Side by side/UTV

[ISUATC]

Looking at replacing the four-wheeler with a side by side. What's your experience with the different brands? Can Am Defender and Polaris Ranger seem to be a toss-up between the two. The Kawasaki Ridge looks like a decent option as well. Plan is to use for light work around the property, gravel travel, and rural riding. Mostly pleasure riding. Closed cab with heat. Those of you that have two seaters, do you wish you had the four-seater or is that overkill. Will primarily be the wife and I, but on occasion the extra room may be handy, but not sure if worth the expense. TIA

 

[AgronAlum]

Mini truck (not mine but I wish)

 

[cowboycurtis]

We’re on our 3rd ranger now. Just got a Northstar Trail Boss edition. I really like this new one. Tons of options and quieter with less dust than the last one. They are stupid expensive but I use it for work all the time. I’m happy with the Polaris. They’re the most popular by far, probably because of dealers everywhere and decent support. When we go to Wisconsin for trail riding it’s 90% Polaris machines running around.

I think the Can Am or Kawasaki would also work well but I haven’t been around them enough for a worthwhile opinion. It would depend on your dealer and their service department.

I personally would not own a 4 door. It would never get used. Most of my miles are on the farm.

 

[cydsho]

To the OP, you kind of describe very light "trail" use. Would you get more for you money with a small cheaper Wrangler?
I've seen more work use out of a cheap S-10 ZR2 than a side by side. And you can legally drive on any road.

Edit: I just looked at the starting price of the Kawasaki which was $27K. If that was true, I thought the jeep would be better.

 

[JEFF420]

avoid: kubota (rusts, parts expensive), any chinese built offered from big box/ farm stores....

Yes: john deere (parts cheap and available) thats the only good experience i have had with these

 

[Beernuts]

We have a Kawasaki Mule - 2nd one we have owned that we use on the farm. We did not buy it to go trail riding, but rather to work, and have been very happy with the quality and dealership support. We added the electric box lift, windshields and mirrors.

However it is not sexy like a Ranger...but for the money it was a very good purchase.

 

[BCClone]

I’ve always had gators but prefer 4 wheelers anyhow so I use that more. Neighbors have had a lot of Rangers. They have 2 as one is always broke down. They have told me that if I want a Ranger I need two so one is always running.

 

[Cyrealist]

I have a friend who bought an old Chevy Trax for a thousand bucks So that's a budget alternative.

 

[Beernuts]

I’ve always had gators but prefer 4 wheelers anyhow so I use that more. Neighbors have had a lot of Rangers. They have 2 as one is always broke down. They have told me that if I want a Ranger I need two so one is always running.

I have heard the same thing about Rangers and their warranty is limited compared to the Kawasaki. But, when you ride in a fancy Ranger it is impressive.

 

[DFWClone]

In-laws have a 2 seater Polaris RZR and a 2 seater CF Moto that they bought for cheap to have a couple more seats for the trails. They also have a couple ATVs.

The Polaris is awesome and everything you’d want in a SxS.

You can definitely tell the CF Moto is cheaper but gets the job done. Never had any issues with it.

Personally, I’d never buy a 4 seater unless you have a bunch of folks that never want to drive and it’s mainly used to haul people around.

BiL swears that Can Am have service issues but I have never personally had that experience. I’ve only really enjoyed the Can Am that I’ve driven.

 

[southernfriedCY]

Love our Kawasaki Mule Pro FX. You can't beat the ride and their 3 cylinder is so smooth compared to the 2 bangers.

 

[mevans7797]

We just bought a new Can Am Defender HD7 and the thing has been great as a workhorse and for driving around. Would buy again.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

We traded our 20 Ranger for a 23 Defender and I'm never going back to Polaris.

It's such a better ride, does better on uneven surfaces and just feels more solid. It's also not as obnoxiously noisy.

 

[Cig 'em]

Can Am is the correct answer.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

Can Am. From a top dealer with good help is a plus. We have a can am 6x6, a 4 wheeler with 2 extra drive wheels love it. It is not a side x side. Works hard. Carries a lot.
I watched a Sportsman corner guy give a non customer a hand full of bolts and nuts for batteries. The guy on the east side of Algona wanted $10 for enough bolts and nuts to do 1 battery.
Find a good dealer with good help.

 

[Chelseaczech]

What are your recommendations for a family side by side? I'm thinking occasional work around the yard, run into town for something but also be able to load up the grand kids for a Sunday afternoon cruise around the driftless?

 

[Stevetasker]

We have two Rangers, a 900 & a 1000 and a Yamaha Viking. They are used 95% for farm work. The Yamaha has been much more trouble free, but it has less power to destroy its self. For joy riding the Polaris is hard to beat. If you are going to be in mud, you must wash it out before it dries or it will tear the CV boots & then cause the CV joint to fail. Just my experience with them.

 

[FLYINGCYCLONE]

What are your recommendations for a family side by side? I'm thinking occasional work around the yard, run into town for something but also be able to load up the grand kids for a Sunday afternoon cruise around the driftless?

The 4 door Defender is a great machine. You can up grade back seat belts for younger riders, so they fit better.

 

[swiacy]

We’ve had 5 JD Gators and a Polaris Ranger over the years. All bought new, I just traded a 2023 Polaris 1000 Ranger with 500 hours for a 2025 JD 835M. The Polaris was OK but is lighter in construction and the Gators are heavier made. The cab in the Gator has more room which is the primary reason for trading. We use them daily on the farm with a cattle operation. 4 door SxS’s defeat the purpose of having quicker turn ratio and light weight, they are pricey and a Ford Ranger, Chevy Canyon ( whatever they’re called) or a light short wheel base Jeep makes more sense.

 

[cstrunk]

I've got a 2013 Can-Am Outlander 800 Max XT (2-up version). Paid way too much for it new but I love it. It's been my mud/trail riding machine. Mud is very hard on them but occasional mud and good maintenance should be no problem.