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Started By
Message
Best UTV these days given my needs
Posted on 5/12/25 at 4:32 pm
Posted on 5/12/25 at 4:32 pm
Older Hunter who hunts mostly south LA and Kerrville Tx for deer and occasionally elk out west and then mostly tend to a residential ranch of 30 acres in south central LA.
I need torque over speed
I do need a payload bed but not huge
I do not need to be king of the hill. More tortoise than hare.
I’d like to carry 4 passengers but 2 is fine
Dependability and smooth suspension are very important as is above average water/mud capacity.
I’d like to pay 15-21k.
Iam not sure if I need a 1000 model or can get along with less. My Honda Foreman has been plenty of engine for me so far.
Iam leaning towards Honda and Can Am but though I love Honda dependability, I don’t like its handling of mud and water. I don’t know much about Can Am. I like the Polaris suspension form experience.
What are your thought? Tyia
I need torque over speed
I do need a payload bed but not huge
I do not need to be king of the hill. More tortoise than hare.
I’d like to carry 4 passengers but 2 is fine
Dependability and smooth suspension are very important as is above average water/mud capacity.
I’d like to pay 15-21k.
Iam not sure if I need a 1000 model or can get along with less. My Honda Foreman has been plenty of engine for me so far.
Iam leaning towards Honda and Can Am but though I love Honda dependability, I don’t like its handling of mud and water. I don’t know much about Can Am. I like the Polaris suspension form experience.
What are your thought? Tyia
15
Posted on 5/12/25 at 5:26 pm to Royalfishing
I’ve been a fan of a Kawasaki Teryx since ‘08. Only 2 seats, modest dump bed, but great power. Even though it is governed to 50mph, it does just fine at 30. You certainly could spend lots more, but not sure you’d have a better UTV than a Kawasaki. Just MHO…
Posted on 5/12/25 at 5:44 pm to Royalfishing
We have a 1000 crew (not XP) and I think it would fit your description well. I’ve been very impressed with the suspension and I’m harder on it than it sounds like you will be. It has a ton of torque in low and it’s easy to maintain. Only issue I’ve had in two years is tearing a cv boot, and it was operator error driving through clearcut.
Kawasaki owners seem happy, but I’ve never driven one. As reliable as Hondas are, their UTVs have a lot of things that I don’t like. Something to consider is that as HP does down, while you might not need more power, overall the machine is gonna be louder to do the same thing when the engine is working harder. It’s easy to have a conversation in the 1000 at cruising speed.
Kawasaki owners seem happy, but I’ve never driven one. As reliable as Hondas are, their UTVs have a lot of things that I don’t like. Something to consider is that as HP does down, while you might not need more power, overall the machine is gonna be louder to do the same thing when the engine is working harder. It’s easy to have a conversation in the 1000 at cruising speed.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 6:01 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
What brand do you have?
Posted on 5/12/25 at 6:20 pm to Royalfishing
quote:We've ran about every crew cab make/model on jobs hauling people and equipment from about every type of terrain there is on transmission line ROWs from the smokies to LA, and as far as suspension goes, none ever came close to the Kawasaki Pro FXT. There hasn't been a close second. We've had up to 8 men inside with 2 to 3 more hanging off the sides plus equipment going up and down unimproved forest service access roads deep in the Ozarks.
Dependability and smooth suspension are very important
I bought one for personal use that has 12,000 miles on it without a hiccup except general maintenence taking care of personal/investment properties. Still has the original battery. I'm afraid the starter is going to go out on it, but I've been waiting on it to happen for 8 months.
I'll put it this way: I'm going back to the exact same machine or its newer counterpart when this one gives up the ghost, which I don't think will be anytime soon.
One caveat is we don't intentionally go and find a pond bottom to run it off in to up to its aftermarket snorkel kit. That's not really its cup of tea, but it has hauled many a duck hunting crew with all gear and a canoe topped on it in the Mississippi delta.
I absolutely adore the damn thing.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 6:22 pm to Royalfishing
Have the Honda Pioneer 700, with power steering and 4 wheel drive. Great bike!
Posted on 5/12/25 at 6:27 pm to Royalfishing
quote:
What brand do you have?
Polaris Ranger 1000 crew
Posted on 5/12/25 at 7:06 pm to Royalfishing
I was sure this time around I was going kawasaki ridge. And then there were whispers of random issues that kawasaki never had popping up everywhere.
So... Back to a ranger crew. Xp.
I would avoid the smaller CC utvs, only because they only one that feels like the engine isnt being run at the ragged edge is the smallest pioneer. While a great tight woods bike, it isn't ideal for much else.
Right before buying the other day, I did spot a ranger at the dealer with three guys riding in it trying to identify a noise. I made a joke about a polaris wearing out and needing three people to fix. Big ol gray haired baw says... It has 34k miles on it, she's earned a squeaky bushing
So... Back to a ranger crew. Xp.
I would avoid the smaller CC utvs, only because they only one that feels like the engine isnt being run at the ragged edge is the smallest pioneer. While a great tight woods bike, it isn't ideal for much else.
Right before buying the other day, I did spot a ranger at the dealer with three guys riding in it trying to identify a noise. I made a joke about a polaris wearing out and needing three people to fix. Big ol gray haired baw says... It has 34k miles on it, she's earned a squeaky bushing
Posted on 5/12/25 at 8:28 pm to Royalfishing
Posted on 5/12/25 at 8:49 pm to Crappieman
Hey salesguy, tell your boss the website is down.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 3:23 am to X123F45
Not a salesguy or work for them. I did drive there to make a deal on an atv. Paid a $1,000 less than a NELA dealer price.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 4:06 am to Royalfishing
Mule pro fxt 1000 has had issues.
I'd say mule 4010 Trans. Made for work.
I'd say mule 4010 Trans. Made for work.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 7:14 am to Royalfishing
Have grown up using Honda all my life. Still have an 84' Big Red and 98'-300. Both have been heavily used for decades now without an issue, so I went with the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 last year. Do not have a single complaint so far. Have used it at hunting lease hauling small trailers with ease. Like mentioned above, the 1000 is much quieter at cruising speeds of 30/40mph than the 700 that my buddy has. The top speed is listed to be in the 60s but I never go more than 40mph or so. Love the way it can have a large dump bed or fold up the rear two seats for more people. Hoping to keep this one running for several decades like I've done with my other Hondas.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 7:43 am to X123F45
quote:
And then there were whispers of random issues that kawasaki never had popping up everywhere.
I’ve been looking at these for my next SxS, what issues are they having?
Posted on 5/13/25 at 8:36 am to Royalfishing
quote:
Iam leaning towards Honda
If having the ability to haul more than 2 passengers is a big deal, I think the 1000-5 fits what you described the best. Simply because it sounds like you won't have more than 2 passengers often but having the option to haul more people is nice. With the 1000-5 you get a regular wheel base VS other brands you'll have to buy a crew cab to fit more than 2/3 passengers. I currently have a Polaris Ranger XP and love it. But with a Kid now, this is exactly what is making the Pioneer 1000-5 appealing to me. I can haul more passengers when I need and when I don't, I'm not stuck riding around in a limo of a crew cab specially in the woods.
And if your Foreman is more than enough, you may could consider a Pioneer 700-4. Though they are more narrow.
FWIW: My cousin has a 2023 1000-5. My only complaint is it rides rough (but I'm use to that nice Ranger suspension) and the DCT is a bit jumpy/jerky at low speeds when creeping along like spraying fences. Otherwise, its been a great bike to him and he beats on it.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 12:37 pm to southern686
Can any of those fit in the back of a full size pickup? That is one think I like about my ATV’s.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 1:17 pm to Royalfishing
You’ll need a trailer to transport.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 8:53 pm to SabineRat
quote:
I’ve been looking at these for my next SxS, what issues are they having?
Weird electrical gremlins. Recall. Poor welds in spots (kawasaki has NEVER had that issue).
Something is up. The theory is they had the frame made somewhere and then shipped into japan for finishing.
It's annoying.
Already have a few little gripes about the ranger. But it's mainly just scratches where they shouldn't be and missing the odd plastic clip. Rides like a god damned mark 5 lincoln though
Posted on 5/14/25 at 2:13 pm to Royalfishing
If you consider the Honda, spend the extra money and get the 1000. The 3 speed transmission in the 700 leaves a lot to be desired.
I just upgraded from 700-4 seater to 1000 3 seater and wish I would have done it way sooner.
I just upgraded from 700-4 seater to 1000 3 seater and wish I would have done it way sooner.
Posted on 5/14/25 at 9:24 pm to Royalfishing
We have owned them all,
Buy a Polaris and don’t look back.
There is a reason they are the #1 Utv sold
Buy a Polaris and don’t look back.
There is a reason they are the #1 Utv sold
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