Side by sides / Offroading

[Mister Bevilaqua]

I’m wrestling with the same decisions. I still have my jeep, but I’ve reached the age where it makes sense to get rid of my bigger motorcycles. My balance and reaction speed just aren’t what they used to be.

I recently spent some time running side-by-sides on a buddy’s ranch. They have come a LONG way since the days of my old Kawasaki Mule and, more recently, Polaris Ranger 900. They are incredibly capable. I’m leaning hard toward Honda because 1) It’s a Honda, and I have owned Honda motorcycles, outboards, generators, and cars since the early 70s, and they have ALL been bulletproof, and 2) They have actual gear-on-gear transmissions and a time-tested engine. My struggle is deciding between the amazing suspension of the Honda Talon and the hunting/utility capability of the Honda Pioneer 1000-5. (The Talon is ridiculous fun to drive. It runs over stuff at 10-15 mph that I have to crawl through in the jeep, and it’s doesn’t kick your ass. It’s also much harder to get stuck, but there’s nowhere for my dog to ride, there’s no trailer hitch, it won’t carry an elk, and it’s hard to rig to plow snow. Pioneer will probably win out — and then I’ll have to spend money on suspension, tires, plow, and 100 other things.

I don’t have any intention of doing this, but this video shows some of the water antics people do with Talons.

Talon snorkeling

My gripe with geared transmissions versus cvt's is cost. a belt is a lot cheaper than a whole transmissions and anecdotally the yzx and talon trans have give up ghosts under hard abuse which is i think what most people expect these things to handle.

jeep on the other hand, lockers, 40's, 3.5" lift, some lights and a winch and onboard air and you can take on anything. even in the 3.6. a JLUR with a cummins 4BT and 1 ton's would be phenomenal

sxs are great for fast paced stuff or narrow trails. i can go through my local course around 60mph where as in the jeep i'd be going 35-40 tops but it's all in the travel and valving. the confidence to go almost anywhere, in comfort is what i liked best about the jeep. easy to park, women love them. the only people who talk to me about the super duty or sxs are dudes haha.

Be careful with the Honda transmissions, they have yet to figure out how to keep them from eating clutches.

 

[Camarox2]

Picked up this bad boy 3 weeks ago, added side mirrors, street-legal kit.

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Very nice, those are pretty sweet.

 

[Whaler27]

Be careful with the Honda transmissions, they have yet to figure out how to keep them from eating clutches.

I have limited experience with them. Much more personal experience with Polaris and Kawasaki, but the Hondas on my buddy’s ranch get worked and played hard, with lots of different people driving them. They have yet to brake one. I know the Polaris belts fail, and I have more faith in the reliability of Honda powertrains, particularly the proven engine from the Africa Twin, which has been close to bulletproof.

I’m sure the Hondas occasionally experience mechanical failures of various kinds. Every vehicle does — but as the video I linked demonstrates, the world is full of people doing stupid things with them and, often, failing to maintain them appropriately. On balance, I suspect the Honda units have a better warranty/repair/durability record.

I wish there was a reliable, unbiased, database that reported incidence of warranty claims and mechanical failures in the context of the use and maintenance the failed vehicles received. We’ll never see such a thing, of course. Instead, we find a sea of opinions from all kinds of folks, including those who abuse UTVs like idiots and then fail to properly maintain them. We see the same problem with reports on tire performance, a huge percentage of which are just wrong.

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

I have limited experience with them. Much more personal experience with Polaris and Kawasaki, but the Hondas on my buddy’s ranch get worked and played hard, with lots of different people driving them. They have yet to brake one. I know the Polaris belts fail, and I have more faith in the reliability of Honda powertrains, particularly the proven engine from the Africa Twin, which has been close to bulletproof.

I’m sure the Hondas occasionally experience mechanical failures of various kinds. Every vehicle does — but as the video I linked demonstrates, the world is full of people doing stupid things with them and, often, failing to maintain them appropriately. On balance, I suspect the Honda units have a better warranty/repair/durability record.

I wish there was a reliable, unbiased, database that reported incidence of warranty claims and mechanical failures in the context of the use and maintenance the failed vehicles received. We’ll never see such a thing, of course. Instead, we find a sea of opinions from all kinds of folks, including those who abuse UTVs like idiots and then fail to properly maintain them. We see the same problem with reports on tire performance, a huge percentage of which are just wrong.

I have two buddies who guide for a living, both went through multiple Honda’s trying get them to be as reliable and they simply weren’t solely because of the clutch. I’m a Honda fan when it comes to two wheels but they simply aren’t it in the SxS world. There’s a much smaller percentage of Honda SxS’s out there in comparison to literally any other major manufacturer and while a belt can break, they are much cheaper and easier to repair. Often times it’s a simple trail side repair if you keep a spare where the Honda is a full on tow it to the dealer affair.

You do you, I’m just giving you a heads up on real world feedback from guys who worked them hard for a living.

 

[majorbison]

kawi reliability is unparalelled


the og land cruiser of sxs

 

[majorbison]

Long story short - came across a downed enduro rider in the desert. Hand completely missing, severe trauma to his abdomen, face, inner thighs. Personal effects scattered everywhere, some sort of aftermarket Glock 19, Gerber fixed blade, high cut tactical helmet and PVS14's that were obliterated. His bike had metal handlebar guards that are notorious for maiming people who go over the bars. Seemed straight forward.

My partner and I assumed he just wrecked real bad while riding with NOD's. We got him stabilized as best we could and Mercy Air got to us within an hour and a half or so. 0130 or so next morning I get a phone call from a detective asking if we knew what he was up to...apparently dude was making some homemade explosives and accidentally set one off. Likely using the bike seat as a work space considering where the injuries were on his body.

I hope dude wasn't planning to place an IED for someone to run over, hopefully just a nerd larping as a Seal or something. In any case it reminded me of lessons I've long forgotten, carry multiple tourniquets and other first aid shit and ALWAYS asses the scene before you help someone.

Here's me trying unsuccessfully to keep his wounds from getting packed with debris from the rotor wash. What a strange weekend lol.

 

[MVI]

Long story short - came across a downed enduro rider in the desert. Hand completely missing, severe trauma to his abdomen, face, inner thighs. Personal effects scattered everywhere, some sort of aftermarket Glock 19, Gerber fixed blade, high cut tactical helmet and PVS14's that were obliterated. His bike had metal handlebar guards that are notorious for maiming people who go over the bars. Seemed straight forward.

My partner and I assumed he just wrecked real bad while riding with NOD's. We got him stabilized as best we could and Mercy Air got to us within an hour and a half or so. 0130 or so next morning I get a phone call from a detective asking if we knew what he was up to...apparently dude was making some homemade explosives and accidentally set one off. Likely using the bike seat as a work space considering where the injuries were on his body.

I hope dude wasn't planning to place an IED for someone to run over, hopefully just a nerd larping as a Seal or something. In any case it reminded me of lessons I've long forgotten, carry multiple tourniquets and other first aid shit and ALWAYS asses the scene before you help someone.

Here's me trying unsuccessfully to keep his wounds from getting packed with debris from the rotor wash. What a strange weekend lol.

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Good on you for saving a life

First rule of Rescue Diving , or any Rescue, is to assess the situation.
Been there, done that.

Easy to get ahead of yourself, glad you weren't hurt.

 

[MVI]

Be careful with the Honda transmissions, they have yet to figure out how to keep them from eating clutches.

Is there an extended warranty available on the Honda's ? To cover the trans?

Hell I just bought a Ford 100k, 10yr warranty on my forever F350 Tremor

 

[Whaler27]

450

View attachment 235430

I envy you guys. I rode motocross in the 70s and loved it. My last real MX bike was a 1978 Suzuki RM-400, a super pipey 2-stroke with a short, explosive, power band and suspension that was great for it’s day, and absolutely crappy compared to the cheapest suspension you can find today… The first day I rode it I flew off a jump that made me feel like superman… and I got about 1/4 of the air 13-year olds get these days…. I can only imagine how much fun this bike would be. If I was 30 years younger I’d buy one!

Sty safe!

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

Is there an extended warranty available on the Honda's ? To cover the trans?

Hell I just bought a Ford 100k, 10yr warranty on my forever truck

I don't know to be honest, that would be a great question for the salesman or finance guy next time you're at the Honda dealer.

FYI, thinking about the UT BDR this coming summer if the shoulder heals correctly. I've got the 701LR in pieces, adding mods to get it BDR ready.

 

[Camarox2]

Long story short - came across a downed enduro rider in the desert. Hand completely missing, severe trauma to his abdomen, face, inner thighs. Personal effects scattered everywhere, some sort of aftermarket Glock 19, Gerber fixed blade, high cut tactical helmet and PVS14's that were obliterated. His bike had metal handlebar guards that are notorious for maiming people who go over the bars. Seemed straight forward.

My partner and I assumed he just wrecked real bad while riding with NOD's. We got him stabilized as best we could and Mercy Air got to us within an hour and a half or so. 0130 or so next morning I get a phone call from a detective asking if we knew what he was up to...apparently dude was making some homemade explosives and accidentally set one off. Likely using the bike seat as a work space considering where the injuries were on his body.

I hope dude wasn't planning to place an IED for someone to run over, hopefully just a nerd larping as a Seal or something. In any case it reminded me of lessons I've long forgotten, carry multiple tourniquets and other first aid shit and ALWAYS asses the scene before you help someone.

Here's me trying unsuccessfully to keep his wounds from getting packed with debris from the rotor wash. What a strange weekend lol.

Nice job, thanks for helping.

It’s always good to be prepared and have some sort of trauma kit available.

But always remember Scene Safety First.

 

[MVI]

I don't know to be honest, that would be a great question for the salesman or finance guy next time you're at the Honda dealer.

FYI, thinking about the UT BDR this coming summer if the shoulder heals correctly. I've got the 701LR in pieces, adding mods to get it BDR ready.

Is that an invitation ?

the CRF is ready to roll , I just finished the shock and forks rebuild last month

 

[Mister Bevilaqua]

32's, new Methods, 2" lift. Digging the look and added clearance.

 

[MVI]

32's, new Methods, 2" lift. Digging the look and added clearance.

Nice motorhome!

 

[JTredway]

Got my son an early xmas present, Mudhead 208r. Basically the best parents of the year award, he was STUPID excited.
He already crashed trying to show his GiGi a "scandinavian flick" that I had taught him when she talked him into going faster (when I told him not to go fast with GiGi).

him and a friend ripping behind us

 

[TMartinLVNV]

My 22 Talon. It tears up the desert well and has been trouble free for 3200 miles. Besides the Mojave desert around Las Vegas, I'm frequently in Utah and Arizona.

 

[JTredway]

My 22 Talon. It tears up the desert well and has been trouble free for 3200 miles. Besides the Mojave desert around Las Vegas, I'm frequently in Utah and Arizona.
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how do you like this, I am new to SxS, i just bought my son the gokart for my FiL farm (roughly 850 acres of mix woods and open fields). Looking something myself to drive and have fun but some of the trails are narrow where my FiL Polaris 1000 XP UTV can get snug. looking for something mixed of wood offroading and having some fun by myself in the open fields. Thoughts on the 4 seater variant?

 

[TMartinLVNV]

how do you like this, I am new to SxS, i just bought my son the gokart for my FiL farm (roughly 850 acres of mix woods and open fields). Looking something myself to drive and have fun but some of the trails are narrow where my FiL Polaris 1000 XP UTV can get snug. looking for something mixed of wood offroading and having some fun by myself in the open fields. Thoughts on the 4 seater variant?

I'm in the desert SW, so the R was right up my alley. The X is, of course, a bit narrower. I don't abuse my machine, but it has been put through it's paces. I recently did a lot of trails and obstacles in Moab. Compared to the competition and when riding with buddies, the Honda has less power, less suspension travel, and the tires are too small. The wheels are wonky as they are different sizes and offset front and rear. I absolutely love the 6 speed dual clutch transmission. It was one of the main things I was attracted to when deciding on the Honda. Mine has been flawless.

Having said that, on ride after ride with buddies, I can keep up with them but I'll never be the fastest. There have been very few big obstacles that they were able to do that I couldn't. I ride with a group of Wildcats. After almost every ride, they are talking about replacing parts they broke (sway bars, front end parts, etc). I'll comment that I checked the air pressure in my tires . I replaced the stock 28" tires/wheels with 30" (most go with 32" but I feel that it too much) and the same wheels on all 4 corners plus a spare. That way, my spare can go anywhere. On the stock setup, if you need to use a spare, a front can go on the back but a back cannot go on the front (like I said, wonky). Once you start adding weight (winch, bumpers, gear, spare), a spring upgrade and shock revalving will be necessary. It made a huge difference on mine. I did replace both rear axle shafts because the boots were leaking. It's easier to just replace the entire shaft than mess with the boot.

The 4 seater is not an option with me. I wanted to fit mine on a trailer and tucked inside of my garage. Plus, I don't need it. The 4 seater will scrape a lot more when going over crests in obstacles because of the longer wheelbase.

I'm really happy with the Honda for my needs. However, I foresee a Polaris Pro R in the future. It's a much more capable and powerful machine. But, a lot more money. Kinda like me trading my Tacoma in for a Tremor .

If you have any more questions, ask away.

Terry

 

[majorbison]

Ol girl still getting after it. Need to figure out some storage for recovery gear and medical stuff. I have a pack out in the bed area and I’d like to utilize the dead space around it

 

[JTredway]

Picked up this bad boy 3 weeks ago, added side mirrors, street-legal kit.

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this one of those AC/Heated editions? My FiL has a ranger 1000 i think with that and well it's quite amazing down here in the nasty humid south lol