UTV?

[SwampDonkey]

The only bike I had given to me was a tricycle, from then on every bicycle, and every motorized vehicle I bought and paid for. I've worked since I was 7, first on the end of a potato basket. Sometimes the old man was the bank, but he was paid.

I remember an old lady in her 90's. She came from a family that was evicted from Gagetown where the government set up an army base. She talked about that the last few years of her life. Families had to leave and buildings left standing became canon fodder over the years. She said before that episode, her grandfather was like a banker, made loans and charged interest. In those times farming was pretty prosperous and farmers had money because they had good markets, this was before depression years. She looked after 3 old senior aunts, one had money of her own, another inherited money from an old widow who had no family to leave her fortune to. They were all old by this time and they all went to bed to be looked after and catered to. The old lady herself was a school teacher and very frugal,  during the depression she told the husband that he had to walk to work since he worked in town and there was no need to burn gas all week when he could walk. :D

[barbender]

There is definitely a difference in those raised in the depression era. My one grandmother especially, never had much money. She worked a lit of different jobs, cleaning and caretaking and just making enough to get by. But when she passed away she left a pretty good savings to her kids, she was just a real frugal, saver type. 

 Her eldest grandson did not inherit this trait🤷😂

[Walnut Beast]

I'm going to wait a few more weeks to see what deals if any come this way , Boy has a polaris general all picked out but I told him that's $40 grand plus once all the taxes are in , He just says so , I told him I am not Barge or Barbender so its a lot to me . That is more than I really want to spend on a toy

Has he seen the Polaris Xpedition ? They look pretty nice. Going to have to dig a little deeper in the pockets for it. https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/polaris-xpedition/

[21incher]

looked at a 2019 Sidekick 850 today  184 hours 700 miles with winch heavy duty lug tires   front bumper  $11000 dont know of any other extras.  anything to watch for  Does price sound reasonable?  Looks in very good shape.

I just found out there is a serious problem with mine. Did the 20 hour service and there was about a cup and a half of gas in the oil along with a white powder that settles out. Turns out the Subaru engines / now Kubota  in them have an oil dilution problem. Kubota is involved and they know its a problem but say it is normal. They said the only  solution is to warm them up atleast 15 minutes before  using them and to just leave them idle instead of shutting off for short periods. It's the only way to evaporate all the gas from the oil that is normal operation with them. Boy am I mad at Kubota for hiding this info from buyers. Probably why so many used ones are showing up on the market. My dealer says they are working with Kubota and have heard  a rumor that Kubota may be working on a new intake manifold but Kubota denies it. They are trying to have Kubota analyze the oil I saved but I think Kubota is trying to hide this issue. If they do nothing mine will be going down the road right before the warranty ends. Definitely check the oil for contamination and that year the engines were made by Subaru before Kubota bought the tooling so it may be different.

[trapper]

just bought a polaris ranger 570 sp  I stepped up to the premium model because it includes a Full-Body Skid Plate, and power steering I am hoping the power steering will get my wife to use it Her arms hurt when using the atv I got the 2 seat midsize unit which I feel will suit my needs better than a Fullsize model.

[Crusarius]

I wish mine had power steering its hard to drive after a long day or when bouncing over tree roots

[21incher]

Just want to update  this with the oil analysis reports from my sidekick oil that Kubota  is saying  is normal  for these machines even  though  at concernable levels.  Seems to be a common problem now and Kubota has come up with the term short tripping as the cause. Running  them 20 to 30 minutes minimum after each start is their  solution to evaporate the gas that gets in the oil at startup.  Kubota  has no way to debug  the Subaru engines. One just blew up at 400 hours from this and Kubota won't cover it over on the tractor  forum. These  machines  are junk.

[johndozer]

Kicking around the getting a Polaris Ranger 6x6 or Canam Defender 6x6 to pull a small 4x8 foot local built dump trailer that I will load with wood debris from thinning operations with my minnie excavator. Haul to central locations and pile with the excavator for burning. typical haul distance is 40 to 50 yards. The 2000-3000 pound suggested trailer capacity is pretty appealing. I have done some work like this with my Honda Rubicon quad but it doesn't have the weight/traction to pull any trailer weight in any kind of adverse direction

[LeeB]

My 2011 Polaris Ranger motor shot its wad a couple weeks ago. I' seriously considering replacing it with a 90s model Jeep Wrangler. 

[21incher]

Well I got good news today. Kubota has reviewed my case and they have offered to replace my machine. Apparently they want mine back for testing and working on a fix for this issue. I was offered a 2024 that is supposed to have the issue fixed. I asked my dealer if there was anyway I could switch to the diesel model because I just don't want to take a chance on another gas machine and it looks like he will allow me to pay the difference in price between the 2 and handle the swap on his end. What a surprise after months of being denied a solution. It seems like the new dealer rep was the one that got this done and he actually cares about about the customers. Wow, I just can't believe this. Thanks Kubota. Sure pays to have a dealer that fights for you and is on your side. Definitely avoid buying a used one until they have a fix.

[oldgraysawyer]

Well I got good news today. Kubota has reviewed my case and they have offered to replace my machine. Apparently they want mine back for testing and working on a fix for this issue. I was offered a 2024 that is supposed to have the issue fixed. I asked my dealer if there was anyway I could switch to the diesel model because I just don't want to take a chance on another gas machine and it looks like he will allow me to pay the difference in price between the 2 and handle the swap on his end. What a surprise after months of being denied a solution. It seems like the new dealer rep was the one that got this done and he actually cares about about the customers. Wow, I just can't believe this. Thanks Kubota. Sure pays to have a dealer that fights for you and is on your side. Definitely avoid buying a used one until they have a fix.

That's great news but they should give you the difference for your troubles and down time losses

[21incher]

Well I got good news today. Kubota has reviewed my case and they have offered to replace my machine. Apparently they want mine back for testing and working on a fix for this issue. I was offered a 2024 that is supposed to have the issue fixed. I asked my dealer if there was anyway I could switch to the diesel model because I just don't want to take a chance on another gas machine and it looks like he will allow me to pay the difference in price between the 2 and handle the swap on his end. What a surprise after months of being denied a solution. It seems like the new dealer rep was the one that got this done and he actually cares about about the customers. Wow, I just can't believe this. Thanks Kubota. Sure pays to have a dealer that fights for you and is on your side. Definitely avoid buying a used one until they have a fix.

That's great news but they should give you the difference for your troubles and down time losses

That would be nice, but I am just happy to have this problem behind me a week before the warranty runs out. Hopefully it will also lead to a fix for others.

[Wlmedley]

I've got my boat up for sale and if it sales I plan to buy a Utility SXS. I don't need anything really fast and will use it mostly around the place and maybe to visit close neighbors,run to the mailbox and pull a small trailer hauling firewood.The law is pretty forgiving if they are ran short distances on the main road to get from one hollow to another.Just wondering if I should buy a cheaper new one or a larger used one.Don't really want to spend over about $12,000.Also how many miles or hours would be considered excessive on a used one that has been taken care of? I kind of favor Yamaha as I've had good service from 4 wheelers and motorcycles but I'm sure others would be good also.Also is power steering needed?Glad to hear you got your issue resolved 21incher.

[trapper]

got power steering so my wife could use it glad I did.  think about where you will use it.  I got the narrower 2 person one and glad  I did.  Much easier to get thru the woods.  Still had to widen my atv trails.

[GRANITEstateMP]

Bill,

We just got a Polaris, diesel, utility sxs at work.  It does not have power steering and is a real bear to turn at any speed

[SwampDonkey]

I have a 2020 Polaris Ranger 570 it's 62" wide, I didn't get power steering. Never regretted it at all. Sure, it's nice to have, no question about that. I don't need it, so save the coin. Just  like I don't need an enclosed cab and heater and all the other stuff. I've got brush guards all around. Been great machine for me. Brought home a load of split fir firewood this morning from a blow down. Shoulda had one 20 years ago. :D

[ehp]

I bought a yamaha X2 1000 side by side last fall , It came with a good winch and good shocks and tires , Its smaller than the Rmax but same motor so its goes ok, It gets around pretty good in the bush as its abit narrower than the Rmax , I got the 2 seater so I can carry stuff in the box  plus it was a fair bit cheaper than a Rmax 

[tule peak timber]

I just bought a 2022 Honda Pioneer 1000, new off the lot for 4000$ less than a 2024. I have a specific use for it to beach launch a small boat that I own, and maybe around the ranch here for chores. I am having issues with finding the right covered trailer to house it and still be able to open the door to get out of the UTV while inside. It is 72 X 120 and about 72 tall, so for me it is bigger than what I wanted, needed, but the wife loves it for the comfort aspect. I never thought I'd even look at something like this but I'll figure out the trailer thing and it will be a blast zipping down the beach to clamming spots up north.

[Wlmedley]

I'm having problems with my right shoulder to the point that I can't ride my 4 wheeler on a very long ride and it does have power steering.Have never driven a SXS so didn't know if I could steer a non power steering one with mostly one arm.

[customsawyer]

Power steering is like hyd. on a mill. Can you get by with out it? Yes. Will it be easier and more enjoyable if you get it? Yes.

[Ianab]

Don't try to save money with the Chinese clones, you WILL pay later.

This is true. 

We did the "Mud Buggy" tour in the Cook Islands. it was a "Island Redneck" operation, with old Chnese offroad buggies.  We were warned not to rely on the brakes, as they probably wont work. The "road legal" part of the tour had buggies with at least ONE of the brakes working, One of the wheels fell off before the session started, and the drivers seat fell out of another one.  (they replaced them)

Thing is me and Taylor were the only buggy that actually made it back to base.   We were head to toe with mud, because you don't lift the pedal when you hit the mud. 

"Base" was a shed above the swamp, full of scrapped scooters and ATVs. The crew had about an hour to get the buggies mobile again before the afternoon tour. 

But it was great fun. The guys running the tour knew the buggies were crap, but they had spares and just kept patching them up. 
 

[Kodiakmac]

I have a 2016 Honda Pioneer 700 that has been absolutely bullet proof.  Prior to that I had a 2005 (I think) Polaris 700cc side-by-side that was also completely trouble-free.  I work them hard: disking up foodplots; hauling firewood; stones; etc.  But I don't abuse them and I do all the maintenance myself ... on or before schedule.

I don't have any first-hand experience with the other brands.  A neighbour has a Kubota diesel side by side.  His complaint is that it is very heavy. He has had it hopelessly mired to the axles on more than one occasion.  He blames the buggy; I tell him it's operator error.

[Crusarius]

I do not have power steering in mine. It is an option I would definitely want on the next one. without power steering you can steer with one hand but trying to make tight turns is a 2 handed operation.

I hate to say it but if you look at all of the sxs and UTV on the market everyone one of them is either made in china or mostly made in china. the trick is to not buy the ones that are super dirt cheap.

My UTV is a hisun, it has been an amazing machine, it pushes snow better than I ever thought it could and the only issues I have had with it was from the 4 teenage boys that beat it like it owed them money before I bought it.

The funny thing is my hisun matches the cub cadet right down to the seats that are in it. Runnings just started carrying the exact same one with a different badge on it. But once again, it is identical to the hisun. 

Would I buy one of them? Absolutely! I have been very happy and amazed at what this thing will do. it is only a 500 single but it runs and drives great. I wouldn't want to be without it it plows better than my tractor or a truck and is much easier to get unstuck when I stick it.

[Peter Drouin]

I see some in-town running around. Some pay over $20,000+ for them. I don't have a use for them. Too much of a toy to do what I do here.  There is a bunch in town who ride around in the woods and get drunk all the time. They do stay on their 300-acre playground most times.  
I don't know if you can get a DWI with them or not.

[21incher]

One thing to look for in a side by side is that the machine has engine breaking.  It keeps the cvt belt engaged so it doesn't freewheel when letting off the accelerator.  I found it to be important with a load of firewood going downhill or pulling a trailer.  Most have it, but there  are also many of the lower end models that don't. Power steering is a must on heavier machines.  Usually it applies  more assist  at lower speeds and less as you go faster for stability. Lighter machines don't always need it.