Are there any modern single seater buggies that are the same size as the old Honda pilots?

 

Redline makes a single seater, the Riot. There are others, Drakart, I think is one.

 

For riding on your own land they are a blast to own, but the reality is, on many commercial trail systems they are highly suspect, banned etc. Probably has something to do with performance and the way owners use them on the trails, and being a danger to all. They sure look like a blast though.

 

Polaris just came out with the Sportsman Ace. It's the same width as an ATV. 2014 Polaris Sportsman ACE Single Passenger Cab ATV Bright White : Features

 

Yeah I forgot about them. But the reality at least out here in the east is that they are still not allowed. Maybe in the future. I would check to see what is allowed locally or where you intend to ride/drive to see if you will be having an issue. On your own property it would be a blast.

 

Ron, the last time I heard anything about Redline was they were going out of business. They also had a wild snomobile there for a while with an engine from a helicoptor on it.

 

Yes, but parts are still available and they are a solid machine. Why do you think they are dangerous? They are much safer than a quad.

 

Oh don't get me wrong Ron, it isn't that the machine is unsafe. but the problem I see is that you put a roll cage on it and the guys driving them feel it is like putting on a suit of armor. It isn't that the machine is dangerous, but the way they drive them is. They go way fast on trails where they can't see around corners, or worse yet are two way trails and come up on someone without time to react. The ATV rider will lose every time. I really like side by sides, but with them maxing out trail widths in some riding areas, there is a huge problem with trying to pass one. And oncoming traffic is always worth a few shots of adrenaline. I think the jury is out yet on these, but it is a concern I have had for some time. Of course when you think about it, ATV's are getting bigger and bigger too, and aren't much smaller than a Polaris sxs these days. To tell the truth, we saw this same problem with Sno-mobiles 40 years ago too, and I was one of the guys going WAY TOO FAST. Took out a few trees too as a result.

 

I own a quad (Suzuki Eiger), a buggy (Joyner 250 transplanted with a 400 Polaris 2 smoke), and now a SXS (Prowler). I love them all, in different ways. I've owned buggies for the last 10 years. I don't know that I drive recklessly when I'm in it, and have never injured anybody else, or been a trail hog for that matter. Most of the people that I ride with are very respectable riders. They do give some sense of safety, but I haven't experienced reckless riders in any group I ride with. I would say the most reckless riders I have seen are usually on sport quads. That is not saying most of them are reckless, that's just been my experience. I try not to stereotype, it's a short cut to thinking.

The buggies are a blast. You are practically sitting on the ground and the ones we ride (usually of the 150cc to 250cc variety) are not exactly speed demons. The 250s can get into the 50+ mph range, but if you want to climb, you need to gear down a bit. You can damnear climb vertical as long as the tires bite. I would attack many more hills in a buggy than I would on a quad.