Posted: 12/2/2025 6:21:26 PM EDT
Been about 10 years since I rode anything off road, but I’ve had the itch lately. I tried out a dirtbike and I’m too thicc to lug that around the woods all day  I grew up riding ATV’s and was looking to get a new one but some of the sportier side by sides have been catching my eye. I didn’t give them much though as the old utility ones I’ve had experience with seemed easy to tip but I don’t think that’s probably an issue with some of these newer ones like th X3. For guys that have both or went one way or the other, what do you prefer? I just want to ride trails, I’m not really wanting to beat on whatever I get too bad |
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| I have a quad, want a sxs but as others have stated size requirements on trails make them not a great choice if that is its main use. |
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Originally Posted By Geforce_2: My friend has a side by side, and he discovered there are very few parks/places that allow them. We had to drive 3 hrs to the nearest place that allowed them where I'm at. So, I suggest you look into that aspect before buying one. That is a valid point. It seems of the 4 places within 2 hours only 1 of them is questionable due to the 55” width restriction or something along those lines but the other 3 seem open for whatever. |
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There are a small percentage of trails that are 50” limited out here, but having a windshield and roof makes it worthwhile. I have been in some snotty weather on ATVs and it just plain sucks. Attached File On the other hand, an ATV fits in the back of a pickup if you are not wanting a trailer. Attached File |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Originally Posted By Geforce_2: My friend has a side by side, and he discovered there are very few parks/places that allow them. We had to drive 3 hrs to the nearest place that allowed them where I'm at. So, I suggest you look into that aspect before buying one. There are SXS that meet the width requirement. |
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Originally Posted By trails-end: There are SXS that meet the width requirement. Originally Posted By trails-end: Originally Posted By Geforce_2: My friend has a side by side, and he discovered there are very few parks/places that allow them. We had to drive 3 hrs to the nearest place that allowed them where I'm at. So, I suggest you look into that aspect before buying one. There are SXS that meet the width requirement. I drove some of the 50” SxS, and they are tight for a big guy, but I’m 6’4. My knees were on the dash. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
| I've only ridden quads very short distances and have never been a fan. I'm a motorcycle guy but am fat and broken and would happily use a SxS given the option. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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I have both and live on acreage in the mountains. I homestead. Utv I use to haul people or things around. I use it on the dirt roads here and to get to my mail box a mile away. It’s a Polaris ranger midsize that is narrower and can go most trails or in back of pickup truck. Atv is like a horse and more fun to ride. It better in the woods. Mine is 2wd and that’s perfect for 99% of people except me. I spin out or almost flip going up one old 300 ft elevation logging road near me. 4x4 upgrade is on my upgrade list. 2wd worked fine for over 10 years at the old Wisconsin homestead. My current one is Kawasaki brute force 300. Rack space is useful too. But I will need 4x4 with these hills. Both pull trailers for fire wood or other stuff. |
have gun will travel
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Well you seen much combat? ......... I've seen a little on TV.
We are jolly green giants, walking the Earth with guns.
Lifetime NRA member SADLY
now GOA and ASA member!!!!!
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SxS are faster for sure, ATVs are more fun IMHO. They still feel like you're riding *on* something, not riding *in* something. Also a SxS with good suspension is so smooth, even at speed, that it can oddly make it a bit less fun. Trying to race it at high speeds on trails/forest roads is a good way to kill yourself or someone else, trails aren't a closed race track. As to capabilities, apples and oranges. My ATV will go over stuff where my SxS will high-center. But my ATV can take "steps" on an uphill that would tip my ATV over backwards. My SxS can handle off-camber a bit better in a lot of cases, but my ATV can also straddle narrow sections of the trail and not GET off-camber. Six of one, half dozen of the other. |
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I have both for different missions. A key question to ask yourself is whether or not you will want to have a passenger more than extremely rarely. If yes, UTV; if no, ATV. Beyond that, just like with guns or anything else, you have to match exactly what you want it to do for you with the characteristics. Both will do the same as far as "beating on" goes. ATV will get through more narrow spots better. Unless you plan to take a passenger, regularly, you're probably better off with ATV. And you can get an ATV into a truck bed; not gonna do that with UTV, so you'll need a trailer. OTOH, if you plan to go out in winter, a UTV with heated cab is nice Attached File |
Feb 2025 It’s 48 to 0 and we’re only 2 minutes into the first quarter
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
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Originally Posted By Geforce_2: My friend has a side by side, and he discovered there are very few parks/places that allow them. We had to drive 3 hrs to the nearest place that allowed them where I'm at. So, I suggest you look into that aspect before buying one. Check the limits on most of the trails around you. |
Feb 2025 It’s 48 to 0 and we’re only 2 minutes into the first quarter
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
trobertson5-0 I wasn't put in jail for what I did. I was put in it for what I think. There were FBI agents posting in my threads. I've seen the discovery showing this.
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Really depends on the limitations as everyone else has said. My bit is the safety aspect. At least here, they mix machines on the trails and you have idiots on sport bikes and sport ATVs running 50mph around blind tight turns like it is a race track. Accidents and deaths happen every year, and the ones who die are almost always on an ATV. UTV with seatbelts and a roll cage give you a hell of a better chance. In case you were wondering, I don't think they enforce any kind of rules on the trails around here; I've YET to ever see LEO patrolling the trails. Most people on the trails are just out for a nice ride, but it only takes that one group that think they are on a closed track... The other thing is winter use, at least for me, if you use in the winter. Heated cab is niiiice. |
Strong men create good times. Good times breed weak men. Weak men create hard times. (You are here) Hard times breed strong men.
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Great point by Rat_patrol. I ride mostly Jeep like trails in the mountains in my UTV. Blind corners everywhere, and a young guy on a dirt bike learned the hard way that I’m not putting my rig in the trees when he came flying around the corner on a dirt bike. Miracle he wasn’t hurt, but his bike was. Maybe loud pipes do save lives, I heard him coming and got over as far as possible but he freaked and lost control. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Originally Posted By Jodan1776: I have both for different missions. A key question to ask yourself is whether or not you will want to have a passenger more than extremely rarely. If yes, UTV; if no, ATV. Beyond that, just like with guns or anything else, you have to match exactly what you want it to do for you with the characteristics. Both will do the same as far as "beating on" goes. ATV will get through more narrow spots better. Unless you plan to take a passenger, regularly, you're probably better off with ATV. And you can get an ATV into a truck bed; not gonna do that with UTV, so you'll need a trailer. OTOH, if you plan to go out in winter, a UTV with heated cab is nice https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19694/Img_8276a_jpg-3669716.JPG Attached File Attached File old summer picture. Heater not on it in this one. |
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Sarcasm (n.) - the ability to insult idiots without them realizing it.
Sarcasm (n.) - the ability to insult idiots without them realizing it.
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Originally Posted By trails-end: There are SXS that meet the width requirement. This is arfcom. Get both. Attached File Attached File Attached File SXS has doors and diesel heater for cold weather. Attached File Attached File |
.Sarcasm is one of the services I offer.
Sarcasm (n.) - the ability to insult idiots without them realizing it.
Sarcasm (n.) - the ability to insult idiots without them realizing it.
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Do you want to ride ON something.....or ride IN something? I've ridden ATV's and dirt bikes for 20+ years. I've been in a few SXS's.....and for certain things they are fun, but I just can't talk myself into ever buying. They are just to "lazy" feeling for me. I like riding wheelies, throwing my body around, and jumping over stuff....sitting on a riding couch just gets old.....depending on the trail. |
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I grew up riding quads and I was set on buying one later this year. I'd use it for trail riding, far use, plowing. I'd long been ambivalent about UTVs, but a great deal on a super-low mileage Yamaha Viking came up on facebag from a neighbor a couple miles away. It's a six seater, so I can fit the whole family, plus it has a dump bed, door kit, lift kit, and new tires. A lot bigger than a quad, but I can haul more people and gear, it's more stable, more comfortable for passengers, and I paid about what a new Honda ATV goes for. Most of the trails in the woods out here are pretty generous and I live in the grasslands, so size wasn't a huge concern. Pay attention to your local riding conditions and restrictions, and list your priorities. If it's just going to be you, an ATV is probably the way to go, especially if you can just haul it in a truck bed. A UTV needs either a trailer or one of those over-the-cab type ramps. |
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