The main reason to buy a UTV

KentT · Apr 14, 2009

... is the second seat. Couple pics leading a local ATV club in a parade last Saturday...

EddieWalker · Apr 14, 2009

Great Picture!! Is that your son?

Seeing him sitting there reminds me that I want a four or even six seater. I have no desire for off roading, just a fun vehicle for running around on our trails with the kids and friends.

Thanks for sharing,
Eddie

KentT · Apr 14, 2009

No, my youngest just turned 17. Just a friend's son, though he reminds me of my grandkids. My oldest grandson is 10... and is as excited about the Rhino as I am.

Yes, I thought the pictures kinda captured the essence of UTVs...

jinman · Apr 14, 2009

And when you decide to teach them to drive, you can sit in the passenger seat and have control while they learn. My youngest grandson (8 yo) can't reach the accelerator and brake pedals, but he just beams when I let him sit in the driver's seat and steer while I work the gas and brakes. He actually does a great job of steering by himself. When he comes to see me, I don't get any peace until I let him drive.

JDX · Apr 14, 2009

Nice photos!

laen64 · Apr 15, 2009

Looks Great and with your lil Buddy it's REAL GOOD. How does it compare to the 4-Wheeler. Would you put away the 4-Wheeler for it?

KentT · Apr 15, 2009

laen64 said:
Would you put away the 4-Wheeler for it?

Without question, if you have access to trails that are wide enough for it. National Forests won't allow it, because it's more than 50" wide (it's 53.5" with these wheels and wheel spacers).

For example, after the parade on Saturday the club did a 16 mile ride. We had a good mixture of trail conditions -- couple mudholes up to about 18", a beaver pond in about 20-24" of water, couple of creek crossings, in addition to rocky hillsides, two sand pits, etc. I could keep up with the big 700 Grizzlies, 750 Brutes or 800 Polaris everywhere but on the roads connecting the trails.

Meanwhile, some of the riders got wet to their waist, mud up their back and over their head, and I didn't even get my feet wet, much less muddy. Another member's 8 year old rode with me, and he had a blast -- he was my "cheerleader' yelling and directing me to do this, or do that...

Companionship alongside on the ride is nice, since in addition to conversation, they'll often point out things you'd not normally see as you focus your attention on the trail ahead...

laen64 · Apr 15, 2009

That Sounds Wonderful. You and the Kids GO Bond. I know I would cease every moment.

Flatheadyoungin · Apr 15, 2009

yeah, yeah, make me want one even more than i do now....

i'm really sold on the rhinos, my buddy has one and beats the crap out of it and it takes it...

BUT.....i'd really like to try the 1000 v twin arctic cat

yes, the second seat is what makes them a blast.....

there's just something about sitting next to your buddy, having close calls, and shooting the breeze.......usually, after riding one with my friend, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard....it really does...

KentT · Apr 15, 2009

Flatheadyoungin said:
BUT.....i'd really like to try the 1000 v twin arctic cat

yes, the second seat is what makes them a blast.....

there's just something about sitting next to your buddy, having close calls, and shooting the breeze.......usually, after riding one with my friend, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard....it really does...

I looked at the 500cc Arctic Cat, but not the 1000. Simlarly, I didn't really look at the Teryx or 700 Rhino. I don't need a 50MPH UTV, especially with my 17-year son nor my grandkids who'll be wanting to drive as soon as they can reach the pedals. In fact, I'm considering putting in a CDI that has a "brother-in-law" switch that allows you to flip a switch (usually hidden in the glovebox) and set the rev limiter to govern it 25 MPH while also slowing the acceleration.

IMO, the Arctic Cats sit too high (too high of a center of gravity) and their fit and finish just doesn't compare. They're also heavy -- they weigh about 150 lbs more than the comparabe Rhino -- and they felt heavier to drive them around though I didn't do much more than tool around the building.

I'm quite pleased with my "baby Rhino" so far -- as I said it'll keep up with the quads on the rougher trails, go anywhere the 700 Rhino would go (and most places that a quad can go), burns less fuel, and IMO is a bit safer because it is slower. It has all the utility of a Mule 610 4x4 (the specs are almost identical on load, payload, towing, etc.) yet will go about 10-15 MPH faster, and go places the Mule simply couldn't handle. Only real disadvantage, in comparison, was price and noise (Rhino is noisier). But, I got a good deal on this one -- within $500 of a Mule, and I'm working on things to quieten it down. I've done a couple things (including an ATV silencer) and have a couple yet to do...

It won't compare in payload with the bigger Mules nor the Rangers, but it'll go places neither of those will. (Rangers are so wide that it limits where they can go.) The Rangers are much faster, but this 450 is faster than any Mule, and goes plenty fast enough for most situations...

And yes, it puts a smile on your face to ride it down a trail -- with someone else along, that smile often turns to laughter...