Gator XUV, 2009 vs 2010

[RedHawkRidge]

I originated this thread, back in July last year. I ended up buying a 850D in Feb '10, and don't regret it one bit. The diesel is a beast. My land is 70 acres of steep hills in Western Wis, and my 06 HPX navigated the logging roads adequately, but the 850 just eats up the steepest grades.
The steering is a little better, due to the larger tires, higher inflation specs, etc, but if I have to turn around on a logging road cut into the side of a steep hill, it still takes muscling the wheel.
The greater ground clearance is helpfull, but it didn't resolve my inability to climb the hills in deep snow. I even put chains on the rears (diamond pattern), but they didn't help much. Front chains aren't feasible because there's not enough clearance between the tires and the struts.
Deere now offers a load of accessories but I still would like a temp gauge and speedometer, plus a rear bumper to protect the bed.
If and when JD ever gets around to the new version, I surely would appreciate the new cargo bed to fit the 2010 and earlier models.
jim

 

[jcmseven]

The 850D is a great machine. I have had good luck with the Electrosteer option for the Gator and have one of those systems on my XUV. It is not as smooth as the factory system on my Ranger, but really does help quite a bit steering at slow speed or with a snow plow on the front.

John

 

[lostcause]

i'm kind of saddened to see the bigger top speeds coming to the deere, but i know they have to keep up with the joneses to stay in the game too. that, plus my intended use is different than some.

i own land in a good sized subdivided parcel in a secluded section of the state. there are carraige trails all through the property which work as the road system between the house lots and common areas, but there are no autos allowed. it's essentially a golf cart community, but over the years the rules have flexed to include utv's because they excel at hauling your gear from the docks to the houses. with no autos, you need more than a golf cart to haul building materials.

aside from golf carts and utv's, the carraige trails are used by hikers and bicyclists of all ages, so you need to be able to share the roads and maintain civil speeds. i think the 25-ish mph top speeds are great. it allows a reasonably fast mode of transportation without being able to overdrive the conditions there. there are some mules, rangers, and a bunch of gators there currently, and the first razor showed up last year - it ended up upside down within a week.

i'm really never one to advocate governing to protect ourselves from ourselves, but for this case, i'd like to make the exception. i think the extra speed that everyone is going to end up with as newer machines show up will lead to a bad happening sooner or later. i'd hate to see them eventually banned along with the atv ban already in place.

 

[jcmseven]

lostcause,

I, to some degree, agree with you. It takes a great deal of responsibility to operate one of these faster machines safely. They will kill you if you don't. About six months ago, I purchased a Ranger XP 800 LE. It is the new model with the higher top speed. Believe it if you will, by GPS it is even faster than advertised, which is really fast. I have had Gators (still do) and others over the years that are not nearly as fast and have done just fine for me. It is nice to have the extra punch when pulling or climbing a steep long gradient with a bed full of something, but I really see no need in a UTV needing to go 60 mph or more. Sadly, while any of us could get hurt doing things we all likely do every day, I see many people coming into our hospital with serious injuries or even dead from misusing some of these machines. Just last week, a man was brought in with an epidural brain hematoma after jumping an ATV over a homemade ramp. What?? Adding danger to a dangerous situation; but, as they say, free will does not always run in parallel with common sense.

John M

 

[southtxfarmer74]

Has anyone bought a new 825i? I would love to hear what they think of the new gator after using it for a little while. I am considering buying one of these and am really curious as to how they perform.

 

[JESSE1]

I speced out an 855D and was ready to place the order when we found out that there's a hold on the alloy wheels. I think they're still available for either the camo or black version but I was going to get green and yellow. Not sure when they'll be available again. I'm going to wait a while to see what happens.

 

[farmboy12]

JESSE1-

If you don't mind saying, what did you spec out with the Gator and how much were you quoted and settle for?

I was interested in the 855D in either the camo or the green and yellow. I don't want to pressure you into prices but I was just curious if you didn't mind sharing.


Kyle

 

[JESSE1]

I think the quote was about $14,500. I added just about everything, all the protection for the front and rear, as many lights as I could get. Also wanted the max traction tires with alloy wheels. I going to hold off ordering until I find out more about the hold on the alloy wheels. Supposedly the demand for the alloy wheels was so great they couldn't supply them.

 

[BleedGreen]

I think the quote was about $14,500. I added just about everything, all the protection for the front and rear, as many lights as I could get. Also wanted the max traction tires with alloy wheels. I going to hold off ordering until I find out more about the hold on the alloy wheels. Supposedly the demand for the alloy wheels was so great they couldn't supply them.

The "take" rate on the alloy wheel option went from 15% on the 620i/850D to over 65% on the new 625i/825i/855D!!! Understandably, neither Deere nor their supplier could anticipate that kind of upswing and therefore those codes have been removed from our order system.

Personally I think that the problem does not particularly have to do with the alloy wheels, as much as the 14" size and larger tires. The only way you can get the larger Maxxis Bighorn tires on the XUV's is with the alloy wheel package - and most of my customers say they want the larger wheel/tire combo - if Deere were to offer the Maxxis Bighorns on a 14" steel wheel (yellow or black) I think half of the problem would be over immediately.

 

[JESSE1]

Do you have any idea when the wheels or tires will be available again? I don't want to order one with the steel wheels and then the alloy wheels become available after my unit arrives.

 

[BleedGreen]

You may not like the answer, but we are being told the end of January or the beginning of February before the order codes are reinstated. What many dealers have done (including us) is to find an aftermarket company to supply what our customers want in the meantime. As the UTV market continues to expand I would like to see JD offer the Gators with a "less wheel/tire" package so we could add what the customer wants here at our stores.

 

[JESSE1]

Thanks for the info. I talked to my salesman today and he doesn't have an answer yet. What's odd is that when I looked a few days ago you could order a camo Gator and get the silver or black alloy wheels. Seems like it's only the alloy/yellow wheels that are not available. How hard is it for the manufacturer to add the yellow stripes?

 

[NewJDGuy]

2010 825i XUV - I've put 16+ hours, mostly riding in rough terrain. I have lots of hours with the 620s, and the new Gator is a huge improvement. The suspension is fantastic, and really makes the vehicle seem more stable. I have the full protection kit (which I highly recommend) and love the new Maxis 2 tires, as they really give you good traction. The engine sound is a little bizarre. The only "complaint" is that it runs hot. I had the same issue with the 620 and would have to raise the bed (love they hydraulic lift for this reason alone) to let the engine cool. Keep in mind that I'm running this up very steep terrain that requires max power in order to get up (old skidder trails from logging in southern Ohio) the trail. So, I'll be looking at after market fans. I'd like to see some snorkel kits, as we have a river that we like to bow fish, and would love to go through some spots with the Gator. (Safety Note: I canoe the river and am very familiar with the depths, etc.)

I looked that the Kawasaki Tereyx and CanAm Commander. Both are very nice, but needed more utility which the Gator provides in spades. I'm taking it deer hunting this upcoming weekend, and will use it to carry tree stands and several guys way back into some prime hunting areas that were difficult to reach with ATV's (Gator does much better on some of the more vertical trails) plus ran out of vehicles to transport guys and gear.

They had JD show in Cincinnati, and saw the Camo version, but didn't like the qualilty of its application, so mine is the OD Green. Wanted the black wheels, but all they had in the midwest was the pretty shinny alloy ones, to include billet hubs and valve stems. Not exactly what you want in the woods, but they didn't scratch up as I anticipated in the heavy rocks.

The thing is a beast, runs great and am exceedingly happy. It was a big improvement over the 620 which I liked as well.

 

[jcmseven]

I am anxiously awaiting my 825i. Should be here next week. Splurged on the aftermarket exhaust and Fox Shocks.

John M

 

[JESSE1]

I took a new 825i for a test drive today at my dealer. Engine sounds great, I'm not too thrilled about it being a chinese built engine. It had good acceleration but it was turning over 3500 rpm's at maybe 15 mph. I don't know the max rpm's but since I'm used to the diesel that high rpm would take some getting used to. I'm going to order an 855d soon. I probably will get the camo version pretty well loaded out. The HPX I have now is six years old and has been an excellent vehicle. I'm looking forward to the better ride and performance of the new Gator.

 

[jcmseven]

Jesse, it does take a bit of adjustment to follow those RPM differences. I had an 850d and it does not rev too high, but my Ranger which I just sold easily ran over 6000 RPM in some cases. It would tach 4500 going 20 mph in high range. I suspect the Gator gas 825i to be similar. The Gator engine has been extensively tested and though assuredly not as durable as a Yanmar diesel, offers a ton of power and performance. It is easily the strongest Gator I have ever driven and has much more torque than did my Ranger.

John M

 

[JESSE1]

I'm used to the Yanmar turning 3600 rpm's at full throttle. That's fast for a diesel but typical for the small diesels. The 825i really had a beefy sound, almost as good as the diesel. If you're used to the high speed gas engines the 825i would be a great choice.