Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Feedback on UTV's

I've been recommended quite little else than a Polaris Ranger but my region is small so I want to get some feedback from the 'fire.
Tell me why I should or shouldn't go with a Ranger and what else is out there that fits the below criteria the best.

Reliability is first and foremost. Performance is a close second. This will be strictly a hunting/scouting/dirt road driving rig.

Thanks for your feedback.

If you are buying new I would look at the new Yamaha Viking. I looked at one yesterday and it is AWESOME! It was built to compete with the Polaris Ranger

Key word there is "new". Talk to me in 5 years after you buy one...grin...

I just bought a Kawasaki Teryx 4 the other day. So far I love it. I think you'll find that the general consensus is that the Yamahas and Kawis will be more reliable than the Polaris machines.

I wanted a machine with seating for 4, so there were only a couple of choices. Look through the reviews and people love the teryx 4. It's a great machine. If you don't need more seating, I think the tried and true rhino is a great way to go. They are very reliable, although they lack the bells and whistles.

I picked up a '13 teryx 4 w/ power steering and a few other goodies for 12700 otd, which i consider a good price. Most dealerships are clearing out the 12s and 13s to make room for the 14s.

Have fun and good luck.

4 years of work and play so far, and not the first problem. Been through a set of rear brakes pads. That's it. Pretty capable off road with a manually selectable front and rear diff lock. I can usually get through areas that will stick a Ranger. Not the fastest (42 mph) but it rides comfortably and can carry and tow very well. Use it to prepare food plots too.

I would take a hard look at the Rhino. A friend of mine has a newer Polaris and can't wait to get rid of it. There are different bells and whistles with all of them but reliability should be at the top of the list. I have a Rhino because I also have a 06 450 Yami Kodiak that has been bullet-proof and it is narrower than some as the country we hunt the trails are very narrow and steep. Mine is a 06 660 and the only thing I don't like about it are its noisy rear brakes which I am now in the process of correcting. One other thing to consider is make sure you get a good winch whichever machine you get.

I second the Honda Big Red. Not the best riding or the most powerful, but does everything well and ultra reliable.

My Polaris Ranger is a 2006 500 model. I use it hard at the ranch & never had a bit of trouble with it. My. Buddy bought a new Kawasaki Mule that same year, & I don't recommend it at all. Rough riding & underpowered. They bought new Kawasaki Mule to replace it this year & I'm still not impressed.
I don't have any experience with any of the other brands, or the new current model Polaris.

Rhino for me...my latest shown is an '09 700 FI...previous was an '07 660 carb...put a lot of miles on the '07 in a lot of rough country..they go where you point them...very dependable machine....the newer '09 runs like a champ...has 1400 miles..live at 5900' ride to nearly 12K'...

One more that you should strongly consider - it's just coming out in the next few days. It's called the Honda Pioneer and it's replacing the Big Red. It looks very cool. The rear can be two additional seats, or fold down for a storage area like the rhino. It's a cool do-it-all machine, and knowing honda, they did it right.

Look up Honda Pioneer 4 on youtube and you'll find several reviews.

Have had a Rhino since 06.
Started with a diesel Gator, good for hauling firewood and that's about it. Not long after geeting the Gator, we bought a Kawa Mule. It was ok at best. Traded the Mule for a Rhino and never looked back. I'm sure the newer stuff is nicer but the Rhino has done all I could ask with minimal maintenance required. If I go to replace it[ever] I will give the Honda a look but a newer Rhino will be at the top of the list.

And one other + for the Rhino, they are 10-15" narrower than the others. Comes in very handy in the woods.

Do a side by side comaparison of the new Honda Pioneer and the Yamaha Rhino. I was shocked to see that the Honda was actually cheaper than the Rhino.

I'm a Honda guy but was considering a Rhino when I get ready to buy a sxs but now I am having second thoughts.

Honda specs

Yamaha specs

For my use, I like the Rhino as it has a couple of more inches or ground clearance than the Honda. I'm surprised the Honda is cheaper and it is I'm sure a good machine but my experiences with Yamaha have always been good so I think I will stay with them.

Honda dropped the ball on SxS machines a long time ago...Big Red...yea its a big as a CJ5...If they would have had the Pioneer 700 out 6-7 yrs ago I would have had one....the Pioneer will have an uphill climb to catch up to Yamaha...Can Am....Artic Cat...Polaris & Kawasaki SxS markets...Don't get me wrong..I love Honda products...they just fell asleep at the wheel with UTV machines..

Only 10 inches of ground clearance on the Honda Pioneer...

That ain't good...

Less than a 2" difference between the 2. More bed and towing capacity on the Honda plus it's shaft driven, no belt to worry about. 1 Year warranty on the Honda compared to a 6 month on the Yamaha.

That 2" is big to me and the terrain I would be navigating, moreso than 500 vs. 1,000 pounds in bed.

14" tires gain a little clearance ......mine shown here with 27x9x14 radials on all four corners.....+12" clearance on belly...

So give it a 1" lift and slightly bigger tires, and you can have your cake and eat it