quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
It will be used for ranch/homestead type work and she says she wants to be able to drive into town occasionally with it.

Might want to check TN laws. They're not legal for on-road use in Maine.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
It will be used for ranch/homestead type work and she says she wants to be able to drive into town occasionally with it.

Might want to check TN laws. They're not legal for on-road use in Maine.

TX allows you to get a license plate, my dad has had one on all 3 of his Mules.
Some rules go along with it that I don't recall, speed limit restrictions IIRC. Can only go on roads up to a max speed limit, but can cross a road with a higher limit.

I posted a picture of my Polaris Ranger 570 that I bought new in 2015 in this thread

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...561/m/6490044205/p/2

It seems to have everything your wife is looking for. Except I do not have a removable hardtop, not sure if that's available as an option. I have been very happy with it.

quote:

Originally posted by kho:
It seems to have everything your wife is looking for.

Except for this:

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
…doesn’t want one that looks like a stodgy golf cart…

Try Duff's in American Fork. They are really good people; Polaris and Kawasaki dealer. Ask for Dave. He is an owner and straight shooter.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
Try Duff's in American Fork. They are really good people; Polaris and Kawasaki dealer. Ask for Dave. He is an owner and straight shooter.

I’ve seen Duffs. I think we’ll stop by. Thanks!

We had a 2019 Yamaha Viking 3 seater (one row of seats). It would hold me, the wife and our 2 grandchildren (9 & 4 at thae time). Had it for 4 years and used it on the property, hauling tools, branches Etc. Worked great. Also did some trail riding in SD Black Hills and it did well, didn't try real nasty trails like RZR's and the like would go on. The 700cc engine did well, but you said your wife wants to take it into town occasionally, 45mph is about all you'll want to do. It has to do with driveline heat and the clutch system getting hot.

We upgraded to a 2022 Yamaha Wolverine 4 recently, wanting the extra room for the kids and friends. Did lose the cargo bed but the upgrade in ride quality was better and more power for moving a trailer through our property and going down the road to the next trail. Viking is a good machine, ours never gave us a cause for concern, We (I) just wanted more for trail usage and she wanted the extra passenger space.

Long post, but maybe there's a nugget of useful info there somewhere.

My mom has a Yamaha Rhino. Seems a bit in between utility & Sport. My brother put 4 bucket seats & 4 pt harnesses in it, but it mostly gets used around their property.

Did a rental event outside Scottsdale years ago, mostly Kawasaki Teryx 4 seaters. For a run hard rental, they were pretty good for the couple hours we were blasting around the desert. Couldn't keep up with the couple RZRs but was plenty for having a good time.

Which ever one you decide on, there’s a few things that you will want to have on hand-

*A NOCO genius 10 battery charger-maintainer (adding their quick-connects is a big plus).
*Your favorite gas treatment, in every tankful. I use Star Tron enzyme treatment in my Defender HD10.

If it doesn’t come with LED headlight bulbs, you will want to change them out. Easy and cheap, lot of folks use Beamtech, but there’s several brands.
These things are black holes, but way fun. With farm/ranch property you will get some good use out of it.

Headlights, a big agree here.
We were coming back last night in the Mule & the stock incandescent lights are like candles in a mason jar.

I am partial to Honda Power Sports equipment.
I sold a 2002 Honda Rancher 350 ATV in 2021 for $500 less than what I paid when it was new.
Some of that high return over time was the extreme shortage of new and good used machines at the time of the sale.
I used that Honda 350 Rancher ATV for slightly less than 20 years, and it needed not much more than oil changes.
The guy that bought my 350 Rancher drove 200 miles one way for an adult owned used machine.

We ordered a 2021 Honda Pioneer 520 side by side in February 2021, and it was delivered in September, 2021.
The COVID supply chain thing was really going on back then.
We talked with a truck driver that delivered the ATV's and side by sides to the dealerships coming from the Honda factory in South Carolina.
The driver stated that Honda of SC had many huge circus tents set up in the factory parking lots.
Circus tents full of partially assembled machines sat there waiting for incoming parts so the assembly process could be completed.

We got the Honda Pioneer 520 due to the 50" width on that machine. It works very well for the property management situation we have.

I got a new Yamaha motorcycle earlier this year, and supply chain concerns were still very much in play.
So my advice for you with your upcoming side by side purchase is this: Regardless of what any Power Sports dealer promises you for something that is ordered by the dealership, and not yet physically in their possession, make sure you have it in writing specifying actual delivery date to you and refund of any deposit if that delivery date is not met.

Our machine isn't applicable for your intended usage, but it's perfect for us.
We have added a hard non removeable roof, rear vision mirror, and a full coverage set of aluminum skid plates.
I did the first service myself. Oil and filter change, and adjusted the valves. A side by side is a HUGE pain in the ass for service work compared to an ATV.
The issue is getting to whatever you need to actually work on.

Have fun with whatever you end up purchasing. In addition to usage for property management, we have trailered our P520 twice now for days of recreational riding.
The Bulldog thinks it is her personal magic carpet.

The P520 tops out(fuel cutoff)at 39 MPH, but the engine is screaming. It's happy going around 30 MPH.

12634 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

quote:

Polaris Ranger 570

Buddy of mine has one. He likes it. Goes everywhere on his farm.

However, if it were me, and I wanted something I could also drive into town... I'd get a jeep.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:

I purchased a Kawasaki Mule FX Pro in 2022 for my son. Looked at the Viking but the manufacturer's warranty on the Kawasaki was significantly longer but we liked both equally well. He lives on a 70 acre former dairy farm with my ex-MIL and takes care of their animals (2 pet cows and a few old horses) as well as riding the fenced area making sure it is intact. Rides it all over the place, really the best think I've ever bought for him. Dump bed, plenty of power (800cc) and 4wd. bigger than I expected but a fun buggy. He's not a speed driver, like one of the trail type carts, but hauls hay up to the horses when they wont come down to the barn, and stuff like that.

Added the windshield, roof and mirrors for it, its plenty for our light farm-type use.

If our longer range plans come to fruition we will probably be in the market for something very similar to what Mrs. DF wants.

I've experienced a 2013ish Polaris 850 and a Arctic Cat here at work. The Polaris is such a better machine it's not funny, plus with them being based here in Minnesota they have great dealer support.

One thing I would suggest is to check out their commercial line, not all dealers carry them but could probably order one. Much like a work truck line from say GM or Ford, they are no frills but have some of the great features for a little less money.