Need utility Side by Side

[tradosaurus]

We have a Pioneer 500. I needed the smaller Pioneer to cross several 48" bridges on our place, whereas the larger models were well over the 4' size. We opted for canopy, windshield and winch. Cost at the time of purchase was $12K OTD.
We also have an EZGo electric golf cart, bought used for $2K. The cart is used 95% of the time due to the convenience of just jumping in and go, easy to drive and quiet.
Both are easy to maintain and reliable. The SxS is used most often to winch the mower out of a bog hole, or towing a trailer load of cut logs; anything where plenty of grunt is needed. My only complaint with the Honda was the tires it came with. They sell with 24" tires which doesn't match the speedometer. They need 27" tires. I replaced the factory supplied tires shortly after purhase with some genuine mud grip tires of the correct size.
Having both the Honda and the EZGo is an ideal arrangement for our mixed uses.

Given the Honda 500 tops out at 40 mph and you probably aren't going that fast anyway I would say that the tires are irrelevant. I changed the tires on my Pioneer 700 to less aggressive tire. I rarely exceed 20 mph.

 

[jjeff]

Disagree, tires made my pioneer 500 more functional and reliable. Have not had a flat since I got tires 7 yrs ago with heavier ply rating on them, only went with 2" larger than stock but haven't had to replace cv boots anymore on it either.

 

[LindenBruce]

I only read part of this thread so maybe someone else has mentioned it already, but if you'll be using your SxS on turf make sure you get one that doesn't have a permanently locked rear diff. Our Yamaha Wolverine does and it tears up grass when turning.

Yeah, no plans to be running on turf. Don't have much of that anyway LOL. B.

 

[gsganzer]

I'm definitely enjoying the Yamaha Viking SxS. I'm amazed at how smooth the ride is over rough ground. When the wife and I looked at them, she was leaning towards the Ranch Edition, because I think she liked the color and dress. I talked her out of it and said we could make better use of the savings by buying our own aftermarket parts. I'm glad I did that. I'm adding a Ranch Armor front and rear bumper and some fender flares (the ranch had fender flares).

Adding the front bumper was a no-brainer for me, because it has a 2" receiver hitch. This lets me periodically mount my road feeder for broadcasting corn on the ranch roads for hunting feral hogs. When the feeders not installed, I plan to build a receiver hitch cooler holder for a bucket cooler (like a round water cooler) that I have. It's an awesome rotomolded cooler that I bought at Canadian Tire when I was doing some work in Alberta the other year. I guess they quit making them, because I no longer see those coolers listed on Kailani's website. To be honest, I could probably sell 100's of those coolers to Texans for dove hunting if they would make a swivel seat top for them.

The rear bumper has backup lights and also a foot step to facilitate climbing up and over the tailgate. So, it should work out well too.

The Viking has a grab rail in the cab for the 2-passengers. I removed the rail, but fabricated a double rifle holder for the middle receiver and I made an 8" oh-crap handle for the other receiver.

Once I get this all to my liking, I'll take some photo's.

 

[ning]

I don't need a SxS/UTV here but I've got to say, there's a nasty road we go up, up in the mountains to some lakes to enjoy the day or go camping, and I take my F350 because it's nice having high clearance to not worry about smashing something delicate underneath... the fastest I go is in some places 15-20, but much of the 4 mile road I'm going maybe 5mph and often slower, because that F350 doesn't do bumps fast unless you want to either hit your head or dislocate your hips from the seat belt holding you down.

In some of these slow spots I've had UTVs just come ripping by at 20-30mph just gliding right over the worst of the bumps and the people in them are obviously not being bounced around much - super impressive.

I'll definitely get one at the next, bigger, property!

 

[ericm979]

We resisted getting one for 20 years. When we finally did we realized they're far more useful than we expected. As long as I have rural property I'll likely have one.

I wish there were reasonably priced electric UTVs and ATVs. On a property like ours the trips are short. The gas engine rarely warms up all the way and likely doesn't get hot enough to evaporate all the water in the oil. I change the oil annually even if it's only been a few hundred miles. An electric model would be better for the short trips and would be quieter too. I don't want to spend $30k on one that has a 100 mile range when a quarter of that range would be plenty.

 

[shooterdon]

A few weeks ago traded a Kawasaki Mule SX for a CF Moto 1000. So far, pleased with it. Used as a dual purpose machine. Work horse on 20 acres, trail riding and visiting neighbors.

The Mule was bullet proof but loud, slow and did not ride well. 35 mph on the Moto is effortless. Only complaint on the Moto is that it is jerky from a standstill. Dealer says that will improve as we put more miles on it. If not, there is an aftermarket kit that helps smooth things out.

Saved quite a bit over the Polaris and Kawasaki units we looked at.

 

[EddieWalker]

I spent the weekend working on fencing. Sunday I set 8 wood posts in concrete. I bought a pallet of concrete and parked my trailer by the fence and then used the Mule to load up 8 sacks of concrete, along with my water jugs, level, shovel and clamshell digger, to go to each post. 4 sacks per post, so I could do two posts with 8 sacks of concrete.

It's not fast, but for working on the fence, I can't imagine anything better than a UTV. I was going back and forth from fence posts to the trailer, over rough terrain, but just driving a few MPH.

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm definitely enjoying the Yamaha Viking SxS. I'm amazed at how smooth the ride is over rough ground.

Yup! Been a Jeep Wrangler owner for many, many years. Currently have a 2006 Rubicon. It will go just about anywhere that anything with wheels can go...but if the terrain is rough you'll be going really slow and still getting knocked around in the cab. Traveling the same route in my Can-am is easy and takes less than half the time. It just floats over the rocks and holes. I own a pretty good sized patch of burned-over desert here in Nevada - but it is so rough that I can't travel much over 2 mph on it with my tractors. About 50 acres close to my buildings I mow every year to keep down the fire danger - the rest is too rough to take a tractor and mower without damage and getting hung up. The Can-am Defender has no problem with any of it, so anymore any work that needs done out there, that's what I use.

 

[deserteagle71]

We resisted getting one for 20 years. When we finally did we realized they're far more useful than we expected. As long as I have rural property I'll likely have one.

I wish there were reasonably priced electric UTVs and ATVs. On a property like ours the trips are short. The gas engine rarely warms up all the way and likely doesn't get hot enough to evaporate all the water in the oil. I change the oil annually even if it's only been a few hundred miles. An electric model would be better for the short trips and would be quieter too. I don't want to spend $30k on one that has a 100 mile range when a quarter of that range would be plenty.

If they ever make one with a 200 mile range that's reasonably priced I'll be seriously interested. For the reasons you stated, and especially the quiet. Would be great to explore out in the mountains and not disturb the wildlife.

 

[gsganzer]

I'll have to buy the shop manual for the Yamaha Viking. The new Ranch Armor rear bumper has some built in backup lights, so I was researching the best way to wire them in. Turns out the wiring harness already has connectors for adding them in. You just have to buy 3 Yamaha parts (relay, and 2 plug in harness extensions). I see some other unused connectors around the machine, so I'll have to figure out what those are 4. I'm curious about one 3-pin capped connector under the hood. The curiosity is getting the best of me.

 

[gsganzer]

I'll have to buy the shop manual for the Yamaha Viking. The new Ranch Armor rear bumper has some built in backup lights, so I was researching the best way to wire them in. Turns out the wiring harness already has connectors for adding them in. You just have to buy 3 Yamaha parts (relay, and 2 plug in harness extensions). I see some other unused connectors around the machine, so I'll have to figure out what those are 4. I'm curious about one 3-pin capped connector under the hood. The curiosity is getting the best of me.

I guess the 3-pin capped connector is for lights. I put a voltmeter to it and one is the neutral and the other two go hot when the lights are turned on. I thought they might be independently switched to coincide with low/high beam, but they both are hot with low beam and the voltage stays the same on either selection.

 

[gsganzer]

I just bought all the fluids and filter for my first fluid change after break-in. I'll also check the valve tolerances at the same time I change the fluids. I also bought the service manual.

No issues with the Viking, so far. My neighbor went for a ride in it the other evening. They have a Kubota RTV, not sure which model, but it's a few years old and one of the small ones. They remarked on how smooth the ride is and how spacious the front seat is (3-seater versus the Kubota 2-seater). They also remarked on how much quicker the Yamaha is. The Viking almost seems like the perfect mix of utility, recreation and sport UTV's.

If there's one feature that I might look for on a future UTV, it might be a limited slip rear differential for traveling on finished turf or pavement. But it really depends on what your use is.

 

[grsthegreat]

Funny story. Yesterday wife was backing up the 2012 kawasaki mule to dump a load of wood. Came to tell me the shift lever was wobbly….could not get out of reverse. I stop trying to repair my broken down feeder belt on the chipper, and grumble on over to see why she cant shift out of reverse.

I grab control arm and it breaks off in my hand. Stupid thing is made of 1/2” hollow steel tube.

I always thought it was solid. As mad as i was i actually started to laugh. Wife thought i finally went over the hill towards madness.

That was the 3rd thing that broke within 30 minutes. That will teach me to work on the 4th of july.

Ended up spending 4 hours repairing everything that broke in the past 30 minutes.

Fixing the shifter arm SUCKED. Had to disassemble entire front plastic body of the mule, dropout shifter assembly. Took assembly apart and since i didnt want to bother fixing a hollow tube, i built a brand new one out of 1/2” solid stock i had in shop. Stupid thing wont break now.

Decided to call it quits before something else breaks. Went and bbq’d some chicken legs and corn on the cob.

Afraid to touch any other machine today……. I dont think i could break my recliner chair.

 

[ultrarunner]

I had a day like that last month…

 

[deserteagle71]

I just bought all the fluids and filter for my first fluid change after break-in. I'll also check the valve tolerances at the same time I change the fluids. I also bought the service manual.

No issues with the Viking, so far. My neighbor went for a ride in it the other evening. They have a Kubota RTV, not sure which model, but it's a few years old and one of the small ones. They remarked on how smooth the ride is and how spacious the front seat is (3-seater versus the Kubota 2-seater). They also remarked on how much quicker the Yamaha is. The Viking almost seems like the perfect mix of utility, recreation and sport UTV's.

If there's one feature that I might look for on a future UTV, it might be a limited slip rear differential for traveling on finished turf or pavement. But it really depends on what your use is.

Its a Yamaha. Take care of it and it will last forever. And yes, an open diff is nice because it will allow you to turn much sharper. As far as I know, no manufacturer installs a "limited slip" diff in a side by side. Its either locked, or open with a switch to lock the diff when needed.

 

[ArlyA]

Can-Am uses a variety of front and rear differentials, including limited-slip and fully-locking options. Their Visco-Lok is a mechanical limited-slip differential, while Smart-Lok is a fully lockable front differential with electronically-controlled automatic modes. Some models also feature a Visco-4Lok, a mechanical locking differential.
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I believe other CO's are using something similar.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Somehow, I was born with the ability to know when I NEEDED the rear axle "locked", so I'm happy to report that my Kubota S&S has a lever to lock the axle "as needed".

I just don't need/want the complexity of auto this, and auto that, for such simple jobs.

It's very easy to use, just like the one on my tractor, and simpler means more reliable too.

SR

 

[sandman2234]

My Toro Workman has a lever to engage the differential lock. When purchased used (and almost 20 years old) it didn't have diff lock, it didn't have hi-lo tranny, and the bed was "tilt" according to the seller. I had never seen one without these features, but due to limited pictures and vague descriptions on F/B Marketplace, I bought one. It was factory converted to propane, which is good because the gasoline carbs are a nightmare! I bought a clunker for parts, and a buddy installed the hydraulics while it was at his house awaiting the trip to Florida. The hi-lo and diff lock only required cables, as the rear end had those features internally, as Toro buys that rearend from another company.
How many UTV's are rated and capable of lifting 2150 pound on the bed and dumping it? It is also rated to pull 3500 pounds behind it.
I also had the governor reinstalled, as it running 40 mph wasn't something I needed.
David from jax

 

[LindenBruce]

I just bought all the fluids and filter for my first fluid change after break-in. I'll also check the valve tolerances at the same time I change the fluids. I also bought the service manual.

No issues with the Viking, so far. My neighbor went for a ride in it the other evening. They have a Kubota RTV, not sure which model, but it's a few years old and one of the small ones. They remarked on how smooth the ride is and how spacious the front seat is (3-seater versus the Kubota 2-seater). They also remarked on how much quicker the Yamaha is. The Viking almost seems like the perfect mix of utility, recreation and sport UTV's.

If there's one feature that I might look for on a future UTV, it might be a limited slip rear differential for traveling on finished turf or pavement. But it really depends on what your use is.

Yeah, valve lash is important for sure. The smaller the engine the more sensitive they are to valve adjustment. Your friends RTV is prolly the 500 model with a two cylinder gas engine. My employer has a handful of those. One broke a rod a few months ago so we pulled the engine and rebuilt it. Another one came in this last week with a broken rod. Now to pull that one and see if it is rebuild able. B.