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.

 

[nknelsen]

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.

SXSs are simply awesome for plowing. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't listened to a few friends. My first was a little honda Pioneer 500 with 60" blade. My driveway was 800 feet then and I could plow a foot of medium and 10" of heavy wet snow at 25 to 30 miles an hour. Now I have a shorter but much steeper driveway and a wolverine x4 850 with 72" plow that does great. Congratulations on your choice, im envious of the heated cab! Lol

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

. Now I have a shorter but much steeper driveway and a wolverine x4 850 with 72" plow that does great.

What plow and mount do you have on your X4? I've been using my tractor and bucket but I'd rather push it with my Wolverine.

 

[Bocephous]

What plow and mount do you have on your X4? I've been using my tractor and bucket but I'd rather push it with my Wolverine.

I, too, have a Wolverine, albeit an X2. I have a KFI steel plow and mount; it mounts up easier than a plow on an ATV. I also built a plow holder made from scrap lumber and Amazon casters to keep it on when not attached to the X2.

 

[DK35vince]

SXSs are simply awesome for plowing. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't listened to a few friends. My first was a little honda Pioneer 500 with 60" blade. My driveway was 800 feet then and I could plow a foot of medium and 10" of heavy wet snow at 25 to 30 miles an hour. Now I have a shorter but much steeper driveway and a wolverine x4 850 with 72" plow that does great. Congratulations on your choice, im envious of the heated cab! Lol

Been plowing snow for the past several years with my Polaris RZR 900s with 72" blade.
(enclosed cab with heater)
Does a pretty good job moving snow.

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[Sprinkler Fitter]

2022 Can-Am defender Limited Max, 7100 miles and I replaced the belt a month ago have about 7400 right now

 

[Hermio]

Been plowing snow for the past several years with my Polaris RZR 900s with 72" blade.
(enclosed cab with heater)
Does a pretty good job moving snow.

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I use an open deck Mahindra 5035HST for plowing. It does a great job but I have no protection from the elements. I have been tempted to fit my Bad Boy side by side with a plow and a cab cover with space heater. It would be more comfortable but less capable. And I cannot justify another several thousand dollars for a few uses per year. I do envy those with a heated cab!

 

[rodneyn]

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

Same clutch setup as snowmobile much heavier duty. Kubota, Polaris and others have same setup. transmission gearing unit has low and high range. Plus reverse. 2wd drive, 4wd and locker for all four wheels. Unit also has multiple performance modes work, normal and sport for clutch. Electric power steering. Disc brakes all around. 30” rubber. I do believe CF Moto was entertaining automatic transmission over clutch. They were entertaining electric clutch transmission over wet clutch. Don’t know if this came to be. All marketed units have good and bad attributes. End of day go with what you know and believe in. You really do want larger displacement motor for torque. No replacement for torque you need displacement for those that are gear heads.

 

[rodneyn]

What plow and mount do you have on your X4? I've been using my tractor and bucket but I'd rather push it with my Wolverine.

Most cost effective plow I found through tight budget was a moto-alliance they offered few different models. Real heavy duty plow with bottom slides and replaceable cutting edge. They are setup to show you model fits your UTV. Based in Rodger’s, MN land of freezing weather and lots of snow. Reasonably cost snow plows. Good service they track shipments. I am sure other plows out there but I could not afford them.

 

[rodneyn]

2022 Can-Am defender Limited Max, 7100 miles and I replaced the belt a month ago have about 7400 right now


View attachment 5017047

Nice unit. I like your tires.

 

[Sprinkler Fitter]

Most cost effective plow I found through tight budget was a moto-alliance they offered few different models. Real heavy duty plow with bottom slides and replaceable cutting edge. They are setup to show you model fits your UTV. Based in Rodger’s, MN land of freezing weather and lots of snow. Reasonably cost snow plows. Good service they track shipments. I am sure other plows out there but I could not afford them.

Nice unit. I like your tires.

Thanks. And the plow is from Moto-alliance, about 20 minutes south of my house.

 

[rodneyn]

Thanks. And the plow is from Moto-alliance, about 20 minutes south of my house.

Well we are close I am here on 3 yr work stent until retirement. Darn it was cold in January. I am from east side of Lake Michigan where snow is plenty from lake effect and not so cold weather. I am use to humidity but here it’s dry cold polar air. Respect for MN people I do have on braving -18 with - 42 windchill. that day worked from apartment. I could see myself frozen to the parking lot. Just not a good polar bear more like brown bear looking for hibernation.