side by side utility vehicles

[ky wonder]

recently I lost a 2012 Polaris ranger xp900 crew to a fire we had this from brand new and while it worked well I had a few issues that I wanted to upgrade it was loud, the roof rattled and I thought that the seats left a lot to be desired. plus after my post about the bad day I found out about the fire problems

so I am looking at a replacement and I was wondering what other members might be using and would recommend.

I thought I had it, after web research I was looking hard at the Intimidator line built in Arkansas, with Kohler power but when I got to a dealer they were very nice but the steering column stuck so far into the cabin I could not get my 6' 2" 385lbs behind the wheel

so anyone here got one they like that big guys will fit?
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[Targets Guy]

Our Gator has been a wonderful buy for us. Both wife and I love it and it is a real workhorse around the property. Had it for 8 years now and never a problem with it.

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[Targets Guy]

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[leswad]

Since I am 6'5", I believe I might be qualified to recommend the Kawasaki mule, as it was the most comfortable unit for me. Also, if you wish for a quite ride, don't get diesel version.

 

[JSR III]

Whatever you do, be careful if you look on craigslist. I have researched different models and several times I have found 2010 or newer units selling for unbelievable prices like $1,500 or $2,000. The old saying "if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't" truly applies here.

I had one ad that was responded to by the owner claiming that he had moved out of state but belonged to Amazon and could ship the unit to me anywhere in the country for short or no money.

Never even consider something that you can't look at in person.

When the guy stated that he had moved with the unit from MA to LA, I told him "great" my brother lives in that area, what is your local address and I'll have him stop by and take a look for me.

Needless to say, I never heard back and I don't really have a brother either. I just like messing with these jerks.

 

[MORSNO]

I'm 6'3" 260 and fit in my Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec super comfortably. The quality and dependability of a Yamaha far surpasses many recreational SXS's.

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[RichardWA]

I have a 2015 Kymco 700i Le that has been a good machine,and it is not very loud.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Check out the Honda Pioneer. I've driven one, and I'm both tall and heavy and it worked for me alright. It's well built, and my buddy who is a mechanic at a dealer for Honda/Polaris/Yamaha/Kawasaki says it's the best built of the lot for utility ones. Early ones had clutch problems, but that's hasn't been an issue since - just a warning if buying used.

 

[inspcalahan]

Good timing! I've recently done a lot of research on the new market, from every manufacturer available. I'm not sure of your side by side needs or what you want from it, so here are mine for comparison.
- I'm 6'5"
- needs to be able to carry and/or tow camp plus 1000lbs of moose over extremely difficult terrain ranging from swamps, tundra, rock beds, steep inclines..you get the idea - normal rigs going back there are tracked Argos or Weasels
-need the option to seat 3 people comfortably when needed, but didn't want the full time extra seat row behind me due to the increased wheel base length
-needs high reliability and a big engine with lots of torque - I've seen more than a few $15-20k rigs parked in the trees about 30 miles out that stay there all winter due to severe parts failures

There were more options and needs, but you get the idea...

I reviewed all products from Yamaha, Polaris (worst leg room and seating position for big guys), Kawasaki, CanAm, Honda, Suzuki and Arctic Cat. The top three finishers in order:
#1 - Honda 1000-5 Deluxe - mine is now on order - seriously, go check it out. Many aren't up to speed on what Honda has done and in my opinion, they're raised the bar over everyone else with this package.
#2 - Kawasaki Teryx - great rig for the value
#3 - CanAm Commander - pricey, good machine but at 2 locations I stopped by, the employees also mentioned they get a lot of machines back in the shop for repairs...much higher percentage than other brands.

Hope this helps! Like I said above, it really also depends on what you need it for. If you're just hauling hay around the farm, a John Deere or Kubota might be just fine as well.

 

[JSR III]

Slightly off topic but since the Polaris name was raised, I will add the following for the ATV guys. I own a 2007 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI. Two or three years ago I began having electrical issues and the cluster would sometimes not energize when I turned on the key. Sometimes if I left the key on it would eventually start clicking and maybe if I was lucky I could turn the key the rest of the way and get her to start.

This went on for two years to where it eventually wouldn't start at all. I took it back to the dealer that I purchased it from and they said it started every time for them. I told them to keep it a little longer and try again. After a week they too began experiencing the same issue and advised me that it was one of the modules ($400) parts only. I asked if it was covered under any recall as the 2001 to 2006's had the same issues and the part was recalled. I asked them to check with Polaris and see if maybe it could be covered. That is when they informed me that they had given up their Polaris franchise and could not help me. I was ticked because I was now out $197 for shop time and could not go back to the mfg. and still had a broken $9,000 ATV.

As a bit of background, I don't mud the machine and it has basically only been used to plow snow in my driveway and yard and probably has about 100 hours on it in 9 or 10 years.

The net net to my story is that a friend found a place on eBay that repairs these modules for $125. Their handle is circuit_solutions. You must remove the module and ship it to them but $125 plus shipping was way better than $400 plus labor and my ATV now runs like a champ. I have no dog in this hunt and merely I am passing on this tip to any Polaris owners that may be having this same issue.

 

[ky wonder]

well I think I have come to a decision.

while I have some steep hills here they are nothing compared to the mountains. Out west. the Polaris seldom went into 4 wheel drive except on wet days

my wife is wanting a smaller one for here on the home farm, she is getting tired a crawling over the Honda rancher 350 4 wheeler and hooking a cart to it for yard work

so at this time I am looking at a full size 2017 can am defender 500cc and a 2017 mule sx 4x4 in the 400 cc range for the missus that way we can have two side by sides at deer camp

with some of us getting older we have had to shuttle some to their hunting sites and I am thinking it would be easier with two rather than one