kwalshy 248 #1 Posted yesterday at 05:11 PM (edited) Hi Redsquare friends, I'm in the market for a new side by side UTV, a 2-3 seater with dump box. Been looking at the Polaris Ranger, the Can-Am Renegade and Honda Pioneer. Power: I'm in the 570-1000 cc range. No fancy bells & whistles; I don't need HVAC or a stereo and I'm not planning to push snow with it. It'll be carrying or hauling firewood, yard waste, bee hives, chainsaws, 5 gallon buckets of coal and maybe a deer. Power steering would be nice since I won't be the only one driving this. Curious to hear some honest feedback on experiences with powertrain or electrical gremlins on these side by sides. Thank you all. Edited yesterday at 05:11 PM by kwalshy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 20,024 #2 Posted 22 hours ago If you really want to haul stuff get a M-274 mule That tank of water weighs about 2000 lbs. 3 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 10,899 #3 Posted 21 hours ago (edited) I looked at 3 brands in November 2022 . Polaris , Kawasaki & Can Am. I decided on the 2023 Can Am Defender HD 7 DPS which is a single cylinder power steering 650 cc engine. Mainly the Can Am was a 3 seater because of the room in the cab and use it as a two seater with a flip up center console. Very comfortable and yes the $ 1500.00 option for the power steering is worth it to me. Added a soft cab, poly roof, 2 small side mirrors, rear view mirror, a locking cross bed tool box and a few other small items. Decided while I was at it a 72'' poly power angle plow with quick hitch type set up. All accessories are Can Am . The oil filter on the single cylinder is EASY to get at, the twin cylinder one's are not plus I don't need that kind of power, speed and more fuel consumption . This is used around the acreage and see's very little usage off the property. It is registered and insured. Hauling firewood with it is the cat's meow, very little time wasted making trips back and forth from felling to the splitting area and stacking. The dump body is great. Fuel usage is awesome. Can't say enough about it. The Polaris was very nice but the interior room to me was tight and slightly claustrophobic.Also the Polaris was more $$$$.Then comes the Kawasaki . The models I looked at were too tight in the cab as well. On the high end ones too much $$$$. VERY satisfied with the Can Am purchase. To boot the Can Am uses straight regular fuel , not sure on the others. Forgot to mention the 4500 lb Warn winch and front guard / bumper. One of the best piece of equipment I have ever purchased. Make's life a heck of a lot more comfortable and fun while doing chores. Good Luck if you decide. Edited 20 hours ago by JCM 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 2,169 #4 Posted 7 hours ago (edited) I bought a Honda 520 Pioneer last summer. I dont need some huge SxS so it works for my needs. I like that its just under 50" wide so I can ride it on most standard atv trails. Added a roof & side mirrors. Mostly use it around town as my city allows it on secondary roads. I can dodge the street legal requirements by simply having the SMV triangle on the rear. My 80yr old mom has one too & she is able to manage it just fine. Shes approximately 100lbs & has no issues with not having power steering. Edited 5 hours ago by ML3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwalshy 248 #5 Posted 4 hours ago @JCM Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Defender. I am all about easy maintenance these days and I don't want to be bothered with an oil filter that is a PITA to change. I was looking at the HD7 DPS, which is more practical than the HD9 or HD11 for my intended use. It's impressive the HD7 bed capacity is 1000lbs! @pfrederi That M-274 looks like a beast! I can see that being an option for deer camp's food plots! @ML3 Good to know about the steering b/c my 78 yr old Dad might be driving this too. Do you happen to know how much the tailgate can hold when extended down? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 2,169 #6 Posted 3 hours ago (edited) 3 hours ago, kwalshy said: Good to know about the steering b/c my 78 yr old Dad might be driving this too. Do you happen to know how much the tailgate can hold when extended down? If i recall tailgate can hold 400lbs??? Think the payload of bed is 850lbs. Again......I'm not 100% certain. I'd have to look that up. There's quality aftermarket power steering kits available for the 520. My mom is a tiny lady & she drives it all over. She has 14 acres & even rides it back in the woods with no issues. Its very light in the front so I'm sure that helps. Maybe with a snow plow installed you may want the power steering?? She has a bad knee so she uses it daily to get the mail- her driveway is over 400ft long & not straight. My situation was more about having the compact size of SxS so thats why I didnt go w/700. We bought 3 520s at the same time. Me, my mom, & my sister. My dad died almost a year ago & they had talked about getting a SxS but he got sick. Now that she has it its made so many things easier for her. Edited 1 hour ago by ML3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
