I concur, all I’ve done to my Mule Pro DX repair wise after 7 years of ownership is replace a battery at 6 years, and a valve stem on the front tire.

Exactly. They aren’t built like they used to be. I had 2, 2004 Foreman 450’s. The foot shift model had over 18,000 miles when I sold it in 2015, the thumb shift had over 5,000 miles. Both lived a very hard life at the hands of a young man. Both were excellent machines.

In 2012 a friend bought a new Rancher and new UTV, both had tremendous mechanical issues. He replaced them after 4 agonizing years with another Honda UTV. Again, plagued with mechanical issues after the first 1000 miles.

We have 2 Honda Talon’s in my extended family, they’ve been decent, don’t get ridden a ton, but were plagued with issues known in the Talon world that should’ve never been an issue.

I’ve never cared for Yamaha with exception for the Banshee

Kawasaki— work horses, metal, dependable, not a 40-60 mph, jumping machine
Kubota-absolutely dependable farm worker, can be expensive, not a 40-60 mph, jumping machine, will not run in high altitude if you go there.
Yamaha-can work, can do most chores, but real good in play. Mostly dependable
Can Am- same
Honda- same, but a little less
The key is DEALER, buy the extended warranty ( you can shop around and get it cheap)
If you have it don’t have family, the two seater is a no brainer.

I mean get the 6 seater.

New Mule pro ftx 1000 will run 60mph

My 800 with a lift, heavy roof and 28” tires will run 40mph.

Just takes a minute to get there.


My Defender HD 8 gets there a lot quicker though

Ya I think mine GPS ‘s out around 43 on highway, and it takes a runway

Honda has a funky transmission...it's not belt driven like the others. That always turned me off the Honda UTVs.

A UTV is not an ATV and recommendations will be different. A Honda or Yamaha wouldn't even make my UTV list. So based upon your list, a CanAm would be my choice between those 3.

I wouldn't discount the newer Mule, they are hard to kill...Bobo is proof of that. I will say I wouldn't get anything with a solid rear axle, they ride like poop.

Good luck!

This

I've had my Canam Defender lonestar HD10 since February 2019 and it's been a solid machine. I put some S3 Powersports HD springs and 32" tires on it and havent looked back. Only issue I've had with it is a fuel filter and just now have a rear axle starting to pop a little. It's just a workhorse and will go back to a Canam again if I ever decide to sell this one.

I have several friends with Can Am’s. One of them makes me look gentle and soft. he put 3000miles first year on his chasing mountain lions and bears year round and couldn’t break it . I feel as if you want a fancy cab or go fast—can am, if you want tight turns and long term dependability go mule pro ftx, HD springs or Elka are a must in either though

Great luck with my Ranger (knock on wood)

I wouldn’t pass on a Polaris, I flog on mine every chance I get and it has had ZERO issues. Hell, it’s more reliable than my new F250, CarPlay and GPS work every time unlike the truck. Belt drive isn’t a big issue, I’m still on the factory belt after 1700 miles and it’s been smoked a few times.

I've had my Ranger three years, 3674 miles. Those are hard miles in the dusty panhandle and mountains in Colorado. I load it down with 600 lbs of feed, climb hills sandy creek bottoms, you name it. No issues. Still on factory Bighorn tires until Saturday, punctured one on what I am certain was a dry sunflower stalk.

Kawasaki Mule Pro 820 Trans is the BEST UTV on the market!!! We've tried most brands and Kawasaki's just GO and GO and GO as long as you do basic service to them. We have 4 in service now at the ranch and a couple of them have over 30k miles on them with minimal repairs.

I’ve heard of some mules having 20k or more miles on them. From what I understand the engines are basically little car engines.

Only down side is not designed for a cab like can am but the cabs are adequate

Went 57mph in a Polaris in red River, went up a mountain top like the race to pikes peak, it took it all. Part of the time no wheels were touching. Routinely drive 43mph back and forth many miles in a can am in country, no problems. Have extended warranty and great dealer.

My 2012Can Am Commander 800R was by far the best UTV I've owned. Had it in the shop for fuel pump replacement only once, but found out later that the REAL issue was dirty fuel injectors! Otherwise, the machine never had to go into the shop for any issue at all, because there were never any issues!. Found out oil changes and fuel filter changes were an easy DIY. Would haul 600 lbs corn to the feeders with no issues. I replaced factory
headlights with LED headlights, added a winch, and added a top. Battery life was extraordinary!

BRP is the parent company = Bombardier Recreational Products, which also produces Sea Doo and Ski Doo'

So who owns a new Mule Pro FXT 1000? Isn't this the first year for that motor?
Looks like they already had a recall on it but I don't know how serious it is. I'm assuming they fixed the issue on new units.

Anyone plan on replacing their 812cc with a 1000?

I own five Kubota RTVs. Two are 2014s and the others 2020. I bought them all new and use them for work with employees driving them through very rough terrain all over the US. They are great machines and haven’t given us any major trouble. They are not fast, and the ride is kind of rough, they are somewhat loud, but they just go and go and the sip the diesel.

Hondas have never let us down either. Their ATVs are tanks. I have a pioneer 600 UTV that is excellent as well.

For my personal use and on the ranch I have a mule pro fxt. It rides like a Cadillac, is quiet, and has worked great for me. It has a lot of plastic though and I am not sure how it would hold up under heavy work.

The only thing I would definitely avoid is a Polaris. I have owned three of them and every one of them gave us trouble.

Apparently the issues were pretty big.

I’ve not driven a 1000 yet but I’m happy with my 812cc.

They are all good machines. It is the driver that dictates how long the machine will last.

To some degree, you are spot on.

Next time you're in a UTV dealership, ask who made the motor in the one you are looking at, you may be shocked