I've had a bad hankering to get one of these things. Everthing, well most of what I've heard is good. I just wanted to ask, and get some real life experience stories. I'm looking for something that has alittle bit of everything, hauling, towing, performance, and can still ride three people. I've been looking at the 800 xp, so far I like what I see. I've never even rode in one, but I plan on it before I buy anything. Thanks in advance.

never owned one, but this last april we were i new zealand. they use the chit out of them there. was really impressed with the things. they climb like goats and were quite stable. there were 3 of us sitting side by side in fair comfort & then threw a big old red stag in the back.

I test drove an xp yesterday, "Holy crap" those things are nice! They didn't have a power steering model on the lot yesterday, they had just sold it. I've got a few more ducks to get in a row anyway, so I've still got a little while to look some more. It would be hard for me to believe that anyone made anything that fit the bill "for what I'm looking for" any better. My only concern is why does a machine that weighs so much not have engine breaking? The breaks it had seemed to be very good, but they should be, they are brand new! Any break complaints out there? Is this the only chink in the armor of the Ranger?

Had a chance to compare the Polaris with the Kubota, a friend of mine bought. Polaris a piece of crap, in comparison. Very light weight frame, a plastic box, that the dealer admitted they've been having problems with and the "power" steering is a joke. In contrast there's that unbeatble Kubota diesel, heavy tubular frame, the dumping METAL box and the hydraulic take off, in case you want to run a log splitter or something similar. And it ain't that much more money.

Grizz

My wife's uncle has the Kabota, I have driven it several times. They are nice, and very well built! He uses his for work on the farm, just what they are designed for. I'm not doubting the above statements about the ruggedness of the Kabota at all. They are very slow, and heavy, Just not as much fun. He had a problem with the hydrostatic drive when he first got his, had it in the shop a time or two. It was covered by warranty I think, but still I say nothing "unbeatable" has been made yet in the history of man! For my taste or "use" would be 75% family fun, 12.5% work, and another 12.5% hunting related. This is a way for me to get the wife off my back! She wants to get a pontoon boat/yard ornament that would in my gestamation be used less than 10 times a year.

I have been around both. There are many in use here in LA for hunting and farming. IMO, Kubota for a heavy duty farm work machine but the Kubota gets stuck in mud very easily. Polaris for light farm work, fun, mud, and hunting. I use a Polaris ATV for duck and deer hunting. It ain't crap. Mine is 10 years old and I pull Honda's out of the swamp every year. BTW, my Polaris is completely stock. I will be buying a Polaris Ranger for our farm (1,900 acres) sometime this year.

Comparing the Kabota to a Polaris is like comparing a Dump Truck to a CJ-5. Sure it's tougher but try having fun on the trails in your dump truck.

I have a 2011 Ranger XP LE. I think it is great. I mounted the seat in the back for the kids when we are just out sight seeing. Make sure you get the larger of the two winches. Also, make sure you put tubes in the tires and get one extra wheel for a spare. Get a front it will fit on the back. The only thing I do not like is the hot air that blows on your right foot. It gets very hot, I am going to look into some kind of deflector.

I have had a 07 and now an 09 XP 700, love them both. I have also had Mules and Rhinos, hands down the Polaris is a WAY better machine. They are smoother, quieter, better laid out and easier to work on. My 8 year old has no problem steering it so I would not get the power assist steering. The HD's have the same supspension as XP.

Perry

I have an 09 Ranger Crew and an 11 RZR 4, both of which I love. The crew has been a workhorse and before the RZR arrived was a great playtoy as well. I've hauled all sorts of loads with the crew such as rocks, dirt, firewood, and over 1000lbs of corn and have had zero problems with the plastic bed....trust me it's been used!! I've also hauled a trailer all around the ranch with all kinds of loads and never a hiccup.

The 2010 and newer XPs have a new front end that makes steering a lot easier, however when I upgrade the crew (which will happen within the next year) I will get the power steering. I have it on the RZR and it is very nice!!!! Stops all the kick back and makes one handed driving a piece of cake.

A couple of my neighbors have Mules and there is absolutely no comparison! The rangers are a totally different machine in every aspect. I also spent the afternoon on a Rhino the other day and wasn't impressed at all---Ranger is quieter, smoother, faster, more comfortable and could haul a lot more.

My .02 cents!

Regards,
Scott

I have a 2011 800 LE Ranger and am satisfied. I have through the years owned 4 Honda's, a Polaris 500 Sportsman and a Kawasaki Brute force. Several of my friends own Rhino's and Honda Big reds and they are no comparison to the ranger.

quote:

Originally posted by dempsey:
Comparing the Kabota to a Polaris is like comparing a Dump Truck to a CJ-5. Sure it's tougher but try having fun on the trails in your dump truck.

I've had fun on the trails in a dump truck, but that involved a lot of whiskey.

I have a Rhino and I'm looking to sell it and get a Ranger Crew. The Rhino is fun and fast, but the Crew is more versatile.

Agreed a Ranger and a Kabota is like comparing apples and oranges. If you are planning to do any offroad hunting where you are dealing with mud, rough roads, snow, you will hate the Kabota. If you are mainly doing flatland farm work with rolling hills you will love the Kabota. I have had the Rhino, Razor, Ranger, Been around Kabota's alot, had a Tyrex, and am now in a Can-Am commander. My two favorite offroad rigs are the Can-Am and the Ranger. I will be buying a Ranger Crew soon for when the family wants to go along. We do a lot of mountain riding and I love how stable and plush the ride is on the Rangers. They are a great machine.

I ended up getting my Polaris in early August. Guess I should have followed up on my post alittle sooner? So far I'm a very satisfied owner. Everything I thought it would be, and more! Plenty fast enough for me, works hard plays hard and all that good stuff. So far I've hauled out three deer with it, countless loads of firewood, my little girls four wheeler when she ran out of gas. I even hauled the inlaws around for a few rides. It climbs like a rabid mountain goat! Scared the living shit out of my brother when I took him up a hill rail buggys had made! almost soiled myself by the time we got to the top of it!

They are fun!!! And useful!!!

Glad to see you're enjoying it.

Regards,
Scott

Is the Polarus belt drive? I am in the market and was leaning to the kubota or gator. But might consider a polarus. I have had two polarus quads and they were ok but years ago and two cycle, they ran like a raped ape, but very annoying when just idleing down the trail. I have hd my Honda 300 since 2000, I love it, but it beats me to death and want a side by side.

Yes they are belt drive.
The only real gripe I have with mine is, I wish it had engine breaking. Other than that it has
been above, and beyond what I expected from it!
Rumor has it the next models, "2013" will have standard engine breaking.

The 2012 HD model has engine braking.