UTV speed

[ibaj]

In a couple of months I plan on getting me a new UTV so I've been reading up on this forum for some time. I think I will use it for about 90% work on my "homestead" which makes the 20-30 MPH range fine. However I may sometimes need to go to my neighbors or somewhere that I would like to go at max speed. My question is: Do the work UTVs have a "governor" type apparatus on them like a tractor or lawn mower ? or would the max speed (20-30)just be flat out "red line" which couldn't be very good on the engine? Thanx for you input....aj

 

[Hersheyfarm]

painfully slow on the road. 23mph is about it. But incredibly powerfull and and strong built for farm use. awesome cab. I've read about putting turbos on them but the most gain you'll see is 30mph I guess and that doesnt seem worth it to me.

 

[nybirdman]

Most UTV's are geared for power not speed.My 450 Rhino tops out at 32mph,our 750 Teryx at 50 mph.Plenty fast on atv tires on the road.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

My Gator 825i does mid 40's and in the first 8 hrs of use I had under 20 miles on it....needless to day the reasoning of getting the 825i Gator because it was the faster more powerful Gator was a bit flawed.:laughing: It's nice when you go on the street to fly right along but in the trails I'm usually going pretty slow to avoid the big rocks.

 

[bigdeer2000]

The 900 ranger will run in the mid 60's

 

[timswi]

I wouldn't mind my RTV having a faster speed but I've had it going 40MPH down hill and it doesn't feel good.

 

[smilingreen]

My 855D Gator says it will do 32MPH, but my wife has been following behind me in my 09 F250 and she says I was doing 36 MPH top speed. Either way, that is plenty fast enough for me on a road and a little too fast off road. I would leave it stock speed.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

Do the work UTVs have a "governor" type apparatus on them like a tractor or lawn mower ? or would the max speed (20-30)just be flat out "red line" which couldn't be very good on the engine?

I have one of the slow ones, a 2004 Ranger TM. Its 650 cc Robin engine is regulated to 24 mph, apparently to qualify for some U.S. slow vehicle regulation. There is no problem running it flat out. When driving down country lanes I can just think: "This is twice as fast as a golf cart, and faster than any of my tractors. Relax and enjoy the ride."

 

[vfr700f2]

24 is the official top speed on RTV900s. There's a bolt under the gas pedal that adjusts the top speed. I have mine set for ~12mph for normal use (safe and plenty fast for my situation), but I have opened one up to do 30 and could have turned the bolt in farther. No idea what RPM it turns because there's no tach. I assume they might have a governor in the injection pump to regulate maximum RPM.

 

[jimgerken]

As said before, 30 seems fast on the gravel road in an open cabin vehicle. My JD 825 will apparently go 45 or so, but it seems really fast at 30. I have hit 40 once. BTW, I have been riding off-road for 42 years, and my other ATV has a top speed of about 75 mph. On that Polaris Outlaw (KTM engine), I routinely ride IN THE WOODS at 30 mph. But it is small and agile compared to the JD Gator. I believe it is unlikely you will ever need to exceed 40 on the road, and typically 10 off-road. Most of the available UTVs will go at least 35 mph, so don't let this spec decide for you.

 

[ibaj]

Thank you all for your input. A couple days ago I tried driving my truck where I'd be doing most of my higher speed driving...and you all are right....20-30 MPH seems plenty fast to me! I'm still concerned about how hard it would be on some of the models' engines if i drove them maxed out when going to a neighbors on gravel and blacktop. Husqvarna, Mule, Big Red, RTV 500, and JD xuv625i all have a top speed listed anywhere from 25-30. So far.... I like them all! But I'm leaning toward the Ranger 500, partly because it can go 40+. But I plan on test driving as many as I can and keep doing my research until I finally decide. Thanx again for all your input....aj

 

[johnk]

I have the Ranger mid size 500 efi and it is a beast. I bought it in May and have over 600 miles on it. I had it up to 54 MPH and the suspension is superb. I haul firewood drag trees haul deer etc with it. I had numerous ATV's before the UTV and since I had the Ranger I wonder how I ever got along without a dump box and big front seat. The EFI is great for cold starting and high altitude riding. I am sure there are other great UTV's out there but I love my Mi9d Size Ranger. Go to youtube and type in polaris 500 efi. Just my opinion.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I run mine down the county road alot around here(blacktop) to get from one side of farm to other and run 55mph fine. ...

 

[Milo]

Thank you all for your input. A couple days ago I tried driving my truck where I'd be doing most of my higher speed driving...and you all are right....20-30 MPH seems plenty fast to me!....

As someone coming from a Mule, 20-25 was usually fast enough. But for those times when more speed was called for it was quite frustrating. The new Polaris 500 I have now is a huge improvement in power, speed, and ride quality.

 

[johnk]

The efi is the cats meow..............

 

[radioman]

I dunno - people tends to fall in one of 2 catergories : speed demons or need to get the work done. I hardly call running over to your neighbor a speed situation unless you are going over 1 mile on paved road. By the time you do it a few times on paved roads - you might either enjoy the ride or its too slow. If that the case jumping in the car will take care of it.
I dont think the biggest problem is how fast can you get to your neighbors. Its getting caught on the road with no plates or difficulty in getting it registered for off property use.

 

[lutt]

I dunno - people tends to fall in one of 2 catergories : speed demons or need to get the work done. I hardly call running over to your neighbor a speed situation unless you are going over 1 mile on paved road. By the time you do it a few times on paved roads - you might either enjoy the ride or its too slow. If that the case jumping in the car will take care of it.
I dont think the biggest problem is how fast can you get to your neighbors. Its getting caught on the road with no plates or difficulty in getting it registered for off property use.

I agree,when I bought my ranger,it was for work,hunting,and now,my two girls riding entertainment. When I am working around the place, speed is not a issue, you can only go so fast with a load of wood on the bed and pulling a trailer with wood on it. Now when I am hunting, I have a 2 mile or so ride to the woods from my buddys farm shop. 55 comes in handy. LUTT

 

[jimgerken]

SNIP
I dont think the biggest problem is how fast can you get to your neighbors. Its getting caught on the road with no plates or difficulty in getting it registered for off property use.

In my state of Minnesota, these ATVs are called "Class 2 ATV" and are allowed on Township and County roadways if the machine is registered with the DNR for public use, a ~$20 per year sticker thing. Adding another registration for Private use, Agricultural, gives the Class 2 ATV almost unlimited use on all types (except interstate) public roadways if operated for Ag purposes. I read that last part as "Take a gopher trap with you".

 

[Milo]

.... Its getting caught on the road with no plates or difficulty in getting it registered for off property use.

I didn't realize there was even this to deal with.

 

[Zebrafive]

As someone coming from a Mule, 20-25 was usually fast enough. But for those times when more speed was called for it was quite frustrating. The new Polaris 500 I have now is a huge improvement in power, speed, and ride quality.

I have a Mule 2510. No speedo so I can only guess top speed is in the low 20s. It's suspension will not allow faster than that, even if the engine/gearing was capable. The carb seems way too small for the engine. Mine's never on the road and probably rarely is driven over 15mph.