SxS - Polaris General vs Ranger vs Others

[ovrszd]

Like Eddie sez, it all depends on how you're going to use it. I wanted something with a dump bed, 4WD, that could tow my splitter and 5x8 utility trailer, and was stable side hilling on steep terrain. I ended up with a used Kubota RTV900 and it works well for utility use. No, it won't keep up with my buddy's ATV, but he can't haul a half cord of firewood or a yard of gravel like I can with the RTV. Sometimes I wish the RTV wouldn't slow down so much going up the steep driveway to pick up the mail, but it'll haul that same yard of gravel up the hill at the same pace. And I ended up putting a snorkel on the air intake because the original intake was right in front of the rear wheel where it did nothing but eat dust and clog. And sometimes it's difficult to shift between 2WD and 4WD, especially on a hill. But I wanted utility and payload and dump bed, and Kubota covers those bases better than the others.:2cents:

I agree. Very honest description of the RTV. I use mine 4 times as much as I use my Rhino. Grandkids on the other hand much prefer to drive the Rhino.

 

[sw99]

I have the Yamaha Viking and it does a great job at everything I have used it for. My two buddies have had nothing but problems from their Rangers.

 

[nybirdman]

Another vote here for the Yamaha Viking.Three across seating and very dependable.I put 4,000 miles in ten years on a Rhino with no problems.

 

[moriboy]

I bought a General about 4 months ago. I like it a lot. It doesn't have the fit and finish like a Honda or Yamaha but its very comfortable, rides great, has a lot of power, and is very work and play capable. I was close to buying a Pioneer 1000 as I'm a long time Honda guy. The Pioneer just wasn't comfortable to me.

 

[sw99]

I bought a General about 4 months ago. I like it a lot. It doesn't have the fit and finish like a Honda or Yamaha but its very comfortable, rides great, has a lot of power, and is very work and play capable. I was close to buying a Pioneer 1000 as I'm a long time Honda guy. The Pioneer just wasn't comfortable to me.

Good looking machine!

 

[WM75Guy]

I looked at many brands before I bought a Kawasaki 4010 Trans4X4 Mule. I wanted a utility vehicle that would haul 4 adults comfortably. I also did not want doors or harnesses that are required for anything rated for going over 25 mph, wanted something easy in and out. It is rated to pull 1200 although I did use it to tow my Boomer 8N about 100' the other day to get on a trailer to go to the dealer for repairs. Definitely was a strain but it did it.

I guess it comes down to what you want to use it for, utility or recreation. While you can use any of them for both functions most are designed for one or the other. I just didn't have a need for something that will go 50 mph on 14 acres. The only time mine has been in high range was when I used it off the property for an FD fund raiser at the fair grounds parking cars.

 

[arkydog]

bought a used polaris 2005 polaris ranger that was rode hard and put up wet, 3 can seat across front, dump bed,and 4x4 w/windshield. performs flawless. bought from farmer that used everyday. paid too much but is has been a wonderful machine. i like polaris, had six other kinds of their 4x4 and never had trouble with them. neighbor has kaw mule 4x4 for at least 6-7 years sxs 4x4 and has worked flawless. mine is a little bigger and takes me, wife and dog in middle everywhere.

 

[MF283]

I'll be the odd ball, just bought a 825I JD, love it.

Ronnie

 

[flynlow8740]

I really enjoy my Kubota RTV-X 1100. It's not the fastest, but I don't need speed. What I ran into was that pricing a Ranger 900 from my local dealer (a power steering deluxe model) was that by the time you add a roof, windshield, and a rear panel you are within $1000-$1500 to my RTV that has heat, AC, and no belt to burn in the transmission. It weighs 2400 pounds and is more tractor than ATV, but it's the perfect side by side for me.

 

[roadhunter]

I've owned a couple. Older JD gator 6x6 and a Polaris Ranger XP. Polaris was a beast of a machine that did some things I never thought it would do. Pulling a 5,000 pound trailer that my 2500 couldn't get because of the mud was one. The other was going through deep snow, amazing what it would do. Gator was neat but it was an old design and sluggish. I always thought the Kawasaki Mules looked like golf cars as far as drivetrain and suspension but that may have changed. The Kubotas I've seen were really nice and almost like cars inside and I like the auxiliary hydraulics they had for something like a splitter which would be nice.

I also owned an older Bobcat brand UTV which was nothing more than a commercial duty club car golf cart with a gas engine. It was actually quite useful as well but not 4x4.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Why is RTV500 listed at 15.8hp, and Polaris ranger is 45hp? What am I missing?

 

[mvwwld4u]

I'll throw in my $0.02! I've ridden in almost all of them at some point. Kawasaki of course kicked off the SXS with the outdated and rough ridding, no ground clearance Mule! They have changed some, but not enough to warrant looking at them if you're already interested in a ranger. Yamaha does make a single row 3-passenger now, but not nearly as easy to get in and out of as a ranger although could be a little more comfortable for all on longer rides, but I'm not as crazy about their construction as the rangers. John Deere has probably stepped up their game more than any others in the past couple of years, but look closely at how well they wouldn't ever seal up if you decided to enclose them later on and they're really noisy. Kubota, does Sherman tank ring a bell? Heavy, rough, loud! I know several farmers that dumped them because they'd get stuck on a fresh pile of cow manure. Can-Am makes a competitor now for the ranger do in a 1000 cc that I'm not sure if it's 2 or 3 passenger, but when the name Can-Am is on it there's a price tag with it. Honda, well they're finally getting closer to having their act together, took them long enough, but look closely at how they're configured before buying the name. As of right now for this years models I have came to only 2 that I would personally consider buying and it seems that you and I are in very near the same situation with the exception that the bug has bitten me and not let go for a few years now and finally the one I've been waiting on is on the market now and it's the Polaris Ranger XP 1000 but Bad Boy has also hit the market this year with their gas powered machine in a 900 that very near duplicates the power of the new Ranger XP 1000! So, to narrow down the search, take a look at the tried and proven Ranger XP in the newly released 1000 version and the all brand new Bad Boy 900. Can't remember its signature name however. By the way, the Ranger 1000 is built just like the 900 was with the frames made to seal up with an enclosure, the engine setting further to the rear to relieve some of the heat during summer use and also makes for a much quieter ride from the cab, the CVT transmission is dry and flawless with proper operation, there's a ton of factory and aftermarket accessories for them, and they are possibly the best riding of all the SXS on the market. Look at them all, drive as many as possible, over rough terrain, listening and feeling everything as you go, check availability for distance from service and parts, and the choice will present itself a lot easier.

 

[Woody65]

Why is RTV500 listed at 15.8hp, and Polaris ranger is 45hp? What am I missing?

I believe you are looking at the diesel RTV and a gas powered Polaris HP ratings.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I'm looking at ranger 570 full size (3 seater). Don't want a bigger one. I've not tried the rtv, but is in line with what I want to spend.

 

[ProjectKing]

Why is RTV500 listed at 15.8hp, and Polaris ranger is 45hp? What am I missing?

RPM. The Polaris basically has a motorcycle engine. Kubota similar to lawnmower engine.

 

[ProjectKing]

I believe you are looking at the diesel RTV and a gas powered Polaris HP ratings.

The RTV500 is twin cylinder has power. Turns low rpm hence the low hp.

 

[flynlow8740]

The RTV 500 is a tier below even the mid sized Rangers. It's more comparable to a gas golf cart that is 4x4. Also it can be compared to the old style JD gators that are Kawasaki powered.

 

[MMfrompa]

All I can tell you is once you get one you won't know how you lived without one lol. I have a 2014 Ranger 900 Crew, Yes it's a little long but I would never go back to a two seater or one with one front bench seat. I looked at the Generals but the bed size was a deal breaker. We use ours almost daily for something.
Here is a video I put together just last night taking my Ranger around our place.
#9 Camp Morgan Quick Tour, Polaris Ranger - YouTube

 

[livingthelife]

My wife and I purchased a ranger 570 midsize last year to use around our farm. It is a good little machine that does just about anything I ask of it.

My reasoning for going to the 570 midsize is how narrow tracked it is. We have about 50 acres of wooded land along with pasture land. I am 50 inches wide and fit in places a full size wouldn't go.

I use mine as a basic carry all for firewood in the winter, chain saws and such, and just about anything else I can come up with.

In my experience bigger isn't always better.

 

[ProjectKing]

My wife and I purchased a ranger 570 midsize last year to use around our farm. It is a good little machine that does just about anything I ask of it.

My reasoning for going to the 570 midsize is how narrow tracked it is. We have about 50 acres of wooded land along with pasture land. I am 50 inches wide and fit in places a full size wouldn't go.

I use mine as a basic carry all for firewood in the winter, chain saws and such, and just about anything else I can come up with.

In my experience bigger isn't always better.

Yes I agree! I have a Polaris Ranger 400 HO midsize. Great machine. And a real bargain compared to others. The small size is extremely handy. No one else's makes a similar machine. I consider an unlocking rear diff a must have. The Polaris has excellent suspension and plenty of power.