After 25 years of snowmobiling, I don't care if I never see another CVT transmission, that left the 5 speed YXZ or the dual range, 6 speed Talon - an easy choice for me. With a geared trans, your throttle is connected directly to the tires, with a CVT, there's a lag, much like turbo lag. With a geared trans, you can upshift on the easy cruise sections without listening to the engine revving higher than necessary. Yamaha has been trying to make the 5 speed work since its introduction and haven't succeeded yet IMO. Just watch a few Youtube videos to see how poorly they do in technical riding.
The KRX is heavy, negating the few extra HP and the CVT doesn't help. The KRX is more gnarly competent from the factory including 35" tires. It's almost KOH ready out of the box (King of the Hammers).
The Pioneers are utility vehicles, less HP and suspension travel. The R-Max also has less travel than my Talon R (17" front, 20" rear). I've spent thousands bringing the Talon up to what I want and still have to get the shocks revalved. But it's perfect for me, no regrets whatsoever. I live and ride in the west so the wider R works here, the X is narrower for woods riding but the suspension is stiffer than the R and is a big complaint from the X guys.
