50 inch SXS and Tracks?

[luvmystang67]

I'm trying to decide which SXS model to get.  I'm really tying to optimize function for myself.  This really isn't about joyriding.

My thought is that I can drive my truck on any open forest road, with the kids, and its pretty easy to get from point A to point B.  The times this breaks down is on dedicated quad roads, and in the winter.  So I kind of back myself into a 50" sxs for access to 50" roads on private timber land in Idaho and some national forest land.  Additionally, I'd like something powerful enough to put tracks on so that I can get out during the 6 months of snow and enjoy the national forests.  I have two young kids and my wife probably won't really want to come.  I'm also a cheap SOB.

It seems like the only two things that are powerful enough to pull tracks at any kind of reasonable speed are the RZR 900 Trail, or the Maverick 1000 trail.  The RZR Trail S models (in 900 or 1000) are actually 60" units, and while they can be converted to 50" units, that is expensive and a little dumb when you can just buy a regular trail.  The only real advantage would be you could buy a RZR 1000 Trail S, convert it to a 50" unit, and have the larger engine, which doesn't seem to be available in any RZR 50" model, which might be a lot nicer for the tracks.  I see that some places sell a bench seat for these units, which might be nice for hauling the kids around.  My high level assumption is that something like the Honda 500/520 in 50" is really not going to have the power I need to pull tracks and travel over 5mph.  I wish they put their 1000 engine in a 50" model and then I'd go that way.

Am I missing anything big here?  Suggestions/thoughts?  Should I just buy a used RZR 900 trail and be done with it and use it until I outgrow it?

[elkslayer069]

I have a 60” 1000s with around 9,000 miles on it and have never been hassled with the 50” rule in Idaho. A lot of ground i hunt got “locked up” a few years ago and no one follows the new road rules. Which drives me crazy when i park and walk in ground  that’s supposed to be closed to everything. I imagine in the next 5 years all of that ground will be closed to everything motorized. I don’t think id want a 50” rzr. I know I would’ve tipped a 50” by now just trail riding. If your wife and kids wont be going in the winter id think you could buy 2 pretty nice used 4 stroke sleds with reverse for the price of tracks. 

[Feathernfurr]

Tracked SXS get wide. USFS has been cracking down in Idaho and installing width restriction gates at the entrances to lots of trails to combat the 64” and 72” machines that’s have been creating a lot of trail damage. Depending on what you can find I’m always a vote for Canam over Polaris. Their product really is superior in many ways. Regardless of the route you go, a machine on tracks is going to be pretty restricted in where you can legally take it.

[follow maggie]

Is being restricted on where you can go with a tracked machine because the tracks make it too wide? Or are they not good in the mountains?

[Feathernfurr]

Tracks make it too wide. A capable tracked machine can physically go some crazy places. If you get it stuck, you can count on it being there until the snow melts or you get access to a second tracked machine 😂

[luvmystang67]

For me it breaks down a bit like this.  I'm trying to physically get everywhere I can, in every season, as comfortably possible, with a 3 year old.

1) Normal open roads in summer-like conditions - taking the truck
2) Normaly <50" roads in summer like conditions - looking for a <50" vehicle that my 3 year old, and maybe eventually 10 month old, can tag along when ready.
3) Winter, standard roads, without width restriction - looking for something powerful enough for tracks.

I think the RZR 900 trail might be the best choice.  I wish they made the 1000 in 50".  Or I could just buy the 1000 S and see what gates and I sneak around and risk the ticket and expulsion from private timber lands with those restrictions.  I'm kind of an anxious person, and I really prefer not to break the rules, so the 1000S is probably a bad choice.  I did see one person convert a 1000S to a 1000 Trail by taking 900 trail axles, sway bars, and shocks and swapping them out for the larger engine package in a 50" stance.

I'm NOT a performance rider.  I'm a "get you there" rider.  But I'm also not patient enough for 10mph in the snow.

[JBar]

I have a RZR trail 900 as do some friends. They run tracks and have no power issues. I have never used the power potential of our machine doing exactly as you describe. I’ve gone around 50” restricted gates in idaho that probably shouldn’t allow even a narrow quad. Have to hug the gate and leave tire marks. We don’t have young kids but you can get a center seat for the littlest but the problem will be he’ll grow out of it quick!

[Mudman]

Went from quads to utv years ago.  Had a rzr900 trail.  Liked it but it was quite bad in some ways.  I tipped it over several times low speed and was surprised it tipped.  NOT cool.  It is big enough but very cramped with 2 adults.  No room for gear except in back.  Power speed is very good.  Suspension decent.  Handles well enough.  Little thirsty but not bad.  Not super loud.  Dusty as heck.  Used it in Id 50" stuff and it was good.  I sold it and went full size utv.  Thank God! I would do quad for 50" stuff next time.  Grizzly or Kodiak 700?  Brute Force maybe.  Full size sxs is best and personally 4 seaters are the best.  Better ride, better handling, better comfort and many times better offroading.   Currently running KRX 35" tire 4 seat and Defender crew lonestar.  Love em both for specific uses.  Cabbed up is awesome.  Heat comfort music 4-6 people all tools and gear etc.  Sleep in it maybe if far out?

[kselkhunter]

I'm also in the market for 50" trail model SxS. As I have the Diamondback HD cover on my truck and can fit a trail model up there.  Currently put the fiancee's Grizzly ATV up there but want to switch to trail size SxS.

I've test driven the RZR and CanAm 50" models, again two weeks ago.  I prefer the RZR.

I'm leaning to the RZR Trail Ultimate model.  And also want to put tracks on it in the winter for Idaho trails.  From what I'm seeing it's a 50" width with 875cc 75hp engine.  Is that not enough power for tracks?

[Mudman]

Tracks are geared down so yeah most engines can operate fine.  I think some you can get multiple gear ratios as well.  RZR trail 900 has plenty power.  Remember your top speed is lot lower with tracks and you can always run low range in utv.  I will point out the rzr 4x4 system is good but can am visco lok front dif isnt.  I would not run can am with tracks personally.  Thes little 900's run with full size XP 1000.  Plenty fast.  70mph+.  Tune it if ya want.

[actionshooter]

 I don't know about the 50" models, but figure on a full size there is more than enough power with a RZR 1000,  your top speed is about half and the fuel use is about double..  BUT you can go almost anywhere, until you can't.... then you wait for the snow to melt. 

[Happy Gilmore]

Tracks suck a lot of power. Narrow machines tip really easy. Buy a cheap sled for snow. Save money. Way safer and more reliable

[bearpaw]

Tracks suck a lot of power. Narrow machines tip really easy. Buy a cheap sled for snow. Save money. Way safer and more reliable

  and a snowmobile is a lot faster than tracks and they go better in deeper snow. For the same price as the tracks you can find a very good used snowmobile. I have tracks and snowmobiles, I use the snowmobiles way more often.

[Caseknife]

RZR 900's handle tracks just fine, not tippy at all especially with tracks.  They are a bit cramped for two adults and when tracked up stuff in the back has to be sealed up to stay dry and not a lot of room in the back.  Track systems are about a 40% gear reduction, you will go through a tank of fuel in about 60 miles.  Definitely need upper doors, heater and wiper system.  Can put in little center seat for tykes, but will drastically impede arm movement for the driver.

[luvmystang67]

On the sleds vs tracks debate, I totally get it, but I'm trying to take my tots out with me.  I don't really feel comfortable hauling them in a snowmobile trailer, and I really dont want them between my legs or behind me.  This is not really intended to be a "play in the snow" rig, its more a "get outside with the kids in the winter months" rig.

My buddy has a japanese mini truck, which is 52", and also a bit cramped, but we aren't big people and I'm kind of used to it.  I'd be going that way, except that with the manual transmission and the low power, that thing on tracks really isn't very practical.  Its not really possible to shift gears with a manual transmission and maintain momentum at low speeds and then get back to the necessary power band.  Honestly, a kei truck with a CVT transmission would make a lot more sense for trying to run tracks.  Without tracks that thing does great, but I'm hoping to find something that I can lock the kids down in and still get out in the snow, while finding an additional use case behind the gates.  I think from the sounds of it the RZR 900 is probably the ticket for someone like me who is trying to cost optimize.