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Which SXS would you buy next?

48K views 215 replies 28 participants last post by  VirginiaHawk 
#1 · (Edited)
Thinking about getting another sxs. Not really sure what I would get. The oil leaks and oil losses on my teryx are annoying.

Everyone has a different idea on what reliable is. Some people think replacing bushing is normal. Mine clangs awful, so I should probably look into it.

I thought bad luck about the branches coming in the cab, glad no one gotten hurt. But then I read it is a Teryx issue. I read new ones have storage bins, which would be nice. My 2010 is really spartan.

Dissappointed that most of seem to lack gauges like temp and oil pressure. Also surprised they all seem to be under 12" clearance. Maybe after that you tend to roll.

Never seen one in person, but the Vikings having the engine accessible under the bed is a great selling point. Would think you wouldn't have the heat. Snows around here, so it gets parked for winter. So heat is not plus. But not the south, so not like it is that hot. But I could live without it.

Also wonder if you can change the oil on any of them without taking skid plate off. What a screw up making the access cover not big enough to reach the filter.

Are CV boot guards any better on the new ones? 2010 are lacking. But same on 2005 sportsman.

Are any of them any better for not plugging the radiator and over heating, or is that just the way it is?
 
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#4 ·
I've owned a Polaris RZR 2 seater but sold it when our family got to four. We just weren't using it that much with a baby around. I really liked the machine. I remember there were always some common issues. No run times less than 5 minutes or spark plug would foul. Push out of garage and go for a ride before you put it back if you wanted to start it. Other than that, it was a great machine.

When we started looking for a 4 seater, the RZR just started getting too long. Most of our recreational riding is in the woods with tighter turns. If we lived in Arizona and not near the Minnesota trail systems, then maybe the length wouldn't be much of an issue. I do miss sitting in the machine rather than on it.

We narrowed it down to the Yamaha wolverine 4, teryx 4, and Honda's 4 seater. Honda was out first because the back seats are more like jump seats and if we ever had an adult back there, it would be miserable. We always liked everything about the teryx and it really came down to price for us. We found the one we got at a price point that was just too hard to pass up.

We haven't done any serious trail riding yet. A lot of trails are still really sloppy and closed. Im not a mudder, so that is fine with me. I really like the machine. It was built with a lot of smart features.

I grew in Roseau, MN where the main Polaris plant is. That is where snowmobiling all started. I have never bought anything except Polaris until now. I really wish the RZR4 wasn't so long. The general and ranger have the same issue. Right now I don't have any immediate family working at Polaris, so I don't have to hide my new machine. It is nice to have choices. While all the machines were affordable to us, we really did like the price of the teryx vs everything else.

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#5 ·
I’m new to the whole SxS family, since we got our T4 in December. I never considered SxS’s until I saw a T4. To me, all 4 seaters were long like the RZR’s.... then I did more research and went to see the Yamaha. Couldn’t even compare the two. Yeah, with kids, the Yamaha would have probably been “ok”, but when spending money, I want it to be useful as it can be and if that means having 4 adults, I want to make sure the extra two are comfortable as well.

The Honda looked really nice, but before getting the Pioneer5, I would have bought another Jeep Wrangler haha.

So that kept leading me to the Teryx4. The wheelbase is the same as the two seater and the body is only 8” longer, therefore négligeable.
The Teryx4 has awesome seats
The Teryx has awesome warranty
The Teryx has the best bang for the buck.

What I don’t like is the noise, can’t really have a decent conversation in one while riding.


Now, if we’re only talking two seaters, that would open up many more opportunities. If you like power, I’d maybe lean towards a Wildcat XX or commander/maverick.

Best of luck!


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#6 ·
I have no interest in 4 seater. Friends want to drive their own not be a passenger.

The wolverine is interesting, but they downgraded bed to 300lbs, from 400 the ranger had. I haven't seen the size. I do find Kawaski 3 year warranty good. 6 months when I bought mine which isn't much.

I do haul firewood and hunting stuff. But my concern is also winding through unofficial trails.

Thinking about Viking. Not sure about single cylinder or size. I like engine under bed. I know someone with Rino, single cylnder and says he never really thought about. Said I guess it vibrates, I wouldn't leave a open beer in the bed.
 
#8 ·
Bed capacity is 600pds on wolverine x2, not the regular wolverine, the x2 has the new 850 twin motor, plenty of power, the Viking is not a real trail friendly machine and is well underpowered to me, the regular wolverine is same way as far as power, they are single cylinder 700s
 
#9 ·
If I needed a 2 seater and wanted a combo of utility and recreation, I would be all over the Polaris General. I'd probably go right to the deluxe model because it already has most of the features I would add myself.

I already have a utility trailer to use for firewood that can be easily pulled by a sxs, so that expands utility. It also makes it where I could go full recreational. Even the RZRs can pull 1500+ lbs.

Personally, my list of sxs to check out in 2 seaters would be Polaris General, Can-am commander, and probably some of the sportier Yamahas because I have a trailer. The one thing cool about 2 seats is the ability to get one with some utility that you can sit in and not on. You sit in the ones I mentioned. You sit on ones like the ranger, teryx, and wolverine. Trail riding in vs on a machine is a much different experience.

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#10 · (Edited)
Not sure the sitting in is best. I notice hard to see obstacles in front of. Was tracking bears, and guy on 4 wheeler could see everything, and I couldnt.

I am really confused how you think you are sitting on a teryx. I kinda call bs to that term. You are down in there. ATV you sit on.

I do line to haul wood with sxs at times. I got a 4wd tractor, which is better than a trailer. But there are places sxs without a trailer is better suited. I cut my trees down out in the woods.
 
#215 ·


That's one of the things I love most about my '20 Honda Pioneer 1000-5D. It will give you an authoritative but non-offensive tone when you're accelerating hard, but when you're cruising along you can actually have a conversation with your passengers. Honda did an amazing job keeping the noises toned down.
 
#14 ·
The new Wolverine X2's have a little better power and a little better suspension than the Teryx's, and are a good bit quieter. I was excited when they first came out but after checking them out just thought they were okay.....better than my '15 T4 but not enough better to make me trade for one.

Regarding the comment about sitting in vs. sitting on, it's all in perspective. The seating position of a Teryx is more like sitting in a pickup truck vs. something like a RZR which is like sitting in a Corvette.

Buddy had a '14 Viking for several years and used it primarily for trail riding. It could definitely keep up with my Teryx on difficult trails. He was running 28" tires while I had stock 26" tires at the time. He had more clearance so did better in ruts and rocks, but on anything that required power (like hillclimbs) by Teryx did much better. There were several steep hills that my Teryx would walk right up time after time, where he would struggle and have to make several attempts. He later got a full JBS clutch setup that helped a lot and closed the gap in performance...but the Teryx still had obviously more oomph.
 
#15 ·
^^^not very often we can say/here that a Teryx has more oomf hehe.

I set the suspension on our T4 to the softest setting and disconnected the swaybar... made a big difference for us.

The Teryx doesn’t have a sporty feel to it, but it’s not advertised as one either, but I know I like it... but again... I’m family oriented, so it makes a huge difference..... price and warranty too....

Best of luck in the decision


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#16 ·
900 ranger is quite, u can talk in it as long as it's not on the floor😁, the Honda pioneer 1000 is quiet, but has quiet a price tag, the Yamaha wolverine x2 is quiter than the teryx, performance and ride it's hard to beat the newer teryx's in my opinion
 
#17 ·
Berserker, have you driven or ridden in a second generation Teryx 2? There is a night and day difference in the 2008-2013,(mine is a 2011) and the current machine. The current generation has steadily improved since it's introduction in 2014, compared to the 1st gen. Teryx, way smoother, quieter, better seats, doors and the storage that you mentioned. Also a very much improved location for the air intake which is under the dash cowl instead of behind the seats where they ate a lot of dirt! Still not as quiet or fast as the Polaris General which has 100 H.P. with the engine under the bed, but far better reliability and warranty IMO. Can Am Defender is also a nice utility/sport machine with 100 H.P. but reliability and warranty ?

P.S. on the second Gen. Teryx you only have to remove a small panel on the skid pan to access the oil filter
 
#18 ·
No I haven't seen a new teryx. Not a popular machine by me.

I was a polaris guy. But I dunno. My 2005 sportsman caught fire. Same era brother rmk blew up. Granted over 10 years ago.


I was on polaris forum and couldn't believe the electrical problems on 2 year old machines. Maybe they were just the guys asking for help. Probably more sportsman out there.

Razor bed is to small for me. Also I am not looking to spend a lot. Which is why I got my teryx. It was plain, but priced accordingly.

There is one at dealer near me under 11k.


Historically I have had the opinion kawasaki puts out the same bad product for years even though everyone knows it has an issue. I have Gen 1 concourse.
 
#22 ·
The Kawasaki website lists everything about the new Teryx......states it has power steering (all models), gives cargo box dimensions, load capacities, towing capacities, overall size and wheelbase etc... Not sure what you are looking at.

The new generation Teryx is a lot different than your current machine. It is bigger overall, but not by a bunch. The largest difference is the wheelbase which is 10" longer than the old machine.
 
#23 ·
The 2nd gen Teryx 2 which started in 2014 is built on the same frame as the Teryx4, therefore the extra room behind the seats for the storage boxes. I don't have the wheelbase numbers memorized, but the gen. 2s are significantly longer than your 2010.
There were very few 2nd gen. Teryxs built without power steering the first couple years maybe? They were a real bear to turn with the diff. lock engaged. Wicked Built power steering was one of the first things I added to my 2011. It helped but I was disappointed compared to the OEM system of the Teryx 4 which is speed sensitive so it can give you more assist at slower speeds. You really need to find a new one to see in person or try to arrange a ride with someone.

You really can't compare the quality of Kawasaki and Polaris, although I will admit that the Poo Poos are fast and fun.

I Am biased towards Kawasaki! I spent the last ten years of my 43 year career at Kawasaki in the R&D Dept. while the Teryx 4 was being developed. I had the opportunity to experience almost all the competitor models, and see how miserably some of them (guess who)failed trying to survive Kawasaki testing standards.
 
#28 · (Edited)
The 2nd gen Teryx 2 which started in 2014 is built on the same frame as the Teryx4, therefore the extra room behind the seats for the storage boxes. I don't have the wheelbase numbers memorized, but the gen. 2s are significantly longer than your 2010.
someone.

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This is why I wasn't even looking at them at first. Though spec say only 2 inches longer.

I went with Teryx cause rzr bed was to small, but I wanted something smaller then Ranger. Though what I have found is I want even more storage. I fill the bed with lots of recovery gear. Sprayer for when it over heats.

I do like the new ones have storage, though since it is not on the site, I haven't seen it. I was dissapointed when I bought this, that all it came with was a small glovebox. Not saying the others are better. I don't know. But I just thought it could be a lot better. Also dissapointed in the market, that they don't come with temp and pressure gauges, like my trucks do.


The new bed is smaller, which not deal breaker but not a plus. Viking has 2 gallon bigger gas tank.
 
#25 ·
Hard to knock Kawasaki beens they have the best warranty on the market by a landslide and I had several dealers that carried several brands say Kawasaki was the easiest one to work with when it comes to warranty. Polaris, Honda, Yamaha, Can-am, 6months to 1 year, Kawasaki 3 years...shoot my lawn mower got a Kawasaki motor, my golf cart got the Kawasaki motor
 
#27 · (Edited)
What I don't like about website is lack of info on cargo boxes behind seat.cup holders? Guards?

I just don't give a crap about the pics of guys riding through the woods. I want every angle. Inside, underneath. Maybe it is a strategy to get you to come in.

But if I am not sure I even saw the interior boxes, which is a major selling point to me.
 
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