P500 from experience-Is a front bumper needed?

[Frisco]

From all your experiences.....Is a front bumper really needed? Been thinking about getting the strong made version. But since the credit card has all but melted since I got my little Red Baron in January. And In prioritizing my purchases /money spent/ what's most important/ the fact that the wife is ready to kill me.....etc.

Has a front bumper really saved a lot of guys bacon? Thinking of just adding a winch and lights and calling it a day for the front of the buggy. I don't mind brush rash (it's gonna get dirty). And I tend to stay away from all out rock climbing. So I'm thinking of saving money for skids. Commentary? Thanks.

 

[Admin]

 

[Montecresto]

From all your experiences.....Is a front bumper really needed? Been thinking about getting the strong made version. But since the credit card has all but melted since I got my little Red Baron in January. And In prioritizing my purchases /money spent/ what's most important/ the fact that the wife is ready to kill me.....etc.

Has a front bumper really saved a lot of guys bacon? Thinking of just adding a winch and lights and calling it a day for the front of the buggy. I don't mind brush rash (it's gonna get dirty). And I tend to stay away from all out rock climbing. So I'm thinking of saving money for skids. Commentary? Thanks.

More than anything, the strong made provides great protection to the radiator which I always considered vulnerable, besides giving a very nice look to the otherwise boring P-500 front and superior winch mount leaving it fully accessible.

 

[Plumber32]

If you are just leisure riding nice trails then no not needed. But I sure love my emp. Feels invincible!

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

From all your experiences.....Is a front bumper really needed? Been thinking about getting the strong made version. But since the credit card has all but melted since I got my little Red Baron in January. And In prioritizing my purchases /money spent/ what's most important/ the fact that the wife is ready to kill me.....etc.

Has a front bumper really saved a lot of guys bacon? Thinking of just adding a winch and lights and calling it a day for the front of the buggy. I don't mind brush rash (it's gonna get dirty). And I tend to stay away from all out rock climbing. So I'm thinking of saving money for skids. Commentary? Thanks.

The front bumpers do look good but the chances of actually needing it to save your bacon are small. The front and rear bumper is the only thing I don't have on my P5.

 

[Montecresto]

I guess it depends on what "saving your bacon" means. The front bumper on my Polaris Ranger is bent up pretty badly, but the body, grill, headlight trim and hood are all fine, although they wouldn't be without the bumper. The Strong Made doesn't just make the P-5 look good, it does provide protection.

 

[p500fan]

To be honest, I've had mine for almost 9 months, and have never attached my front bumper. (factory Honda) I will eventually do so, probably over Spring Break, but it hasn't been a priority. Now, the ONLY reason I will mount it is because I bought it. I thought it would be a great thing, but after many miles of riding, it doesn't look like it will be that much of a benefit. The Strongmade bumper looks like it would provide some more protection than the Honda OEM bumper, but I'm not sure it's needed for my personal requirements.

 

[jak9922]

Id say go with the honda imo best looking and better overall coverage from brush

 

[Code54]

I personally would - I went with the strong made for the protection and to give me a nice high winch mount that is dead solid. I really don't know if mine has saved me but when we are way back in the woods you hear things bang up into it from time to time. Did it save the radiator, maybe?????

 

[Frisco]

I personally would - I went with the strong made for the protection and to give me a nice high winch mount that is dead solid. I really don't know if mine has saved me but when we are way back in the woods you hear things bang up into it from time to time. Did it save the radiator, maybe?????

Thanks for the comments fellas. Good points !

 

[SBuckJ]

Almost 2000 miles and never had a need...ride with many riders and a very wooded area...I can use that money on better things

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

From all your experiences.....Is a front bumper really needed? Been thinking about getting the strong made version. But since the credit card has all but melted since I got my little Red Baron in January. And In prioritizing my purchases /money spent/ what's most important/ the fact that the wife is ready to kill me.....etc.

Has a front bumper really saved a lot of guys bacon? Thinking of just adding a winch and lights and calling it a day for the front of the buggy. I don't mind brush rash (it's gonna get dirty). And I tend to stay away from all out rock climbing. So I'm thinking of saving money for skids. Commentary? Thanks.

Here is my bumper. Just a UTV High Lift Jack but it makes a really strong bumper as well.

 

[cthack]

Here is my bumper. Just a UTV High Lift Jack but it makes a really strong bumper as well.
View attachment 10929

I really like that set up! Was thinking about mounting a high lift on my machine. Is that a custom mount? Looks like a short jack also. Would you mind sharing the details on your set up? Thanks

 

[mikeyd]

going on two years and nearly 2000 miles, do a mix of trail / dirt road and utility (snow plow) work. Never found myself wanting/needing one.

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

I really like that set up! Was thinking about mounting a high lift on my machine. Is that a custom mount? Looks like a short jack also. Would you mind sharing the details on your set up? Thanks

It is a 36" High Lift and High Lift adjustable tube mount that I got from Amazon. The tube mount is attached to the tube just below the grill. It's easy to get on and off plus it give a security on very steep hills because of the added weight but you do not notice it in the steering. The jack weighs 30 lbs. The base plated is pinned for easy removal and I keep it in the under hood storage bin.
Hi-Lift Jack UTV-364 36" UTV Jack
[URL='http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Lift-Jack-TM-700-Adjustable-Mount/dp/B003CEODQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456677864&sr=8-2&keywords=utv+high+lift+jack']Hi-Lift Jack TM-700 1"-2" Adjustable Tube Mount



[/URL]

 

[cthack]

It is a 36" High Lift and High Lift adjustable tube mount that I got from Amazon. The tube mount is attached to the tube just below the grill. It's easy to get on and off plus it give a security on very steep hills because of the added weight but you do not notice it in the steering. The jack weighs 30 lbs. The base plated is pinned for easy removal and I keep it in the under hood storage bin.
Hi-Lift Jack UTV-364 36" UTV Jack
Hi-Lift Jack TM-700 1"-2" Adjustable Tube Mount
http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Lift-Jack-TM-700-Adjustable-Mount/dp/B003CEODQI/?tag=sxsweb24-20
View attachment 10970
http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Lift-Jack-TM-700-Adjustable-Mount/dp/B003CEODQI/?tag=sxsweb24-20

Thanks Alan! I will order those items.

 

[zxylene]

Thanks Alan! I will order those items.

Looks like he also got a handle keeper I have been looking at this jack for a while and plan to use as a rear bumper on mine.

 

[Gem99Ultra]

From all your experiences.....Is a front bumper really needed? Been thinking about getting the strong made version. But since the credit card has all but melted since I got my little Red Baron in January. And In prioritizing my purchases /money spent/ what's most important/ the fact that the wife is ready to kill me.....etc.

Has a front bumper really saved a lot of guys bacon? Thinking of just adding a winch and lights and calling it a day for the front of the buggy. I don't mind brush rash (it's gonna get dirty). And I tend to stay away from all out rock climbing. So I'm thinking of saving money for skids. Commentary? Thanks.

I can't speak for my SxS - BUT... on my old 1960 Fordson-Dexta tractor I had this huge heavy duty homemade railroad track bumper. It seemed to just be dead weight other than being ballast for the rear lift uses. Had to take it off one day to do some radiator work on the tractor. And, being lazy, decided to just let that go for now, and put it back on later.

Then one day, working in a heavily wooded area I got into a situation that I couldn't stop in time. Couldn't quite come to a dead stop before barely bumping a tree. hmmm - damaged the entire front end of the tractor and destroyed the radiator.

So, my conclusion is that, although any kind of bumper isn't going to make my SxS bumper car bullet proof, it just might save some major damage in some situations. I just call it low price insurance. And I think the SxS looks better with one vs without one. It's your money and your preference.

Oh, and BTW, on my current Kubota tractor - I do have a full blown 1/4" steel grill guard/bumper combination. Even plastic parts are expensive.

 

[Frisco]

I can't speak for my SxS - BUT... on my old 1960 Fordson-Dexta tractor I had this huge heavy duty homemade railroad track bumper. It seemed to just be dead weight other than being ballast for the rear lift uses. Had to take it off one day to do some radiator work on the tractor. And, being lazy, decided to just let that go for now, and put it back on later.

Then one day, working in a heavily wooded area I got into a situation that I couldn't stop in time. Couldn't quite come to a dead stop before barely bumping a tree. hmmm - damaged the entire front end of the tractor and destroyed the radiator.

So, my conclusion is that, although any kind of bumper isn't going to make my SxS bumper car bullet proof, it just might save some major damage in some situations. I just call it low price insurance. And I think the SxS looks better with one vs without one. It's your money and your preference.

Oh, and BTW, on my current Kubota tractor - I do have a full blown 1/4" steel grill guard/bumper combination. Even plastic parts are expensive.

So true. Great points. Seems like the bumpers also provide a stronger base for a winch.

 

[maddmax]

So true. Great points. Seems like the bumpers also provide a stronger base for a winch.

Better to be safe than sorry!!! It's one of those things you hope you never need BUT it's better to have & not need than to not have and need.

 

[zxylene]

Yes better safe than sorry and my bumper saved the day the other week strong made bumper was the best $280 or whatever I have spent. Saved way more than that by what it protected