ATV vs Side by side
- Thread starter Spcamno
- Start date
As stated above it really depends on what and where you need to haul and go, and what you will be transporting it to your chosen locations with.
There are sxs's that are only 48" wide that can goon trails where a quad can go and will fit in the back of most full size pickups.
Make a list of your wants and needs and let the priorities make the decision based on those pros and cons of the different machines you are interested in.
There are sxs's that are only 48" wide that can goon trails where a quad can go and will fit in the back of most full size pickups.
Make a list of your wants and needs and let the priorities make the decision based on those pros and cons of the different machines you are interested in.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
And off trail bush driving? better leave the sidexside in the garage.
I would not say they are 4x4 golf carts, they DO have a purpose. But they do have limits of terrainability.
I would not say they are 4x4 golf carts, they DO have a purpose. But they do have limits of terrainability.
I've pushed side by sides into some insane #### while working, but quads can always into tighter spots.
Ultimately what's the point of sawing your way into the bush, maybe if you're too old to pack an animal out.
I like rhinos
Ultimately what's the point of sawing your way into the bush, maybe if you're too old to pack an animal out.
I like rhinos
Thanks for all the input I will be using it mainly for hunting so it will be mixed with trails and bush and occasionally crossing some shallow streams and rivers (nothing more than 20 inches deep)
The reason I am looking into a sxs is my wife will hunt with me occasionally and the comfort in a sxs is second to none and since I will be trailering it whether a quad or sxs so it really doesn't matter.
However, a few members did point out some good points a quad can get into places where a sxs will have trouble.
Another option will be a 2 ups.
I know a quad is more maneuverable than a sxs into tight quarters how about a 2 ups?
Is It comfortable to sit at the back for extended ride and does it climb and descent hill similar to a single person quad?
The reason I am looking into a sxs is my wife will hunt with me occasionally and the comfort in a sxs is second to none and since I will be trailering it whether a quad or sxs so it really doesn't matter.
However, a few members did point out some good points a quad can get into places where a sxs will have trouble.
Another option will be a 2 ups.
I know a quad is more maneuverable than a sxs into tight quarters how about a 2 ups?
Is It comfortable to sit at the back for extended ride and does it climb and descent hill similar to a single person quad?
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sold my quad a few years ago and built a 4dr tracker after pricing out a side x side. lifted,front and rear receivers for winch, bull bar,lots of led lights,big tires,modified bumpers for clearance. i'm into for about a quarter of the cost of a side by side and i have a heater and a licence plate so i can drive on roads..
Sxs on a logging road is one thing.
Where we go you can't get one down many of the secondary trails we go on .
Only ATVs fit down many of those narrower trailers.
Ive ran into guys up where we hunt that were in SxS and couldn't get down trails we recommend.
Food for thought.
Where we go you can't get one down many of the secondary trails we go on .
Only ATVs fit down many of those narrower trailers.
Ive ran into guys up where we hunt that were in SxS and couldn't get down trails we recommend.
Food for thought.
From someone who had both.
SXS Pros: Easier to ride all day. My ranger does not have power steering and still much easier than herding a quad all day
Can carry two people with ease and comfort.
Can carry a much heavier load in one trip. Loaded a full elk in mine more than once
Goes through more assuming there is bottom but gets hung up easier
With a rough I can sit in mine with a light rain & stay fairly dry
The difference in fuel usage is minimal
A quad without power steering can nearly break your wrist if one tire hits a stump. I have not experienced that with my SXS
Cons: On narrow trails your face gets swiped with branches
A quad can get into tighter spots with less fuss
Difficult to haul. Can't just throw it on a truck
In swampy areas with wide tires a quad will float more. A SXS will get stuck much more. If you drive swamps a lot this is a major difference.
Can load a quad easily without a trailer.
I have had both and my mind wanders back & forth from one to the other. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
SXS Pros: Easier to ride all day. My ranger does not have power steering and still much easier than herding a quad all day
Can carry two people with ease and comfort.
Can carry a much heavier load in one trip. Loaded a full elk in mine more than once
Goes through more assuming there is bottom but gets hung up easier
With a rough I can sit in mine with a light rain & stay fairly dry
The difference in fuel usage is minimal
A quad without power steering can nearly break your wrist if one tire hits a stump. I have not experienced that with my SXS
Cons: On narrow trails your face gets swiped with branches
A quad can get into tighter spots with less fuss
Difficult to haul. Can't just throw it on a truck
In swampy areas with wide tires a quad will float more. A SXS will get stuck much more. If you drive swamps a lot this is a major difference.
Can load a quad easily without a trailer.
I have had both and my mind wanders back & forth from one to the other. Both have strengths and weaknesses.
A 2up is longer than a regular atv so on tight trails you will have to jog a few times on tight spots so that was a real pain in the azz in our hunting area. Very comfortable for the passengers. I had 2 Can Am 2up’s, a 500 and a 650 and because of our area, switched back to a regular Yamaha ATV.
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
It's always a pain waiting for the guys in side by sides to catch up to everyone else on ATV's. Very few trails around here are suitable for the wider and much taller machines.
The only time I could see myself getting a side by side would be for farm or work.
The only time I could see myself getting a side by side would be for farm or work.
Sunchild2071
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Glen Park, AB
I have a Ranger 6x6, and also a 570 efi. The 6x6 truly goes anywhere. Never didn't get there because it was too wide. The thing is a tank. And can fit myself, wife, and three grandkids, spend all day in the bush, with everything we need, and still haul back game.
Buy an old SxS, and don't bother with keeping up with the Jones and all their bling. All over Northern Alberta and BC bush.
They make those decks for trucks, or if you are handy, the concept that you need a trailer is about as narrow minded as the idea that you can't get there without a chainsaw if you have a SxS. No winches on either of mine. And unless you are an idiot, wider and longer wheelbase and treadwidth tend to be more stable.
The only difference of where I can get with my SxSs, and my Argo, is that I can cross open water with the Argo.
ATV definitely is the choice for some, just not for me.
Buy an old SxS, and don't bother with keeping up with the Jones and all their bling. All over Northern Alberta and BC bush.
They make those decks for trucks, or if you are handy, the concept that you need a trailer is about as narrow minded as the idea that you can't get there without a chainsaw if you have a SxS. No winches on either of mine. And unless you are an idiot, wider and longer wheelbase and treadwidth tend to be more stable.
The only difference of where I can get with my SxSs, and my Argo, is that I can cross open water with the Argo.
ATV definitely is the choice for some, just not for me.
you can't get me back on a quad for any amount of money.dumped my old rancher for a shiny new pioneer 1000-5 with the windshield and a set of tracks when i bought my lake house.i needed a dump box and 4 wheel diff lock so i got the deluxe. can't even compare the 2.plus i can seat 5 so my grandkids can ride with me and i can still run all the local trails all day long and be comfortable and i can bring a dump box of firewood back with me every time i go out.they aren't cheap but i'm worth it.i guess what it boils down to is are you cheap and do you prefer comfort or feeling like you fell down a flight of stairs at the end of the ride? be very wary about buying ANY used atv/utv.i know what i put mine through and i wouldn't buy one from me.
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Went hunting with my neighbor in his Arctic Cat sxs. It was not a lot of fun.
It was so noisy inside that you had to wear earplugs.
The side windows were some sort of hard plastic that scratched really easily by small branches so they were very hard to see out of, and they were solid in the door so you could not open them.
The heater was nice when it was cold, and the storage was good.
He has since replaced it with an ATV.
It was so noisy inside that you had to wear earplugs.
The side windows were some sort of hard plastic that scratched really easily by small branches so they were very hard to see out of, and they were solid in the door so you could not open them.
The heater was nice when it was cold, and the storage was good.
He has since replaced it with an ATV.
I had the same choice to make a few years ago. I had a Yamaha Rhino and while a great workhorse it was to long, too wide for a lot of trails and slow. I decided on a Polaris Ace and was very happy with the decision. It is a single seat with a roll cage, quick, nimble, good clearance but lots of room for storage upfront and in the bed. I added the doors and poly roof which are great for protection from brush and rain. Think of it as a quad with a roll cage, steering wheel and good storage that you can drive all day and not get tired. The only thing I would change is I would have gotten the EPS now that I have driven one with it.
badgreenbird
Regular
- Location
- Dawson Creek, BC
I had a Polaris Ranger SxS for a few years. I ended up using my Honda quad for most off-property adventures. Just easier to put in the pickup. Trail width wasn't a big issue around here (lots of 3m and 5m wide seismic lines) but the roll cage on the SxS was more of an issue... ducking down and scooting under partially fallen or low-hanging trees was impossible, resulting in more cutting/clearing time. The Ranger was quite nice around the property - carrying stuff around, cutting firewood, etc. and the wife & kids really loved it more than the quads. But ultimately I just didn't use it enough and sold it. Still use the Honda frequently.
Side by sides work really well in areas with lots of pipelines and seisimic lines, smaller ones can get down a handline no problem. Overgrown deactivated roads are also very doable.
Machines like hondas and rhinos are gonna do better than ones designed for putting around the farm.
But yeah quads are good too.
Walking is ultimately my preference but machines are great for hauling game and ease of access.
Machines like hondas and rhinos are gonna do better than ones designed for putting around the farm.
But yeah quads are good too.
Walking is ultimately my preference but machines are great for hauling game and ease of access.
