Good afternoon group!
Being new to this group, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My wife and I have been in the market for a side by side for the last year or so... In that time, we have seriously considered the polaris ranger, the rhino and the mule. To be quite honest, the Gator was not even on my radar. I spent some seat time in a 500, 700 and 800 full size ranger as well as a 570 midsize. While I had some hesitation, (I have owned many polaris ATV's with mechanical issues) I expected to fall in the ranger camp. That is, until I found a 2014 825i Gator in camo parked beside a full size 2014 800 ranger. I have had two major reservations about the ranger. My first was a large machine powered by what I believe is best suited for an ATV. My second concern was a large machine built for hard work having a frame built much in the same way as Polaris's ATV. All in all, I felt that it was an "ATV on steroids". What I had come to find from the Gator was first a solid frame with true a-arm suspension made from components that appeared substantial. The second was a power plant that looked more akin to what I would expect from a machine of that size.
That is when the research began. As we all know, if you are searching for problems, you will find them... If you are searching for those who love it, you will find them too. What really matters is how the machine fits for your needs, then a leap of faith. My wife and I took that leap and just purchased this machine. We are elated and hope that it proves to be a scaled down version of a jeep instead of a scaled up version of a ATV. I suppose that time will tell, but what I know to be true is this: When problems come to pass, and they will, others will always be able to help with valuable information. I have had the privilege to gain wisdom and hopefully share a bit too as an owner of other items. I hope that this forum will prove to be the spot where I can do the same with this new addition to our family.
Being new to this group, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My wife and I have been in the market for a side by side for the last year or so... In that time, we have seriously considered the polaris ranger, the rhino and the mule. To be quite honest, the Gator was not even on my radar. I spent some seat time in a 500, 700 and 800 full size ranger as well as a 570 midsize. While I had some hesitation, (I have owned many polaris ATV's with mechanical issues) I expected to fall in the ranger camp. That is, until I found a 2014 825i Gator in camo parked beside a full size 2014 800 ranger. I have had two major reservations about the ranger. My first was a large machine powered by what I believe is best suited for an ATV. My second concern was a large machine built for hard work having a frame built much in the same way as Polaris's ATV. All in all, I felt that it was an "ATV on steroids". What I had come to find from the Gator was first a solid frame with true a-arm suspension made from components that appeared substantial. The second was a power plant that looked more akin to what I would expect from a machine of that size.
That is when the research began. As we all know, if you are searching for problems, you will find them... If you are searching for those who love it, you will find them too. What really matters is how the machine fits for your needs, then a leap of faith. My wife and I took that leap and just purchased this machine. We are elated and hope that it proves to be a scaled down version of a jeep instead of a scaled up version of a ATV. I suppose that time will tell, but what I know to be true is this: When problems come to pass, and they will, others will always be able to help with valuable information. I have had the privilege to gain wisdom and hopefully share a bit too as an owner of other items. I hope that this forum will prove to be the spot where I can do the same with this new addition to our family.