Some thoughts from folks who are more exprienced

[Peter Hiross]

Hey everybody,

I've been toying with pickup a side-by-side for a while now and I'm hoping to get some advise from folks here. I live in Colorado and we have land @ 9500 ft.  I plan on using the utv for hunting, general work around the property and of course fun riding trails.  I'd like to keep the costs down no more than 17K if possible.  What's the track record for Tracker UTV.  Are they reliable?  I like the SVX 1000 but I am Leary as I've head they have problems.  I also been looking at the Yamaha wolverine X2 XT-R.  I like the Tracker for the price and horsepower and the larger cargo bed.   I want something reliable than can start in cold weather.  The wolverine seems to have everything I want except maybe a little light on the horsepower.  Not sure if power diminishes with altitude but I can tell you at 10,000 our generators are about 1/2 capacity.    Yamaha  also has a $1500.00 rebate and I can pick up the unit @ $13,999.00 which will beat the tracker and the wolverine will have a sun roof and winch already included.  I know Yamaha engines are good but not sure of everything else.   Thoughts anyone?  Thanks in advance!

[kenfain]

On 4/9/2020 at 12:01 PM, Peter Hiross said:

Hey everybody,

I've been toying with pickup a side-by-side for a while now and I'm hoping to get some advise from folks here. I live in Colorado and we have land @ 9500 ft.  I plan on using the utv for hunting, general work around the property and of course fun riding trails.  I'd like to keep the costs down no more than 17K if possible.  What's the track record for Tracker UTV.  Are they reliable?  I like the SVX 1000 but I am Leary as I've head they have problems.  I also been looking at the Yamaha wolverine X2 XT-R.  I like the Tracker for the price and horsepower and the larger cargo bed.   I want something reliable than can start in cold weather.  The wolverine seems to have everything I want except maybe a little light on the horsepower.  Not sure if power diminishes with altitude but I can tell you at 10,000 our generators are about 1/2 capacity.    Yamaha  also has a $1500.00 rebate and I can pick up the unit @ $13,999.00 which will beat the tracker and the wolverine will have a sun roof and winch already included.  I know Yamaha engines are good but not sure of everything else.   Thoughts anyone?  Thanks in advance!

Can't really help you with your decision. Except to say that " light on horsepower" won't ever get better. You can always buy a winch. Or add storage solutions. But that horsepower situation, will ALWAYS be there to bite you in the butt. Buy once, cry once. But cheap out, and its never going to be what you want. 

[Volkz VLOGS]

Take a look at the honda pioneer 5 1000! I'm a motorsports tech and I've seen the Yamaha have cam lubrication issues.. If you look at a used Honda make sure it's had the transmission campaign done if it's older than a 2018. 

[Dan B]

I would consider the highest horsepower machine you can afford.  There's a formula that calculates how much horsepower you'll lose with altitude.

HP Loss = (elevation in feet above sea level x 0.03 x horsepower @ sea level)/1000

At your 9500 ft altitude, you'll lose about 28% of the available horsepower from sea level.

The Tracker uses the Chery brand Chinese engine.  There are several other "off brand" SxS that uses that brand of engine including the brand name John Deere 825I Gator.  The common size engines are 800cc & 1100cc.  If the machine has a 3-cyl 800cc or 4-cyl 1100cc gas engine, it may be the Chery engine.  It's a common engine in South America, Africa and of course Asia.  There's no such thing as a perfect SxS or ATV that will fit all needs of any one individual.  I like my ride.  But support is spotty and may be hard to find.  I've found I'll have to do most of my repairs when needed.  However, I haven't had any major issues with it yet.  Seems that from my research, the differentials are somewhat weak if pushed beyond their limits.  Mine is more like a car - it has a clutch and 5-speed transmission vs others who have CVTs.  The CVT is easier to drive.  With a cluth/transmission, I have to be more proactive with gear selection in managing power to the wheels.  It's not really designed to take it airborne over sand dunes and jumps.  The Massima (Hisun) and some others have an unusual locking differential arrangement.  Can't lock the differentials unless you're in 4WD, then both are locked.  Mine has individually selectable lockers independent of 4WD selection.