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

[NEmike92]

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.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

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

 

[High Climber]

I have a full size sXs and an ATV… wish I had a 50” sXs

 

[tony]

How do you people afford these?
I just bought a revolver (my first ) at regional farm business that sells atvs, tractors, firearms etc.
I parked in front of a Polaris I believe, size of my ford ranger.
$42,000!
That is what my 2021 ranger stickered for. Interest on atvs has to be high.
Here in WV people are allowed to run them on the roads. Don’t see any off-road.
And of course they are usually parked in front of a shit box trailer home .

 

[Meshnasty]

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

This is basically dead on. We bought a 4 door General based on the following.

1. We have three kids.
2. I don’t mind towing.
3. Very few width restrictions by us.
4. We take it where we don’t want to drive our truck.

We will add an ATV or two later on. Mainly for ice fishing and I want something with tracks for bear baiting.

*I’ll add we looked at just getting an 2-up ATV for now to save money and wait for the kids to get older but getting them out more is our priority.

 

[Wallace]

Duck hunting is where I use an atv/utv the most, second to deer hunting. When I was hunting fields a decent amount for waterfowl, a UTV was the best. Easy to haul people (had a Polaris that seated 6), loaded the decoys, dogs, and gear the best. I'm now primarily hunting in the woods with occasional field hunting. ATV gets loaded on the barge and driven across a lake when the water is low. I've been looking for a good deal on one of the Polaris ATVs with the small bed on the back, I think that is the perfect compromise for my situation.

For where I deer hunt (in the mountains), a UTV won't work near as well as an ATV due to tight getting into tight spaces and turning around.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Limited experience but brought a RZR 800 this year, and a friend had an ATV. The RZR got way more use.

Can carry two plus packs and bows comfortably. Windshield and back window to cut down on cold wind and dust. Roll cage and seat belt.

Ideally a three seater would be ideal for my group but nobody wants to buy anything. We already had these toys available.

 

[Gman12]

I have both and, if I had to choose between the two, I would pick the SXS every single time. It is much more versatile, can transport comfortably 2-3 people, has a bed for hauling things and is warmer in the winter. It is more comfortable to ride in on bumpy trails and better all the way around IMO.

 

[Team4LongGun]

Some considerations, as we have utility quads and a have had several sxs's.

Distance-how far are you going on a hunt, and how often? Weather, gear carrying capability, locking gear in sxs, etc.
Usage-property work, fun ride here and there, with an occasional hunt?
How many people?
Weather-this is huge. You absolutely want full cab with AC (due to it being more airtight) if your in a dusty environment like we have in the summer.

Then there is the width factor.....don't get the full size if you plan to take it on approved 50" restricted trails.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

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.

I partially made my decision based off of where I was going to be.

Lots of areas here are looking to limit folks and have started implementing weight and width restrictions.

 

[wapitibob]

If I lived in AZ I'd have a full size $45,000 sxs with 20" of suspension travel, but I don't, so I own a 2004 Polaris 500 ATV.

 

[Blockcaver]

Have a 13 year old Yamaha Grizzly 550 quad with a snow plow. Sometimes it goes way into the northern BC back country pulling an aluminum tub type trailer. I rarely use it locally. So mostly snow plow use although it is a very comfortable machine with power steering, great seat, IRS, heated grips, FI etc. Starts great in the winter etc.

Also have a 2024 Honda Pioneer 520 SxS we bought used last year (7 km on it!) to replace the old 2012 Polaris RZR 800. Much nicer bed on the Honda, bench seat for the bird dog, wife and I…tight fit but works. RZR really didn’t, although it never gave us much mechanical trouble and went some amazing places.

We like the SxS for family use. Also gets 90% of the spring black bear hunting use although I’ve been known to take the Yamaha Grizzly or small motorcycle on occasion. Nice to have easy access to the bow, pack, rain gear. Lunch, tripod, spotting scope, fold up chair, shotgun in case of hairy blood trails in grizzly country, etc. Might even take the Mini-Starlink this year on all day hunts, haha.

 

[KurtR]

It’s cold ice fishing I want a cab with heat was my major reason. I just ride from my house right on Oahe so I keep it loaded up and can run out after work if I want to. Trail riding it’s nice not sucking dust all day.

 

[Trail&ErrorAK]

Have a 13 year old Yamaha Grizzly 550 quad with a snow plow. Sometimes it goes way into the northern BC back country pulling an aluminum tub type trailer. I rarely use it locally. So mostly snow plow use although it is a very comfortable machine with power steering, great seat, IRS, heated grips, FI etc. Starts great in the winter etc.

Also have a 2024 Honda Pioneer 520 SxS we bought used last year (7 km on it!) to replace the old 2012 Polaris RZR 800. Much nicer bed on the Honda, bench seat for the bird dog, wife and I…tight fit but works. RZR really didn’t, although it never gave us much mechanical trouble and went some amazing places.

We like the SxS for family use. Also gets 90% of the spring black bear hunting use although I’ve been known to take the Yamaha Grizzly or small motorcycle on occasion. Nice to have easy access to the bow, pack, rain gear. Lunch, tripod, spotting scope, fold up chair, shotgun in case of hairy blood trails in grizzly country, etc. Might even take the Mini-Starlink this year on all day hunts, haha.

Sounds like the trailer I'm looking for.
I was gifted the heaviest lowest clearance trailer known to moose hunters and I absolutely have to replace before this next season. Even if I have to Fabricate something on the frame on this after getting some bigger tires.

 

[Blockcaver]

Sounds like the trailer I'm looking for.
I was gifted the heaviest lowest clearance trailer known to moose hunters and I absolutely have to replace before this next season. Even if I have to Fabricate something on the frame on this after getting some bigger tires.Trail

Trail &Error from North Pole....Skip Scott the retired taxidermist from North Pole is a friend I never see.

My tub trailer is a Bosski Aluminum Trailer, tube steel frame with torsion bar independent suspension, aluminum cover with a gas shock, (nice to keep the mud, rain and snow out) and just two wheels. Pretty large flotation tires and decent clearance. Bought it for $1100 CAD$ brand new 8 years ago in Canada. Been a good trailer and tows so much easier than the walking beam tandem plastic tub trailer I borrowed one year. Does bounce around a bit more though.

 

[KHntr]

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.

I have both. Multiples of both.

It really comes down to your use case scenario.
If you are predominantly going places on your own that are reallllly tight for turn arounds, and not carrying much for gear then an ATV can make sense.
If you have spectacular Tetris skills and an abundance of ratchet straps, then an ATV can make sense.

If you want to just toss stuff in the box, and roll it off your trailer and head out, then a SXS makes sense.

Mostly it comes down to cost though. ATV’s are cheaper. They usually don’t require a trailer. You’ll put less aftermarket accessories on it. There are less aftermarket accessories available period.
You won’t look as cool on it, because there are less accessories. Did I mention the accessories?

You can get away with having an axe strapped to your ATV forever and never need it. You WILL need a saw at some point with a SXS if you live somewhere with trees along the trails because guaranteed there will be a tree at hood height that someone cut out juuuust wide enough for his atv. You will probably need a shovel at some point if you live somewhere that it’s wet. And probably a second winch if it’s really wet.


After 40 years on ATV’s, usually on the biggest machines available on the market, I went to a SXS a couple years ago purely to make hunting big stuff easier. It’s a bunch easier flopping moose quarters into a box and the passenger seat than it is strapping them down on a quad rack. And a bunch safer in tough terrain too.

Don’t think I’ve even started any of the quads here in the last 12 months.

 

[wyosteve]

I have both and agree with the others that have described the use/need under varying circumstances.