Author Topic: Looking at new side by sides. (Read 6104 times)

Dixiejack · « **Reply #30 on:** August 22, 2011, 04:54:03 PM »

markc, I vote for the Rhino. I see a lot of them down in SW GA where I live.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #31 on:** August 23, 2011, 02:54:16 AM »

i read in an off road magazine that was testing them all that the terex was hands down the strongest built frame and chassis. The 750 vtwinn is a proven motor that if you want to modify will produce ALOT of hp reliably. A little short on fit and finish compared to the others but a good tough machine and you can find one and two year old brand new units out there cheap. Personaly if i was looking at a machine like the rhino id give the terrex a good look. There bullt better and also perform better.

Quote from: 2zuks on August 20, 2011, 04:32:20 PM

Ya, the teryx has reservoir shocks for pretty decent suspension for a stock machine. The 750 makes enough power to haul anything you want, plus is fast enough to be alot of fun. It isn't quite as fast as the rzr, and some might outhaul it, but it seemed to be the best balance I could find that would do everything well! I work hard with mine on the property, and load it up and take it to the trails and dunes. Always handles whatever I throw at it. Lol

redneckdan · « **Reply #32 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:59:23 AM »

14 mpg? How big is the fuel tank? Can you even get 100 miles between fill ups?

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #33 on:** October 06, 2011, 01:51:15 AM »

dan my razor probably gets about the same. About a 100 miles and your looking for a gas station. Things is with me anymore is a 100 miles is more then i could ever take riding at one crack anyway. Guess youd figure that out if you looked at my odometer. I think its got 1200 miles on it and ive had it for 3 years. Half of that is probably going back and forth to the beach to take the dog swimming. My grizzly doesnt do a whole lot better on gas. Keep in mind though that even though im a crippled up old man

i still have the need for speed and about consider a throttle an on off switch. My dogs been spit out of the rzr a few times and will attest.

redneckdan · « **Reply #34 on:** October 06, 2011, 11:19:59 AM »

The mileage thing really surprised me. I am used to throwing five gallons in my KLR, then riding to your house and back, off road the whole way. Then again I guess the difference in GVWR pretty well eats up the fuel mileage difference.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #35 on:** October 06, 2011, 03:37:47 PM »

The latest "diesel" Bobcat S&S is Kubota powered and it will go 30 to 35, as will the Korean made Kioti S&S. I really like the looks of the Kioti, i'd look that one over real good, if i was buying a "work" S&S, as well as the Bobcat model.

DM

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #36 on:** October 07, 2011, 12:30:32 AM »

yup dan probably twice the weight and twice the friction in the drivetrain. that and the fact that your probably producing more hp and your motor is just loafing going down the trail at speeds that make my motor really work.

Quote from: redneckdan on October 06, 2011, 11:19:59 AM

The mileage thing really surprised me. I am used to throwing five gallons in my KLR, then riding to your house and back, off road the whole way. Then again I guess the difference in GVWR pretty well eats up the fuel mileage difference.

redneckdan · « **Reply #37 on:** October 18, 2011, 09:42:45 PM »

Lloyd,

Ended up helping a group of people from indiana who were up here with their RZRs riding the trails. I had dropped over a ledge with my KLR and was having a hard time getting back over it. With my bunged up knee I didn't what to try to pop the front wheel up and over with engine power. They came along lost and running on fumes. They winched me up onto the ledge and I pulled may tank, dumped 3 or so gallons into one of their machines.I guided them back to town to get more gas for the rest of them and then guided them back to where the rest of the group was waiting . I was surprised that the RZR was able to keep up with me for the most part.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #38 on:** October 20, 2011, 01:07:49 AM »

dan i took a ride with a guy in a 900 rzr the other day. Now that thing makes mine look like one of those kids electric units and probably would give you a run in the woods.

markc · « **Reply #39 on:** October 21, 2011, 02:17:32 PM »

The Teryxx didn't exist when I bought the Rhino, only the Mule models. Sold a Mule 550 and bought the Rhino 450. I would have stayed with Kawasaki if those had been available, but now I have 2 Yamaha's, having had 3 of them over all.
I may be the only one, but the cost of side by sides is getting way too high.

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #40 on:** October 26, 2011, 04:47:42 PM »

My wife bought me a new 700 Rhino this spring and ours had stickers on it saying made in the USA. I believe it was Georgia IIRC. I suspect that the parts are all from Japan and it was assembled in Georgia but it's still work for Americans. I also read on a Rhino fourm somewhere that Yamaha will be moving most of their ATV manufacturing to a plant in the USA. It stated the reason was because America is the largest market for their ATV's. So maybe we will get some more jobs out of that also.

Quote from: markc on August 20, 2011, 11:25:06 AM

For me personally, I knew the Yamaha Rhino was made in Japan when I bought it, as well as the Yamaha Kodiak. Knew it going in, did some research, made the purchases. What bothered me about John Deere, I guess, was the idea that it was American. The Chineese made motor really turned me off. Perhaps it is a great motor, but I am at a point of being sick of finding nearly everything with a "Made in China" label attached.

.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #41 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:59:19 AM »

yup its hard to stomach polaris moving there amercian company to mexico when yamaha and honda are moving operations to this country. Ive bought a number of polaris atvs and snowmobiles in the past but doubt id ever spend another cent on one. I put up with there poorer fit and finish and overall quality because they were an american company but im sure not buying one made in mexico!

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #42 on:** October 27, 2011, 03:25:57 AM »

Yep, I hate to hear of companies moving out.

Polaris is a popular machine where I live. Last time I read a report put out by the state of Maine, we had over 5500 miles of ATV trails statewide. In traveling around those trails I see way more Polaris ATV's than any other make. I would guess it's about neck in neck between Polaris and Yamaha in the side by side market up here.

I don't mind my Rhino only going 41mph. Up here on the woods trails I don't go over 25 or 30 anyway and that makes the Rhino about perfect. However, I think Yamaha is going to loose a huge share of their side by side market in other areas of the country if they don't put out a side by side that can keep up with the RZR. I can see where speed would be more of an important issue out west and running in the deserts.

Edited to add: One thing that keeps me buying Yamaha's is their reliability. I have two 2003 Kodiak ATV's with near 10,000 miles on them. One still has the factory battery in it and other than normal maintenance I have never had to work on them. Just oil changes, tune ups etc. I hope the Rhino ends up being just as reliable.

markc · « **Reply #43 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:56:23 AM »

Skeeterbaymac, my first atv was an old Yamaha Moto4 200cc. I bought racks for it, front and rear and drove that thing for years of fun and deer hunting duties. I have 2 Yamaha's now, both 450's and feel very confident heading out in them. They are reliable for sure. A hunting partner just bought himself a 2011 450 Griz. Other than the rear suspension, and a slight plastic/light change, it appears to be much the same as my 2004 model.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #44 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:25:09 PM »

Quote from: Skeeterbaymac on October 27, 2011, 03:25:57 AM

Yep, I hate to hear of companies moving out.

Polaris is a popular machine where I live. Last time I read a report put out by the state of Maine, we had over 5500 miles of ATV trails statewide. In traveling around those trails I see way more Polaris ATV's than any other make.

Are any of those Polaris' moveing??? OR did all of them die on the trail and the owners walked home??? lol

DM

Skeeterbaymac · « **Reply #45 on:** October 28, 2011, 05:10:34 AM »

I have a moose hunt coming up in Nov and I will use the Kodiak's for that. They get back in the woods better than the Rhino would. However, the Rhino is about the best partridge vehicle I have ever had. Pop the dogs in the back and coffee in the cup holders. LOL! The new Griz are quite the machines. Way better suspension than the old Kodiak's. My youngest son has a 2011 700 griz with power steering. I really like it but it's to much machine for me. Way to much power and it turns to quick. A 450 or 500 Griz would be better for me.

Quote from: markc on October 27, 2011, 09:56:23 AM

Skeeterbaymac, my first atv was an old Yamaha Moto4 200cc. I bought racks for it, front and rear and drove that thing for years of fun and deer hunting duties. I have 2 Yamaha's now, both 450's and feel very confident heading out in them. They are reliable for sure. A hunting partner just bought himself a 2011 450 Griz. Other than the rear suspension, and a slight plastic/light change, it appears to be much the same as my 2004 model.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #46 on:** October 29, 2011, 07:03:38 AM »

I hopeI don't open up a can of worms with my question, so bear with me. I had a 1997 Jeep TJ I bought used in 2000 and drove it until I bought a Jimmy 2009 4WD with all the bells and whistles. Didn't need two money pits, so I sold the Jeep and kept the Jimmy because at 67, comfort and dependability were #1.

Now to make a short story long, I been looking at these side by sides as a work vehicle and to run to the post office and town (500 pop.) on 6 miles of dirt road that the county hasn't pulled the ditches on in a year and to go get stuck out in the woods. I also want something that will keep me and a pard warm in the winter (fixing to move to Indiana) and with enough speed I can drive on a highway w/o getting rear ended. I guess want something I can replace my Jeep w/o buying another Jeep.

With those wants in mind, what model(s) of SXS ATV should I consider? I don't want to spend what a new Jeep costs.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #47 on:** October 29, 2011, 09:01:02 AM »

Quote from: Dixiejack on October 29, 2011, 07:03:38 AM

I hopeI don't open up a can of worms with my question, so bear with me. I had a 1997 Jeep TJ I bought used in 2000 and drove it until I bought a Jimmy 2009 4WD with all the bells and whistles. Didn't need two money pits, so I sold the Jeep and kept the Jimmy because at 67, comfort and dependability were #1.

Now to make a short story long, I been looking at these side by sides as a work vehicle and to run to the post office and town (500 pop.) on 6 miles of dirt road that the county hasn't pulled the ditches on in a year and to go get stuck out in the woods. I also want something that will keep me and a pard warm in the winter (fixing to move to Indiana) and with enough speed I can drive on a highway w/o getting rear ended. I guess want something I can replace my Jeep w/o buying another Jeep.

With those wants in mind, what model(s) of SXS ATV should I consider? I don't want to spend what a new Jeep costs.

None! You will need another money pit... lol

DM

Dixiejack · « **Reply #48 on:** October 29, 2011, 09:22:25 AM »

DM, Sitting here looking at the GA/FLA game and naturally pulling for them Dawgs. Also, trying to get my heart beat to slow down after building my JD Gator. I know now why the rear box has power tilt. So you can dump your life savings on "accessories." Maybe I need a golf cart--NAH. I need 50 mph cruising speed and a snow plow and XM to listen to Outlaw Country radio and a ....................and a........................and a........................ "The road goes on forever and the party never ends." LOL

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #49 on:** October 30, 2011, 01:17:14 AM »

the only three that are going to let you run at highway speed are the rzr and the can-am and the 1000 artic cat thundercat. None are going to keep you warm unless you buy a cab and heater.

Quote from: Dixiejack on October 29, 2011, 07:03:38 AM

I hopeI don't open up a can of worms with my question, so bear with me. I had a 1997 Jeep TJ I bought used in 2000 and drove it until I bought a Jimmy 2009 4WD with all the bells and whistles. Didn't need two money pits, so I sold the Jeep and kept the Jimmy because at 67, comfort and dependability were #1.

Now to make a short story long, I been looking at these side by sides as a work vehicle and to run to the post office and town (500 pop.) on 6 miles of dirt road that the county hasn't pulled the ditches on in a year and to go get stuck out in the woods. I also want something that will keep me and a pard warm in the winter (fixing to move to Indiana) and with enough speed I can drive on a highway w/o getting rear ended. I guess want something I can replace my Jeep w/o buying another Jeep.

With those wants in mind, what model(s) of SXS ATV should I consider? I don't want to spend what a new Jeep costs.

Old Syko · « **Reply #50 on:** October 30, 2011, 03:40:31 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on October 30, 2011, 01:17:14 AM

the only three that are going to let you run at highway speed are the rzr and the can-am and the 1000 artic cat thundercat. None are going to keep you warm unless you buy a cab and heater.

You seem to have left out the Teryx. Out of the box will do all required and with light mods will out perform some of the others.

markc · « **Reply #51 on:** November 01, 2011, 06:56:28 AM »

Do your local laws allow a side by side on public roads? Some states do not, unless they are governed to a max of 25 mph. Sounds like any number of used 4WD vehicles would be a better bet than a side by side. Probably cheaper too, especially when you factor in the cost of adding a cab and heater to the already pricy machine..

Something to consider, based on your comment about getting rear ended on the highway, is the lack of real safety features in a potential collision like that. If that is a real possibility, I would be very cautious about pulling out onto a highway in a side by side. A seat belt wont offer much help if you get hit by a full sized vehicle.

Old Syko · « **Reply #52 on:** November 01, 2011, 08:50:11 AM »

Mark, as DJ is talking about moving to Indiana, we do ride on county roads legally in most counties. Yes it is regulated by individual counties and some don't allow it at all. You can't legally ride on any state or interstate highway but you can ride across them or ride on the state right of way.

As far as safety goes, it is much safer to run highway speeds than to be regulated to a slower speed. Man, you are right about the lack of safety features. Any ATV has about the same safety features as an Amish buggy when it comes to highway use. Since most of the southern part of the state is farm land, woods, or some such most residents are aware of who they share the roads with. Of coarse you have to look out for the usual idiots just like everything else. Had a genius try to take on a combine at high speed some time back. He won't do it again.

If I wanted all the comforts along with off-road ability I'd look for a Samari or a Toyota to convert into a truggy and still be highway legal while saving a bunch of money over a SxS ATV.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #53 on:** November 01, 2011, 10:55:31 AM »

Maybe I didn't say it right. Hiway driving is not my primary ride. I want that ability to. Most of my riding is going to be trails or dirt roads and maybe a beer run now and then. I had a Jeep TJ that I commuted 100 miles in M-F and off roaded on weekends, hunting, fishing, or just riding. It was a money pit, too. The kid that got killed was on a JD tractor running an estimated 15 mph when he got rear ended. The neighbor was also talking on her cell phone when she hit him.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #54 on:** November 01, 2011, 12:44:48 PM »

Like i already said... For what YOU want to do, you are better off with another money pit!

DM

Dixiejack · « **Reply #55 on:** November 01, 2011, 02:14:46 PM »

Guess I better excuse myself from this thread. Sounds like I stepped into the pros conversations. And you don't have to REPEAT yourself DM. I read you the first time.

jamesrus · « **Reply #56 on:** March 17, 2012, 10:29:58 PM »

WARNING

STAY AWAY FROM POLARIS RANGER

if you are going to be using it for anything other than easy riding. If you want one to hunt from this aint it. You will be replacing the driver side axle knuckle every year. Terrible design. You can replace them with Girrilla axles for a permanent fix but they aint cheap.

I speak from experience.

Jamesrus

Bugflipper · « **Reply #57 on:** March 18, 2012, 08:57:23 PM »

No one with mini trucks? 4 cyl with 82 hp. 5 speed, governed at 68 mph, 4x4, heat, A/C, pw, pdl, ps, cd player, fuel injected, disc brakes, windshield wipers, will haul 1000 lbs or more in the bed and cheaper than a utv.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #58 on:** March 19, 2012, 02:56:16 AM »

Quote from: Bugflipper on March 18, 2012, 08:57:23 PM

No one with mini trucks? 4 cyl with 82 hp. 5 speed, governed at 68 mph, 4x4, heat, A/C, pw, pdl, ps, cd player, fuel injected, disc brakes, windshield wipers, will haul 1000 lbs or more in the bed and cheaper than a utv.

I looked at them... The pedals were so close together, i couldn't get my feet on them one at a time! lol Then on top of that, where will you get parts? Those fly by night car lots selling them don't carry parts and you KNOW you are going to need parts. Also, what mechanic knows anything about them??

I bought the Kubota and it was a very good choise for me!

DM

fatercat · « **Reply #59 on:** March 19, 2012, 09:51:36 AM »

golf cart- way to much elect. to recharge--i owned a mule, then a home depot 2wd drive dog or something, then i bought a john deere 625I gator. its two or three times better than the mule. hell, the frame looks bigger than on my toyota truck. on demand 4wd, and can lock the rear end. got the 25hp, thats plenty for me as gas is still on the rise. best look ,or better drive one. regards, richard