Just wondering how many people have done this and are you happy with your choice. I do a lot of trail riding and sometimes I think I would be happier with a rzr ,my buddy has a 2012 rzr and it rides like a Cadillac on the trail.i have been watching a lot of riding videos today and all I see are rzr's. A ranger every now and then along with a few other brands. We all know the rzr is a better trail machine but I'm surprised that you don't see more Rangers on the trail. I use my ranger to do chores with and that's why I bought it so I could do both. Sometimes tho I would like to have both the rzr and a ranger but I had to settle for just one. So I got a 900 limited edition. Have had it about a year now and it does everything I have ask of it. Miss the engine braking. Sometimes I get the notion to sell mine a get a rzr but I'm sure I woud miss the utility of the ranger. Anyone else have these thoughts?
Rzr to a ranger
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I actually have thought about the same thing and agree the Ranger can do both, but outright trail riding favors the RZR. As a test run, I’m thinking of running a RZR for the day (have one to use from a friend) to see the real day difference and if I like it then likely to sell my unit and then get an older used Ranger/UTV for chores and a RZR so the money impact is minimized.
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When I got my RZR, my plan was to sell the Ranger and I did make a puny effort to do just that. It didn't sell and now I'm glad it didn't! The RZR is an absolute hoot on the trails but totally worthless as work machine - no bed, no storage, no turf mode, no hitch receiver. So now my "Polaris" time is about 50/50 between the two. But make no mistake, the Ranger is a VERY capable trail machine - goes anywhere my RZR can go!
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Forde, thanks for the note. May just get the RZR and keep Ranger 
I know myself well enough it will like be the 1000 crew.
I know myself well enough it will like be the 1000 crew.
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I had a Ranger for many years and it did all that I needed it to.....but there are places I can take the RZR that would leave the Ranger lying on it's side. I can still drag deer out of the woods with the RZR, so it does all that I need.
A suspension upgrade will make a Ranger ride better than many stock RZRs. I grin every time a get in my Ranger now. That said, my next machine will be a RZR 1000 or whatever the baddest one they are making is when that time comes. It will be a base model with a serious suspension upgrade out of the box. I also don't see my Ranger leaving the fold when I do get a RZR.
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I have a couple of friends I run with that have RZR's. They are really awesome on the trail, but will never do what I want with the Rangers. I like the bench seat for riding the grand kids and for this old dude to get in and out of. :fat: I use mine for both work and play. RZR's are pretty much worthless for utility. They are made to be a fun machine and that is what they are for. See many more RZR's on the trails than what used to be all Rangers.
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If you can swing it have them both, I'm blessed to have a 2013 Ranger Crew 800 use it around my acreage a lot and is a great easy access with bench seat, but when I feel a need for speed the 2014 Razor 900 XP sure satisfies along with the great ride
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I'm another old dude that likes the bench seat. And if you hunt, don't leave home without the Ranger. I've made two rides fairly deep into the woods retrieving elk. Would have spent half a very cold night packing those out w/o the Ranger. And on trail rides in the desert, I like hauling a big icebox and lots of gear!
Thanks for all the input. Haven't seen a post yet that I disagree with especially the ones who said to have both lol. Well that's not in the cards right now but maybe someday. Have you all ever rode wih someone that carries everything but the kitchen sink when they go for a ride? Seems like every group has one. I'm that guy. Have been the butt of jokes in our little group till someone breaks something so I probably need a ranger to carry all my stuff. Heck sometimes I even take a small grill and cook hotdogs. Can't beat that on the trail.
I came from a RZR XP4 900 to a Ranger crew 900, I can tell you the power isnt nearly as peepy on the Crew. I actually sold my RZR to buy another RZR1000, but after driving one and looking at the price tag I drove the Crew just for the hell of it. Needless to say after driving the nice cushy crew and having all the storage space i'm happy. There's so many benefits; 10 gallon fuel tank, turf mode, and I love being able to tilt the bed up and clean around the motor. The first thing every body says is" damn this thing is quiet".
I also came from a rzr 900 and now I'm crusing a 900 crew. I wanted a xp4 1000 but like you said the ranger is nice and smooth and also very quiet when compared to the rzr and a lot cheaper. My brother just bought a new xp4 1000 and while it's much faster and more suspension travel I still am glad with my ranger. I've added a small lift and some 30" tires and it goes everywhere I need it to.
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I have the same issue as being discussed in the thread. I got a 2014 XP900 Ranger to work with, but ended up doing more trail riding than anything. Immediately, I added a cab, then after the first ride, a skid plate and A-arm protection, then better tires. I have thought about selling for a RZR like my trail riding buddies have, but still need to work around the farm. I have enough power, but the ride is not as agile as the RZR. Someday I hope to own both. I wonder though if I upgraded the shocks, if it would be able to keep up with the RZR a little better rather than dropping another $20K on a RZR and accessories. I definitely like some features of the Ranger.
Yes upgraded suspension will let you stay with most of them, it will let you out run the ones with basic shock packages too.
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With the Ranger, I think it's a completely different mindset. It's not hammer down in most instances like the RZR, but more of a slow and steady approach (depends on what you're doing of course). I would love to have RZR, whether it be the 900 or 1000, but after riding in them I see the total loss of practicality when it comes to taking a group camping and/or hunting. I don't have the luxury of owning both and I looked at both before making my decision, and I'm glad I went with the Ranger. I've forded some fast river crossings and have had the water come up to my shins......the guy in the 800 RZR in the same situation? Up beyond his waist in the cold Alaskan water. :sorrow: <----NOT!!! lol
Too bad the ranger doesn't have couple more inches suspension from the factory. There is almost room for another model. Maybe just a little more sport oriented yet still able to do some utility work. Something along the line of a can am commander,which I was looking at awful hard before I went with the ranger. Can am is a good machine but the engine heat kept me from buying one. But hey all makes have their issues. It all comes down to use and compromise. I no longer see how fast I can get from point a to point b,or how many miles I can rack up in a day. On the trail we hardy ever get over 10 or 15 mph. Still it would b nice to have that smooooth ride of the rzr 900.guess I'll stick with the ranger cause it's really a pretty good compromise......for now.
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Very true, but that's what lift kits are for. ;-)
I'm very happy with my setup, quick enough for the long open spots should I decide to go fast with the utility to haul gear (for me and four others), wood, caribou, rocks, etc.
It's kinda like comparing a trail jeep to a trophy truck I guess. :indecisiveness:
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