[Joseph]

HELP! PLEASE! I am a first time buyer and I can only afford one UTV. I am torn between buying a RZR or a RZR-S. I have been told by some that I should buy a RZR-S and that I would regret buying a 50" track RZR. I have also read internet comments that those having bought a RZR have regretted not buying the S. But then, on the other hand, I look at the increase in options to ride trails that limit access to 50" or less tracks plus whatever is open to the RZR-S. Isn't it better to have a UTV that can access more trails rather than less? What makes the 50" track owner regret his/her purchase? Is the S more stable in open country runs? We are a retired couple in our mid-60's and probably will not be tearing about testing the performance envelope of our UTV. Geographically, we spend our time in Colorado and New Mexico and hope to move to Arizona in the near future. I want to get this right the first time. Apologies to those riders that have heard this request ad nauseum, but I really would appreciate assistance in making an informed decision. I look forward to reading your comments.

 

[Riddler6.7]

if it were me, i would buy a regular rzr... If you are planning on riding trails for the most part, it is the best choice. Some states do not allow anything over 50" down their atv trails. I can tell you that a lot of the trails i ride on, a 60" rzr would not fit. I really would like to make it to hatfield mccoy and the paiute trails in utah. They each have trails that a rzr S is simply not allowed on. I dont want to miss out on anything especially some of the awesome trails there. Now if you only ride around on your own property or at the dunes, by all means get a RZR S... it will ride better out of the box, it is more stable,and looks awesome.

The other reason i say get a regular rzr, is that it is a lot easier to add a long or mid travel suspension to a regular rzr, then it is to turn a Rzr S into a regular width rzr. I say this because there are kits made to add long travel, but i have yet to see a whole kit made to make a regular rzr. That way you can have access to everything with out any problems, and then if you ever decide that width is not an issue for you, you can change it as you see fit.

I would ONLY EVER buy a Rzr S, if i was absolutely 100% sure that width would NEVER be an issue for you.

Probably the majority of ppl who regret buying a regular rzr, is the ppl that ride more open areas and are more concerned with performance then anything. I have never regretted buying a regular rzr. There are times that i wish i had a rzr S as well, but if i could only have one, i would do the same and buy a 50" rzr....

It really depends on where you will be riding in my opinion

 

[8ball_99]

If you can fork over the cash for difference for the S I'd say get the S.. If you were going to be beating the crap out of your RZR, It might be worth getting a standard and adding your own suspension.. But of course from the sound of it this doesn't apply to you at all... A S is a little harder to navigate tight trails with. Over all though its worth it.. I started with a standard. Then added a lift, then added shocks. The lift caused me to be very tippy in off camber stuff. Now I've got a +4 and I'm very happy. Haven't rolled it since.. I do bump my rear tires off of trees, rocks, ect a lot now.. But Its worth the trouble to make sure we keep the rubber side down haha.
If you know for a fact your going to ride in areas with restricted trails then its really up to you how bad you want to ride those trails.
FWIW.. We do nothing but trail ride.. I love very tight trails.. Could care less about logging roads or open fields.. We also do a little rock crawling and hill climbing.. Tons of trails we ride it is very hard not to roll in a standard RZR. To many wash outs and off camber turns.

 

[Guest]

Width aside...any comments on the differences in the ride quality? Not asking for myself..just thought it might be something the OP might be interested in..
Granted things can be improved on the STD with some aftermarket shocks..

 

[Dunerocket]

I think it all depends on what you want to ride. I am in the process of getting rid of the wide UTV's and getting the new 50" RZR's. There have been to many times we had to turn around because our UTV's were just to wide to fit through the gates. I think there is alot more riding open for the narrower UTV's JMO....

 

[Riddler6.7]

stock vs stock, the Rzr S rides better, handles better, and is more stable. I would love to have a rzr S myself, but its just not possible where i ride.

 

[svrzrlv]

Where will you ride most if there are alot of 50" trails then thats what I would go withif your gonna ride dunes and may only come across 50" once and awhile then i would go with the S JMO

 

[medik418]

I bought used and it was a standard. I added a +5 long travel kit and fox podiums. It truly is a softer ride at full soft but i can crank it up if needed. I can't comment on the 50" limit as we don't have restrictions here. The suspension kit was about $1900 total. Still lower than a new or used S model. I have $9900 invested in it for that part. More if you count the other stuff i've added.

 

[Guest]

Where will you ride most if there are alot of 50" trails then thats what I would go withif your gonna ride dunes and may only come across 50" once and awhile then i would go with the S JMO

True..If I mostly rode 50" trails I wouldn't even consider a wider machine..as it is there is only one trail I used to ride that I can't ride now..and it kind of sucks..it was the closest trail...oh well..they don't make a 50"RZR4..now I just gotta figure out how to get her up on 2 wheels long enough to get through the gate! Been watching them boys in Dubai...I might just give it a shot! :rofl3:

 

[grant22]

Here's my RZR vs RZR S flow chart. Ive used this with a bunch of friends and family and it has worked everytime!!!

1. Are your trails where you live 50" only? If yes, go to (A) If no, go to 2.

2. How fast do you plan on going? If less than 25 mph average, go to (A) If more than 25 mph average, go to 3.

3. Can you afford the extra couple grand? If yes, go to (B) If no, go to (A)


(A) Get a standard 50" RZR (not bad if it's all that'll fit in your trails or the lower price is what works better for you)

(B) Get a 60" RZR S (rides like a cadillac......in a good way!)

But for GOD's SAKE, DONT GET A RHINO!!!

 

[chopperbill]

I rode mine for about 3 years on 14" wheels and a 55" track. Put it back to 12" wheels and a 50" track. A whole bunch better machine now. Can go most places the ATVs go and rides and handles much better. Oh, I am in my mid 60's.

 

[Guest]

I rode mine for about 3 years on 14" wheels and a 55" track. Put it back to 12" wheels and a 50" track. A whole bunch better machine now. Can go most places the ATVs go and rides and handles much better. Oh, I am in my mid 60's.

You bring up a good point...increasing width with wide offset wheels can bring about negative handling characteristics..much different than a properly designed suspension of the same width.
Wheel offset changes everything..steering geometry,suspension geometry...ect..so keep in mind you can't compare "width" in general..a std rzr with off set wheels and/or spacers will not remotely handle/ride like an S or a properly set up LT set up...of the same width

 

[coop2424]

Personally have the 50" for the tight trails here and I would not go to the s just because I could not go everywhere I go now. I think that I would go with the Walker Evans 50" if I had to do it again though but maybe not since I could upgrade my shocks now and still be in it cheaper than the Walker Evans..

 

[ParadiseRZR]

I rode mine for about 3 years on 14" wheels and a 55" track. Put it back to 12" wheels and a 50" track. A whole bunch better machine now. Can go most places the ATVs go and rides and handles much better. Oh, I am in my mid 60's.

Chopperbill you are not alone. I'm 73 though with a 3 year old std, on 14" wheels at 55" in back and Afco MT2s with progressive springs for shocks. In California It works fine. I do go to Utah and like the 50" designated and gated trails. Those are their best trails. I bought a set of of 12" original offset Wheels and tires and change for Utah.

I understand the S has more travel, and is more stable. It will go many places a std. will go, but It will never legally go on 50" trails. flairs and rock sliders are also over the 50" limit. I have ridden with S and turboed S models (never in front) but I did finish the day only seconds behind. We were not racing. If I was going to ride dunes only the S would be the way to go, perhaps also for open desert. The answer is up to you, and only you, and is wrong only if you don't like what you get. Good luck!

 

[FunRide]

Joe...I'd say you need to make sure what the riding conditions are. I was in the same boat only weeks ago and took the S route. I figured it was worth the stability, extra ground clearance, Fox Podiums and Bighorn tires. I've spent a lot of time in technical conditions on ATVs. I'm frankly tired of it. I really like flying around on this machine. You think you're not going to go "fast", but I can guarantee you you will be traveling faster than you ever thought. They are just that capable....you can really move on these things. It's a great rig and not at all tippy. I have yet to bottom it out and run some relatively rocky trails when necessary. BUT, if all your trails are 50", then your decision is made. You did say you plan/hope to move to Arizona. I don't think AZ is full of 50" posts, but I could be wrong. I'd get the S. You will future-proof it for Arizona that way.

Lots of people get rid of the standard A-arm from 50" machines. Maybe you pick up a set used (basically new) and swap the A-arms out before you head to some vacation destination like Utah or somewhere that primarily 50". Then with some elbow grease, you'll have both a 50" and a 60". Then figure on running 60" 80% of the time in AZ and surrounding areas. -I'm going to look for a set of 50" A-arms for my winter tracks. Either way you're going to really enjoy the rig....but get the S.

 

[Guest]

Lots of people get rid of the standard A-arm from 50" machines. Maybe you pick up a set used (basically new) and swap the A-arms out before you head to some vacation destination like Utah or somewhere that primarily 50". Then with some elbow grease, you'll have both a 50" and a 60". Then figure on running 60" 80% of the time in AZ and surrounding areas. -I'm going to look for a set of 50" A-arms for my winter tracks. Either way you're going to really enjoy the rig....but get the S.

Pretty sure you will need at least axles as well Also look close at the shock mounting points...ect May or may not be as simple as swapping A-arms and axles..
But I agree..I'm even suprised at where the 4 will go..other than having to get through a 50" gate there is no reason to go with the 50" version due to width IMO..price...I understand that..not everyone wants to or can pony up for the S..but barring be dead limited to 50" don't let the width stop you from getting a much better handling/riding machine..jmo

Edit...think the swaybar is different as well?

 

[woody14]

I live and ride in Colorado and have a 50" and love it. I couldn't ride half the places I ride in a 60". For instance, last weekend we went to Rampart Range and every single trail we rode had a 50" gate. Two weeks before we rode North Divide and at least half the trails were 50". The wife and I are both in our mid-fifties and don't get crazy but we still like to open it up ocasionally and the standard works great.

In my humble opinion, if you get a 60" and want to ride the narrower trails you are screwed. If you get a 50" and want to ride dunes or open spaces you still can. You might not be able to keep up with the S's but you will still have a blast. I can promise you this: whichever you get you will love it!

 

[FunRide]

Pretty sure you will need at least axles as well Also look close at the shock mounting points...ect May or may not be as simple as swapping A-arms and axles..
But I agree..I'm even suprised at where the 4 will go..other than having to get through a 50" gate there is no reason to go with the 50" version due to width IMO..price...I understand that..not everyone wants to or can pony up for the S..but barring be dead limited to 50" don't let the width stop you from getting a much better handling/riding machine..jmo

Edit...think the swaybar is different as well?

Right...Might be able to pick up a package deal from somebody going LT for pretty cheap. Shock mounting points...I guess you could solve that with a racer-tech 2" lift bracket? There's a lot of things he could do, but I wonder how much he want to monkey with it. I think it'd be fun getting it ready for a 50" transformation.

When the snow flies I'll be going 50" for the tracks. I think it will be too wide for the sled trails with the S A-arms. Kinda need to make that decision soon since the mounting hardware will be different.

 

[8ball_99]

lol well the only thing I can say is Long travel kits sell like crazy. People pretty much give their 50" suspensions away.. I know mine is sitting in a box in the barn.. Very, Very few people buy an S and swap to 50" suspension.. Tons of people buy a standard and wish they had went with a S.. RZR with a LT will ride better, have more ground clearance and be much more stable.. If you decide your to wide I'm sure you can Easily sell your S suspension. Even better plenty of people would be happy to trade you their 50" suspension plus some cash for your S suspension.
If you don't have 50" gates in the area's you ride Buy the S..

 

[FunRide]

I live and ride in Colorado and have a 50" and love it.....For instance, last weekend we went to Rampart Range and every single trail we rode had a 50" gate. Two weeks before we rode North Divide and at least half the trails were 50".

If that's the situation, then the decision is made for him....50". He did say he was planning to move to Arizona. An S would be perfect in AZ from the trails I've seen. Maybe somebody from AZ could chime in for Joe. He also said he only wants to do this once. Where he rides a majority of his time will determine his choice of machines it seems.