Replace Honda ATV with UTV or ??

jimmyj · Mar 21, 2010

I have an older Honda Foreman 400 (1997). The thing has been awesome and has never had a mechanical problem. I use it to ride forest trails (hills, mud, across shallow streams), pull a small trailer around the farm and to go sight seeing around the area or visiting neighbors (we are legally allowed to ride on secondary roads here). I also sometimes pull trail groomers on the snow and have dragged trees from the bush. I would estimate that it gets used 65% for working and the balance for touring around. I do not sport ride at high speed or ride on motocross tracks or anything like that. I do plow snow with the ATV but not very often since I got the tractor. I have a spare 6' plow blade and rig I could attach to it (I put it on the ATV now and even though it's obviously too large it works amazing).

I have always wanted to trade up to a UTV, the Polaris Ranger in particular because of the side by side seating and the rear box. I'm probably going to have enough saved up this year to seriously start thinking about making a change and I would like your opinions on a few items:

1. Size. The Ranger is higher and wider than the ATV. It will undoubtedly be harder to use it in the forest on trails designed for an ATV. The longer size also probably will make tight corners tougher. Have you any experiences with this?

2. Passenger comfort. My wife hates riding in the "seat thingee" on the back of the ATV. It is hard to talk to each other and she's not that comfy back there. I think the side by side would be much nicer for us to go out together. How is the ride for "comfort" on smooth trails vs an ATV?

3. Towing and hauling. I can't help but think that the UTV with the box would be a lot more convenient for quick loads to and from one area to the next. How is the Ranger with a trailer behind? Any comments?

4. Cost. I could replace the ATV with a new ATV, or frankly I could just keep the one I've got. There really is nothing wrong with it but when I ride my pals new ATV it is quite a bit nicer in general.

My wife thinks I'm crazy to get a UTV and she thinks it is just a "guy thing to get a bigger toy". Could be, but I really think the UTV would be handier than the ATV.

Any advice or comments?

Code54 · Mar 21, 2010

We have a Rhino and find we use it far more than our ATV's. Have some landscaping to do -throw all the tools in the back and go. Want to run to the neighbors, jump in go - easy to turn around, want to haul some wood -throw it in the back, our Rhino (a lot smaller than the machine you are looking at) easily pulls a dump trailer with a total weight of 800 to 1000 lbs (it is amazing how easy it is to pull - the trailer does have elec brakes that hook to the Rhino so that does help). On the trail the Rhino is a wider than my foreman but still gets through most stuff - the height is mostly the issue (carry a saw just in case).
As for the cost - ouch! Look used if you want to save some cash - there is a LOT of machines that are bought by people that have to haul it to ride, get tired of hauling it and then sell them with super low hours. In our paper recently one guy was selling a Rancher with 10 Hrs on it, another machine (forget the make) had 16hrs on it. Both were over $1500 off what you could buy them new for.
Good luck

jimmyj · Mar 21, 2010

Thanks Code54. I should look at the Rhino. I get a kick out of your avatar, I used to use that same picture in my signature. It's great!

John Clark · Mar 21, 2010

ATV excels on forest trails, but much prefer UTV for everything else, especially if carrying passenger(s). Have owned a BobCat/Club Car UTV for several years and very happy with it. I seldom use the electric dump option but nice to have. Also like the seat belts and roll bar approach in my old age.

I much prefer getting into a UTV versus getting on to an ATV (one leg-over). Because of the easy access, my pick-up truck now sits for days, unless I'm headed for groceries or parts in town.

Also, recently traded my manual shift Kubota for a flat floor Grand L HST. Only regret is waiting for so long to do it, and my knees thank me every day I use the tractor

It seems as we get older; easier, smoother, and quieter, seem to take more precedence.:thumbsup:

JC

mburke121 · Mar 21, 2010

JimmyJ, I pondered some of the same questions last year - I had purchased a 420 Rancher a few years prior, primarily for hunting. I was very happy with it, but it was always a challenge to find a way to strap on all the gear I needed to take into the woods with me. My wife and daughter were not thrilled about climbing over the seat to ride behind me, either.

When we purchased some property last year, I started coveting a UTV, mainly for the bed and ability to throw stuff in and go (food for the deer, chainsaws, tree stands, etc., etc.), but also for the 3 across seating, so my wife and daughter could jump in and ride around the property with me.

I talked my wife into "letting" me buy a Polaris Ranger XP. I have been pleased with it, and for one who usually has buyers remorse after any major purchase, I have not looked back. Even my wife has realized the benefits, and she now says it was a good purchase :thumbsup:.

You are dead on about the height and width differences. I've had to do some trail clearing to open the trails up on my property. The Ranger will go over saplings and small trees, but if you want to comfortably zip through the woods without limbs whipping you (and your wife) in the face, you'll have to widen the trails.

The Ranger is an out-and-out workhorse - it will pull 2000#, and the bed has a 1000# capacity. It has a very comfortable ride, and will simply go anywhere. On smooth trails, it rides like a golf cart, although it is noisier. I have not had any problems with mine, and it does everything I need it to and more.

I know it's not easy to spend the ~$12k for a new machine, especially when you have one that works fine. I just thought I'd share my story with you, hoping it helps you with your decision. Let me know if you have any specific questions about the machine. Good luck.

Skyco · Mar 21, 2010

I had a Rhino for awhile. I went back to an ATV for 2 reasons- the main one being I have to transport any such vehicle 120 miles to my remote property. The Rhino just took up too much room in the trailer

My only other complaint, and I believe this was corrected in later years, the reverse gear was WAY too high. Check that out carefully on a used Rhino.
I got temporarily befuddled one day when I pulled forward down a steep slope and the Rhino would NOT back up the slope, no wheel spin, just lack of low gearing. That pretty much sealed its fate for me.
If I lived on the property and the reverse gear ratio issue was resolved I'd have another in a heartbeat.

MrChris · Mar 21, 2010

I don't do a lot of trail riding but for work on our horse farm I have a '06 JD Buck ATV going on 60 hrs and a '06 JD Gator UTV going on 900 hrs! Needless to say the gator is more comfortable, hauls more, has a canopy which is nice for rain and you can take another person with you without sacrificing cargo space.

timswi · Mar 21, 2010

I also went from an ATV to a UTV mainly so I could ride my daughter around safely. They are a different animal. Most aren't fast, but they are convienient for hauling stuff to your worksite or just puttering around.

I believe that the Mule was a similar size to my former RTV500. I could run on most quad trails..Height was an issue at times. A Ranger or something of that size might present trail problems. I know my new one won't go where the old one did...

No regrets switching from the ATV to the UTV though....Would like to get another ATV someday, just for fun riding.

dieselfreak · Mar 21, 2010

jimmyj said:
I have an older Honda Foreman 400 (1997). The thing has been awesome and has never had a mechanical problem. I use it to ride forest trails (hills, mud, across shallow streams), pull a small trailer around the farm and to go sight seeing around the area or visiting neighbors (we are legally allowed to ride on secondary roads here). I also sometimes pull trail groomers on the snow and have dragged trees from the bush. I would estimate that it gets used 65% for working and the balance for touring around. I do not sport ride at high speed or ride on motocross tracks or anything like that. I do plow snow with the ATV but not very often since I got the tractor. I have a spare 6' plow blade and rig I could attach to it (I put it on the ATV now and even though it's obviously too large it works amazing).

I have always wanted to trade up to a UTV, the Polaris Ranger in particular because of the side by side seating and the rear box. I'm probably going to have enough saved up this year to seriously start thinking about making a change and I would like your opinions on a few items:

1. Size. The Ranger is higher and wider than the ATV. It will undoubtedly be harder to use it in the forest on trails designed for an ATV. The longer size also probably will make tight corners tougher. Have you any experiences with this?

2. Passenger comfort. My wife hates riding in the "seat thingee" on the back of the ATV. It is hard to talk to each other and she's not that comfy back there. I think the side by side would be much nicer for us to go out together. How is the ride for "comfort" on smooth trails vs an ATV?

3. Towing and hauling. I can't help but think that the UTV with the box would be a lot more convenient for quick loads to and from one area to the next. How is the Ranger with a trailer behind? Any comments?

4. Cost. I could replace the ATV with a new ATV, or frankly I could just keep the one I've got. There really is nothing wrong with it but when I ride my pals new ATV it is quite a bit nicer in general.

My wife thinks I'm crazy to get a UTV and she thinks it is just a "guy thing to get a bigger toy". Could be, but I really think the UTV would be handier than the ATV.

Any advice or comments?

You ever consider selling the ATV privately??

df.

jimmyj · Mar 21, 2010

I have a pal who probably would buy the ATV so getting rid of it would be easy. I worry if I have both, one will just sit. I already have a snowmobile that only gets about 10 miles a year (no snow last 2 years) and two compact Allis Chalmers tractors that between them probably get 20 hours a year too. I can't afford to have too much space as much as I'd love to (seen the show "hoarders"....).

I think I would love the UTV for the reasons stated.

Question about Gators, do they get hung up in the forest on uneven ground? They appear to have less clearance but I could be wrong.

Good comments everybody, keep em comin...