Side x Side (UTV) Brands

[StuckInTheEast]

As a pioneer 1000-5 owner, I love the ride, handling, layout, power and reliability. That being said, mine was bought second hand with oversize tires/wheels and adjustable coil overs so I cant compare to stock.
What i hate is the cab. If you want open cab or just basic soft enclosure to keep worst of mess off you, its feasible to do but sealing them up from drafts and dust is exercise in futility. Defrosting/defogging a one piece glass windshield in damp conditions is a challenge too.
It's a very capable machine and I have no regrets with what I paid for it. If I used it more or frequently in dusty/snowy/wet conditions Id ve looking at CanAm defenders.
If honda made a good enclosed cab the Pioneer would be the cats ass...but no dice on that yet.
Our elk guide last year had a newer Defender 4 seater with all the bells and whistles...I was impressed with how well it went where we went for a stock machine with the length of it. The cab sealed up nice and kept dust out well. Very cushy rig.

 

[Miflatlander91]

Had a can am commander for about 10 years it never gave me any issues. This year I got an rmax only put 1000 miles on it but that is a very capable machine that does everything I want it to do


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[Jon C]

I sure like the Pioneer 4 and 5 seater layouts. You can get cargo bed or 4/5 seats without having a ford ranger sized sxs to haul around. The engine/transmission/suspension on the other hand are not as enticing. The 700 is pretty gutless feeling. It's still probably the most enticing option to me for hunting/working vs a more plush, powerful, and bigger option.

Engines and transmission are the most trouble free of all of them. But can be a little jerky shifting.

 

[Boarmaster]

I went with a Ranger a few years ago when I bought one. There is a great dealer with service 15 miles from my deer lease. My SxS lives 9 hours from my house at the lease so I needed good service.
The ranger gave me more options for hunting accessories than did most others. Although I never really accessorized it was a factor in my decision. My thought I would buy a honda but the Ranger just checked more boxes for me. The ranger had a bit more room behind the wheel as well as leg room. No regrets yet.
It gets limited use riding around the property during hunting season and serviced every November whether it needs it or not.

 

[163bc]

Ive had em all at one time. Yamaha, Polaris, Honda, Can-am. Honda Pioneer is a great machine, I'm running 2 Can Am defenders now. I use em for work and hunting. Dont baby em. Can am seems to be the most reliable to me.

 

[Blockcaver]

I like the chain drive system on the Hondas a bit better than the Can Am as well but their cargo area is beyond small.

Tell me more about Honda’s “chain drive system “. Never heard of such thing. Or did you mean dual clutch transmission (gears and clutches) and drive shafts?

 

[163bc]

I like the honda dual clutch tranny too. No belts to replace. It was fantastic until it wasn't. Low gear went out in my Pioneer 1000 and 3 months in shop to get parts and fixed. Honda replaced it under warranty which was great but i was still without the machine during the entire hunting season which made me buy a new can-am defender. its much easier to replace a drive belt in 15 minutes.

 

[Samson7x]

Pioneer 1000 here and love it. I prefer the DCT over belt systems. It’s a smoother, quieter ride too IMO. I don’t like wrenching on my stuff and this has been a reliable machine.

 

[Customweld]

I like the honda dual clutch tranny too. No belts to replace. It was fantastic until it wasn't. Low gear went out in my Pioneer 1000 and 3 months in shop to get parts and fixed. Honda replaced it under warranty which was great but i was still without the machine during the entire hunting season which made me buy a new can-am defender. its much easier to replace a drive belt in 15 minutes.

The DCT system also requires a full 12 volt power delivery to operate the clutches properly. If you are running other accessories, you should also have a dual battery set up. Rebuilding clutch packs are much more expensive and complicated than changing a belt.

 

[AZ8]

I like the honda dual clutch tranny too. No belts to replace. It was fantastic until it wasn't. Low gear went out in my Pioneer 1000 and 3 months in shop to get parts and fixed. Honda replaced it under warranty which was great but i was still without the machine during the entire hunting season which made me buy a new can-am defender. its much easier to replace a drive belt in 15 minutes.

Yup. Blow a belt 12 miles from camp, pull over, change belt in 15 minutes and off you go.

My Defender has been awesome. And in 8 years, have never blown a belt. That’s just a talking point guys like to throw out. If you’re running mud/dunes, yeah, belts can break, but for general average Joe use, not an issue.

 

[Boarmaster]

Yup. Blow a belt 12 miles from camp, pull over, change belt in 15 minutes and off you go.

My Defender has been awesome. And in 8 years, have never blown a belt. That’s just a talking point guys like to throw out. If you’re running mud/dunes, yeah, belts can break, but for general average Joe use, not an issue.

This. Carry a spare. Buy the spare new when you get your new machine. If you buy used then have new one put on then and if the old one looks good use it for a spare. When you feel you want a new one have the spare put on. Keep the used one for a spare. If it breaks use your spare to get home or thru the trip. That will probably take care of your belt issues for 15 years. Next time out mine will probably break…….LOL.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Pioneer 1000 here and love it. I prefer the DCT over belt systems. It’s a smoother, quieter ride too IMO. I don’t like wrenching on my stuff and this has been a reliable machine.

I was set on buying a Pioneer 1000-6 until I drove one. Not quieter and definitely not smoother than a CVT machine. Yes the engine can rev lower on the Honda but shifting was super jerky and gear whine was easily as noisy as a Ranger, Can Am and CF Moto U10. U

 

[deerlick]

Yamaha wolverine x2 is perfect for my needs, the pioneers I've ridden in felt like an unloaded f-350 suspension wise.

 

[Samson7x]

I was set on buying a Pioneer 1000-6 until I drove one. Not quieter and definitely not smoother than a CVT machine. Yes the engine can rev lower on the Honda but shifting was super jerky and gear whine was easily as noisy as a Ranger, Can Am and CF Moto U10. U

I have a 1000-3 and never drove a 6, but agree to disagree. The rangers I’ve rode in were all rattle traps and I like the power delivery of a CVT.

 

[SloppyJ]

Tell me more about Honda’s “chain drive system “. Never heard of such thing. Or did you mean dual clutch transmission (gears and clutches) and drive shafts?

Direct drive dct instead of a belt.