If you wanna keep up and pass your buds, then you better go with a standard RZR 50", otherwise, getting a XP will continue to limit you and not only will you be left behind, but in those narrow trails, you won't even be able to use the XP for what it was designed for.....food for thought.

 

Are the XP and S designed for the desert?

 

Sold my S to go to go back to a couple of Standards. We ride tight and the S's was to wide. I also pumped some money in the Standards to get a ride out of them. Makin Trax Springs, Lift Kits, BigHorn Radials, Skid plates, a arm guards, Rock Slider, Program Box's, S exhaust's, Air Box's, and more. And am very, very happy with them for what we do. Stronger Cages are next.

 

Just longer travel and wider stance, besides the engine difference on the XP. You can use any rzr based on your application, its all about how you set it up.

 

I went with a standard and im very happy, it rides a little rougher but it'll do anything that you want it to and will go on all the tight 4 wheeler trails here in eastern ky

 

I do not believe any SXS on the market will keep up with the std rzr on trails.

 

Its definitely all about the type of terrain your in. If you're ripping through tight wooded trails, then you're better off with a standard RZR.

 

I have owned a 50" and currently own both an S and an XP. The S is much smoother and more stable that the 50". The acceleration difference of the XP is huge.

If your Ranger is 60" and fit down the trails I recommend buying the S over the 50". If you think you can squeeze another 4" between the trails I recommend the XP.

 

Plain and simple stuck with the standard because I wasn't buying a different trailer. But I also end up on tight trails just with the regular quad and didn't see why I really needed the S anyway. There's always a way to mod something to work for you.....Hope everyone's responses has helped.

 

Most of the riding I do is tight woods riding which is the main reason I got rid of my Commander.

Though I found the 50” standard narrow enough to deal with tight trails, I find it unstable on some of the rock climbing and/or tricky climbs.

My happy medium? I installed a +3 (6” total) and even with my 4” worth of spacers with my Commander X wheels, I’m at 57” total.

.... still narrow enough for tighter trails but the extra width, hopefully won’t be an issue.

Mark

 

Will an S ride much smaller on the trails than my Ranger HD even though they are both 60 inches? It seems where I get in trouble is the top of the cab and the bed on the Ranger.

Last couple of times we rode I used my Polaris Sportsman 500 and of course there were no problems.

One thing that someone said that concerns me a bit is the rougher ride of the standard. One thing I love about Polaris is the smooth ride and the Ranger HD and my sportsman 500 have it.

 

sorry I was a little vague on the term (rougher) what I mean is the standard rides a little rougher than the s, but the standard rides better than most any utility atv's. Either way you go I think you'll be happy they all have their strengths and weaknesses, if your riding the same trails as you are with your ranger I think you'll be ok with the s, but if theres any doubts get a std. and with a little money you will have the ride and the width.

 

"Rougher" might be a variable, and undefinable term here. The std rzr stock is a smooth riding machine, similar to any Polaris Quad.

What you are going to have to determine here is what is going to work best for you. If you want to dune, and ride "whoops" as they say around here, you should not even consider a std. Also, if your main attraction is to see how fast you can run over a bowling ball sized or larger rock with the least amount of buck, bounce or feedback, again do not consider a std.

If you are going to ride mountain trails, with obstacles to drive around, rocks, stumps, and generally riding at less than 25 mph, you do not need no super duper long travel sand rail.

Broad range of interest here with these toys, because there is a broad application for their use from wide open desert night racing and dune jumping all the way down to the lowly mountain trail rider on his std like me.

Bring your XP or Wild Cat up here boys, I know right where we can leave some of those trailing arms, there is already some carcasses up there. :rofl3:

 

I think old dog pretty well summed it up. When I got my rzr, I was a little disappointed in the factory ride so I upgraded to a set of Elka Stage I shocks.

The ride was GREATLY improved. Like dog said, it depends on where you're riding... if you have some rocks, boulders and such, the ride will definitely suck. If you're trail riding, not so bad.

One thing I found out at our last group ride is a member had a +4 long travel and when I rode his and drove mine, it was night and day difference even with my newly acquired shocks.

You wouldn't think there would be a difference in ride quality but there is.

HTH's,

Mark

 

I have a std and a 500 sportsman. The std rides better than the sportsman. And can be made to ride even better yet. I have offset wheels and spacers for the wider trails and stock for the tightest trails. We do high speed trail running. I would get the std if I was you. Its cheaper to widen a std than it is to narrow a S.

 

Not much to add - 'S' models (and Commanders) have lots of mountain trails to ride where we are, but cannot go into the tougher forested areas. These trails have been largely blazed by traditional quads, and even with my wheel spacers (2" all around) I have to squeeze through some of the spots. However, we meet up with them at the best mud holes.

 

I am in ky and have a 2011 s with bead locks that make it measure in at 63" in the front and 64" in the rear and have zero probs. I ride everywhere from private farms to LBL to black man to coal creek to interlake and am solid. I wasn't gonna go with a s at first but my buddy talked me into it and I don't regret it one bit. He has a 50" and we can. See the dif in performance, he did me a solid talkin me into the s.

 

good info for a newbi with the same question !!

 

I see it this way, my std can go anywhere the S and the XP can go but when the going gets tight the std keeps on going. If you ride in the open the S and the XP are the way, the trails the STD, but for sheer versatility the STD is the way.

 

i disagree s all the way

 

I would love a bigger machine, but I chase ATV's all over the place, and we get into situations where I'm touching tiers on both sides.

SO... if you need a narrow machine, you have no choice other than a 50".

 

Tough decision. Wish I could take both out on the trails and see.

My ranger hangs up because of the bed and the top of the cab and it looks like the RZR s bed and top of cab is more compact.

 

Without a doubt. The RZR is a smaller machine, even if you get an "S". If body work is your only issue... then you can get the S.

One last thing to think about.... if you are only running mountain/woods trails... a 50" will get you into more places.

 

There are a couple RZR S and XPs around here I ride with occasionally.

Like the OP, I ride tight woods trails. Me and my std can ride on the regular ATV trails nearly everywhere,with the occasional 3 point turn here and there.

Both the S and XPs sometimes have to find other ways around, sometimes going nearly a mile around the regular route.

It really sucks splitting the riding group up like that. We've taken chainsaws into the woods and worked many weekends, but, there's only so much you can do with a saw. I guess if one had handy access to a D6.......

My point, yes, the S and XP will probably make it to the same destination, but not always the same route is possible.

 

I’ll run the D6, I love to tear some shiet up....lol.

Mark

 

Mark, I've always wanted to tell you, since youre here.... Your buggy is badass!

 

Charlie,

Thanks man, I appreciate that. Kind of you to say....


Mark

 

I am in the same boat planning to buy a RZR and can’t decide between a standard and the S.

Given that I ride the regular ATV trails and hunt along side with friends with ATV I worry that I will be limited to where I can go with the S. Although there is no guarantee that the standard will work 100%, it sure will do a lot better. On the other hand, the standard has 2.5” less ground clearance for the rocks and tree trunks.

Another factor to consider is the trailer. The S will require a 72” (bed width) trailer as compare to a 60” for the standard.

The truth is that I love the look of the S over the standard.

I am taking my time to think before coming to a decision in the spring.

 

I had 2011 std just traded for 2012 RZR4 wife and grand kids and other friends enjoy it. Just have to pick places and make adjustments for you and yours.

 

Hey, I know what your talking about as far as tight trails in east ky. I live in Floyd County and have been riding alot since my purchase of the RZR 800 back in Oct. The trails are mostly for ATV's around my area, but the RZR 800 is perfect. Hell, I can even go were some ATV's cant. My RZR is the 800 EPS LE and its great. The power steering is right on point as far as turning on the tight trails. My buddies have the Ranger Crew 500 and the Can Am 1000xt which are both about 60inches, but so far the have sqeezed though the same spots i've went though. All in all I love my RZR,,,maybe in a couple of years I may buy a RZR S, but trust me, you cant go wrong with the RZR 800. Hope this helps. :greenrzr: