Need input please

6742 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by illuminati, Dec 11, 2013

Amccoy

Discussion Starter · Dec 10, 2013

Looking for input from pioneer riders.
The trails we generally ride are extremely rocky and quite a few steep climbs. We try to avoid mud. The only reservation I have about the pioneer is the talk I've heard about the Rincon (same motor and tranny as pioneer?) not being geared low enough. Will steep rocky hill climbs be a problem for the pioneer?

I sure hope the pioneer will work. My kids will mainly be the ones trail riding the pioneer, the wife and I will be in the RZR. I'll also use the pioneer for work around the farm. Another plus will be that my mom and dad will finally go trail riding with us- they get tired on their quads and don't want to do the long rides. I'll get the 4-seater and they can haul the kids when we all go together.

Thanks,
Aaron

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Moose

· #2 · Dec 10, 2013

Hi Aaron, welcome to the forum. Yes there is no low side in the Rincon and Pioneer. That can become a disadvantage.

That being said, the Pioneer seems to pull extremely well low end regardless of that hindrance.

If your pushing a RZR to the max in these rocky, steep inclines, I don't think the Pioneer will surpass its performance.

Is there a reason you are looking to get away from the Polaris line? The Ranger Crew 900 seats 5 and has similar payload and towing to the Pioneer .

Good luck with your decision.

chiefkp

· #3 · Dec 10, 2013

If you are taking the kids and grand parents it can't be that extreme

I think the Pioneer will do fine. Can you get a test ride with a pioneer to see if it lives up to your demands?

It truly is an awesome setup for kids and grand parents though, and a whole bunch cheaper than a comparable Rzr.

Cheers,
Chiefkp

Reactions: 1

toodeep

· #4 · Dec 10, 2013

Welcome to the forum. I haven't got a chance to really test out the suspension on the Pioneer but it seems to have a pretty nice/soft ride. I'm guessing that is what your after with the rocky trails. As far as the steep hills I guess it will depend on how steep and how long they are. The Pioneer has pretty good power to overcome the lack of low range but if they are very steep and long hills a machine with low range might be better suited for you. If they aren't that bad then it will probably work for you. Best is to test drive one and see how the power feels to you.

rich450es

· #5 · Dec 10, 2013

welcome to the forum aaron !!!!!
test drive one ..........its all you can do

Amccoy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 10, 2013

Moose said:
Hi Aaron, welcome to the forum. Yes there is no low side in the Rincon and Pioneer. That can become a disadvantage.

That being said, the Pioneer seems to pull extremely well low end regardless of that hindrance.

If your pushing a RZR to the max in these rocky, steep inclines, I don't think the Pioneer will surpass its performance.

Is there a reason you are looking to get away from the Polaris line? The Ranger Crew 900 seats 5 and has similar payload and towing to the Pioneer .

Good luck with your decision.

Not so much wanting to "get away from the Polaris line" as it is wanting to get back in the Honda line. One of the main reasons I like the Pioneer 4 over the Ranger Crew is the 3 ft shorter wheel base of the Pioneer. I think getting around in some of the tighter areas of our trails would be much easier in the pioneer. None of our steep rocky sections have yet "required" that I push the RZR to the max- I do sometimes, just for fun

I just wish I could find a YouTube video of a pioneer traversing similar terrain. Oachita National Forest/Kiamichi Mountains in Eastern OK- just in case anyone here has ridden in that area.
My real reason for worry is on a couple of videos I have watched: on slow approach to an obstacle the pioneer seemed to stall at the obstacle. They'd put it in reverse and hit it with a little more speed. Would hate to have to do that half way up a steep hill. But that could have been the driver and not the machine in the videos I saw.

I don't need or expect the Pioneer to be able to keep up with me pushing my RZR to the max. Just would like the kids to go as fast as they do on their 4-wheeler but safer and for the grandparents to be a bit more comfortable when they join us.

I am almost sure the Pioneer will fit the bill because we don't do anything that you have to STOP-LOOK AT-WORK UP THE COURAGE-MAN UP AND GO. But some of our climbs and descents do give me pause for my children on a 4-wheeler. But they and the 550 Sportsman have never gotten seemingly close to being in trouble. (The previous sentence was for comparison- can the pioneer do whatever a 550 Sportsman X2 can?)

I realize that I'll never get to test drive a pioneer in the exact situations I am thinking of or really be able to relay the exact scenario of which I am speaking to you all either.
Thank you for taking the time to help me make an informed decision.

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mr.smith

· #7 · Dec 10, 2013

I wouldn't take the Pioneer up a steep rocky cliff. The Pioneer can do trails, but it is more focused on actually work. if you want something that is going to climb up rock faces you should go for more of an ATV than a UTV IMO.

Moose

· #8 · Dec 10, 2013

I think A LOT of the negative videos and feedback about the Pioneer stalling is driver error. That automatic transmission can't be driven the same way as a belt drive. Its a different kind of finesse at low or no speed.

My best friend owns a large farm in Iowa. He runs a couple Honda ATVs one being a Rincon and he also owns a few Rangers. I've driven those through some scary steep slopes and yeah I locked in low on the rangers, but the Rincon still made the same climb.

I haven't had a chance to get my Pioneer over to his place, but I think the Pioneer would climb the same things. You just can't lose your momentum and get in a spot where you stall. Even if you do, a little rock of the vehicle can break a stall.

Sounds like you have the same concerns as me in the 3+ seated Polaris. I test drove the Ranger Crew 900 right before I bought my 700-4. There was no way I could fit that extra 30+ inches in my ATV trails on my property, and the build quality just lacked. Plus for the price of the Ranger and the size of it, I could just buy a truck.

I've had plenty of power in my Pioneer, even at crawl speed in rocks or over logs, with max payload.

If your not in "extremes" then the pioneer shouldn't disappoint.

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DG Rider

· #9 · Dec 11, 2013 (Edited)

Amccoy said:
I just wish I could find a YouTube video of a pioneer traversing similar terrain.

This is not rough and rocky, but i caught a quick video of me testing the take-off ability of my Pioneer a few days ago. It had around 37 miles at the time, so still some power to gain.

If you have ever taken any pics, you know that pics/video never do the steepness justice, and this particular hill had rolling humps at both the top and bottom, so the middle where i stopped was actually more of a grade than the overall hill. It had a full tank of fuel, and i weigh about 280, and this was probably at 6000 ft.

Judge for yourself.

A also disagree about the comment of ATV's being better at climbs...but i suppose that depends on the hill. Generally, the extra wheelbase and width of a SxS makes it less scary on hills. I mean, the above hill was nothing incredible or anything...but i did it with one hand on the wheel and a cell phone in the other taking video. Could have fallen asleep.

Snappyglide

· #10 · Dec 11, 2013 (Edited)

I rode my Pioneer at Hatfield McCoy trails in West Virginia and it didn't have any problems climbing any of the hills there (never even had to put it in 4wd).But I felt the front suspension bottoms easily when driving aggressively, but it soaked up the small bumps wonderfully. So I'm kind of waiting for to see if some shock manufacturer comes out with something to improve them.Its definitely not the fastest machine out there only tops out at 44mph ,but on the trails you really don't need to go much faster.Overall I loved it and normally I ride a modified 450r. I bought the Pioneer so I could take the kids with me and it worked out great ! It never acted liked it was going to stall over any obstacle

Reactions: 1

rich450es

· #11 · Dec 11, 2013

Snappyglide said:
I rode my Pioneer at Hatfield McCoy trails in West Virginia and it didn't have any problems climbing any of the hills there (never even had to put it in 4wd).But I felt the front suspension bottoms easily when driving aggressively, but it soaked up the small bumps wonderfully. So I'm kind of waiting for to see if some shock manufacturer comes out with something to improve them.Its definitely not the fastest machine out there only tops out at 44mph ,but on the trails you really don't need to go much faster.Overall I loved it and normally I ride a modified 450r. I bought the Pioneer so I could take the kids with me and it worked out great ! It never acted liked it was going to stall over any obstacle

why dont you adjust the front shock up a little ........

DG Rider

· #12 · Dec 11, 2013

rich450es said:
why dont you adjust the front shock up a little ........

...cause he can't.

Moose

· #13 · Dec 11, 2013

DG Rider said:
...cause he can't.

+1

Yeah.... pre loads in all 4 corners would of been too good tho.

rich450es

· #14 · Dec 11, 2013

the pioneer shocks cant be adjusted ??????

toodeep

· #15 · Dec 11, 2013

Just the rears Rich... I'm pretty sure they was adjustable, I would have to look again to be positive.. lol

DG Rider

· #16 · Dec 11, 2013

toodeep said:
Just the rears Rich... I'm pretty sure they was adjustable, I would have to look again to be positive.. lol

Yep, just the rears. Too bad, as that's one of the few complaints owners have. Aftermarkets will be big sellers for the front.

I think they are fine, but i tend to be more casual-explore than rage-ride.

soapy

· #17 · Dec 11, 2013

I was concerned about the climbing ability of the pioneer. I took mine out the first weekend to a few long steep and rocky hills that I had my rzr on and the pioneer climbed everyone of them as well as my rzr.

Reactions: 1

Moose

· #18 · Dec 11, 2013

As DG said. Only the rears. Your basic run of the mill 5 position per loads. I think they are decent, but plenty of room for upgrade

rich450es

· #19 · Dec 11, 2013

toodeep said:
Just the rears Rich... I'm pretty sure they was adjustable, I would have to look again to be positive.. lol

well that just sucks rocks .........
i would (if i owned one ) pull off one of the fronts and do a mesurment from hole to hole and see what can be found aftermarket on ebay or from progressive ........ thats like the rubicon still having a carb .....honda if you can hear us ...........

DG Rider

· #20 · Dec 11, 2013

rich450es said:
well that just sucks rocks .........
i would (if i owned one ) pull off one of the fronts and do a mesurment from hole to hole and see what can be found aftermarket on ebay or from progressive ........ thats like the rubicon still having a carb .....honda if you can hear us ...........

I said nearly 10 years ago that if Honda would put IRS on the Rubicon I'd be the first one in line. Too late now.

But, could you imagine a IRS PGM-FI Rubi with Honda's "new" diff lock?

Check please!

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