Ask the Editors: I Want Kandi
Well, let’s start with the most obvious- the Polaris Ranger and John Deere Gator are UTVs with stellar reputations and built by companies with long standing respectability within the industry. Besides such comforts as much larger (and more reliable) engines, components you can be sure are designed to withstand rough and tumble off-road environments, you are also buying the assurance that the companies themselves are here to stay, offer parts and service for your model even long after it has ceased production as well as a global dealership network. In short, these are the reasons we most always direct buyers toward the established players in the game. This isn’t because we don’t want to see smaller companies and new guys succeed, it’s because we are all too aware of what can go wrong once you bring home an off-brand machine with little to know parts or service support the first time something goes wrong.
All of that said, we must say that Kandi seems to be doing all they can to assure their buyers that US parts support is a priority by offering their OEM stuff through sites like this one.
Of course keep in mind that parts support is only the beginning. A lack of dealers, service centers and mechanics familiar with the brand can all lead to trouble down the road as well.
Other factors to consider is that the Kandi is only offered in 2-wheel-drive configuration and powering the machine is a 250cc, 4-Stroke, single cylinder engine good for a claimed 16-horsepower though real world testing has put that figure closer to 8-10hp.
In all, we rarely make it a habit of telling our readers how to spend their hard earned dollars but close here with the sound advice that when it comes to something as complex and worked as hard as an ATV/UTV, there’s a lot of wisdom in the old adage that you get what you pay for.
