stall garage ahead or behind my zero-turn mower.

 

[rmk700]

You are correct...my "need for speed" left the building a long time ago. Like I said the Honda 700 Pioneer is currently tops on my list and the decision will most likely be made on Monday. My utility trailer is 10'x5.5' (will accommodate the 700 but not much room to spare). I have a larger enclosed trailer (14'x7' v nose) but that is a beast to maneuver and lacks the ramp doors (made a mistake there and got swing doors as I did in building the apron to my driveway). So it might be a rough ride with an empty trailer to pick it up (or maybe I'll see if they will deliver to the door for a $100 or so). As for the Polaris...odd that the "curb weight" is much less than their competitors. I have a friend that has owned/abused a Polaris ATV for years and he has no complaints. His dad on the other hand has owned/abused a Honda Foreman for many more years and says to stick with Honda. Went out for Friday fish last night and ran into a group that came in after riding all day (made me laugh about the warnings about not consuming alcohol)...one had a new fully equipped CanAm (heated fully enclosed). A few had the Polaris. The smartest guy in the bunch (IMHO) said to stick with the Honda. Btw, I did check out the Honda 1000. It's actually a 3 seater and while it looks comfortable it's much bigger than what I want. I'm hoping to get whatever I buy into my 2 stall garage ahead or behind my zero-turn mower.

I had a 2014 Pioneer 700-4 and liked everything about it except the high 1st gear. It has a torque converter so chugging around super slow didn't hurt it. My problem was when in mountains (a lot of steep mountains here) it would often power out on me climbing. If your not planing on going up and down steep mountain trails you'll be fine. On flat ground it did great. I often used it to haul hay off the field pulling a trailer upwards of two ton, just did lousy on steep hills. I sold it and got the Pioneer 1000 as soon as it came out. Much, much better for the steep mountain country.

 

[farmer2009]

Bought a 2016 Polaris Ranger Crew 570XP-6 this spring. By your description I wondered if you were looking for a midsize. The full size version has much more leg room. But is wider. Plenty of power and you will like the turf mode. Basically it has an electric locker in the rear end. Open differential and locked. I run open 80% of the time.

2 complaints (actually thinks I would change to make it better)
1. A parking brake. It has park in transmission but when parking on steeper hills and winching I'd like a parking brake to relieve the stress on transmission.
2. A mid range. Low tops about 7-10mph. High about 50. I find high is too high and low is to slow.

Bought it for work. Over 400 miles since April. But with a wife and 2 boys, I couldn't see buying a 2 or 3 seater. The crew makes it longer and less maneuverable but you do get used to it.

Happy shopping.

 

[rmk700]

It's funny, that is actually the exact reason I do like the pioneer. I would like to be able to bring my boys out for a ride but didn't want the really long wheelbase of all the other side by sides on the market. I like that you could have a short wheelbase, maneuverable machine and either haul people, or haul gear or both. One of the rear seats can be left folded down if you don't need the whole bed, and likewise you can get storage behind the rear seats with the addition of a bed extender, but not much.

I also like that transmission, and the motor being the same as the new Honda Africa Twin which is getting great reviews doesn't hurt either.

I love that they have all these different choices though. It's amazing how fast the side by side industry is growing. I just wish they allowed them on more snowmobile trails and atv trails. In my area they are pretty much banned everywhere.

Good point about able to use only one rear seat if need room for stuff and can still haul four people fine.
I like the short wheelbase as well. If I had to haul 5 people and other things Id just pull my little trailer behind it.

 

[4570Man]

I like the size of my Mule 600. I wish it was 4wd though. My Mule is a lot underpowered, but it doesn't have to do much work. My tractors do all the work. For the size of some of these UTVs I'd rather spend a lot less money and just use my pickup that I paid $1500 for. And I have heat and air conditioning.

 

[Piston]

I don't think you can go wrong either way between your choices. All of these machines these days seem pretty darn capable of what the average person uses it for.

Just out of curiosity, why are you so concerned with the dealer? Are you planning on going back and forth there on a regular basis? I am just trying to understand why the dealer has such an importance in your decision, not putting it down or anything, just wondering if there is a reason you haven't mentioned yet?