ATV vs SxS
#11
Never found a sxs more comfortable infact the other way around, its not like they have better suspension or a softer seat then a ATV.
Like I said a XP ATV has more rear suspension travel then a RZR in the rear, and I,m sure the foam in those sxs chair seats is not as thick as a ATV bench seat.
Like I said a XP ATV has more rear suspension travel then a RZR in the rear, and I,m sure the foam in those sxs chair seats is not as thick as a ATV bench seat.
#12
#13
#14
Exactly. Having both have taught me alot. There are times and places for both. I use my machines for a lot of work around the home front. When all I had was an ATV, I made the best of it. But now that I have the SXS, many of the jobs I used to do with the ATV are now being done with the SXS. The fact is, I am planning on getting another one with EPS too. The ATV doesn't have it, but I have ridden a few with it and know it has a lot of advantages. I don't get out and trail ride as often as I used to either, and that has caused me to rethink the whole ATV question. Also, I have both Utility and Sport machines. And at one time, that decision was hard to make too. But it has been a while since I chose the Sport machine. The need for speed has been replaced with cramming as much fun and work into my time off as I can, and generally, when I do choose the ATV, it usually is the utility because my riding is going to be somewhere I need 4x4 capability versus pure pleasure. My choice may change when I have EPS on a new ATV. As it will again when I get the new SXS. It just depends. For me, which ever one you are riding on a regular basis. There isn't a true "Best". Get them both and you will still have the same questions... Right now I am trying to decide on the new Yamaha Viking with 3 up seating, or the Maverick Max with 4. Like I said, I take the family with me, and I can let my son in law drive the 4 seater with my two grandsons and my daughter while me and Mrs DB take the 2 seater. Trailers are not a problem. I have property near trails and can ride/drive to them. I will be building a new storage building for them and leaving them there.
#15
After thinking about this some more... I wonder where you are at in your age department may contribute greatly to your answer as well. In my younger days, I was a little more enthusiastic in my riding style, wanting to throw it sideways a lot etc. for that a sport ATV really fit the bill. As I got older, comfort has become more of a issue. I didn't realize it much until I bought my wife a machine with IRS. Wow, what a difference that independent rear makes crossing logs etc. Then I got on a demo ride with IRS. Holy crap. I had an epiphany. They are nice. Do I still like riding my ATV yes, when I am alone... but there are times when I want to share the riding with someone. Instead of one of you throwing and the other one eating dust or mud, it has become possible to share the experience and that is something new to explore. I equate it to my motorcycle riding. I have in the past, ridden sport bikes but never would I consider riding 2 up. Even had a cruiser for a while, and although I tried, I couldn't get Mrs DB on it. But she will ride in my Porsche. So it is kind of strange. Not sure what the answer is. Things change and you will change with them over the years.
#16
I've owned both side by sides and ATVs for several years now. Right now I have a Rzr 900 EPS Trail, and a Sportsman XP 1000. They both have 10" of supsension travel, and they both are about 50" wide. If I am riding alone I like to take the Sportsman. If I want to take someone with me I take the side by side. Most of my riding is on 50" wide ATV trails in the Rocky Mountains. I have a little more fun on the side by side, because the trails are more of a challenge. Established ATV trails generally aren't too challenging for a Sportsman 1000, it tends to make everything look like childs play. The ATV is more capable in most situations, but the side by side has an advantage on real steep uphills and downhills. There are trails were an ATV can get through, but not a 50" wide side by side. Just this weekend I was on a 50" wide ATV trail with the Rzr 900, and came up to a tree that had fallen across the trail, and was stuck in a tree about 5' off the ground. On an ATV you could have just ducked and ridden under it. On the side by side, the front of the roof fit under the tree, but the roof slopes up in back, so the tree hit the roof about halfway back on the roof. I had to power my way under the tree, and use the tree to compress the suspension on the side by side to get under the tree. Doing that dislodged the tree, and it came crashing down right after the side by side went through, and now the trail is really blocked, because the tree is two feet off the ground now. Oh well, thats the next guys problem.
I enjoy both machines, but the side by side gets used more.
DV
I enjoy both machines, but the side by side gets used more.
DV
#17
#19
I am thinking that the original question may have resulted because the person asking can't afford both types right now and they are trying to find out what direction most of us have taken. And the answer to that is most of us started in a time when SxS's were not an option. AND, the prices were much closer between them and a high end ATV, but now with high end ATV's running $12K or more, and some SxS's costing almost twice that, the question is harder to answer. I believe where you ride and the type of riding you do is going to drive the train, but I also think that if you really get into the outdoors experience, eventually, you are going to end up with both in your garage. Maybe even multiples of both. I have three ATV's right now. And a 4th that my son has in his garage (Borrowing it) Then there are machines for my other son, and the wife too. They are adictive, and like Potatoe chips, nobody can eat just one....
#20
I don't get why it has to be one vs the other. Sometimes it's just fun having a variety of machines to choose from. Quads, dirt bikes, sleds, SxS- they can all be just as fun and useful as the next.
Btw, Have you gotten your Desert Ed RZR yet DV? That's a utv i wouldn't mind owning
Btw, Have you gotten your Desert Ed RZR yet DV? That's a utv i wouldn't mind owning