[GndPndr]

Alright everyone, I am not trying to beat a dead horse, but I am going to ask the question again (I am new to this great forum). This time I am looking for a little more geographical info than just a generic answer. I am going to buy a RZR, but the million dollar question is RZR 4 or the RZR S. I have a friend that has an S and has been riding in Colorado around Estes for a while now. He said that the 4 would be too long and not fit the trails that great. I am switching from Rock Crawling with a CJ7 to try this side by side stuff out and have just added a member to my family and want to make sure he will growing enjoying this great sport. I have seen the retro fit cages to add a back seat to the "S's" and that looks like a accident waiting to happen, but it will a couple years before the little man will be tagging along. In the jeeping world, I have seen the 4 door Rubicon's go everywhere my CJ will go, within reason, they do rub more and do have some trouble, but nothing a little finesse would get them through. I am wondering if that is going to be the same in the smaller market (probably already answered my own question). I wheel mostly in the Black Hills and want to continue to go up there with the new toy and go to Colorado with my buddy. So after all my rambling I guess I am asking for those of you that have rode in these areas and what your experiences have been. I know ultimately it is my decision, but I am the type to investigate anything I am going to buy until I am blue in the face. Thank you all for your input and taking the time to read my small essay. Once the toy is here I will be looking for some new friends to wheel with so keep me in mind. Thanks again for your time and advice. This is a great resource for information.

Sean
Middle of Nebraska

 

[rzr(s)hroom]

i run mostly jeep trails (there are plenty of them) and the rzr4 would be fine. yea there are obstacles that would be harder/more work, but it would make it through. since you are no stranger to playing on the rocks, you already know that good skids are the 1st upgrade.

i ran a couple tight atv-type trails on the forum run in taylor and i dont think a rzr4 would've made it. even those of us in the s had a hard time making a couple of the corners. but the rest of thrails were no problem for the rzr4

i say go with the 4. there are a ton of trails you will be able to run. you will also be able to run most of the smaller trails, just do your research ahead of time. a couple areas have 48 or 50" limits, but you will be too wide for those anyways. your other option is to go with a s for now. they seem to be holding their resale value so you could always trade it in if you didnt want to add the aftermarket rear cage/seat

 

[MST]

I have a 4 and have ridden around Hahn's Peak and all over the Rainbow Falls area in Colorado. I've also done a big trip in the mining areas around Buena Vista. Nothing I encountered gave the 4 any trouble. The wheelbase is about the same as your CJ, so cornering would be familiar to you. Like the above poster said, you will be too wide for 48/50 inch trails. Those are for ATV's and dirtbikes. The only trails you can legally ride on the RZR-4 are jeep trails. Clearance will be no issue in that case unless you want to do something rediculous like Carnage Canyon or the Iron Chest trail. Stay away from trails that require heavily modified Jeeps with high ground clearance and you'll have a blast in the 4. Also, if you load it down with people or gear, adjust the preload accordingly so you maintain your ground clearance. For what it's worth, my brother-in-law is a HUGE jeep fanatic and he's getting rid of his big TJ for a RZR-4. It's a purpose built vehicle that can handle most of the trails out there.

 

[GndPndr]

Thanks guys for your insight. I think you have made my mind up for me. I drove an S this weekend and it is nice, but that extra room is hard to pass up. The folks with the S said the majority of the issues on the trails they ride is that they are steep not difficult obstacles so that extra length will only help. That is also interesting that the jeep guy is trading to a 4. Thanks again for all of you advice and lets chat later!!

 

[MST]

Glad to help! You won't be disappointed. My brother-in-law's reasoning for trading to a 4 is pretty simple. He had about $45k in his jeep, and he drove it to and from the trails he rode. So he always had to be mindful not to be too ballsy when he was wheeling because if he damaged his jeep enough to where he couldn't drive it, he'd be stranded. The RZR-4 is purpose built to be towed and off-roaded, so if you jack it up, you'll still make it home. Plus the cost of admission is way less than a nice jeep!

 

[GndPndr]

I would have to agree with him. I have a ton in mine and I have always kept a jeep instead of a buggy so you could drive it on the road. I am not sure I will like taking a trailer everywhere, but I am hoping as the side by side sport grows states will see that they can be driven on the road just as safely as cars/trucks and that way we can make it from camp to trail without the wagon train. Other great reason to wheel in South Dakota. Thanks again and talk at you later.