Side by side UTV's

[teejk]

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?

Maybe I'm a little cynical in thinking many things are engineered to keep the dealer service department in business (seems that's true for trucks and autos anyway). Apart from normal maintenance parts and accessories, the dealer location is only a big concern for the duration of the warranty. On-line shopping is great but sometimes it's nice to actually see the product first. I'm capable of fixing most things myself but the "fine-print" on so many of them now will void the warranty if a DYI'er goofs something up. If I go Honda I'll pick up a few oil filters and put them on the shelf next to all the other oil filters.

 

[EddieWalker]

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?

I can only speak for myself. In my experience, I break things, they wear out, and sometimes, you just need help in fixing what's broke. I'm fortunate in that I have good dealer support for 4 out of five tractors, and also in my Kawasaki Mule. I've been to every dealer that I own equipment from and the good ones have always had what I needed, or told me where they go to get a better deal. Kawasaki has performed warrantee work on my smog system years after it was out of warrantee without even bringing it up. They said the original system was flawed and it's their fault regardless of how long it took to need fixing.

I guess it all comes down to how much and how hard you use what you buy.

 

[Piston]

Maybe I'm a little cynical in thinking many things are engineered to keep the dealer service department in business (seems that's true for trucks and autos anyway). Apart from normal maintenance parts and accessories, the dealer location is only a big concern for the duration of the warranty. On-line shopping is great but sometimes it's nice to actually see the product first. I'm capable of fixing most things myself but the "fine-print" on so many of them now will void the warranty if a DYI'er goofs something up. If I go Honda I'll pick up a few oil filters and put them on the shelf next to all the other oil filters.

Nothin wrong with that. I was just curious, thanks for the reply. Interested to see which way you end up going. I agree that the full size side by sides like the 1000 really are LARGE. Especially when you get into the crew cab style.

Eddie, I'm like you, I use my stuff HARD, and usually beyond what it's designed for I'm lucky in that I have 6 months of vacation a year so I don't mind having to drive an extra hour once in a while when needed, so I don't put much weight into the dealer. From your posts, I know you really work your equipment as well.


teejk,
Do you plan on using the side by side for snowplowing at all? That is one of the things I'm considering a major use for it. I figure for any large storms I would use the tractor, but I think it would be fun to plow with a heated cab and my boys sitting next to me. For plowing, I assume the heavier the better, in addition to low range would be an advantage.

 

[teejk]

Nothin wrong with that. I was just curious, thanks for the reply. Interested to see which way you end up going. I agree that the full size side by sides like the 1000 really are LARGE. Especially when you get into the crew cab style.

Eddie, I'm like you, I use my stuff HARD, and usually beyond what it's designed for I'm lucky in that I have 6 months of vacation a year so I don't mind having to drive an extra hour once in a while when needed, so I don't put much weight into the dealer. From your posts, I know you really work your equipment as well.


teejk,
Do you plan on using the side by side for snowplowing at all? That is one of the things I'm considering a major use for it. I figure for any large storms I would use the tractor, but I think it would be fun to plow with a heated cab and my boys sitting next to me. For plowing, I assume the heavier the better, in addition to low range would be an advantage.

Piston...I have learned (the hard way) that plowing snow with ANYTHING will shorten its life. We pay the town $75/season to keep the driveway cleared. When I had my old Ford (1969 or so and probably pre-dated the "F") with a Western plow I spent that on repairs every year so the town option is the best deal going as long as they continue to offer it. I'm finally getting back to putting my old 1250 CubCadet back together and have a plow for that to clean-up the front of the shop. For the small garage apron attached to the house we have 3 snow blowers (only need one but never know which one is going to start).

 

[ovrszd]

Ford "F" started in the early fifties.

I think you are doing a great job of thinking thru this. Stick with your gut instincts.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I didn't think the Honda has a real mechanical 6 speed tranny? I was thinking it's hydraulic drive and just pushed fluid through 6 different size holes to simulate shifting?

That's the way the Honda tranny was presented to me that I "think" is in the 1000, but I'm NOT positive.

For my money, Kubota has about the best work tranny and Yamaha has the best for everything else where more speed is wanted... It's NOT a belt burner like the others...

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

When I looked at Honda it was explained as a dual cone paddle shift gear transmission... I know Ford uses this on the "Auto" Fiesta and has had tons of issues...

There were a few Honda problems reported when it first came out with the trans...

 

[DieselBound]

I paid $1000 for my Samurai and worth every penny... had it almost 20 years and ZERO repairs... just use if off road mostly and to pickup fuel for the equipment.

I'd love to have one. I'd put in a VW ALH TDI motor

I paid just about as much for our Polaris Brutus (older demo model, it was a LOT cheaper than new) as I did for our two, used, VW TDIs! Every time I think of this I feel kind of stupid; but, I was able to do so because I bought used cars; the UTV is used a LOT (on the property).

To the OP: figure terrain. Pay attention to ground clearance. I'm not one to be focused on going the fastest, but if that's what you want then pay attention there: there's always a limit on how fast one can go- on my property you're not going to be going fast, regardless of the suspension (the suspension on the Brutus is pretty decent, I think better than all the other work UTVs]). I believe that there's narrow trails that limit vehicle width (less than full width UTVs), so if you're wanting to go on them then you're going to have to go with one of the mid-sized UTVs. I studied everything, starting from electric golf cars (and outfitting them with independent up-front electric motors for 4wd) to Polaris electric and then to gasoline UTVs and I liked the Hondas the most, but they didn't have a real cab setup for their smaller UTV so I went back in the Polaris direction (I think their cab system is pretty good) and stumbled across the demo diesel (I am a tractor guy, so slow things are just fine by me ).

 

[ProjectKing]

I didn't think the Honda has a real mechanical 6 speed tranny? I was thinking it's hydraulic drive and just pushed fluid through 6 different size holes to simulate shifting?

That's the way the Honda tranny was presented to me that I "think" is in the 1000, but I'm NOT positive.

For my money, Kubota has about the best work tranny and Yamaha has the best for everything else where more speed is wanted... It's NOT a belt burner like the others...

SR

That's incorrect. The Pioneer 1000 uses a geared 6 speed transmission with dual clutches. This is the same system that many automobiles use.

Also Honda has used this same transmission design on 4wheelers.

 

[Code54]

The Hondas are nice UTV's. I have however noticed a few complaints about the 1000 ingesting water and causing engine damage so you may want to check into that. (no personal knowledge just some internet chatter on the Honda sites)
I personally owned a Pioneer 500 and it was a good machine, ended up selling it because we use our Mule FXT all the time and while the 500 was good at trail riding it was just too light for other tasks. We have owned several ATV's, a mule 300, Rhino 660, Rhino 700, the Pioneer and the Mule FXT. The FXT has been the best hands down (and I really liked the Rhino's) TONS of torque, good ride, lots of space and just plain well made. While it is belt drive I can say it is impressive. Have loaded it with wood to the top of the roll bars, towed 1500lbs trailers up STEEP trails, and have taken it in 12" deep snow to rescue neighbors that were stuck in a 4x4 truck all with out any problems or having the belt slip once. Not really fast but is fine for me and the family.