Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: kball4 on November 27, 2023, 04:30:01 PM

Title: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 27, 2023, 04:30:01 PM: I'm gonna be getting a side by side and have narrowed it down to 3. Polaris Ranger the OJ of SxS, Can-Am Defender and Kawasaki Mule. All are around $17k-$19k. Had Honda Pioneer 1000 on the list but they are even more $. All listed as 1000cc, crew cab, not interested in fancy doors or heat/ac.
Which would you recommend.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: dreamingbig on November 27, 2023, 04:31:31 PM: I would go with the Kawasaki mule or the Honda Pioneer 700-4. I have the Honda but both work.

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Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 27, 2023, 04:44:45 PM: From the reviews I’ve read the Mule seems to be pretty reliable.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: millerwheeler on November 27, 2023, 04:59:31 PM: Defender with a few mods would fit the bill
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: knh on November 27, 2023, 05:14:47 PM: The new Polaris Xpedition!! GREAT machine!
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: jrebel on November 27, 2023, 05:20:02 PM: Honda pioneer 1000-5....you won't regret it. Amazing machines that will do anything. My only complaint....and it is a small one....is the angle of the gas pedal. If you are wearing stiff boots, it can cause your ankle to be sore after a full day of driving. A piece of 2x6 under your heal will help. Mine is a 2016 so this may have been fixed in the newer models.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: lewy on November 27, 2023, 05:25:18 PM: I have the ranger and its been great, my dad has the mule and its a real work horse but its to slow for me, perfect for him lol. No experience with the honda's.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: huntandjeep on November 27, 2023, 05:26:56 PM: Quote from: knh on November 27, 2023, 05:14:47 PM
The new Polaris Xpedition!! GREAT machine!
Not happening for 17-19K . I would go Can Am Defender ( actually I went Polaris General XP4 ) . But you said you didn't need fancy doors :chuckle: , and probably would have to be an older used model to stay under 20k
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: CarbonHunter on November 27, 2023, 05:32:34 PM: I like my Ranger but I hear a lot of good things about the Honda especially around the transmission compared to other manufacturers. I definitely like the layout of the Ranger over the rest however.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: GWP on November 27, 2023, 05:51:29 PM: Sent a PM.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 27, 2023, 06:16:59 PM: I know the 2024 Mule HP has been increased since it uses the same 1000cc as the Teryx.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Timberstalker on November 27, 2023, 07:09:00 PM: The KIOTI K9 has been awesome for us. Bare stock machine.
Diesel. Sips fuel, has been easy to perform maintenance on.
Solid built machine and we use and abuse it on the regular.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Timberstalker on November 27, 2023, 07:10:09 PM: https://www.kioti.com/products/utility-vehicles/k9-2400/
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 27, 2023, 08:39:07 PM: I looked at a couple diesel options but they top out at like 35 mph. Since manufactures have to keep them under 25hp as to not have DPF.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Twispriver on November 27, 2023, 08:58:55 PM: When I bought mine it was just for farm work and I looked at the Honda, Polaris and Kawasaki and any one of them would have worked for what I wanted. At that time (2019) Polaris offered a six-month warranty, Honda was one year and Kawasaki was three years. The Polaris was the highest price followed by Honda with the Kawasaki being slightly less. For us it was between the Honda and the Mule and my wife liked driving the Mule the best so that's what we settled on and have been very happy with it.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: millerwheeler on November 27, 2023, 09:17:04 PM: Quote from: Timberstalker on November 27, 2023, 07:09:00 PM
The KIOTI K9 has been awesome for us. Bare stock machine.
Diesel. Sips fuel, has been easy to perform maintenance on.
Solid built machine and we use and abuse it on the regular.

Good luck getting a part while on a trip locally , stick with name brand people
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: huntnnw on November 27, 2023, 10:28:19 PM: I have a 21 ranger 1000. I have 0 complaints as I use it a ton around the house and take it hunting. Do not buy a plastic front windshield. You wil regret it down the road as it will get scratched and foggy looking, Spend the money on glass
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Come Get Some on November 27, 2023, 10:45:29 PM: I have the kubota diesel 1140 model. Not fast but doesnt use any fuel. Got the 4 seater with dump bed, winch,4ft light bar ,heater, windshield wiper, mirrors and blinkers. Less than the gator by far. 4 wheel lockers and gun rack. Goes forever on a tank of fuel. Been a great rig. Also has a trailer hitch and can haul a 3500 lb trailer. Also has a PTO at the rear. Wouldnt trade it for any other rig. Dont need speed on the farm
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 28, 2023, 01:02:41 AM: Quote from: jrebel on November 27, 2023, 05:20:02 PM
Honda pioneer 1000-5....you won't regret it. Amazing machines that will do anything. My only complaint....and it is a small one....is the angle of the gas pedal. If you are wearing stiff boots, it can cause your ankle to be sore after a full day of driving. A piece of 2x6 under your heal will help. Mine is a 2016 so this may have been fixed in the newer models.

Not to mention that the transmission is a cat geared and not a rubber band.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: metlhead on November 28, 2023, 02:41:49 AM: My experience with a SxS for real farm work was less than stellar. Got rid of ours within 8 months. Realized for the bill we were paying, the thing just didn't haul very much at all and I was wasting a lot of time doing the back and forth.Also, being cheap, didn't opt for enclosure option. Winter wasn't enjoyable. Found an older Nissan pickup for $900. Fully enclosed and heated, can load nearly a ton of cut timber, road legal to refuel once every month, and no bill! So, a SxS just didn't fit my farm needs. Hunting/play is very different, no excuses needed for fun.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: jeffro on November 28, 2023, 04:42:49 AM: Mine says Chevrolet
And it seats at least 2x2x2x2
Plus heated leather seats
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Timberstalker on November 28, 2023, 04:49:05 AM: Quote from: millerwheeler on November 27, 2023, 09:17:04 PM
Quote from: Timberstalker on November 27, 2023, 07:09:00 PM
The KIOTI K9 has been awesome for us. Bare stock machine.
Diesel. Sips fuel, has been easy to perform maintenance on.
Solid built machine and we use and abuse it on the regular.

Good luck getting a part while on a trip locally , stick with name brand people

With dealers on both sides of the state, parts have been easy to obtain.
:tup:
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 06:52:13 AM: Quote from: jrebel on November 27, 2023, 05:20:02 PM
Honda pioneer 1000-5....you won't regret it. Amazing machines that will do anything. My only complaint....and it is a small one....is the angle of the gas pedal. If you are wearing stiff boots, it can cause your ankle to be sore after a full day of driving. A piece of 2x6 under your heal will help. Mine is a 2016 so this may have been fixed in the newer models.
I looked at the 1000-5 but the rear seat to me seems like a gimmick and what ever you put in the bed falls down in the cracks where the seats lay down. On the plus side it's by far the shortest wheel base of any 2 row SxS.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: jrebel on November 28, 2023, 07:22:16 AM: Quote from: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 06:52:13 AM
Quote from: jrebel on November 27, 2023, 05:20:02 PM
Honda pioneer 1000-5....you won't regret it. Amazing machines that will do anything. My only complaint....and it is a small one....is the angle of the gas pedal. If you are wearing stiff boots, it can cause your ankle to be sore after a full day of driving. A piece of 2x6 under your heal will help. Mine is a 2016 so this may have been fixed in the newer models.
I looked at the 1000-5 but the rear seat to me seems like a gimmick and what ever you put in the bed falls down in the cracks where the seats lay down. On the plus side it's by far the shortest wheel base of any 2 row SxS.

Oddly enough...the back seats are very comfortable. I don't ride back there much....but I have tried them out on rides and they are not an issue. I am 6 foot tall and 270 lbs. The problem for tall or bigger folks is getting in and out of them.....that can be a little bit of a pain. Kids fit back there and love them.

As for the stuff falling down through the cracks....this can be an issue and it will happen. If you are worried about it and will be using the dump bed a lot on the farm, you will have to buy the bed liner that slides in. It's not crazy expensive and will fix this problem. It goes in and out super easy so you just take it out when you want more riders. I just use a $10 tarp, but I also don't put a ton of stuff in the back that would be a problem. If I throw a deer in the back and blood leaks everywhere....I just lift the bed and hose it out when I'm done....seats and everything.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Alchase on November 28, 2023, 07:29:28 AM: Most of the large farms here use the long bed UTVs like the John Deere Gator and long bed Honda, and others, not the sporty short bed SxSs.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 07:58:19 AM: Quote from: Alchase on November 28, 2023, 07:29:28 AM
Most of the large farms here use the long bed UTVs like the John Deere Gator and long bed Honda, and others, not the sporty short bed SxSs.
I might be in the minority now but I'm still using 2 string bales, so I don't need huge bed space but do need 4 seats.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Alchase on November 28, 2023, 08:38:20 AM: Quote from: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 07:58:19 AM
Quote from: Alchase on November 28, 2023, 07:29:28 AM
Most of the large farms here use the long bed UTVs like the John Deere Gator and long bed Honda, and others, not the sporty short bed SxSs.
I might be in the minority now but I'm still using 2 string bales, so I don't need huge bed space but do need 4 seats.

:tup:
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: TheProjEng on November 28, 2023, 10:16:04 AM: I would recommend looking around for a used Polaris General model year 2020-2022.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: ACCUBOND on November 28, 2023, 10:24:15 AM: I have been doing a bunch of research on this also lately. I got it down to the Honda 1000–5 trail. One of the most quiet and top couple for turn radius. ( some are terrible). Adjustable shocks for work or play with a switch. I don’t like the rear cage but I would take it off. Then u have the dump box but could still use the seats if needed, and put the rear cage back on. It’s only 10 bolts. I would fab something onto the front cage so I could have a full roof. Real transmission and no belt. Paddle shifter or automatic. Don’t have to run as high RPM’s with transmission and can use gears to be even more quiet. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 11:07:49 AM: Quote from: TheProjEng on November 28, 2023, 10:16:04 AM
I would recommend looking around for a used Polaris General model year 2020-2022.
I took bucket seat SxS off my list because of the ease of a bench seat for hoping in and out. But, if that's not the case I could look at the general too.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: 2MANY on November 28, 2023, 12:18:41 PM: Owned the pioneer 1000-5, 2017.
Own a 2023 Can-Am Defender now.
If you want all the info shoot me a pm with a phone number and I will tell you what I know.
Not a long typing type.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: deerlick on November 28, 2023, 01:29:18 PM: i run a yamaha wolverine x2 850. had a rhino before that. both are so much more comfortable to ride in then the honda pioneer 5 seater my buddy has. that thing rides like an empty superduty in the woods.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: jrebel on November 28, 2023, 02:15:46 PM: With all the rigs people own on this forum…..I can’t imagine someone looking to buy, couldn’t arrange to test a few out on a farm. The only way to truly know if you like a machine is to drive one.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: b23 on November 28, 2023, 05:48:36 PM: Quote from: kball4 on November 28, 2023, 06:52:13 AM
I looked at the 1000-5 but the rear seat to me seems like a gimmick and what ever you put in the bed falls down in the cracks where the seats lay down. On the plus side it's by far the shortest wheel base of any 2 row SxS.

My dad has the Honda 1000-5 and like most things Honda it's a good machine but I agree with you the rear seats are almost a novelty add on item and more designed for children. The rear seat location is just odd for adults. There's a lot of reasons I'd recommend the Pioneer 1000 but if someone wanted a true four passenger SxS it is not one I would recommend.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: spin05 on November 29, 2023, 12:53:18 AM: I bought a 2023 kawasaki mule pro-mx. They are excellent. Polaris has had alot of fires in past. not sure its been rectified.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Russ McDonald on November 29, 2023, 03:45:05 AM: I have priced out between A Honda Pioneer 1000 and a Polaris Ranger. Honda is cheaper. Pesonally, I would stay away from Polaris. This is coming from someone who grew up around them. To many issues going on around those machines I keep reading about. I have a Honda Pioneer 1000-3 LE. Love it. The best thing is no belt to worry about. I did hear that Can Am and Kawasaki have or are going away from belt drive.

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Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: huntandjeep on November 29, 2023, 11:09:30 AM: Quote from: spin05 on November 29, 2023, 12:53:18 AM
I bought a 2023 kawasaki mule pro-mx. They are excellent. Polaris has had alot of fires in past. not sure its been rectified.
Polaris had alot of fires in the past , because people are idiots and keep a fuel can above the smoking hot exhaust
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: kball4 on November 29, 2023, 11:24:40 AM: This seems to be the right time to buy. Polaris is discounting 23 models $2k off MSRP same with Can-am. Honda doesn't seem to be discounting any 23 models.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: cowlitz77 on November 29, 2023, 12:09:02 PM: Another vote for Honda--better transmission hands down.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: bigdub257 on November 29, 2023, 02:03:08 PM: Quote from: cowlitz77 on November 29, 2023, 12:09:02 PM
Another vote for Honda--better transmission hands down.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: 300rum on November 29, 2023, 02:33:47 PM: It would be really hard for me to buy anything but a Honda. They aren't the most flashy machines by far but they just run and run.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: CarbonHunter on November 29, 2023, 07:26:36 PM: Keep in mind if you plan on driving it on the road you cannot get street legal kits for the gator or kubota as I understand it.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: elkaholic123 on November 29, 2023, 08:03:19 PM: Can you purchase a Honda with full enclosed cab with heat/ac, wipers? From factory? Or is it all aftermarket?
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 29, 2023, 09:25:20 PM: Quote from: elkaholic123 on November 29, 2023, 08:03:19 PM
Can you purchase a Honda with full enclosed cab with heat/ac, wipers? From factory? Or is it all aftermarket?

I'd guess you can get almost anything installed. Just depends on how fat your wallet is.

As we get more mature and our mobility becomes harder to crawl into the roll cage of a Polaris the Honda will become more attractive.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: highside74 on November 29, 2023, 09:32:06 PM: Quote from: elkaholic123 on November 29, 2023, 08:03:19 PM
Can you purchase a Honda with full enclosed cab with heat/ac, wipers? From factory? Or is it all aftermarket?

I believe South Bound Honda has Pioneer 1000 with a roof and windshield in stock you can see it online.

They can add the other stuff without trouble it's only money :chuckle:

https://www.southboundmotorsports.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=14592663&p=1&make=honda&s=(Sort%20By)&d=D&vt=utility%20vehicle&fr=xallinventory
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: knh on November 30, 2023, 08:11:05 AM: Huge step up in price for a fully loaded machine with EVERYTHING from the factory over base and mid level machines from any manufacturer... BUT if you actually price out parts to upgrade and pay some labor for installing aftermarket you will NOT save over factory installed...... Just my experience! I just purchased a fully loaded machine and ordered some xtra lighting and an HD bumper which are both on backorder with unknown eta, and other lights that are in stock have the harnesses on backorder so if you can just get it already FACTORY installed, you will be WAY ahead in cost and headache, no matter the machine! :twocents:
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 30, 2023, 09:00:12 AM: For hunting my can-am hd 10 unlimited seats 6, heat/ac wipers/washers electric windows goes anywhere no problems so far 3 seasons. No belt issues yet but hear they are going beltless soon and electric of course.

Street legal setup was easy, licensed in MT for use on usfs there.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: vandeman17 on November 30, 2023, 09:11:41 AM: I just grabbed a CFMoto Uforce here this fall. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but so far, its pretty nice and also affordable compared to some of the other "big name" makes.
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: dreamingbig on December 01, 2023, 03:11:22 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231201/752b6095bbc3bc68955e26b3a86f3460.jpg)
My wimpy Honda 700-4 got us everywhere we needed to go this year. Aside from river crossings. Need a snorkel!

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Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 01, 2023, 04:28:39 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on November 30, 2023, 09:11:41 AM
I just grabbed a CFMoto Uforce here this fall. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but so far, its pretty nice and also affordable compared to some of the other "big name" makes.

Which one?
Title: Re: Best SxS for farming and hunting
Post by: vandeman17 on December 01, 2023, 04:32:37 PM: Quote from: Boss .300 winmag on December 01, 2023, 04:28:39 PM
Quote from: vandeman17 on November 30, 2023, 09:11:41 AM
I just grabbed a CFMoto Uforce here this fall. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but so far, its pretty nice and also affordable compared to some of the other "big name" makes.

Which one?

U Force 800. Bought it right before a trip to Idaho and we put about 75 miles on it there. Its my first side by side and overall I liked it