Side by side UTV's

[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?