My 1st post, so don't tear me up too bad!!
In the past two weeks I have test drove the following 4 UTV's at dealers:
Polaris 900XP Browning Edition (2014 model)
Kawasaki Teryx4 (2013 model)
Honda Pioneer4
and Yamaha Viking (non EPS version with 27" tires)
These rides were brief sprints on grass or parking lots and did not include any hill climbs, mud bogs, or lengthy rides.
I really want to like the Viking as I like most of the new innovations that Yamaha has added. Without the EPS it was difficult to steer at any of the lower speeds, and was noticeably noiser than all of the others, at idle and under throttle.
I wonder if the Viking has the engine isolated from the frame with rubber bushings like Polaris has, could that be why it is noisier? Clutch engagement was good at low speed. I like the seating arrangement for my purposes and was impressed with the overall looks of the vehicle. Very polished and seemed to be well constructed. The bed is awesome with the full steel liner. Plastic tailgate maybe a problem for some though. This is a very agressive looking vehicle!!
I think the Honda Pioneer4 is going to be popular with the strictly utility crowd, it was very quiet compared to all of the others, steering was good even without EPS. Fit and finish were very good and the price point on these new units are very good. It may have limited trail capabilities (waiting to hear feedback on trail usage) but it is a very refined vehicle none the less. This unit has a single cylinder smaller engine like the Viking but is quieter by a bunch and drove well. The transmission up shifted well under full acceleration with no lag in shifting, I was impressed with that. I own a Honda car and it felt a lot like that kind of a feeling when driving it.
The Teryx4 I drove was the 2013 model without the eninge boost that the 2014 model got. Performance was good and wasn't too noisy. I liked the placement for 4 passengers and the general performance level compared with a Polaris Crew that just seems like a big barge. I understand from the Forums that this model has a big problem with hot seats like the 800 Polaris tended to have. The small bed is a big disadvantage for utility purposes though. I do like the 4 place arrangement in a short wheelbase vehicle, it adds some performance to hauling around 4 people.
The Polaris 900 XP is the gold standard for comparisons right now with the high level of technology that they have brought to the side by side game. It had great straight line performance and was very quiet at idle and under full throttle all you could hear was the engine noise and no perceived driveline noise. This was the Browning Edition with EPS and steering was very easy. I do dislike the clutch engagement like so many others mention with the Polaris. To bad we couldn't take the Yamaha Ultramatic clutch and put it on the Polaris!!
I have not made a decision on any of these for a purchase, but feel right now that these 4 represent the ones that I would make a choice from if I were ready to take the plunge. I currently do not own a side by side, nor have I previously owned one.
I would be using the UTV primarily for utility purposes around the farm and some field cruising when possible. Very limited actual trail riding although I would like to try it out someday. I would want a side by side with at least some trail capabilities to cover future possibilities.
Gary
In the past two weeks I have test drove the following 4 UTV's at dealers:
Polaris 900XP Browning Edition (2014 model)
Kawasaki Teryx4 (2013 model)
Honda Pioneer4
and Yamaha Viking (non EPS version with 27" tires)
These rides were brief sprints on grass or parking lots and did not include any hill climbs, mud bogs, or lengthy rides.
I really want to like the Viking as I like most of the new innovations that Yamaha has added. Without the EPS it was difficult to steer at any of the lower speeds, and was noticeably noiser than all of the others, at idle and under throttle.
I wonder if the Viking has the engine isolated from the frame with rubber bushings like Polaris has, could that be why it is noisier? Clutch engagement was good at low speed. I like the seating arrangement for my purposes and was impressed with the overall looks of the vehicle. Very polished and seemed to be well constructed. The bed is awesome with the full steel liner. Plastic tailgate maybe a problem for some though. This is a very agressive looking vehicle!!
I think the Honda Pioneer4 is going to be popular with the strictly utility crowd, it was very quiet compared to all of the others, steering was good even without EPS. Fit and finish were very good and the price point on these new units are very good. It may have limited trail capabilities (waiting to hear feedback on trail usage) but it is a very refined vehicle none the less. This unit has a single cylinder smaller engine like the Viking but is quieter by a bunch and drove well. The transmission up shifted well under full acceleration with no lag in shifting, I was impressed with that. I own a Honda car and it felt a lot like that kind of a feeling when driving it.
The Teryx4 I drove was the 2013 model without the eninge boost that the 2014 model got. Performance was good and wasn't too noisy. I liked the placement for 4 passengers and the general performance level compared with a Polaris Crew that just seems like a big barge. I understand from the Forums that this model has a big problem with hot seats like the 800 Polaris tended to have. The small bed is a big disadvantage for utility purposes though. I do like the 4 place arrangement in a short wheelbase vehicle, it adds some performance to hauling around 4 people.
The Polaris 900 XP is the gold standard for comparisons right now with the high level of technology that they have brought to the side by side game. It had great straight line performance and was very quiet at idle and under full throttle all you could hear was the engine noise and no perceived driveline noise. This was the Browning Edition with EPS and steering was very easy. I do dislike the clutch engagement like so many others mention with the Polaris. To bad we couldn't take the Yamaha Ultramatic clutch and put it on the Polaris!!
I have not made a decision on any of these for a purchase, but feel right now that these 4 represent the ones that I would make a choice from if I were ready to take the plunge. I currently do not own a side by side, nor have I previously owned one.
I would be using the UTV primarily for utility purposes around the farm and some field cruising when possible. Very limited actual trail riding although I would like to try it out someday. I would want a side by side with at least some trail capabilities to cover future possibilities.
Gary