SxS UTVs

[kwalshy 250]

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 Monday at 05:11 PM by kwalshy

[pfrederi 20,034]

If you really want to haul stuff get a M-274 mule  That tank of water weighs about 2000 lbs.  

 

 

[JCM 10,909]

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 Monday at 09:32 PM by JCM

[ML3 2,172]

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 yesterday at 12:36 PM by ML3

[kwalshy 250]

@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?

[ML3 2,172]

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 yesterday at 05:15 PM by ML3

[JCM 10,909]

Found another use for the S X S. Bringing tools to remote location to work on equipment not near the shop / garage. This was recent when working on the Farmall Super A this past fall. Found myself walking back and forth bringing tools etc then thinking what am I doing ? get the Can Am out. The cross bed toolbox is right behind the rear window under the green compressor hose. That is full as well. Unlimited use's for sure and great MPG.

[WHX?? 55,590]

Strictly a work machine but I would look at the kawasaki mules. Their 4 cylinder is by far the best motor in any sxs. 

[JCM 10,909]

6 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Strictly a work machine but I would look at the kawasaki mules. Their 4 cylinder is by far the best motor in any sxs. 

Very True Jim. I came close to owning a new one. Affordable  $$$$$$ as well. Dealership 6 miles from home. Northeast Powersports.

[WHX?? 55,590]

I like anything with a low box height & large. You start piling wood and tools in it it gets small awful quick. Plunge's pic proves that.  The Hondas are nice well built machines but the bed is too small. That's why I favor the mules and I wished I woulda got that instead of a Ridge. They have the best in class box dims. 

You didn't mention if you want/need a enclosed cab Kwalshy. I had to do it again I would go with a open cab and add doors and whatnot down the road if I really needed. 

One of the things with any sxs is once you get it setting it up for how you use it. I never used any of my winches I ever had so I nixed them and made a front receiver for moving trailers. Figured I ever want a winch build one that slides in the receiver and wire for front or rear use. 

 

Don't be afraid to look at the Kubotas either for a true work machine either. I wished I woulda kicked them tires a little harder. 

If dad is going to operate it look for easy in easy out. If it's a worker you won't need a ton of ground clearance so the lower the better for him. 

Edited 5 hours ago by WHX??

[kwalshy 250]

@WHX??    No need for a cab or doors.  I figured I can build my own roof or buy an aftermarket roof.     And I plan on adding a front receiver to whatever I purchase.  And with the dealer price for winches....no way....if I find that I need one, then I'll add it myself.     The cargo bed dimensions, load capacity and towing capacity are important to me.   I'm liking the Mule the more and more I look at them.   The Pioneer & Ranger are out.  It's down to the Defender DPS HD7 or Mule Pro-FX 820 EPS.    However I should go look at the Kubota Sidekick too.   

[WHX?? 55,590]

13 minutes ago, kwalshy said:

aftermarket roof.

Absolutely the aftermarket crap for these is unreal. 

I mentioned the Kubotas as they are made for the ranch. Same with Bobcats which might be worth looking at for a work machine. Wished I woulda took a harder look at those too. 

 

https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/equipment/utility-vehicles

 

Edited 2 hours ago by WHX??