Ride report from yesterday.
We rode at Mill Creek OHV trail. Terrain is rocky. We experienced the same things that most have. The Talon worked quite well. Spent nearly 100% of the day in 2wd high range even though I did experiment with all the other settings just to see. The usual complaints about the overly stiff rear suspension and the touchy throttle. I got somewhat better with the throttle as the day went on. These trails are rough, steep and rocky so that made it challenging in those areas.
The rear shocks/springs were not as bad as I assumed they were going to be given what others have reported but I feel like the big, soft Roxxzilla's helped a lot in that area. Now that I have a base line I will install the new Bandit UTV tenders this week before we go on another ride next weekend. An interesting observation from yesterday is that every SXS I saw out there had the rear tender springs cranked down into coil bind. No matter the brand. Every one of them. I just don't get that other than people trying to get the max ground clearance. I'm hoping the new Bandit springs will actually function as springs and not just spacers as all these other are.
Mud Buster's did a great job of keeping mud off of us. I do still want to add the lower doors but the mud that entered the cab was mostly just at the door sills and not on us. I did bottom out the left rear right in front of the tire on a big rock which popped the rear mud guard out of place. The bottom of the Mud Buster mud guard just sits inside the body work so I need to attach it better at the bottom or find a plan B. Something more flexible to cover that area would be good.
SATV half windshield worked great. The trails were somewhat dusty but not too bad. The windshield seemed to deflect the dust up and over our heads for the most part while still allowing air flow. It was 85° yesterday and we were quite comfortable. The only thing I've done in the way of any heat mitigation is the large firewall shield available on Ebay.
CA shift gate is a joy to use vs the original. Never any issue with it not staying in gear and the ease of going from reverse to forward is a big plus.
Ancient trailer performed well. Talon works great on it.
Right after we slug it in the big mud hole.
We did hook up with some really nice folks that arrived at the trail head as the same time we did. Rode with them all day. 2 RZR XP100's and a 19 Turbo 4 seater. We listened to the new RZR turbo rattling it's way along the trails all day.
)
My lovely bride of 35 years in deep thought on her first SXS foray thru the woods. She has little interest in trail riding but amazingly enough has much interest in being with me. She was definitely out of her comfort zone but we had a great time.
We are blessed to live in a place that has a myriad of choices on beautiful places to ride as long as you like rocks.
And right after the ride was over. I spent $24 at the car wash on the Talon and trailer. lol... Mud is still running out of it.
