Anyone own a side-by-side?

[therapist]

It's become obvious my riding days are about over. Been looking at these little 2 seater buggies.
I want 4x4 with some ground clearance. Would like to put on a small plow. Mostly just to tool around the lake, and on the winter ice/snow. I looked at the Honda Pioneer and even the Home Depot Bulldog.
Just wondered if the club members had some real life experiences. Thanks!!

[cookiedough]

I personally dislike UTV's, otherwise referred to as side by sides.   I was looking at a Polaris razor 800cc and hard to get in/out of and too small inside for anyone 5'10" and over 250lbs..  Seat is also too skinny for me - no room inside and overpriced as well.

Go bigger than a polaris razor for sure, just no room inside.  Most are a tight fit unless you go LARGE size being an Arctic Cat wildcat 800-1000cc or the equivalent Polaris model.  You will like the new Yamaha Viking 6 seater or Polaris Ranger 6 seater if into a bench seat and HUGE and roomy, just is VERY HUGE and not into power slides or top end speed.  They are VERY HUGE though just be forewarned.  there are tons of used Polaris Ranger 800's with front bench seat able to carry 3 adults in dirt cheap and most with low miles.  Condition is everything though buying used, but buying new is not worth it since you can buy for near 1/2 price of new an ATV or UTV 4-6 years old  in very good condition. 

Several reasons I prefer my Can Am 2-up ATV's that can easily and very comfortably handle 2 large adults plus gear on racks:  cheaper to purchase,  faster, easier to maneuver than a UTV being smaller,  sit up higher usually than some UTVs, and for me, just plain old more fun to drive.  If I wanted a steering wheel,  I would buy a go-kart or small sports car.  

I am not brand specific Polaris, Honda, Can Am, Arctic Cat, and Yamaha, all make great UTV's and ATVs.  I have owned a Polaris, Arctic Cat,  and now Can Am ATV's and all were fine and reliable.  I must say though in my opinion,  Can Am makes the comfiest and fastest/largest 2-up ATV's than the rest.  I tried out a Polaris Sportsman 2-up ATV and the rear seat is not as comfy or large nor is the rear rack vs. my Can Am 2-up ATVs.   Me and my 15 year old topped out today our 500cc at 64 mph and my 800cc Can am at 74 mph with him beating me out by 1 mph at 75 mph since he is 100 lbs. lighter than me.    

We went ATVing today some 90 miles in 4 hours on the trails/road routes and the trend though is totally into UTV's/side by sides.  WE saw about 90% UTVs vs.  only 10% ATVs on the trails today. It is a trend that will continue since most want bigger and bigger, yet pricier and pricier for sure.  Some are so HUGE and jacked up and wide that in my opinion,  they need to restrict them aftermarket add ons since they take up the ENTIRE trail and are dangerous since have to get OFF the trail to avoid a collision with them coming at you on the trails.  Either that, or the DNR and ATV trails clubs need to soon start making the ATV trails 2-3 feet wider for sure.  In a lot of trails,  there is barely enough room for near 4 foot wide ATV's vs. over 5 feet wide UTV's

I think one of the reasons most get a UTV is when they are older say over age 60 since they do absorb the bumps more so than any ATV since are heavier, just for me,  not as fun to drive.   My 2-up ATV is hard to turn around on the trails,  try doing that with a much larger UTV - very hard to do.

Also,  in my opinion,  even if not into speed,  you will want an 800cc engine (or bigger) since these are heavier units needing more power.  You can get buy with say a Yamaha 660cc Rhino UTV (they are out there pretty bare bones cheap used) since not as popular now as the beefier/bigger UTV's.  

I also do not know your size, but if smaller under 5'10" and under say 180lbs.  you and the misses might fit into what they call a 'trail' UTV being ONLY 4 foot wide just like an ATV.  Be warned though,  for most,  they are too skinny and short to be comfy, no wiggle room inside.  That is why I like ATVs plenty of wiggle room NOT confined into one spot like most UTV's.  

[Sorcerer]

Check your state trail regs. Some state and Federal  trails/ lands limit how wide you can be. If you will be using one out of your home state, check those regs also.

[cookiedough]

Check your state trail regs. Some state and Federal  trails/ lands limit how wide you can be. If you will be using one out of your home state, check those regs also.

good point indeed.  UTVs in WI are becoming more and more state trail legal vs. only 3-4 years ago they were not accepted all over like they are now.  Each state and even county by county (trail by trail) in each state is different but as the trend for more and more UTV sales are HOT,  the DNR and states will more and more readily accept them if they want revenue. 

Thus another reason I like near 4 feet wide ATV's - can go anywhere vs. most UTV's 5 feet wide and jacked up aftermarket ones over 6 feet wide which are very annoying on tight atv trails coming up to one like I did today several times having to get OFF the trail 3-4 feet to avoid a collision. 

[cookiedough]

just throwing it out there as well, but have heard good things about Kymco UTV/ATV's just as good as the rest and cheaper to buy as well.  I have a Kymco scooter and I think is on par with the Honda Reflex scooter very similar in size, etc. and about 1 grand cheaper as well. 

one thing might persuade you to go to one mfg. over the other is dealer support just in case things needed.  you would not want to drive say over 2 hours to nearest dealer to get a simple part.  Although,  you can get most parts nowadays online much cheaper than a dealership. 

Each mfg. has their pros and cons. I suggest go to 3-4 dealerships in utv's you are interested in and almost all have a small test track on sight so you can put on 5-10 minutes of driving time on them to decide for yourself which one best you prefer.  Kawasaki also makes the Teryx UTV but have never been  a huge fan of Kawasaki in general, that is just me though. 

online reviews might also help you decide.  Here is the top 3 utvs out there:  http://dirtwheelsmag.com/home-page/rzr-xp-1000-vs-maverick-vs-wildcat-comparison

I would get the one that you can get the best deal on used of course since in my eyes spending new at a near new vehicle price for something you drive only on occasion is just throwing money out the door. 

Most often in general,  Can Am will be the most expensive followed by a close 2nd Polaris, and the cheapest being Arctic Cat of the 3.  Nothing wrong with Yamaha though or even Kymco and of course Honda being up there in price though.   I have seen some good, near new looking low mileage 4-6 year old UTV's for the 8-9K price range. 

[cookiedough]

here are some other reviews on most utvs.

http://www.atvescape.com/reviews/content/utv-reviews_c9/

[Dave Ritsema]

I have been looking for even a small excuse to buy one for the last few years, I think they are really cool. When we move out to AZ I will have my excuse, cruising around in the desert in one of those sounds like a lot of fun!. Good luck with your purchase.

And just FYI, my riding buddy who recently turned 70 and thought his riding days were over, bought a Spyder after a bunch of pushing by me and he loves it and says he is good for at least another 10 years in the wind.

Just sayin.....

[Beardo]

I have been looking for even a small excuse to buy one for the last few years, I think they are really cool. When we move out to AZ I will have my excuse, cruising around in the desert in one of those sounds like a lot of fun!. Good luck with your purchase.

And just FYI, my riding buddy who recently turned 70 and thought his riding days were over, bought a Spyder after a bunch of pushing by me and he loves it and says he is good for at least another 10 years in the wind.

Just sayin.....

When my old man hit about 70, he figured he might be too old to use his quad for checking cattle, fencing, hunting, was going to buy a SxS. Once he saw how expensive they were, he bought a 5 year old 1/4 ton truck(Colorado) instead...so he has A/C, heater, etc for less money.

But if you want one, get one!

[fudgie]

When we move out to AZ...

Whaaat? Anytime soon?

[Rams]

Have a couple of friends that have them.   Haven't ridden in them but have climbed in a out of them a few times.   That was enough to convince me I didn't need and wouldn't enjoy one.   But, to each their own.   If that's what you want, go for it.   Best of luck in whatever you decide.   

[bassman]

Silly me.....saw the title of this tread and thought you were talking about refrigerators !!! 
Guess I'm REALLY out of touch.   

[cookiedough]

I have been looking for even a small excuse to buy one for the last few years, I think they are really cool. When we move out to AZ I will have my excuse, cruising around in the desert in one of those sounds like a lot of fun!. Good luck with your purchase.

And just FYI, my riding buddy who recently turned 70 and thought his riding days were over, bought a Spyder after a bunch of pushing by me and he loves it and says he is good for at least another 10 years in the wind.

Just sayin.....

When my old man hit about 70, he figured he might be too old to use his quad for checking cattle, fencing, hunting, was going to buy a SxS. Once he saw how expensive they were, he bought a 5 year old 1/4 ton truck(Colorado) instead...so he has A/C, heater, etc for less money.

But if you want one, get one!

actually,  a lot of people equip them with cab enclosures if living in a colder state and have a snorkel with engine heat coming into the cab to give some relief in colder temps.   I have seen some fully decked out with speakers and other accessories that would blow your mind am sure over 20K fully decked out easily.  have not seen A/C yet in one, but am sure if got the moola,  anything is possible.

Good luck finding one, but like said,  with the rapid demand of UTVs the past few years,  there is bound to be some good low mileage, lightly used ones for sale in your area for near 1/2 price of new.  A few years ago I bought my 2008 Can Am 2-up ATV for 5K with only 800 miles on it, new price was around 9K.   He was asking 5.5K, but since I drove near 2 hours one way,  he let me have it for 5K which is what I offered him.  If I recollect, it was his dad's who in his late 60's only drove it a few times per year rock crawling up north in red clay (frame had reddish tint to it cannot come off much) and was also at that age to consider wanting a UTV.  My other 2008 Can Am 2-up ATV was also purchased from an older gent who bought a new Polaris Ranger UTV but that did have average miles on it being 2300 miles now has over 3000 miles.   Most atv/utv users only put on average around 300-500 miles tops per year on them unless you happen to live right next to atv trails or larger riding areas close by.  Most of these engines will, or should, be able to go without being abused 10-14K miles before any engine related issues needed taken care of.   Changing oil yearly just like our cycles is a good idea and I use Rotella T-6 full synthetic jug 5w-40 costing only 20 bucks and aftermarket hi-flo oil filters for like 6 bucks each since the Can Am stealer wants like 14 bucks for an oil filter that is only like 2-3 inches big in  just a paper filter element.   I think their branded Can Am oil per quart which of course is not made by Can Am just slapping their name on it is also like 14 bucks per qt - NUTS!  That is more expensive than Amsoil oil and am sure not nearly as good, just has 'Can am' name on the qt. bottle paying for the name is all.    A lot of ATV/UTV users use Rotella T6 in the blue big jug.  I was using Amsoil 0w-40 until I researched and found a lot use the cheaper and just as good Rotella T6 even if 5w-40 vs. most mfgs recommend now 0w-40. 

[Jess from VA]

Here's a nice one.

[RDKLL]

I have been looking for even a small excuse to buy one for the last few years, I think they are really cool. When we move out to AZ

When are you moving to AZ and where will you be living?

[Hook#3287]

Out of all the ones mentioned, I like Jess's the best.

I don't understand the huge popularity.


 

When my old man hit about 70, he figured he might be too old to use his quad for checking cattle, fencing, hunting, was going to buy a SxS. Once he saw how expensive they were, he bought a 5 year old 1/4 ton truck(Colorado) instead...so he has A/C, heater, etc for less money.

Or a Jeep.  It just seems like a lot of dough for less.

[Gavin_Sons]

A jeep is better and less money  I have looked into buying one also but for 18-22 grand a jeep is a much better choice.

[cookiedough]

18 to 22 grand is top dollar ones brand new.

Lightly used UTVs with low mileage in good shape can be had for 8-10K.

Polaris Ranger/Razor, Kawasaki Teryx, Yamaha Viking/Rhino, Arctic Cat Prowler, Can Am Commander/Maverick, Honda Pioneer etc. all come to mind for under 10 grand used in that 700-800cc range.  I would not hesitate to buy any one of those mentioned if in good shape under say 2500 miles only 4-6 years old or so.   This one even 3 years old with 500 miles even popped up, but is yellow:
http://madison.craigslist.org/snw/5748518131.html

I prefer camo or dark green though personally:
http://madison.craigslist.org/snd/5804703833.html

Original poster never told us what his intended purpose was for:  To be first on race day (costing more moola) or just general everyday recreational/utility use.

[therapist]

Original poster never told us what his intended purpose was for:  To be first on race day (costing more moola) or just general everyday recreational/utility use.


As I said, just to zip around (and on, during the winter) the lake. Would be nice to be able to put
a small plow on it, as wrestling the snowblower is getting old. The Honda guy said he would give me 5K for my Valk, toward a new Frontier. It's hard to think about parting with the old girl, but she rarely
was ridden this summer, and when I did, the thrill was pretty much gone. I guess 52 years of riding, without a serious accident, seems like enough.

[RudyF6]

 I haven't owned one, but spent a couple years in sales at a full line dealership - Polaris, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, and Honda. Sold everything from a $1999 kids quad to $40.000 custom RZR's.
 I was a big fan of the Polaris Ranger mid-size (50" wide 2-seater). I would avoid any with the 800 twin engine - I just think it's a harsh, noisy motor. Go for a 570 EFI and get nearly the same HP. Polaris has an unbelievable line of accessories as well.
 My other favorite for a very basic ride is a Kawasaki Mule 610 XC. the things are stone simple and reliable. Small air-cooled motor, still carbureted though.
 Can't speak for the Honda, they were just coming out when I left the business and I never got to see one.
 Lastly, I would avoid the home improvement/farm supply store brands, in our experience they were literally non-serviceable. Classic example of "you get what you pay for". Parts availability was a joke. Our service dep't would work on anything, but eventually put a stop to those - only worked on major brands.

[Dave Ritsema]

I have been looking for even a small excuse to buy one for the last few years, I think they are really cool. When we move out to AZ

When are you moving to AZ and where will you be living?

I have lived in Northern Indiana my entire life and I fell in love with the Prescott area when we had the VRCC rally there many years ago. My wife at that time had no interest in moving west but it has always been in my mind. Fast forward 15 years, new wife, new life and I took her out to Prescott last New Years week and she loved it.

We are on probably a two year plan to get things taken care of in Indiana before leaving. I am 56 and no interest in retiring, but I would like to finish out my working years at something I loved, and Ruger Firearms is right there in Prescott. My hope is that I can find a position in some capacity with them.

We spend Christmas every year in SoCal with our VRCC family Rob an Daryl and Mark and Lynn from CAT and I hope to sneak over to AZ for a few days this Christmas time as well. The summer of 2017 we plan on taking a week and spending it in the area during July so we can experience what it is like  when it is hotter out there. From what I can see Prescott is always 15 degrees or more cooler than the Phoenix area, but we want to make sure we hve a clearer picture of what we are getting ourselves into.

[Dave Ritsema]

Here's a nice one.

Ain't she sweet! 

[cookiedough]

I haven't owned one, but spent a couple years in sales at a full line dealership - Polaris, Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, Yamaha, and Honda. Sold everything from a $1999 kids quad to $40.000 custom RZR's.
 I was a big fan of the Polaris Ranger mid-size (50" wide 2-seater). I would avoid any with the 800 twin engine - I just think it's a harsh, noisy motor. Go for a 570 EFI and get nearly the same HP. Polaris has an unbelievable line of accessories as well.
 My other favorite for a very basic ride is a Kawasaki Mule 610 XC. the things are stone simple and reliable. Small air-cooled motor, still carbureted though.
 Can't speak for the Honda, they were just coming out when I left the business and I never got to see one.
 Lastly, I would avoid the home improvement/farm supply store brands, in our experience they were literally non-serviceable. Classic example of "you get what you pay for". Parts availability was a joke. Our service dep't would work on anything, but eventually put a stop to those - only worked on major brands.

Agree,  stick with name brand Honda/Yamaha/Kawi/Polaris/Arctic Cat/Can Am,  even Kymco.

I would avoid the Kawi Mule though is pretty bare bones and super slow.  My neighbor has one and is a pooch I drove it once and once was enough.  Top speed is like guessing 30-35 mph is all and super slow.  More for just putzing around the farm doing chores is about it. 

I would go with whatever used one you find the best deal in best shape with lowest mileage, but get 3-4 test drives in since some handle better than others or have different features you would want.  Hard to go wrong with any of the name brands above mentioned and remember on used:  condition is everything.

I once drove 175 miles one way to go look at what appeared from pics to be a good used 2007 can am max 650cc outlander with low mileage.  Got there,  main parts were broken on it and tons of scratches all over the plastic and ran rough with oil leaking out of the engine in spots, just ran rough as well and neglected/abused.  5 minutes later thanked him for his time and left wasting a full tank of gas back and forth but you may have to do that a few times to get a good used one.  He was asking 5K but did not want to insult him by offering what it was worth to me at 2.5K. 

[Reb]

Original poster never told us what his intended purpose was for:  To be first on race day (costing more moola) or just general everyday recreational/utility use.


As I said, just to zip around (and on, during the winter) the lake. Would be nice to be able to put
a small plow on it, as wrestling the snowblower is getting old. The Honda guy said he would give me 5K for my Valk, toward a new Frontier. It's hard to think about parting with the old girl, but she rarely
was ridden this summer, and when I did, the thrill was pretty much gone. I guess 52 years of riding, without a serious accident, seems like enough.

Therapist,

If you are looking for something more on the utility side, you can't go wrong with a Kawasaki Mule. Even cheaper, Suzuki branded there name on some mules back in the day a called it a QUV. My father owns one and I took to calling it the (Queer Utility Vehicle)

Even with a top speed of 20-30mph, they are very durable and can handle a lot. They are easy to get into and they make a ton of accessories for them. The intake actually runs through the ROPS on the cab and works as a snorkel if you need to float across your lake.

As cookie stated above they are pooches. So I took it upon my self to run my fathers on an engineering "durability" test through a few creeks in 3ft of water. Not a single problem. Only issue I ran into was ground clearance. I got hung up on a log, but with the attached wench, wasn't an issue to get off of it. No issues in deep mud, they don't go fast, but they can creep through just about anything.

They are actually impressive machines for the money.





BUTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!

If you want some Bad@ss, that's a mean green never break down, will cost you some $$$ and you will look good riding in it machine

You can't go wrong with a John Deere... Made in American at Horicon WI
http://www.deere.com/en_US/products/equipment/gator_utility_vehicles/gator_utility_vehicles.page?

[cookiedough]

that is Reb for you, pushing his John Deere sales already...    

Sorry,  I would not drive around a QUV (Queer utlity vehicle).  Queer just does not sound right to me.  

I think used 8-10K price range for a slightly used UTV sounds a whole lot more budget friendly and you can get one that goes plenty fast enough (over 50 mph) and still easy to get in/out of.  A lot of UTVs now are pushing 3 seats across in front vs. only 2 seats so if inclined to take 3 adults ever, for sure go that route.  If it wasn't for the HUGE massive bulk,  a 6 seater polaris ranger or yamaha viking would be right up my alley, used of course.  There are a lot of even 4 seater used UTV's I would be interested in such as the Honda Pioneer that has that flip down rear 2 seats in back of the bed, pretty neat idea.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Original poster never told us what his intended purpose was for:  To be first on race day (costing more moola) or just general everyday recreational/utility use.


As I said, just to zip around (and on, during the winter) the lake. Would be nice to be able to put
a small plow on it, as wrestling the snowblower is getting old. The Honda guy said he would give me 5K for my Valk, toward a new Frontier. It's hard to think about parting with the old girl, but she rarely
was ridden this summer, and when I did, the thrill was pretty much gone. I guess 52 years of riding, without a serious accident, seems like enough.

Therapist,

If you are looking for something more on the utility side, you can't go wrong with a Kawasaki Mule. Even cheaper, Suzuki branded there name on some mules back in the day a called it a QUV. My father owns one and I took to calling it the (Queer Utility Vehicle)

Even with a top speed of 20-30mph, they are very durable and can handle a lot. They are easy to get into and they make a ton of accessories for them. The intake actually runs through the ROPS on the cab and works as a snorkel if you need to float across your lake.

As cookie stated above they are pooches. So I took it upon my self to run my fathers on an engineering "durability" test through a few creeks in 3ft of water. Not a single problem. Only issue I ran into was ground clearance. I got hung up on a log, but with the attached wench, wasn't an issue to get off of it. No issues in deep mud, they don't go fast, but they can creep through just about anything.

They are actually impressive machines for the money.





BUTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!

If you want some Bad@ss, that's a mean green never break down, will cost you some $$$ and you will look good riding in it machine

You can't go wrong with a John Deere... Made in American at Horicon WI
http://www.deere.com/en_US/products/equipment/gator_utility_vehicles/gator_utility_vehicles.page?

I want that 6x6 Military Edition !

[cookiedough]

this one is pretty cheap locally and fairly low/average mileage has roof top/windshield and winch.

700cc is so-so power for such a heavy vehicle but will go 45 mph, maybe 50 mph downhill?  If not into speed or doing donuts and want a nice, easy ride with very good utility use,  hard to beat a heavy polaris ranger UTV.  I have sat way down in say an arctic cat wildcat and polaris RZR sport UTV and both were somewhat hard to get in/out of even at my age in mid 40's and seats are pretty cramped for most over 200lbs. and say 6 feet tall or more.

http://madison.craigslist.org/snw/5841061474.html

6250 o.b.o. so if he wants a sale,  would be a steal for 5.5k or so I think even though I think even 6K is a good deal.  If I was in the market for one,  I'd be tempted to go look at it for sure.

Year does not concern me as much as condition.  I have two 2008 ATV's and condition is like a 3-4 year old ATV for the most part besides the rear OEM factory tires still on one with over 3000 miles. 

[Jess from VA]

I suppose there is no (or little) real off-road capability, but I always thought having an old but serviceable golf cart would be fun, and come in handy if I had the acreage to use it, and a place to park it.

[rws]

I had a 2013 Polaris RZR S 800 up until 3 weeks ago.  Had it street legal so I could ride on the roads as well as on the trail. Submerged it and the insurance company wrote it off.

[cookiedough]

oopsie,  took a wrong turn at Alberquerkee with that Razor.

Yah, when visiting south and north dakota, saw radial road tires on some atv/utvs riding around all over the place apparently pretty much street legal with turn signals and all except on interstates.   Man,  that would be a lot of miles on those machines if driving all over the place on the road.  I heard those radial tires squeal around corners, need more air pressure or is that normal?  Sorry to hear about the loss of a good looking RZR, seems you got a ton of use out of it, but how the heck do you submerge it?

I think the original poster is though talking about a Honda Pioneer, not the Frontier since did not see that Honda made a UTV called a Frontier,  but a Pioneer.  That 700cc 4-seater new for tad bit over 10K seems decently priced for being a Honda.  Is still smaller than most 4/6 seater UTV's thanks to the flip down rear seats and very versatile, although with 4 people then not much storage having no rear flat bed space to store stuff.  As we all know Honda's are reliable right!!  

[rws]

took the RZR to Sturgis in 2015

(click gear in lower corner to change video quality to 720p HD)

Day 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWGXuNMx_xA

Day 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15kwGUDtxXE

[rws]

ride 'em in the winter too...put 174 miles on it on this ride