I've noticed a nice bit of talk on the forums about the top speed of utility atvs and which one is faster. I was just wondering what type of trails you guys are riding on? around here the trails that I ride are slow going 25KPH tops and much of it less than 25kph. Ocasionally I can hit 50-75km but thats rare, if I wanted to go fast I would have a gotten a sport bike, but I like the rough remote trails where 4x4 and Low Range comes in handy. Just thought I'd ask how many Utility riders are really concerned about top speed?

 

Last week I put it in low range diff lock and crawled thru a spot my buddy got his AC stuck(bald tires)...real muddy ....thats better than speed IMO

 

I like the technical stuff when I wheel, but when I have to get on public roads I need to be able to get to 55mph, the slow stuff is better.

 

The southwest deserts are sport quad country, so unless I am deliberately looking for terrifying terrain, I can do all the fast sport quad riding I ever care to do there.

In the mountains, things get more technical (big rocks, stream crossings, snow, etc.), and one is better off on a ute. On the approaches from the valley, a fast comfy big bore would be OK, but once you get into the technical stuff all that big bore lard is just a handicap. A light little Rancher is the best settup for me, and the speeds in the really nasty stuff are something like walking pace.

 

Oh boy. You must have had one of those "lards" attack you in the past or something, because you always find a way to bash them. The heavy machines have plenty of advantages over lighter ones, like Ranchers. I know from experience that lighter ones (owner of a 300 fourtrax) have their advantages also, but neither is better than the other at everything. If you cant agree with that, your narrow minded

 

You are very true. Again, it depends on what you want the quad for. Yes, mine will top out about 72mph, but I don't hardly ever run it over 45mph, and that is usually on the deer camp roads. For the most part. I range from slow craws in low range through deep mud and over trees to about 25mph. Many of the big quads will run 65-72mph, but if someone wants to run all out all of the time, why not get a sport quad? Or you could get a prairie700/650. IMO, those are the best all around quads for sport riding and having the utility 4x4 use. I'm sure there are others, but that is my thoughs.

 

Hey, I defined ONLY the conditions I RIDE IN! At no time did I ever say that what I ride is appropriate for anybody else in different conditions where they might ride, ok. v2rider, you are so reactionary, that you just can't ACTUALLY READ WHAT I WRITE without going off, huh!

Didn't I even say that a comfy big bore cruiser would be nice on the valley approaches???? These are mostly big sandy washes, where huge horsepower would be great, and size and weight are no disadvantage. But, when that all ends and it turns to rocks and nasty very slow technical stuff, the light little machines reign!

 

I'll do a "Me Too" on this. I bought the P 360 to use for work around the farm primarily and a little trail use. Top speed on the 360 is around 45 MPH and I seldom get it to that speed. Where our farm is it is common to see someone moving cattle, going from field to field or just running fence lines. Lots of county road travel and as long as your wearing a helmet the Deputies just wave at you. Very seldom see anyone traveling over about 35 MPH which may be why we don't have problems with the law.

 

I ride on mostly really rocky terrain. Lots of fallen trees, logs, stumps, large rocks, mud pits. Never really go fast at all. Except in a few spots but that doesnt last long and you are usually hitting the breaks before you know it. I would say most rides we go on around here are 15-25mph. If its really rocky or up some nasty steep hills we go at crawl.

 

is there any thing other than wfo..?? no really where we ride its wot till a mudhole/cliff/rockledge then wot till the next one. somedays we ride easy somedays we ride hard somedays we dont ride at all just sit in the shade and enjoy life 12 onces at a time!!!!