Side By Side ATV's

[Buck Rub Jr]

Wow that would be great. I really appreciate all the replies everyone.

[buddy01]

I have a Polaris 570 ranger push button AWD , and power stering that's all you need. Look at them on utube

[bearpaw]

I've got a Yamaha Viking VI outfitted with the camoplast tracks, I have not seen any snow on roads that it cannot navigate, up to 4 feet deep in powder or wet snow, it don't matter. Steep inclines in deep powder snow offroad can be a challenge but it doesn't sound like your grandpa will be doing that. We did a ton of research before purchasing the Viking or the Camoplast tracks, a cheaper option would be to find an older used Yamaha Rhino with low mileage, they are pretty reliable. Be sure to get a 700 EFI in a 2007 or newer Rhino so that you get the electronic fuel injection, they always start easy at any elevation. We also have a 2008 700 Rhino that we purchased due to info I learned from others and I don't regret that purchase either, it is a good machine. I have not put tracks on it but it's probably got enough power to run them.

Power Needed:
At first I was going to put tracks on an ATV, everyone told us to get an ATV with at least 500cc's. We ended up putting tracks on my Viking 700 UTV, I would suggest at least 600 or 700 cc's since a UTV is bigger and heavier with more passengers. I've considered getting one of the new Honda Pioneer 1000 which would have even more power to pull those tracks, but your grandpa wouldn't need that just to get to his cabin.

What Make:
We narrowed it down to Yamaha or Honda due to reliability reports. CanAm would also be great, they are very reliable but they are the most expensive brand. I have a friend who owns 3 Polaris Rangers, they use them daily and one is always in the shop, he regrets buying Polaris. We have 3 Yamaha, 2 Viking and 1 Rhino. Admittedly the Rhino needs a new stator right now and I also had to put a new speed sensor on the governor, but it is 8 years old, so that isn't too bad. Neither of the Vikings has had any breakdown. I have another friend with an old Rhino that has over 20,000 miles and still running. I can tell you that the newer Vikings are much roomier than the older Rhinos. All the newer machines are roomier but some of the sportier models don't have much cargo capacity. I don't know enough about Kawasaki to say much one way or another about reliability.

Cost:
I think an older 700 Rhino with low miles in good shape will run about $6000 to $8000. If you add $3000 or $4000 to that you can probably get a new 700 Yamaha Viking or 700 Honda Pioneer. The Camoplast tracks for a side by side can be found occasionally used for $3000 to $4000. New they will be a little over $5000 with sales tax. Total cost is going to be at least $10,000 minimum up to $25,000 depending on what you buy. I've got about $20,000 into my new Viking VI with new tracks.

Good Luck with whatever you and your grandpa decide on!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Bear paw comes thru with a working mans good gouge. 

[bearpaw]

Bear paw comes thru with a working mans good gouge. 

Was just passing on what we learned. I used to own Polaris snowmobiles and ATV's, they were in the shop way too often so we got rid of them and won't be buying any more Polaris. We have all Yamaha, Honda, and Skidoo now, repairs have dropped tremendously. We did not have good experience with Arctic Cat either, won't buy another. Another friend bough a new Arctic Cat 1000 UTV at the same time we bought the two Vikings, after two new motors he traded off his AC for another new arctic cat (with some factory assistance), he is having problems with the new AC too. I wished I could support Polaris or AC, they are American made!

[Wacenturion]

Bearpaw, I second the Yamaha choice.   I too have a 2016 Yamaha Viking VI Ranch.  Love it.  Wanted a crew type as it handles family and friends better than a two or three seater on my property.  Researched and then spent time driving a fairly new Polaris crew and comparing to the Yamaha Viking VI.  Obviously I went for not only the Yamaha reliability but also the noticable smoothness and comfort in the field.

Buckrub.... A good used newer Rhino as Bearpaw suggested would be an excellent choice.

[bearpaw]

Bearpaw, I second the Yamaha choice.   I too have a 2016 Yamaha Viking VI Ranch.  Love it.  Wanted a crew type as it handles family and friends better than a two or three seater on my property.  Researched and then spent time driving a fairly new Polaris crew and comparing to the Yamaha Viking VI.  Obviously I went for not only the Yamaha reliability but also the noticable smoothness and comfort in the field.

Buckrub.... A good used newer Rhino as Bearpaw suggested would be an excellent choice.

Same exact machine that we bought, so far both of them are incredibly reliable. Last year I had a whole 6x6 bull elk (cut in half) in the box with 4 people riding, it had no trouble handling it at 9000 foot elevations. I've also had 6 riders on numerous occasions while hunting or recreating. I do wished it had a little more motor when heavily loaded, a 1000 would be awesome! My son has already worn out the original tires on his, he uses it all the time.

[Buck Rub Jr]

You guys are great I really appreciate all of this info. It helps a ton.

[bearpaw]

You guys are great I really appreciate all of this info. It helps a ton.

A guy on here named campmeat can tell you about the CanAms (skidoo UTV's), they are very reliable and powerful, but more spendy.

[Happy Gilmore]

I just got a Honda 1000 5s. Haven't gotten to use it a whole lot to comment much but, compared to Rangers I've used it rides a lot nicer and is very powerful. Price range isn't close though...

My buddy has a nearly fully restored snow machine with an inline 6, 4 speed and cat driver. It could seat 7. It has been restored professionally. He is interested in selling it. It's around that price range.

Located in South Cle Elum. Can drive by and look at it. Can't remember his street but, about four blocks deep into south Cle elum and take a right. It's parked in front of his house. Bright red. Can't miss it.

[Happy Gilmore]

I just got a Honda 1000 5s. Haven't gotten to use it a whole lot to comment much but, compared to Rangers I've used it rides a lot nicer and is very powerful. Price range isn't close though...

My buddy has a nearly fully restored snow machine with an inline 6, 4 speed and cat driver. It could seat 7. It has been restored professionally. He is interested in selling it. It's around that price range.

Located in South Cle Elum. Can drive by and look at it.

Also,from a reliability standpoint, its a no brainer. It's all Ford econoline parts and super easy to work on yourself. It's a riot to drive.

[Shannon]

I think its like Ford verses Chevy verses Dodge. I swear by Ford just like I swear by Polaris. I have had a bunch of Polaris' and never had a problem. All my friends have Polaris and we all swear by them. I had one Yamaha and had lots of problems. Maybe I got a lemon but I have never had a lemon that was a Polaris.

[Happy Gilmore]

My friends who are professional dog trainers have two Polaris and one mule. All have over 2,000 hours and have had no issues. I've used theirs a lot. The mule holds its name sake as it rides like a mule kicks. The rangers are nicer. I took my new Honda up and we rode them around. It's not much of a comparison. I'm very happy with the 1000. Will check back in next year after it gets some hours everyday in the desert. I'm heading south for a few months to train dogs and will be on it all day every day.

[Buck Rub Jr]

How do they handle in lighter snow without tracks? I'm not sure if there will be a lot of snow up there this coming weekend, possibly get up there this weekend without tracks then have tracks put on for later in the year?

[Boss .300 winmag]

How do they handle in lighter snow without tracks? I'm not sure if there will be a lot of snow up there this coming weekend, possibly get up there this weekend without tracks then have tracks put on for later in the year?

What did you get?