UTV Comparisons

[KentT]

I'm 68....and I feel the same way...got 1800+ miles on it now mainly farm use. The others feel like a school bus.

I'm 58, with a Rhino 450, and how found out that I have a blast riding the ATV trails with it. Climbing a bank, just because you can, can be fun sometimes! :thumbsup: I've put a few performance parts on it, and it'll run 41-42 MPH on smooth, relatively flat surfaces. Yet, I still take full advantage of its utility, dump bed, towing capacity, etc... I call it "my redneck golf cart"... :laughing:

 

[crazyal]

One point that I didn't see discussed is the 4WD system. Based upon how and where you use it, this can be an important factor.

Is each axle open, or lockable? If lockable, how is it locked in -- manual or automatic?

For example, some of the sportier UTVs like a Rhino or Teryx have locked rear axles. You cannot open them. Others like the Mule or Ranger have a "turf mode" that allows you to unlock the rear axle. A locked rear axle not only increases at least the perceived turn radius, it also will really tear up your lawn as it tries to make sharp turns. On the other hand, if it is open and not lockable, one wheel will easily spin while the other does nothing.

The front axle has similar effect. Many of the sportier UTVs have an open front axle that can be fully locked in for short periods of time to pull you over a log or rock. The ones with manual control over this locking (such as the Teryx or Rhino) put the driver in complete control of this feature. Most of the more utility UTVs have an open front axle that either do not lock, or use some kind of automatic locking function. Some of the sportier ones have an automatic-locking front axle, which while easier to use, gives the driver less control over it.

Your needs and intended use will determine how you evaluate and give value to these features.

The Big Red allows you to have an open rear axle, solid rear axle and open front axle, or both axles solid. I don't think I would buy a UTV if you couldn't have either an open rear or solid front.

Another thing I would look for is how fast in reverse. The BR is painfully slow with a rev limiter. I had to wire in an override to defeat it. With UTVs being as heavy as they are it's too easy to stick your front wheels into something a little deeper or softer than you would like. You need to really spin them wheels and clean the mud out of them to get yourself back out of it.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

if your gonna use the rhino for work i would beaf it up some. just got mine out the shop with both drivers side mounts broken. seems that they don't hold up to the engine torque all i put in it was a new belt and a epi clutch kit with the white spring it's called the mudders kit. i have some 26" outlaws that i use for mud and i run my 25"mudlite xl's for everyday. it won't hold much in the bed but it will pull a nice load just watch the mouts if you modifie the clutch.

 

[KentT]

Interestingly, I received an email link to a survey from Jon Emmett at PowersportsConnect this morning, asking for feedback on how we UTV owners use our machines and how important an unlocking rear diffential is to us...

 

[Milo]

To me at least, an unlocking rear is pretty important. In fact my Mule's diff is left unlocked practically all the time. It's nice that it can be locked though. The limited slip works just fine in the front.

 

[jcummins]

Interestingly, I received an email link to a survey from Jon Emmett at PowersportsConnect this morning, asking for feedback on how we UTV owners use our machines and how important an unlocking rear diffential is to us...

I have to admit there are times I wish this Teryx had the rear unlock. You can denude your yard in short order if not careful. On the ranch though, it's never an issue.