Rhino Converts..Please Weigh In ?

I've had my Rhino over 2 years now and absolutely love it. I have about 3,500 brutal miles on it and it still amazes me with what it can do and how well it holds up to the constant punishment it gets. I recently had a chance to somewhat extensively test a 2008 Teryx and a Rhino 700 and a few other machines side by side...(forgive the pun) The Teryx and Rhino are very comparable in performance IMO and the Teryx is really the only other machine I would consider at this point but I didn't like the low electricals and dificult service access and the extra width because I ride extremely tight trails almost exclusively with quads...

Having said that, there are just such good deals on 2008 Teryx's that I'm actually considering making the switch. I'm interested in hearing from others who have swithched and getting some feedback about the Teryx issues I mentioned above or even hearing about the pros and cons of a 20089 vs maybe a 2009 ? I'm most interested in hearing about the water fording abilities of the 2008 vs 2009 and the width issue ?

I find this extremely interesting considering you gave the Rhino such a rave review on the other forum. Now to try and answer your question, I have never owned a Rhino but I also made the comparison before I purchased my Teryx. I found the Rhino to be too narrow and with my son and wife driving it, the chance of a tip over was out of the question. In addition, most of my riding is trails with mud and sometime water crossings. The Rhino had smaller axles and were prone to breaking based on a couple of friends rides (they did have agressive large tires on them) along with a smaller frame and a smaller motor. With the 749cc motor the engine really makes good horsepower with a few mods which will stomp a Rhino and leave it in the dust and will also stomp a stock Razor. I have moddded mine (clutch kit, cdi, Muzzy exhaust) and not had one problem with mine what so ever. The only thing I think I will need to do is snokle the belt housing. I hope this answers your question. It seems everyone raves about their Rhino and down plays everthing else. As far as I am concerned, the Teryx is a far better RUV.

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2008 Red Teryx 750 LE
Cypress, Texas

Hi Rural,

I'm sure you know already, but the 2009 has had a number of changes/updates aside from the efi. You can read most of these on the Kawasaki website, but some are -

- raised battery and electricals (still under driver's seat so not sure if it would actually make much of a difference)
- revised airbox to quiet the cabin
- revised cvt intake and exhaust for better cooling of the belt drive and increased water protection
- additional belt protection measures
- sounds like some inreased low speed performance of the cvt ("improved rock section performance)
- increased oil capacity and revised crank case ventilation system
- better low end/mid-range performance (I think people are speculating that they mave have removed the under 5 mph power restriction).

I've read one test that said performance is closer to the RZR as a result of the changes. In any case, where acceleration may have been close to the Rhino in 2008, it is likely quicker now across the range.

I may have missed some things. I'm sure some guys will chime in that have the 2009's and have had or driven the 2008's.

Best of luck with your decision.

I will make this as unbiased as possible.....

I currently own an 08 Teryx and sold an 06 Rhino.

I really like both machines and price did determine which one I purchased (I was really looking for a used 700 Rhino when I bought the Teryx). I picked up my Teryx used (13 hours) with a 3 year warranty for $7500. I couldn't find a Rhino 700 anywhere near that. You really didn't mention what kind of riding you do or how big of a guy you are. By your concerns with water I would assume some type of mud (how extreme??). I live in SE Texas and my Teryx has been in deep mud in both Texas and Louisiana....never had a problem with any of the electronics being under the seat; though myself, like most, prefer the location of the battery box under the hood (like the Rhino). There are several Rhinos in our group and we trail ride through some VERY tight spots and I've NEVER been unable to follow a Rhino.

Rhino - Great machine! I, too was never easy on it and had very little trouble except for keeping brakes on it and some other "quirks". Fairly comfy and was really easy to work on. Shifter was a bit clunky (and held water when I washed it), axles can be a bit weak when running 28" tires or bigger, noisy, cheesy steering wheel on the earlier models. Great ground clearance, better belt vent loocations, and extremely dependable machine.

Teryx - Kawasaki listened to what Rhino owners were complaining about and made a machine with more power, comfy seats, nice slide-out cupholders, more room, stronger frame, got rid of the clunky doors, etc. HOWEVER...its almost like they forgot about the stuff that Yamaha got right in the first place! Someone forgot to install a standard dump bed, GAS GAUGE and a tilting hood. The Teryx is a PAIN to work on. when I first bought my Rhino I thought the big piece of plastic that just slides in between the seats and over the engine was cheesy but it beats the heck out of all those screws that have to be removed to get to the motor on the Teryx. I also wonder why Kawasaki didn't make that hood tilt like on the Rhino! Gas Gauge and Tilting hood....my two biggest complaints. I've had zero reliability problems....except for a faint oil leak out of the rear main that is being replaced under warranty. I've only heard the belt slip once and I was buried to the frame (I run 28" Zillas) and trying to back out. Apparantly that's when these Teryx's burn up belts...in reverse.

If you put two brand new 2008 models in front of me...one Teryx LE and one Rhino 700 and asked me to take one I would have to flip a coin. HOWEVER...with the '09 having a EFI, fuel gauge and even more power I would choose the TERYX without even thinking about it.

Great Stuff... Not making my choice any easier but Great Stuff !

I do tight trail riding, some water crossing, snow, mud, and rocks.. Pretty much everything except for Sand..

Glad I could help! What Rhino do you have? 450, 660, 700???

I do love my Rhino and the new 700s even more but the Teryx is a real nice machine and the prices I am seeing on the 2008s just can't be overlooked... They are the same or less than a Rhino 450 from what I can tell and close to what I paid for my 2006 Mule 610... It's the deal of the century if you aks me especially when the Prowler 1000 is coming out at $14k and Arctic Cat doesn't compare to Kawi IMO. RZR-S $14K Sport Rhino $12.5k Kymco UXV $8k Teryx 750 Low $7Ks Mule 610 close to $7k

My dealer has 4 or 5 2008 Teryx's left...

I currently have a 450 and I'm average sized... Both machines fit well and I've driven both but wanted to hear from owners...

I agree...for the price nothing compares right now. When I said it would be a tough decision between the Rhino 700 and the '08 Teryx it would be assuming they are both at the same price. Dollar for dollar the Teryx is the best deal out there. I had the 450 Rhino also...I believe it is the most under-rated and the MOST dependable Side x Side out there (I beat the heck outta mine and it wouldn't stop!!). However...I'd still buy the Teryx over it right now. Its just alot of UTV for the money. I woudn't buy a 660...but I do like the 700's.

I traded my 450 for the Teryx . I was thinking of the 700 Rhino. Then I drove both, and ran down to the Kawi dealer. I was also really thinking of a RZR but my friend has one and it's always broke.The bad part about the Teryx is the plastic on the sides. It don't last long.
There is no way you can compare the ride between the two. Rhino= dump truck Teryx= Caddy

you guys keep talking about prices, when its all said and done, OTD is about $200 more on the rhino for 08's. I shopped so. cal and that was about the deal. So I guess what I am sayin, make sure you get the OTD price. There not givin these things away.

I paid $9500 OTD for a LE

I can buy a 08 STD Teryx in Boise ID for $7200! But i am waiting for a STD 09 for the FI!

JUST MY .02 CENTS. I just traded a 07 660 rhino for a 09 Teryx. They don't even compare. The Teryx is so much nicer in every way. Bigger engine, beefier frame and A arms. I had already put wheel bearing in the rear wheels on the rhino and the left front was gone when I got rid of it. I was not going to continue to dump money into something that was not old enough to be having problems already. I will never go back to a rhino.

I just put wheel bearings in my Rhino but that's after 3,500 rough miles.. About $50 and 3 hours each side... Sort of a PIA... One thing I really like about the Rhino is how ell the plastics hold up but I've heard that they are more vulnerable and prone to break on the Teryx because they sit outside the cage... Is that a real issue ?


That's what I mean ! Can't hardly get a Chino for that...

2008 or 2009 ?

I wanted a Rhino but at the time I was buying (this past spring) the Teryx was way cheaper. I got an LE for exactly $2000 less OTD than a rhino. For $2000 I can make this thing scream and still have gas money.

The only reason I wanted the Rhino was for the EFI and Proven reliability. I like how stable the Teryx is, and the carbs are fine for starting. Even now in fall on the colder Canadian mornings it starts right up.