Need utility Side by Side

[gsganzer]

At this point, I think the Chinese are probably just as capable of building a quality product as any other country. MIT just graduated nearly 1000 grad and undergraduate students that are Chinese this past year. I'm sure it's the same for every Ivy league or prestigious university in the US. So, their ability to engineer and control quality continually get better. On the flip side, due to their lower labor costs, less regulations and great access to raw materials, they can build cheaply. The US can build good quality and costly, but they can't build cheaply.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

I went to China for the first time 6-7 years ago because my company had just built a new plant there. Their engineers were as smart or smarter than any I'd worked with anywhere in the world. They're capable of quality every bit as good as ours. When they don't it's because their customer's (meaning us) aren't demanding it. Unfortunately it's a devil's bargain to build a plant there - it's an absolute requirement that you give them all your intellectual property.

 

[rodneyn]

Hello all,

So, I really could use a utility side by side for around my 8 acres. Mainly for fence repair, general maintenance, irrigation repairs and target setting out to my 200 yard range. And of course some trail riding while camping. I am looking at five different machines. Most are three seaters. No need for a six seater. Here they are not listed in any particular order;

1 CFMoto UForce U10 Pro
2 Kawasaki Ridge/Ranch Edition
3 Polaris Range 1000
4 Honda Pioneer 1000-5
5 Can Am Defender X MR

I know there are others on the market. I was really interested in a Massimo T-Boss 1000, but they are not available in Kalifornia. My main focus here is ease of service, riding comfort and durability. So, if you happen to have one of these machines, can you kindly chime in as to what you do and don't like about it. I have ridden in a Honda Pioneer before and it was a great machine. I kicked the tires on a Kawasaki Ridge and it looks like a great machine, but getting to the air filter looks like a pain in the rear. I have yet to sit in any of the other three. Mainly because there are none on dealer floors in the Stockton area. I really want to look at the CFMoto. A Tracy dealer is expecting some in early May.

Ok, thanks guys/gals. B.

Ok bought Kawasaki ridge XR hvac. Unit is built well and runs across plowed field smoothly. Lots of torque and speed. 4 cyl motor 1000 cc. Electric power steering. Easy to work on all accessible motor. AC is cold heat is Hot. Doors open up like truck. No disappointments got 24 model on clearance. Looked at cheaper Chinese units but realized needed more horsepower and reliability. Kawasaki has been making mules for decades the Ridge is graduate from the Mule. 2500# towing, 1000 lbs bed weight loaded. No disappointments.

 

[troverman]

I wouldn’t buy Chinese for the sole reason that they are a terrible country with tons of human rights violations, exploited workers, stolen intellectual property, etc. Western society has largely enabled this. I’d rather pay more.

 

[LindenBruce]

Yeah, I have it narrowed down to the Kawasaki Ridge or the Polaris Ranger. B.

 

[ArlyA]

Yeah, I have it narrowed down to the Kawasaki Ridge or the Polaris Ranger. B.

Both are good machines.

 

[rodneyn]

Ok bought Kawasaki ridge XR hvac. Unit is built well and runs across plowed field smoothly. Lots of torque and speed. 4 cyl motor 1000 cc. Electric power steering. Easy to work on all accessible motor. AC is cold heat is Hot. Doors open up like truck. No disappointments got 24 model on clearance. Looked at cheaper Chinese units but realized needed more horsepower and reliability. Kawasaki has been making mules for decades the Ridge is graduate from the Mule. 2500# towing, 1000 lbs bed weight loaded. No disappointments.

Follow up we placed motoalliance 66” snow blade on the Ridge. Wow does that Ridge move snow. Blade put on was angled blade with left right rotation. Used winch to raise and lower. No disappointments in heated cab moving snow. Unit is very handing yet it looks little different hvac XR with snow blade. Traction is awesome getting around in deep snow without pushing snow was great. I got my unit in 2025 when market went flat for 2024 models huge discount to purchase. Looked cf moto but they were in short supply with stiff cost. Kawasaki has lot years to perfect the UTV through the Mule. Ridge is the performance model with comfort for old dude as myself.

 

[USN2TN]

Follow up we placed motoalliance 66” snow blade on the Ridge. Wow does that Ridge move snow. Blade put on was angled blade with left right rotation. Used winch to raise and lower. No disappointments in heated cab moving snow. Unit is very handing yet it looks little different hvac XR with snow blade. Traction is awesome getting around in deep snow without pushing snow was great. I got my unit in 2025 when market went flat for 2024 models huge discount to purchase. Looked cf moto but they were in short supply with stiff cost. Kawasaki has lot years to perfect the UTV through the Mule. Ridge is the performance model with comfort for old dude as myself.

I'm right behind you on buying that Kawasaki Havoc. Their Mules have been indestructible for me & at 60+ yrs old I'm starting to look forward to cab versions more and more. Thanks for the report.

 

[ArlyA]

Ok bought Kawasaki ridge XR hvac. Unit is built well and runs across plowed field smoothly. Lots of torque and speed. 4 cyl motor 1000 cc. Electric power steering. Easy to work on all accessible motor. AC is cold heat is Hot. Doors open up like truck. No disappointments got 24 model on clearance. Looked at cheaper Chinese units but realized needed more horsepower and reliability. Kawasaki has been making mules for decades the Ridge is graduate from the Mule. 2500# towing, 1000 lbs bed weight loaded. No disappointments.

Do you happen to know how its clutch works? Its not a wet one like most have.

 

[ArlyA]

Good morning tbn crew! Nothing exciting happening here in Houghton MI at 8 degree temps this am. Suppose to warm up to 29 today and NOAA has us above freezing highs for the next week. Snowed yesterday a nice inch or 2 but lake snow seems to have shut down. Having said that, with these above freezing day temps, lake ice may get shoved to the side and snow kicks back in. In the photos is shove ice photos we took years ago.

No word on the 6x6 service yesterday so I'd guess they are having grief mastering the power assist steering problem. I have a bad wrist and really need that.