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Why a Rhino ?

4.5K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  TripleR  
#1 ·
I have been wondering why most of you have decided to buy the Rhino vs the RZR or Prowler?
I now ride the 07 700 with ps. Great machine even though I have owned 86 Big Red, 97 Big Bear, 2000 kodiak 03 kodiak 05 500HO polaris and finally the 07 Grizz. I keep feeling I want to get into the side by side machine. The riding I mostly do is trail riding on forest roads and some atv snowmobile trails in the UP of Michigand and northern Wis. Be great to hear from your inputs! i BEEN EYEING at the local dealer a 09 Red special Rhino.

The Red Rhino
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#2 ·
well first of all you are WAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAMO Rhino is the way to go!!!
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well i guess i just test drove a rhino and really liked it.....havent drive the other two, also the Dealer is really Nice...which helps out!! the RZR to me....You cant haul anything its really a Dune buggy i think also 2 guys...too close together
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Nice speed tho but i didnt have the need for it and i am not a big fan of Polaris.... Kitty Cat.....just sits too tall little wide for some trails i went on out at the hills....quality just isnt there i think
maybe someday........someday get a RZR but a new rhino before the rzr
 
#3 ·
Don't rule out the Kawaski Teryx. Faster, more powerful and way more stable. I had an 09 Rhino for about 2 months, it was ok but I wanted more power. The 700 is great in a 600 lb Grizzly but not enough in a 1200 lb side by side.
Or wait for the new re-designed rhino that should be out in the spring. Yamaha has addressed all of their current issues an insider has told me.............
 
#4 ·
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheRedRhino @ October 26, 2008, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
I have been wondering why most of you have decided to buy the Rhino vs the RZR or Prowler?
I now ride the 07 700 with ps. Great machine even though I have owned 86 Big Red, 97 Big Bear, 2000 kodiak 03 kodiak 05 500HO polaris and finally the 07 Grizz. I keep feeling I want to get into the side by side machine. The riding I mostly do is trail riding on forest roads and some atv snowmobile trails in the UP of Michigand and northern Wis. Be great to hear from your inputs! i BEEN EYEING at the local dealer a 09 Red special Rhino.

The Red Rhino
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[/b]
Very good question...here you go:

I chose the Rhino for several reasons. The prowler is a little too wide for some of the trails I run. As a matter of fact, the trail-head at the end of my street has two metal poles in the ground. The RZR and Rhino will fit but the Ranger and Prowler will not. I can add aftermarket parts to the Rhino (upgrading your rig is always fun) to make it as fast as the RZR but I can't turn the RZR into a utility machine. The RZR and the Rhino really can't be compared equally. Polaris did not build the RZR to compete with the Rhino. The Ranger competes head to head with the Rhino. The RZR is a fun machine but that is where it ends. The Rhino is a little of all the machines out there. Once again, Yamaha may not have built a machine that is the best in any one area but the Rhino is a good machine in many areas!
 
#5 ·
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AKMuddy @ October 26, 2008, 6:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
Very good question...here you go:

I chose the Rhino for several reasons. The prowler is a little too wide for some of the trails I run. As a matter of fact, the trail-head at the end of my street has two metal poles in the ground. The RZR and Rhino will fit but the Ranger and Prowler will not. I can add aftermarket parts to the Rhino (upgrading your rig is always fun) to make it as fast as the RZR but I can't turn the RZR into a utility machine. The RZR and the Rhino really can't be compared equally. Polaris did not build the RZR to compete with the Rhino. The Ranger competes head to head with the Rhino. The RZR is a fun machine but that is where it ends. The Rhino is a little of all the machines out there. Once again, Yamaha may not have built a machine that is the best in any one area but the Rhino is a good machine in many areas![/b]

Well said AKMuddy.

I sat down on a Prowler, it felt WAY too big and wide for me, and seemed to be built really cheap. I didn't even start one up. Just looking at it's massive size made me step back and say, "I already have a Toyota pickup for a big trail machine". I haven't rode a RZR, so all I know is what we all hear about them from others.

Here's a few things that made me realize for sure that I made the right choice buying my Rhino...They will fit in some tighter spots than you think, smooth ride, steers easy with nice quick steering at higher speeds. And, the best part, the front dif lock. I don't know what it is, maybe the weight of the machine, but the locker seems to make alot more difference on the rhino than my Grizzy. It has to make a HUGE difference compared to the others without it, because there is alot of places that side x sides have on front wheel in the air. Oh yeah, and the engine braking, almost forgot.

All depends on the type of terrain you ride. If it's mostly groomed trails with nothing to bad, and you like speed, the RZR may be the way to go. If your trails have a little of everything, the rhino will make you happy. Maybe the teryx too.

JMO.
 
#8 ·
If I had to choose between an ATV and a RUV, no question I would go with the RUV as I just bought my Grizzly to play with occasionally and still use my Rhino much more. It is really nice to be able to take my wife with me and to be able to hold a decent conversation not to mention my kids and grand kids love it.
 
#9 ·
Teryx comments

I know that this post is old but I had to comment.

The Teryx is nice, especially the 09s. However they are much about 4 or 5 inches wider, which would make it tough on some trails. Additionally, the suspension is much stiffer than the rhino. Much, much stiffer.

The 09 FI has lots of power but this is partially offset by the fact that they are are about 200 pound heavier.

Additionally, I've heard that some of the components on the Teryx's variable diff lock are very expensive to replace if they go out.

I chose the Rhino because of the reasons above and my trust in the Yamaha CVT. Also, I love my Grizzly and that that swayed me as well.

So far I love my 09 Rhino too.
 
#10 ·
I am in the market for a SXS and found this post so now its my turn. I am looking at a Rhino to hopefully purchase soon. When bought the Grizzly I looked at all the big bores. Grizzly was the best choice hands down for the most solid machine out. When I started looking at SXS the Rhino has been my choice over all. The RZR, like stated above, is a dune buggy. Not a utility machine by any means, two inches less ground clerance, more to work on (V twin) and a crappy belt system. The Kawi is to big, not that much quicker, more to work on (V twin), crappy belt system (hints why they put a belt slippage light in the dash for 09), and looks like a dag gone cat in the front end. Never considered the Ranger, Prowler, or anything else. The Rhino is slower than the two listed above, its less to work on, better belt system, is the original SXS that started the whole thing, and the most important thing, ITS A YAMAHA. You know it will be relaiable and last a LONG time. For me there is no other choice. Rhino is the best choice for a do everything well SXS.
 
#12 ·
i dont know if they will let you drive a rhino off the lot until the sway bar taken off and rear spacers on. those with rhinos are NOT spose to drive them until theses changes are done....oh well i still ride my
I read on the Rhino forum that some of the dealer have the parts in now, but not many. I still ride mine and am not going to have anything done to it. I have had it three years without any problems and I just put ITP 212's and Original Bighorns just like on my Grizzly adding four inches to the width anyway.
 
#14 ·
Yes, I bought something for under seat storage from one of the gun magazines. You pay too much for one made for the Rhino.