17 replies to this topic

[ShooterJohn]

My cousin is looking at buying one. Does anyone have any experience with one?http://powersports.h...09/big-red.aspx

[wannakillacoyote]

No personal experience. I have been doing a LOT of research lately and the Big Red missed the mark.The recommendations are:Best All Around as well as sport use -- Yamaha RhinoRanching/Work etc -- Polaris Ranger (too wide for a lot of trail riding as well as doesn't fit in the bed of a truck plus with the bench seat you slide around too much) Best new kid on the block -- Kawasaki Teryx (still needs a while to get the bugs out)Biggest Disappointment -- Honda Big RedHe should check out a bunch of the forums specializing in each vehicle, but most of the stuff I have read say's the Rhino is the best as well as the most reliable.

[ShooterJohn]

Thanks I'll tell him. His main reason for even considering the Honda was Honda's reliability. But like anything it's best to look around.

[CoyoteHuntress]

Rhinos have too many recalls.. and being more narrow tend to flip easier.. I just didnt care for them at all when we were looking around. I will admit Im a polaris lover so Im probably biased but we really use ours rather hard and in alot of situations and its always done good for us. As for sliding around in the Polaris.. I havent had that problem.. I like the bench seat.. Easily fits three people, or two and alot of gear And it does have seat belts which I have had to use when coming down a steep hill, keeps you from falling onto the dash LOL... Yes its wider but flipping over has never been a problem. Where we go occasionally we have to squeeze through some brush and such but I havent found a place yet that it hasnt gone where I wanted it to. We do mostly back country mountains and it is really good for that. Plus can haul out several deer with no problems. even when loaded down with all our gear. Ive seen the Big Reds but havent checked into them much. If you go test drive one let us know how it feels

[lilwes278]

Oops, I posted a big long reply regarding the Honda Big Red ATC's then I just realized SJ was referring to the new Honda Big Red UTV's... I hate when a manufacturer uses the same name on different models.

[jawbreaker]

have him take a look at the suzuki samurai, I heard that those were the best hunting vehicles ever....

[ShooterJohn]

This will be more of a ranch vehicle but I've heard good things about the Samurai's.

[grandslam]

The big red looks cool.....thats gotta count for something.

[ShooterJohn]

He bought one and he loves it. They use it constantly and no problems so far. It even loads in the pickup pretty easy. Just two bails of hay laid across behind the truck and drive up and in. Scary but it works.

[Barticus]

My hunting buddy from Oregon has one and loves it.

[Soreloser]

I have hunted out of a Polaris Ranger for the last two days. It's the first time hunting out of one of these SUV's or whatever you call them..Honestly I can tell you I am extremely disappointed. As far as the ride is concerned it handled great and covered the rocky terrain without a problem and didn't bounce you around. HOWEVER!!! 1. It was WAY LOUDER than I ever thought it would be. My Jeep is quieter than this thing. Maybe they all aren't like that but I was shocked. 2. It is IMPOSSIBLE to keep anything clean in the bed of these things. The bed is literally a dirt and dust collector as you are driving and when you stop. Luckily the one we were in had a covered screen between the cab and the bed or I imagine we would have been covered in dust also. 3. Unless you are using the bed there really isn't any storage in the cab and no way to secure any items so that they don't bounce or fall.4. The engine on the Polaris seemed to be right under the seat and that made it hotter than hell. After about 10 minutes of riding with Shorts on the back of your legs heated up pretty bad.5. This one was also without a windshield. Because of that, if you went through any brush that touched the front of the buggy, you ended up covered in seeds because they just came right up over the hood and into the cab.Like I said the only positive I can find in the one I just used is the fact that it handled the terrain effortlessy and was a very smooth ride. I will however, no longer be thinking about buying one. No matter who the maker is. I can't see how any of them would differ that much, but maybe ya'll can share your thought on different models.

[CoyoteHuntress]

ANY quad or UTV without a cab will throw seeds and such on you..Get the enclosed cab... As for securing things, add racks.. WE can haul 9 guns in the cab, all out of the way but obviously withen reach. WE added a tool box to the back.. We can haul just about everything you can imagine.. PLUS have room for ice chest, extra gas etc.. Deer goes right up on the box and straps down easy. IN the middle of the seat we carry our video camera and my fox pro. nice of them to include a seat belt for my things LOL.. There are vent holes behind the seat, block them off and no more dust can come in from underneath, as for heat coming off the engine, ya cant really help that much. WE dont use the middle of the seat for a person so we dont notice the heat ... Ours has a heater so in winter IM toasty warm even in just a Tshirt when its snowing and cold out.. The windhsield wipers are very nice to have too.. Ive heard people say they can be loud but I guess I lucked out cuz outside its much quieter than a quad, but inside the cab it is rather loud. but not so loud you can talk to each other. In low gear its much louder than in high gear, I love mine.. Wouldnt trade it for the world.. But as with any of our toys and vehicles you have to add what you need to make it work for what your doing. Adding gun racks and stuff like that will really make you appreciate it alot more.

[packhorse9]

I own a 2008 polaras ranger 6x6 everyone that has ever hunted with me loves it, its very quite, and all your other comments ITS A UTV not a BMW your hunting not going out to dinner its a atv that has a bed and seats 3 in the front , I mainly use mine for work and would not be without it, the mower, blade and dump bed make work around my place much easier there's places on my land that I would have to try and walk to hauling tools and fencing that i drive right up to. my atv,s were used a few times a year, the polaris is used every day, my wife loves it my dog loves it my hunting buddies love it and if it was gone for any reason it would be replaced ASAP.. Dave

[CoyoteHuntress]

ROFLMAO okay the going to dinner comment made me laugh THAT was funny.. Also I should add I pack gas for my sons quad.. The ranger for whatever reason gets really good gas milage. Where we go we go WAY WAY back in.. I dont trust the battery ones simple because I just dont think you can get the range from a batery that you can from the gas.. course toss in a solar panel and you could recharge while you are parked I suppose.. I still dont see it having the power that a gas engine does..

[Stan]

This will be more of a ranch vehicle but I've heard good things about the Samurai's.

Maybe the Samurai's should pack a Big Red as a Spare since they have so much room

[ShooterJohn]

[novaman64]

ROFLMAO okay the going to dinner comment made me laugh THAT was funny.. Also I should add I pack gas for my sons quad.. The ranger for whatever reason gets really good gas milage. Where we go we go WAY WAY back in.. I dont trust the battery ones simple because I just dont think you can get the range from a batery that you can from the gas.. course toss in a solar panel and you could recharge while you are parked I suppose.. I still dont see it having the power that a gas engine does..

Electric motors are actually extremely torque...However....I dont like electric at all, I think its a waste, specially when you consider the price of replacing the batteries down the road. (Hybrids are such a joke, I used to work at Lexus, and when yo factor in disposal and cost of replacement batteries plus the additional MSRP you really arent doing anything for gas savings of money or the environment).