Polaris Ranger vs. Kawasaki Mule...opinions

[Huntindad]

I am looking to retire in a year or so and building our retirement home on 10 acres in Burnet county.

I am looking to get a SxS UTV to toodle around around on and do various functions on the property.

I have seen many Polaris Rangers for sale and a few Kawasaki Mules for sale

the Mules I have seen are the 4010 model, some Diesel. And...some newer PRO models.

This tells me that Polaris is popular and the Mule is not ... or Polaris is problem plagued and the Mule is a more solid unit that is not on the market as much.

So... Y'alls thoughts...Ranger or Mule ... or is it a Ford/Chevy type of deal????

[panhandlehunter]

If you’re using it to mess around your place and work out of, then get a Mule.

[Low Fence]

If you want to actually ride it vs. unload it at repair shop I’d go mule. Every Polaris I’ve ever had any dealings with was in the shop more than on the property

The old mules are tanks. They are slow and ride rough…. But so is a tank.

The mule pro is better riding and better power than the old war horse

Diesel….. I wouldn’t have one if it was give to me
My top 10 in off road transportation:
1. Can am
2. Honda
3. Kawasaki
4 Yamaha
5 cub cadet
6 Chevy Astro van
7.roller skate
8. Broken flip flop
9. Pogo stick
10. Polaris

[ByronB]

I can only speak for the Kawasaki Mule since I own one. I have a 2006 Mule 610 that I cannot seem to break. It has only been in the shop three times for “issues” since purchased. None of the issues ever cost me more than $460 when taken in for repair. I had to have a new starter put in during the 2020 season. On that trip I put in new LED headlights, oil change, filter, and drain the gas tank. That was the repair that cost me $460. I would say this.....you will not find as many Kawasaki Mules for sale because people hang on to them longer. Just my two cents. If the motor craters then I will buy another Kawasaki Mule.

[Chance Love]

Mule Pro FXT all day long. Gas. Don’t mess with a diesel.

I had a Ranger, sold it and bought the Mule. When I was shopping I was only interested in CanAm or Mule. Polaris was not even on the list.

[Txhunter3000]

Since the post is between Polaris and Kawasaki I vote Kawasaki, but I have a Kubota diesel x1140.

[Electrican]

Reason so many Rangers are for sale, they are junk. Mule Pro FXT all day.

[MikeyG]

Mule. I have a 2011 4010 and it has never let me down. I’ve thought about getting a new one, but I can’t justify it because mine runs so well and is so dependable.


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[Palmetto]

Low Fence nailed it. Get a mule pro.

We ranch every day with ours. In our experience, Polaris just ain't cut out for the day in, day out work.

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[Jamvo]

My family and I really enjoy our pro fxt. Hauls a lot of people or stuff. More of either one when you want. 3 year warranty. Great for working around the property or cruising. We take it to the mountains and ride around. I wouldn’t get the diesel they are much louder than the gas.

The pro fxt lacks the glitz of a Polaris. They’re not fast or sporty. I think that’s why you don’t see them for sale as much - they appeal to a different crowd. I also think ppl that buy them hang on to them.

[ttaxidermy]

Ive owned 2 Polaris ATV's and that was 2 too many.. Both were total junk from the get go. I can't imagine dropping the kind of coin they are asking for those UTV's...

[dc1986]

I owned a mule pro for 2 years. Zero issues, quiet and plenty of power. I would definitely buy another.

[Grant2]

We have bought Polaris,Kawasaki,Gator,Kubota,Yamaha and Can-am and Polaris is by far the best we have used. I also own a 2016 Polaris and it’s never seen a wrench besides an oil change.

[Backwoods101]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

If you want to actually ride it vs. unload it at repair shop I’d go mule. Every Polaris I’ve ever had any dealings with was in the shop more than on the property

The old mules are tanks. They are slow and ride rough…. But so is a tank.

The mule pro is better riding and better power than the old war horse

Diesel….. I wouldn’t have one if it was give to me
My top 10 in off road transportation:
1. Can am
2. Honda
3. Kawasaki
4 Yamaha
5 cub cadet
6 Chevy Astro van
7.roller skate
8. Broken flip flop
9. Pogo stick
10. Polaris

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[TeamAmerica]

If toodleing is your passion, it probably doesn't matter! But mules are better. I have a kubota 1140 and it serves me well - slow and strong as an ox. Hydraulic bed. Kawasaki and Honda for overall reliability!

[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by TeamAmerica

If toodleing is your passion, it probably doesn't matter! But mules are better. I have a kubota 1140 and it serves me well - slow and strong as an ox. Hydraulic bed. Kawasaki and Honda for overall reliability!

I'll probably take it to the lease as well. It will be "worked" at the house. I have a couple older (1995) hondas and they are work horses. Don't see the honda SxS for sale much at all.

[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

If you want to actually ride it vs. unload it at repair shop I’d go mule. Every Polaris I’ve ever had any dealings with was in the shop more than on the property

The old mules are tanks. They are slow and ride rough…. But so is a tank.

The mule pro is better riding and better power than the old war horse

Diesel….. I wouldn’t have one if it was give to me
My top 10 in off road transportation:
1. Can am
2. Honda
3. Kawasaki
4 Yamaha
5 cub cadet
6 Chevy Astro van
7.roller skate
8. Broken flip flop
9. Pogo stick
10. Polaris

Gotta love it

[Jamvo]

Broken flip flop was a nice touch.

[txlawdog]

I have a 2008 Polaris XP 700, it has been a good unit. Just last year changed the drive belt. Other than replacing the battery and some bushings in the suspension no real trouble. I do have some splices in the wiring harness where the darn mice/rats chewed. We use ours but don't abuse it. Will probably go with a Mule next purchase due to price, I don't need fancy just function. The old Mules used to have a terrible ride, that's why I went with Polaris. I can't believe the prices of the new tricked out ones, must be nice to be able to justify that much money. Good luck on your choice.

[Farmdog]

Funny Low Fence I have only had Polaris in the past and the one I currently own is disassembled in the barn waiting for more parts, I stuck 1200 in parts in it this month alone

[Fishndude]

Love my tank of a mule

[Ryan81]

The only Polaris I’ve owned burnt to the ground while I was hunting. I now have a Can Am Defender.

The guys I know that have a Mule like them. They seem to be good rides the few times I’ve drove them.


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[boy wonder]

I had a 2003 Polaris Sportsman ATV and it was very reliable. Sold it to a TBH'r a few months ago due to not using it. Bought a Mule Pro on reputation and I haven't been disappointed (only 54 hours on it).

[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by Jamvo

My family and I really enjoy our pro fxt. Hauls a lot of people or stuff. More of either one when you want. 3 year warranty. Great for working around the property or cruising. We take it to the mountains and ride around. I wouldn’t get the diesel they are much louder than the gas.

The pro fxt lacks the glitz of a Polaris. They’re not fast or sporty. I think that’s why you don’t see them for sale as much - they appeal to a different crowd. I also think ppl that buy them hang on to them.

Kinda what I am thinking. I also like Honda for it's durability.

[Draco]

I have a Polaris and a Mule here. You can stop by and check them both out if you want. The metal bed alone is worth going with the Mule.

[Abcdj]

Have an 05 3010 mule. Can't tear it up. Been on our lease since 05! Our lease has a 14 Polaris and a 2016 mule. They both have had major issues. Other wise.
Mule for work
Polaris for comfort

[Huntindad]

Bob, I'll be out at the property Monday, i'll swing by if you're gonna be home.

[HELLRAZOR]

Mule 110%

[Jamvo]

Originally Posted by Huntindad

Kinda what I am thinking. I also like Honda for it's durability.

The Honda is a lot smaller than the pro fxt. Which has its advantages. Especially if you want to go on 50” or less trails. We really enjoy being able to put the kids between us and riding around. The pro fxt has seat belts for 6 ppl.

[kkp005]

Mule pro for sure

[bloodtrailer28]

Mule fxt had one for 3-4 years and put that thing through hell. Zero issues

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by Farmdog

Funny Low Fence I have only had Polaris in the past and the one I currently own is disassembled in the barn waiting for more parts, I stuck 1200 in parts in it this month alone

The same ranger you had in Mexico or something else?

I'm somewhat in the market and lookin. Can am really ain't on the radar cause after riding them, I don't see why they cost so much more. I might look at kawasaki pro

Or I may keep my ranger. It's only got 3500 trouble free miles on it across 2 states. Dad's 08 has 600 hours and it got drove through the wall of a house. How many of these tanks have done that?

Battery,belt and bushings is all we've done

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[tps7742]

I have a Kawasaki mule for the last couple of years. Not a speed demon but it is a workhorse but I don’t need the speed.

[TreyRo]

At this point whatever you can find and you like the way it drives.

They all have problems.

We have generally had all Polaris (have two rangers currently) and no real issues.

[RobinHood]

Mule Pro FXT all the way



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[12ring]

My 2015 has been all over TX, OK, & KS. Even Utah couple times.
Done everything I ever needed. Never any major issues.
Door latches suck though.

[DBLHKUP]

We have the Pro FXT (2019) zero issues, used every day on the ranch. Great ride, good power.

[Texans42]

Mule pro here. 2k miles no issues. Also an older Polaris thats in shop for clutch bearing. Mule is 4x the machine

Good friend has gator xuv865m hvac (same engine as the mule pro) 2.5 years old 12k miles never seen the shop)

I know a lot of mules with over 8k miles. Not so much with the Polaris.


Now if you want a cab, mule options aren't as good as Polaris.

I have a cab and heater on my mule

[Bayouboy]

I have two. Yamaha and Kawasaki. For hunting I like my Viking for the power and speed. For longevity nothing will outlast the mule. My Kawasaki is at least 15 years old. Gets routine maint and thats it.

[Sackett]

The reason there's a lot more rangers for sale is because there's a hundred rangers sold for every mule. That also means that up until four/five years ago Kawasaki did not have a side-by-side for the off-road park enthusiasts. Many of these enthusiasts ride out their machines submerging them underwater never repaired or cleaned debris after mudding and of course Parts wear out when they're not maintained. Polaris makes a very good machine and if you maintain it and don't rag on it it will last you a very very long time.

I have a 2014 900 XP with over 8,000 miles and the only issue I've had is the fuel pump and a couple of wear parts like bushings, etc... for work around the farm and putting around I would never buy an old mule as they are worse than running a Buckboard wagon. Sure, they're a Sherman Tank of the utv world, but ride like one too. I routinely use my Ranger for work as an arborist hauling logs and debris and also putting a 800 lb sprayer in the back bed. You can't even fit this sprayer in the new Mule Pro. The newer mule Pro is nice and has a lot of similarities to the Ranger but the main disadvantage is the lack of bed space in normal configuration. I will put my Ranger' reliability up against any Kawasaki product.

[rvd]

Originally Posted by Grant2

We have bought Polaris,Kawasaki,Gator,Kubota,Yamaha and Can-am and Polaris is by far the best we have used. I also own a 2016 Polaris and it’s never seen a wrench besides an oil change.

How dare you speak positively about your experience with a Polaris on this forum

[Huntindad]

Thanx folks. All good points to ponder.

[curtintex]

My 2013 Polaris was bulletproof. Unfortunately it wasn’t theft proof. When looking to replace it, I got to experience Chance Love’s Mule and he raves about it. Well, I went with my prior experience and got a 2020 Ranger 1000. 3 clutches in the first year, broken rear stabilizer bar and two drive belts. It’s never been mudding. Used for farm work. I should have listened to Chance Love.


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[Mossback]

We have 2 1000 xp rangers. One sits at lease outside all year, zero issues. The other goes from neighborhood to 11k feet in New Mexico elk hunting. Has hauled multiple intact bull elk in the bed, zero issues. I’m guessing the ppl with problems all the time don’t do any maintenance and/or rag em all out. In truth they all have issues here and there esp with no maintenance.

[randal]

Mule pro fxt for sure, I will never buy a Polaris anything again, my Sportsman was junk, one rangers was junk and my other ranger i didn’t keep very long. Mule comes with a 3 year warranty and I paid $540 for an additional 3 years.. that’s a pretty solid 6 year warranty for $540 extra and there’s a reason they offer it.. my mule runs out of warranty this coming November and I’ve got about 3,000 miles on it with no issues.. my ranger went thru steering rack replacement, front end rebuilt, motor replacement that was around 5k, some bearing that had some kind of clutch bearing all before 2,000 miles. We hunt 18k acres and out of the 6 guys that have ranger there’s only one guy that haven’t had issues with their ranger, the other ones either can’t keep them going or they have had them less than a year..

[dirtybay]

If you go mule, get the pro. The other mule models are rough riding

[Kong]

We have a new Pro FXT and 2 new XP1000’s and the Mule sits 95% of the time, it’s like driving a 90 year olds car around and everyone pretty much hates it. To each thr own but so many on here are Mule fans it almost seems like the cool aid trucks been by a few to many times lol. The only thing they have going for them in my opinion is the bed and honestly that’s a moot point.

[44mAG]

I will go on the other side of the majority so far. We have a 2016 Polaris Crew Cab. It has ben a great machine. We keep up with routine maintenance, and never drive in high gear. You aren't supposed to unless you are staying over 20 mph for a while. When we bought it all the dealers said that was the key to not breaking them.

[randal]

Originally Posted by 44mAG

I will go on the other side of the majority so far. We have a 2016 Polaris Crew Cab. It has ben a great machine. We keep up with routine maintenance, and never drive in high gear. You aren't supposed to unless you are staying over 20 mph for a while. When we bought it all the dealers said that was the key to not breaking them.

No way I’m buying something that the key to not breaking it is keep it in low most of the time..

[Backwoods101]

Originally Posted by randal

No way I’m buying something that the key to not breaking it is keep it in low most of the time..

My daughters boyfriend brought his to the ranch and we had to drive around in low and switch it back and forth to high when the terrain flattened out…it was annoying as ****


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