For those on the fence of either a ATV or SXS...

[rootacres]

I think the main drivers are.

1. If you are transporting others vs solo
2. Truck bed transport vs trailer
3. Trail width restrictions. Personally I think the 50 in sxs are death traps

What he said ^^^

If you're solo, an ATV is great. Thats what I use. The only reason Im going to be picking up a SXS is for work around the mini farm with my wife and the potential of hunting with others. Im keeping the ATV but now I have options. Transporting in a truck also gives you more flexibility on trails than hauling trailers. if you're hunting solo, there should be enough room in the cab and bed for the rest of your gear.


Before I bumped to a full size

 

[Boarmaster]

I always used 4x4s. For 10 years I had this question. My 4x4 was working and I was all set up for it. Even trailered it fit in my garage at home or my small warehouse I keep 9 hrs away at my hunting lease.

A SxS was going to upset the apple cart. I would need a bigger trailer. It would no longer fit trailered in my warehouse or home garage.

Finally my 4x4 had a mechanical issue that
would cost far more than it was worth to fix.
It was decision time. No more putting it off.

My age became a big factor in my decision
to go with a SXS. Easier to get into, haul things in the bed instead of having to strap down things on the ATV rack. Eventually I
can add a rear winch to pull deer up into the bed. If I have a guest they can ride with me
Instead of having to haul their ATV to camp.


So I bit the bullet and bought the SxS and a new trailer. I still keep the machine in my warehouse but I keep the trailer out at my camp.

I wish I would have made the switch years ago. For my purposes the SxS just works
better.

 

[Flat Range]

For the ones who were deeply torn between owning an ATV or SXS, how did you finally make the decision? This might not apply to the avg SXS owner or ATV owner. But ones that really couldn't decide.

We have both. If I'm running something solo, I'll jump on the ATV. We have a Kawasaki Pro-Fxt Ranch Edition because we have children and two GSD's... It's like an ATV minivan

 

[Elkhntr08]

Kicked around this same question for about a year. Almost pulled the trigger on a Rzr.
This past fall, I went in the woods to retrieve a deer with my old Rancher. After realizing how I really use a machine, I bought a Honda Rubicon. It’s the Deluxe Edition with DCT and power steering. The IRS is awesome.
I call it my Ol’ man quad.

 

[Speaks]

I have both a grizzly 700 and a polaris general (and a 500 kodiak) both have their uses. Both out hunting, recreationally, and around my cabin. The use cases are minimal overlap, nearly every time I go out I know exactly which I want to grab for what I am doing.

I would really hate not having an ATV, the side by side is nice but I could live without it. Both is better but ATV if I had to pick one, easy call even without he price difference.

 

[Mpower4life]

Sxs all day

 

[JCMCUBIC]

I use an ATV (Honda Foreman, several others over the last 30 years). As far as owning, ATV's are all I have experience with. Used for hunting and farm work...no fun riding. It gets used almost daily.

My next will be a small UTV, most likely the Honda Pioneer 520. It will just be easier for carrying hay bales, tools, and another person.

Someone mentioned the idea of the small UTV's being death traps, but for my hunting use, I think they would be safer. I've turned ATV's over a couple of times on steep rocky/rutted/washed out mountain trails. I'm careful, but a deer strapped on can throw balance pretty bad. The roll cage on the small ATV's have to make them safer.

 

[OverInfinite]

I use to race/ride dirtbikes, I got a fourwheeler in college purely for hunting then when i got married the utvs came into my life. And I will never go back to a fourwheeler.
I have had a couple bigger utvs. And currently have a 50" utv. I love it- its less tippy in my opinion than a fourwheeler. I am planning to buy a bench seat ranger soon for my family of 3. But in the meantime we use the 2 door jeep.
The comfort level in a utv is night and day compared to a fourwheeler.

 

[idcuda]

Many years on a Honda Rubicon then I got a Maverick trail. The Maverick is already for sale after two years and I bought a grizzly 700.

I feel too boxed in inside sxs. And the dust, noise, endless $$, etc. I figure I'll get another sxs in about 10 years and it'll be something with AC, but for now I want the open air.