side by sides/UTV's

XJ&CHZ4ME

XJ&CHZ4ME

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Unionville, MO
Anyone here have one? We have ATV's all over the farms, but the side by sides are pretty sweet. The hired hand has one that we use a lot, but I am going to buy one of my own and was just seeing what peoples opinions were. I am a Yamaha fan, so it will probably be a Rhino, but I am somewhat thinking about a Polaris Ranger due to them having a bench seat. I went to town yesterday and checked out the new 2012 models and they can custom order them about anyway you want it......including a crazy price tag. It would be a work and play item, so I am just seeing what pros and cons come from anyone that has experience with them. The price is the biggest draw back to me b/c I could buy about 5 cherokees for what one of these things cost all decked out...which is stupid.
 
I think they are a huge waste of money Tyler, but thats just me. I live in town, so have no need for one. I have been to your place, so I can see your need/want for one, I could just find better things to spend my money on. 5 XJ'S for the money?, thats about 12 new guns for me.
 
Look used.

I've seen those type around here a couple years old for 6k.

mac 'looking at them for race support 'gyvr
 
My uncle has a Rhino and we have a John Deere Gator XTR at the farm. They are great to have on a farm! The Rhino is a lot faster than the Gator but the Gator is an absolute mule. My cousin has a RZR, which is badass but those aren't very useful when it comes to utility. On trail rides my uncle has a seat that he can put in the back of the Rhino for his granddaughters to ride in. He also has a trailer to pull behind it when we need room for coolers and stuff. If you want hardcore utility, Get a Gator. If you want utility and fun, get a Rhino.
 
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Dad bought a Kubota side by side several years ago. In hindsight, it was the perfect vehicle. For starters, it actually got him him off the road. Anybody can drive it, and it's almost indestructible. It gets a lot of use in the orchards.
 
dropping 6 to 10k into something that can't be driven on the street on a day to basis is like doing the same to an XJ for trail use ony. Now you need a trailer, now you need a tow rig.
 
the Kubotas actually have decent reviews, but my draw back to them is parts and service in my part of the world....it is hours to the nearest dealer/service.

I have been looking at a few used ones, but when you get to that 5-7K price range they are getting some age and miles on them and the early Yamaha 660's are known for having to have motor rebuilds after a few years. The John Deere Gators are OK, but they seem very problematic from all the reviews I have read, and sem to be pretty major motor problems..and they cost more b/c hey have JD green paint on them :D

I am sure they all have their problems as anything with tires does, but I am just in the early stages of researching and thinking. I also keep coming back to the fact that I could buy another Wrangler for a fraction of the cost and Camille can drive it on the roads legally to her folks etc.

I am basically looking for a vehicle of sorts that is open air and fun for her to chore with. Trackers/Sidekicks are out of the question b/c they are gay.
 
By the way, just so I'm not misunderstood, I feel the same about cycles & snowmobiles. 10 or 12K for a snowmobile in Iowa & we have no snow YET. The same for a nice bike you can only ride 4 monthes out of the year.
 
Tyler got a nice CJ5 in the garage if your interested .
 
If parts are hours away, that's a definite draw-back. My brother has a good Kubota & MF dealer less than 45 minutes away, and that's why nothing with green paint has been bought since 1976.
 
XJ&CHZ4ME said:
I also keep coming back to the fact that I could buy another Wrangler for a fraction of the cost and Camille can drive it on the roads legally to her folks etc.
Click to expand...


fraction of the cost,street legal, you know all the little problems they have so no surprises.

im failing to see the question here :D
 
I know little to nothing about side by sides other than what I've heard/seen. They're expensive and they look fun as hell. But I did work as a master of the custodial arts for a summer at my high school. We had a Gator for chores around the yard. They are a bit problematic. Ours had issues with the transfer case selector/syncros. Dunno which for sure, but we never got it fixed while I was there.

This was also in like 2002, so those issues could have been taken care of. Just my worthless experience.
 
One advantage to a bench seat side by side is that they're very easy to get in/on or out/off. No step up or over. If you're working on drip irrigation when you're stopping every 20-50 feet, this is nice.
 
I vote for the wrongler. I never uderstood the pt of a side by side when you can buy a streetable vehicle for less.....
 
For me a side by side vs vehicle will come down to a weight vs space. Plus I find myself using the baby jeep for projects around the yard that I could do with a little work horse rhino or ranger side by side...

But they are expensive. If the Baby jeep sells outright...I might just by a golf cart and use the rest for the trailer fund...and screw my yard :)

mac 'toys toys toys' gyvr
 
BRIANHO13 said:
I vote for the wrongler. I never uderstood the pt of a side by side when you can buy a streetable vehicle for less.....
Click to expand...
I used to have that point of view... then I spent a day on it doing maintenance out in the orchard. If you're going to be on & off it frequently, the low side-by-side is a lot easier on your legs and lower back.
 
My uncle's Gator has a Kawasaki motor I believe. The other option on it was a Chinese motor, He was not a fan of that option. This motor is supposed to be better than the previous Chinese versions they were running before.
 
I don't know but most of the UTV's that come to KS Rocks are the sportier ones. I will admit they handle the park very well and will surprise you how nimble they are on muddy rocks. I've been hearing stories of the UTV's showing up some of the Jeepers. I would like to have one but just because it looks like a cool toy. To rich for my blood.

Parakeet
 
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