The Gator species has evolved. What began as the humble, hard-working AMT (All Materials Transport) back in 1987 has now become a very capable off-road performer. John Deere has sold over 500,000 of their Gator utility vehicles, but never has there been one as quick, nimble, powerful, or just plain fun as the new RSX 850i, and now there are three! These Gators are meant for much more than the farm!
Gator Sport
Entering into the sport market would not be easy or quick for Deere, and it would require an all-new machine from the ground up. About the only feature the new Gator 850i’s have in common with Gators of the past is the color.
Can-Am has upped the ante for every other OEM by going all-in with their new high-performance side x side, the MAVERICK 1000R. The new MAVERICK 1000R is designed to go wheel-to-wheel with the Polaris RZR XP900 and the Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000i, and by wheel-to-wheel we mean flat out across the toughest terrain you can find.
Even the most familiar trail looks completely different at night. With deep shadows, dark corners and obstacles you now see only at the last moment it’s almost like exploring an all-new area. As much as we appreciate the last second thrills however, we’ve always been the type that likes to see anything headed our way long before it meets the front bumper, and nothing helps light up the trail better than a good set of lights.
We ride many different types of trails, from open two-track, to dunes, to tight northern forest, and that means our machines must be prepared for anything. Like most riders we like to keep our ATVs and Side x Sides looking as good as possible and a big part of that is proper protection.
No machine has played a bigger role or has had more impact for a wider variety of owners than the Polaris Ranger. Before the Ranger, John Deere’s Gator and Kawasaki’s Mule were about the only choice for any serious, work capable utility vehicle. Both the Gator and the Mule were solid performers on the farm or the job site, but weekend recreation was not their domain or even much of a consideration. The new Ranger, however, offered the ability to haul everything from bricks to hay bales all week and camping, hunting, or fishing gear all weekend. Plus it did it with more power, more features, better handling, and vastly improved ride quality.
Last year we spent a couple days prowling around the woods of South Carolina on KYMCO’s UXV 500i and it performed extremely well crawling over downed timber, crossing streams and mud holes, and maneuvering through the tight trees. This year we would be giving the UXV an entirely new challenge and rather than the Eastern woods, we would be taking it into some of the toughest, yet most beautiful terrain on the planet. Saddle up for UTAH!
It’s official; John Deere is releasing not one but THREE all-new versions of the sport inspired Gator RSX 850i Side x Side and ATV Illustrated was on hand to see what the new machine is made of. From our first official look it’s clear this machine is designed to carry Deere much further into the sport segment than they’ve ever been before.
The RZR 4 is one of the most fun, all-purpose side by side vehicles we have ever driven. When given the chance to put some miles on it and really see what the RZR 4 LE is capable of, we couldn’t get it on the trail fast enough. With just over 4000 trouble free miles logged on our 2011 RZR 4 LE, you can bet we had a chance to ride in many different conditions, and it met or exceeded our expectations every time.
We Install a Set of Walker Evans Shocks on our RZR 800
SXS vehicles are like dandelions… new models are popping up all over the place. Almost every major manufacturer now has at least one model on the market, each with its own design, style, features, and level of performance. But even bigger than the explosion of SXS vehicles into the off-road market is the explosion of OEM and aftermarket performance parts and accessories. From the off-road parks to the trails or the sand dunes, it’s hard to find a SXS out there that hasn’t been modified in some way.
Are you looking for a little more stability and flatter cornering from your UTV? Don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on longer A-arms, axles, and shocks? If so, Durablue has the hook-up for you.
