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Family friendly but fun, purchase advice

OHV Wildcat said:
What’s the real opinion on quality and reliability on the can ams? To me, it felt like Polaris is lowest quality (max wrench time), then maybe can am, then the Japanese machines with the highest reliability/least wrench time. I’m partial to the KRX and the looks/reputation of the Rmax, but I’ve never done anything but touch one.
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Japanese machines typically are the most reliable and highest quality but also don't perform like the Canadian/American counterparts.
 
Or get a talon and have it perform worse and be unreliable :laughing:

The thing with Polaris and can am is shear numbers, unless you're buying a 1st year model, we pretty well know what issues are out there and there are 12 companies making fixes or upgrades for it.
 
What's everyone's thoughts on the smart shock systems? More to break later or make a big difference?

95% of use will be hilly trails in the woods/slippery rocks and mud. No plans to get to the desert.
 
We don't see many failures with the Polaris system, but I have 0 experience with the Can Am setup. It's pretty cool but honestly getting the non electronic shocks sprung a little better is usually plenty for most people. The manufacturers tend to go a little conservative trying to please everything.
 
I think the electronic shocks are for people who want a cush ride, but then also be able to stiffen it up for desert bombing. If only planning to trail ride, I'd have a hard time justifying it.

Also beware of some of the cheaper versions. Some toot the live valve horn, but then just have a switch for sport and comfort while the standard model you just have to get out and turn the clickers yourself.
 
So I have three friends with the RZRs with Dynamix shocks and they claim it's worth every penny. On hill climbs the dynamix with soften the front shocks and stiffen the rears.

I have two friends with KRX with the Kawi version of electronic shocks. One friend liked it enough to buy a second machine for himself. His wife commandeered the first KRX 1000. :laughing:

I would love a new 72" machine and really don't give a fuck about going fast. My thing is trail riding and crawling. The KRX does that very well and will fit 35s with no other mods.

Shock Therapy has a video on the Kawi suspension set up and while I haven't watched the entire video they do say they really like how it's set up.
 
I'm really liking the specs on the new talon 1000r-4. Supposed to hit dealers soon. 68"wide seems like a nice sweet spot and turning radius improved too
 
Swayzeexpress said:
I'm really liking the specs on the new talon 1000r-4. Supposed to hit dealers soon. 68"wide seems like a nice sweet spot and turning radius improved too
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I'll warn you, the talon's have the widest turning radius from my experience. I guess Honda is trying to save the CV's, but even with the X's steering box in the R to add angle they still turn like crap. I haven't driven the 4 seat R since it's new for this year but the 2 seat R's turn about as bad as a 4 seat equivalent in another brand.

They're solid but the DCT isn't for everyone. They don't make a ton of power so sometimes you're holding a gear out and banging the limiter to make a climb or letting it shift and bogging your way up.
 
Also, even with a turbo installed a Talon 4 seat is going to be a total pooch compared to that 4 seat x3 you drove, even if it was the 135hp model. The talon's are cool but if you enjoyed the can am you probably won't enjoy the talon as much.
 
redneckK20s said:
I'll warn you, the talon's have the widest turning radius from my experience. I guess Honda is trying to save the CV's, but even with the X's steering box in the R to add angle they still turn like crap. I haven't driven the 4 seat R since it's new for this year but the 2 seat R's turn about as bad as a 4 seat equivalent in another brand.

They're solid but the DCT isn't for everyone. They don't make a ton of power so sometimes you're holding a gear out and banging the limiter to make a climb or letting it shift and bogging your way up.
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Appreciate this, can't find info anywhere on the turning radius for the max, talon 1000rs4 or whatever (new one) states 22.5'. Plus some neat other upgrades from the last edition.

Your sales manager reached out this morning and super cool guy. I owe you one for going out of your way on that 🍻
 
Just for public knowledge, a Can Am X3 Max XDS 64" has a 31' turning radius. Had to go measure it myself and that's a rough number, but in case anyone is curious.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
The talon is also terrible at crawling or slow trails. Not very low geared at all and clutch engagement is pretty jerky. Also doesn't have a front locker.
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Really? the new one looks like it'd be perfect. Maybe I'm over thinking but 22.5' vs 31' is a big difference.

This is the one I'm eyeing vs the can am Talon 1000R-4 - 4 Seater Side-by-Side (SxS) - Honda

Looks like they made a lot of improvements over the years.

Everything I read and see outside of brand dedicated forums is Polaris hype, really tricky to get past all the marketing bs
 
Swayzeexpress said:
Really? the new one looks like it'd be perfect. Maybe I'm over thinking but 22.5' vs 31' is a big difference.

This is the one I'm eyeing vs the can am Talon 1000R-4 - 4 Seater Side-by-Side (SxS) - Honda

Looks like they made a lot of improvements over the years.

Everything I read and see outside of brand dedicated forums is Polaris hype, really tricky to get past all the marketing bs
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Not just talking wheel base. Everything is shorter than the x3 4 seat :laughing:

It's more suited for short course type riding.
 
Swayzeexpress said:
Really? the new one looks like it'd be perfect. Maybe I'm over thinking but 22.5' vs 31' is a big difference.

This is the one I'm eyeing vs the can am Talon 1000R-4 - 4 Seater Side-by-Side (SxS) - Honda

Looks like they made a lot of improvements over the years.

Everything I read and see outside of brand dedicated forums is Polaris hype, really tricky to get past all the marketing bs
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They have changed the DCT engagement but the gearing is the same in the Talon. On stock 28" tires it's not bad, but if you want to upgrade to 30's or 32's you can definitely tell the clutch slips quite a bit at low speeds.

Clutch replacement on a Talon ends up being over a grand. It'll last well if driven properly but it's also pretty easy to slip them and burn them up, just like a belt on a Polaris or a Can Am. Difference is, a belt can be replaced trailside for $200 or less.
 
Pike2350 said:
Mine may not be fun....I have no idea just yet. I did just pick it up yesterday though. Being a cheap bastard I wanted something I could pay cash for. It was less then $10k, which is pretty decent around here.

2013 Kawasaki Teryx 4 750 (small and likely underpowered)
4100 miles
street legal kit
2" lift
28" tires (worn but life left)/aftermarket rims
winch
2 windshields
stock rims and junk tires.

fRvWV1WrukJe-C1Mmx-Fudg=w1249-h937-s-no?authuser=0.jpg
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Did you get to play around with this yet?
YotaAtieToo said:
Not just talking wheel base. Everything is shorter than the x3 4 seat :laughing:

It's more suited for short course type riding.
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I reread about your experience, if you were not racing or in the desert what do you like best?

Kinda want to forget the females and just get a fun 2 seater lol
 
Swayzeexpress said:
Did you get to play around with this yet?

I reread about your experience, if you were not racing or in the desert what do you like best?

Kinda want to forget the females and just get a fun 2 seater lol
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My experience was owning a 2020 talon 4 seat for a year. Never raced, ran fast shit in snow, similar to desert whoops, and tried crawling.

Maybe I got a lemon, but mine was a pos, went through 2 sub trans rebuilds, plus other parts. Spent more time in the shop than out and about. All my buddies with Polaris were riding the whole time.

I think I'd be looking between the krx and rmax depending on how big of a deal wheelbase is to you.
 
I've got a 22 talon r 2 seat. I've been flogging the shit out of it with no issues so far. Added the jackson racing turbo after the first oil change. The guys I ride with have x3 rrs and I have no problem running with them. They will outrun the honda on the top end but they won't out accelerate. I have the live valve and so far I am happy with it. I very seldom have shocks in normal mode. It is more stable at high speed in sport. If you get the honda and want a turbo pm me, I'm a Jr dealer.
 
dirtybird said:
I've got a 22 talon r 2 seat. I've been flogging the shit out of it with no issues so far. Added the jackson racing turbo after the first oil change. The guys I ride with have x3 rrs and I have no problem running with them. They will outrun the honda on the top end but they won't out accelerate. I have the live valve and so far I am happy with it. I very seldom have shocks in normal mode. It is more stable at high speed in sport. If you get the honda and want a turbo pm me, I'm a Jr dealer.
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That's awesome thank you! I'm still in research mode and it's annoying bouncing around. What else did you look at? Thoughts on the new ones? Looks like they beefed everything up too
 
More of an impulse buy. I had a 17 rzr xp that I had traded for. It was kinda fast but felt like a total pos driving it. There are several talons around here and everybody has had good luck with them. I've always rode and raced honda atvs so a little brand loyalty there.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
My experience was owning a 2020 talon 4 seat for a year. Never raced, ran fast shit in snow, similar to desert whoops, and tried crawling.

Maybe I got a lemon, but mine was a pos, went through 2 sub trans rebuilds, plus other parts. Spent more time in the shop than out and about. All my buddies with Polaris were riding the whole time.

I think I'd be looking between the krx and rmax depending on how big of a deal wheelbase is to you.
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Sorry you got a $hitty one. Do you know of anyone else who did?

PS I am pretty sure everyone here knows about your experience.
 
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SHARPMACHINE said:
Sorry you got a $hitty one. Do you know of anyone else who did?

PS I am pretty sure everyone here knows about your experience.
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Only other guy I know who bought one had the same issue with the sub trans.

Lots of others had it online, but honda forums literally deleted my threads because they were so butthurt.

Wasn't trying to hash it out here, but op asked about it.

I'd imagine theyade se sort of update to fix the issue I had, but I still don't think it would be a good trail machine.
 
We've only done 2 Talon sub trans but we do probably 10-15 Pioneer ones a year.

I've only seen 1 Talon turbo, maybe it wasn't set up right but it was the Jackson Racing setup and it got walked by a bone stock Rzr XP Turbo.
 
Swayzeexpress said:
Did you get to play around with this yet?
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I took it up to our cabin last week and did a little trail riding. Nothing too crazy and it is mountain trails, although much of it was forest service roads. It did well and I am happy so far. My only real complaint is the noise...but I don't think that can be avoided. There was a patch of thick deep mud. I locked the diff and went right through. I never felt tippy or like it struggled. It certainly isn't a sport machine, but for trail riding I liked it. It fit on a 12' trailer, could use a 10' with low/no rails. The seating position is upright, not reclined which I feel is more comfortable for trail riding. It is also great to hop in and take to the store around the corner. It did rub a little in the front, but from my reading it is mostly due to a metal plate they put in the pre '16 models to keep sticks and other things from penetrating the cab floor.....they upgraded the polymer or something in newer models so no need for it....but wheeling and rockcrawling, you get used to hearing the occasional rubbing, so no big deal.

Never owning an ATV or sxs before, and never having any in my family I didn't know what to expect, but running it on the road at 40-45mph, it was LOUD. My wife wanted a speaker system and honestly I don't see the point. Unless you turn it up super loud, you won't hear it well.....then it just adds to the noise you create and is likely more annoying to others out on the trail.

I need to learn more about them however. The forums I've found seem less active and searching for info has been pretty spotty. I kind of want to remove the 2" lift to relieve the CV angles, but I like the 28" tires and worry I will rub more. I also don't care for the fatter rear tires, but that is apparently stock on these....so I will see how it goes. I don't want to invest too much into it for now. I just want to have fun and not have to wrench/upgrade it often.....so I am going to keep much of what I do to it to a minimum. I do have to repair a rear CV boot that appears to have lost it's clamp. I'm hoping not to much gunk got in and the CV is still ok.
 
Pike2350 said:
I need to learn more about them however. The forums I've found seem less active and searching for info has been pretty spotty. I kind of want to remove the 2" lift to relieve the CV angles, but I like the 28" tires and worry I will rub more. I also don't care for the fatter rear tires, but that is apparently stock on these....so I will see how it goes. I don't want to invest too much into it for now. I just want to have fun and not have to wrench/upgrade it often.....so I am going to keep much of what I do to it to a minimum. I do have to repair a rear CV boot that appears to have lost it's clamp. I'm hoping not to much gunk got in and the CV is still ok.
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Remove the lift and get aftermarket offset a-arms to push the wheels away from the body. Best way to get tire clearance without ruining your CV's all the time.


Do front and rear, bam all the clearance you need. $900 is a little steep but it'll improve ride quality too.

It says clearance for 30s so when you're ready for tires, get wheels too, all the same size so you can rotate them.
 
dirtybird said:
I've got a 22 talon r 2 seat. I've been flogging the shit out of it with no issues so far. Added the jackson racing turbo after the first oil change. The guys I ride with have x3 rrs and I have no problem running with them. They will outrun the honda on the top end but they won't out accelerate. I have the live valve and so far I am happy with it. I very seldom have shocks in normal mode. It is more stable at high speed in sport. If you get the honda and want a turbo pm me, I'm a Jr dealer.
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Change the pistons ASAP or you are going to hate life when the skirts break.
 
SHARPMACHINE said:
PS I am pretty sure everyone here knows about your experience.
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yes, we all do. probably been brought up in every forum here by now.
we all know that one guy, that reads all the brochures and is an expert at giving advice right? an arm chair QB.

his bad experience makes product X, junk! (honda talon) his good experience makes product Y, the best thing ever!!!! the guy that is always smarter than their boss. can tell any biz how they should improve their product. the guy that always gives advice but wont take any...

the absolute last person i would take any advice from.:lmao::stirthepot:




anyways... almost all sxs are pretty good when not terribly beat on. i know i cant do polaris because im very hard on a sxs. the new polaris looks promising but nothing i'd consider especially with the stop ride bs. the can am x3 has been outstanding for me and all of my riding friends, only one in the group has a polaris now. if x3 is on the list, you cant go wrong. just ask Crispy what his best rental units are.
i have owned and destroyed an xp1k and an x3. i'll keep doing it again and repairing the x3.
when i had the xp1k at st anthony dunes there was a can am maverick 800 iirc. it would embarass me in the rzr xp1k. that was eye opening. had less travel and power but performed better.



gotta go now, I finally found an F150 i'm going to trade my F350 in on so i can finally be safe while towing at 85mph with my family across a few states.:beer:
 
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