UTV recommendations

blucoondawg · Jul 27, 2014

I am looking into getting a UTV soon, I don't really know anything about specs of all the different models. What I will be looking for is a utility/sport machine, something that can do some work around the farm while still going out and working on deer stands and doing a little pleasure riding. I need something with a decent amount of room in the cab, 2 or 3 seater with leg room (and beer belly room). Locking diff would be a big plus. So far I have just took a glancing look at the different options in town here, mainly the Mules, Cats, Polaris, Can Am, Yamaha. I haven't looked into the tractor dealers yet there is a Deere dealer in town I will look at. So far I liked the looks of the Yamaha Viking 3 seater, seemed roomy and looked like a pretty stout machine, still had a decent sporty look to it but seemed substantial enough to do work as well. I imagine the Can Am models are pretty nice too as they seem to have high marks in their ATVs. I have always leaned toward Yamaha as I have always liked their reliability.

I am looking for recommendations and reasons why for a sport/UTILITY machine, I don't care about the sporty racer models.

RoyJackson · Jul 27, 2014

I have a Gator 855...This is a diesel.
Great machine but 3 people would be tough, even with the bench seat.
The 855 is, IMHO, more of a work UT then play...but it's a good machine

nc redneck · Jul 27, 2014

Honda Pioneer 700-4 . Dump bed converts into 2 more seats when needed.

nybirdman · Jul 27, 2014

We have had great luck with Yamaha,two Grizzley's and a Rhino.My Rhino has 3600 miles,purchased new in 2006.Oil/filter changes in the spring,two sets of tires ,that's it.The new Viking is an awesome looking machine,looked at it and the new Honda.......no comparison for my money,The Viking build quality and lay-out are superior IMHO.We have the Rhino,Kawaski Teryx,and a 825 Gator in the family,all decent but my personal choice is the way I listed them.
Some will gripe about belt driven machines,both mine have 3500+miles on the original belts and they are worked not just ridden.Yamaha has engine breaking,not offered on all belt driven machines.

Teikas Dad · Jul 27, 2014

I've got a Yamaha Rhino. I love it, goes anywhere and it's my primary snow plow vehicle for the winter. I've got it set up with a 6' plow on it. With a 2" receiver hitch on the rear I can tow my boat trailer and utility trailer around the yard as needed.

I've only experienced one storm where the Rhino wouldn't work...36" of snow overnight. The only thing that would dig us out was my Kubota.

blucoondawg · Jul 27, 2014

Do any of you feel there are pros/cons to the Honda "auto" style tranny over the Yamaha? So far everything I am reading is helping my lean toward the Yamaha, I have not read much on the Can Am yet, I don't really need a snow plow, I have a old big bear and my Kioti and old Allis that can handle snow, if I were to add anything for winter it would probably be tracks for deep snow and ice fishing. The only thing the I don't like with the tracks is they really wear on the front end components, my buddy has had them on his Honda 500 and his steering was completely slopped out after just a few winters, though the machine was unstoppable in deep snow and swamps.

nybirdman · Jul 27, 2014

I wouldn't knock the Honda Auto,it's proven.I just didn't like the size and ergonomics.It is a small machine for a S/S.Honda went from the Big Red which proved to be too big to this.You need to test the Bombadiers,they are fast and pricey, a little loud, a real performance machine tho.
Tracks are expensive and you will loose about half your performance, might better buy a used snow sled for the same money.

blucoondawg · Jul 27, 2014

I have snow sleds. I am not concerned with the performance where tracks are concerned. Tracks are not for going fast they are for not getting stuck. My buddies ATV with tracks will go places a snowmobile cannot. He can drive into terribly deep drifts on uneven ground such as in a bog Marsh and come to a complete stop then take off again. If you try that with a snow machine you will be buried especially with the newer heavier sleds. Sleds need a broken trail or else they need to maintain momentum to break a trail

Piston · Jul 27, 2014

I'm in a similar situation as you, wanting a side by side for both work and play. I have decided on a 2015 Polaris Ranger 900 XP with power steering. The 900XP's have the ability to seat 3 in the front like the yamaha. Also, for 2015 they bumped the HP up by about 10hp for the Ranger, which is the reason I'm waiting for the 2015.

Have you sat in the Yamaha? I sat in the Yamaha, Polaris, and Honda (which I originally REALLY liked, but not so much anymore). I didn't like the comfort of the Yamaha, but that is personal preference.

The reason it's so hard to choose, is because all of them are really nice machines!

Piston · Jul 27, 2014

I'm in a similar situation as you, wanting a side by side for both work and play. I have decided on a 2015 Polaris Ranger 900 XP with power steering. The 900XP's have the ability to seat 3 in the front like the yamaha. Also, for 2015 they bumped the HP up by about 10hp for the Ranger, which is the reason I'm waiting for the 2015.

Have you sat in the Yamaha? I sat in the Yamaha, Polaris, and Honda (which I originally REALLY liked, but not so much anymore). I didn't like the comfort of the Yamaha, but that is personal preference.

The reason it's so hard to choose, is because all of them are really nice machines!

blucoondawg · Jul 27, 2014

No I have not sat in it yet I just noticed from standing next to it that there was considerably more room in the cab area than in other machines I looked at. I plan to take a short glimpse at the Polaris models just to see what they have to offer but they really aren't on my list of possibilities, I have had trouble with Polaris ATVs so have friends of mine so I decided a long time ago to avoid them in the future. I had a Polaris sportsman that was a major pos, I traded it on a Suzuki which I still own. I didn't get much for the Polaris even with low mileage and the dealer had to call a guy he wholesales to for a quote on what he could give me on trade because he wouldn't even resell Polaris at his shop due to previous issues he experienced with selling them.

nc redneck · Jul 27, 2014

I would do a search on " Belt Slip, Replacement " in atv, 2 new ones just today both Polaris. When I was looking just could not get past the fact that every dealer had 20 or so of Polaris on hand ready for delivery and would almost give them aweigh. While Honda had a 3 month or more waiting list. Honda is not a power house but will tow anything I want. Also is the best comprise for fun/play applications. Yamaha would be my second choice by far, bulletproof just like honda. It was just to big for some trails and no comfortable safe seating for 4 people in short wheelbase.
Tracks will never work for a play type machine.
Good luck

Code54 · Jul 27, 2014

I have owned two Rhinos (bought the one the first day they were released back in the day) and currently have a RZR. I owned a bunch of Honda ATV's and have friends with Kaw's and a Honda Pioneer. For what you are saying you want I would look closely at the Honda. They are a good machine and I would certainly consider one. I like my RZR but it does have higher maintenance but the performance is great, not really great work (works ok for hunting in my case but certainly not even close to the best for that)
Keep reading on them, test drive some and ask people in your area to make sure yo get what will work best for you.

blucoondawg · Jul 27, 2014

nc redneck said:
I would do a search on " Belt Slip, Replacement " in atv, 2 new ones just today both Polaris. When I was looking just could not get past the fact that every dealer had 20 or so of Polaris on hand ready for delivery and would almost give them aweigh. While Honda had a 3 month or more waiting list. Honda is not a power house but will tow anything I want. Also is the best comprise for fun/play applications. Yamaha would be my second choice by far, bulletproof just like honda. It was just to big for some trails and no comfortable safe seating for 4 people in short wheelbase.
Tracks will never work for a play type machine.
Good luck

I guess you don't understand my reasoning or application for tracks. They work perfectly for what they are intended for. Not everyone considers "play" to be running around 50mph and tearing stuff up. Much of my play is going out in areas which are inaccessible by other means and low speeds are required due to the nature of the terrain. Tracks are also required to get on a frozen lake in February that is covered in over 2 feet of snow with a substantial layer of slush and water under that snow. For summer riding I would not be using tracks I would leave the tires on for that obviously.

Ken45101 · Jul 28, 2014

The Kubota RTV hasn't been mentioned. Good solid machine. Some complain that it isn't fast enough but the OP said that wasn't a concern. It moves plenty fast for me and is a great work machine. We have had ours for 6 or 7 years now. Works well on the farm and also gets used on state bridal trails when doing trail maintenance.

I know people with the Deere Gator's and they are good too, just stay away from the 6 wheel models, they don't turn very well.

blucoondawg · Jul 28, 2014

Ken45101 said:
The Kubota RTV hasn't been mentioned. Good solid machine. Some complain that it isn't fast enough but the OP said that wasn't a concern. It moves plenty fast for me and is a great work machine. We have had ours for 6 or 7 years now. Works well on the farm and also gets used on state bridal trails when doing trail maintenance.

I know people with the Deere Gator's and they are good too, just stay away from the 6 wheel models, they don't turn very well.

Have you heard of any mechanical issues with the Kubota? A friend of my dad had one and had tranny trouble at very low hours and the dealer up here was less than understanding so he called Kubota directly and they straightened it out with the dealer but regardless he now owns a Kawasaki mule after that experience.

Ken45101 · Jul 28, 2014

I'm sure all manufacturers have occasional trouble but I have not heard of any mention of problems with the Kubota and they have a long, excellent reputation for hydrosatic transmissions and diesel engines. We have over 700 hours on ours and the only issue (besides worn tires, we replaced the rear originals last year) was a hydraulic quick connect that came undone on the dump bed.

Blade Breaker · Aug 2, 2014

Great info. Been looking myself and when comparing all to the Gator 825i the drive train components, suspension, and frame are much heavier duty on the Gator. I was originally planning on getting something like the Yamaha, Polaris, or Honda but now am only looking for a good deal on a 825i. But my needs are more work based than sport. If I was going sport the can am look wicked. I agree with others about Polaris quality and I just heard from an owner of a Polaris 800 that they have fuel vapor lock issues. Hopefully fixed on the new 900. I currently have a Honda Rincon 4 wheeler. The 3 speed auto is great. I work it much harder than I should and no issues. Sport riding is great. I would assume the side by side is the same transmission.

Piston · Aug 2, 2014

A friend of mine always wanted the polaris ranger 800 since it came out, but a friend of his who had one always mentioned that it seemed sort of "cheap" and wasn't impressed with the fit and finish as well as the rattles and noises it made.

He held off buying one after trying out his buddies because of those issues.

When the 900xp came out, he went and test drive one. He was very impressed with the new model. He didn't buy that day because he is not the type to make a quick decision like that (he's pretty **** and particular in a good way). After thinking more about it and comparing to others, he ordered his 900xp last fall.

He absolutely loves it and always comments on how happy he is that he never purchased the 800, as it would have left a bad impression in his mind about the rangers.

It seems the 800's earned a bad reputation and rightfully so, whereas the 900's addressed those poor qualities and fit and finish. The 900's seem to be a while different vehicle.

Duwop · Aug 2, 2014

I have the Honda Pioneer 700-2, for work and play. It's my go to plow machine for snow, I used it to put in a food plot. It has been reliable for trails on and off my property. Top speed 43 mph so it's not a racer but fast enough for what I need. I've added hard top,mirrors and led lighting for front ,rear and interior. Not because I had to just because I could and I like it even more. Lights up any chore or trail at night to near daylight. I did a lot of research which lead me to this model. I won't bash the other Mfg's just do the research and join some forums the truth will come out. You will learn which ones are in the shop or permanently parked due to mechanical failures. Of course it depends also on how you treat your things too.