I'm looking to purchase a side by side and I THINK that I've got these two narrowed down but not totally convinced on which one I really want.

Uses for me personally are- Lease ride arounds with my 6 year old, regular lease work, 2 trips yearly to New Mexico for camping, just playing and riding. NOTHING extreme (mud, water etc.)

Can you guys tell me what you think positives and negatives. Thanks.

i have owned both and as far as the working needs out of one id go with the ranger by far the rhino is smaller to me comp. to ranger and the ranger has more power to haul a load if needed plus the ride is better to me in the ranger. my rhino wasnt half it was made up to be im on my 2nd ranger and the only reason is i wanted the crew just picked up a 2012 crew and its the best machine ive ever owned if your willing to drive a bit and looking for a new one try the guys at Normangee tractor usually big selection and great people also Hofpair polaris or however you spell that is not too far from fort worth and they ahve good prices but stay with the 800 instead of the 500 if you ever wanted to sell it it would be much easier and like ive allways been told you cant ever have too much but you can have not enough just my 02 good luck either way im shure youll be happy

I assume you eliminated the Kubota RTV from consideration? Perhaps because 25 mph is too slow? My RTV 900 is a beast of a working machine.

or the 825 XUV John Deere Gator. But it only runs 45 mph.

Google "heat issues polaris ranger" before you buy one. Bout to be a major law suit against Polaris for some issues with the Ranger. FYI.

Honda Big Red, I love mine. Has a real 3 speed automatic transmission, not a dang belt.

I love my Rhino. It is narrower than a Ranger for trail riding and it will go places the Ranger can't because it is narrower. I can haul 8 bags of corn to the feeders. I have had it for 2 years and have no complaints.

Ranger is rated for 1000# load or 1500# pulling, and that's the 500. I have the 500 it's a 2007 model and I don't know what it can't do, at least in my uses.

There is no comparasion. Ranger hands down.

Your are right about that. I have owned a Polaris product and I will buy Yamaha every time.

I would buy yamaha way before I would buy polaris again. Still prefer the Honda though.

helomech, I have had several Honda bikes and cars and have no complaints about the Hondas but I have also had a Yamaha outboard, currently have a Yamaha scooter and the Yamaha Rhino and have had zero problems with any of them and all have served the purpose for which I bought them well.

When I rode the Ranger XP I felt like I was constantly leaning forward? Is that normal or was that just the one I was riding? And NO I was not going down hill!!

I seem to like the Bucket type seats in Yamaha but the Rangers bed seems bigger, for some strange reason I can't see me worrying about the 500 vs 800 not sure why because I typically would be.

I appreciate the comments fellas.

I love the yamaha outboards. Yamaha is IMO one of the best. I would have considered the Rhino if it didn't use a belt.

I have a yamaha on the skeeter and on the duck boat. They are great.

We are talking about UTV's though. I know nothing of Honda. I know my BIL sells Yamaha and Polaris at his dealership. I have driven and used both. For work or going over rocky rough terrain or going through deep mud. The Ranger tears the Yamaha a new one. The belts dont slip near as much as folks think and I can change one is a few minutes. Can you replace your auto tranny for 40.00 or in a few minutes? Nope.

LMAO, the belt is not the transmission. The transmission on yours is located on the opposite side of the belt from the engine. Can you replace your transmission for 40 bucks? I don't ever see having to replace the transmission on the honda. In fact I don't know of anyone who has ever replaced a transmission on a honda ATV. And yes the transmission is the same. You can keep your polaris, I sure wish I had never bought mine. Wish I had went with honda the first time.

And yes we are talking about UTV's.

I don't like any of 'em. Give me a 4x4 Japense brand mini-truck with heat and a/c and no dust, for about 1/2 the money. I'll add the Krylon camo job.

It won't go through my creek. I wanted one, but decided against it. Besides I don't like manual transmission for off road.

Love the RHino we have. It is the 450 and goes 38 mph and goes places I wouldn't take my truck that is for sure, Also doesn't rut up everything when it is muddy. Only negative, it is loud so we put the benze silent rider on it and it made it quieter for the deer..ha.ha. but not the cab. I hear rangers are good but they cost more from what I recall so I expect they should be better.

Have the 2010 Ranger 800 bought new in 2010, and while it's been a great UTV, it's been in the shop three times this year for wiring harness issues. They haul lots of people and stuff..heck, we've pulled trees down with it. I've had my 2003 Trail Boss 325 for years and it's got a lot of hours on it, never an issue. When it comes time to replace them, will probably go Honda.