NEWBIE, more confused now than when I started !! (long)

Posts: 27 · Lurker Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 27 Pictures: 0

Well I have sold my boat, and have picked a time frame for my 1st buggy purchase, which will be the spring of 09.

So I have been researching buggy after buggy, lost interested decided on a RZR and after going to the Silver Lake sand dunes (Michigan) and seeing that most of the RZR's were just kind of putting around like golf carts (not blaming the machines it could be the drivers ) I'm now back on the buggy kick. I just want to drive these machines a little harder and be able to kick the back end around in the corners.
Most of the riding I do are on trails (ORV,ATV, two tracks, with slight hills) that are sandy with some rocky terrain, and I take a trip to the dunes maybe twice a year. 75% of the time it will be my girlfriend and her daughter riding (combined wieght of #180) but the rest of the time it will be myself (5'10" #240) and the girlfriend. My only experience with any kind of side by side is a Polaris Ranger, I would at least like to have that kind of performance. A top speed of 50-55 would be nice, and an automatic would be preferable. I'm mechanically inclined so I will do all the maintence and whatever mods that are needed (I can never leave anything alone) I do want it to ride good, and be reliable.
At first I was set on a 800cc machine (Roketa) but after research I've found that there are just too many issues at the moment with them, not to mention the price is at the higher end of my budget and the width could be an issue. Then the Joyner 650 Spyder was the next one I liked , but price, width and wieght is sort of an issue.
So now I'm down to a 250cc or 300cc machine. But will a smaller machine be able to do what I'm asking ? So far on the list is the :
Awesomebuggy Phoneix 300
Pros: price, weight, width, automatic
Cons: Don't see a lot of info on them, Parts availability?, mods?, will it really go 50ish ?

Joyner 250 Sand Spyder
Pros: hear great things about them, parts are easy to get,lots of mods
Cons: weight, width, cost, manual trans, will it really go 50ish?

Carter GTR 300
Pros: width , weight, automatic trans
Cons: don't see a lot of info , parts availability?, mods?, Price?, will it really go 50ish

HH Tiburon 400
Pros: Speed, width, weight, dealer is closeby, speed
Cons: don't hear a lot about them, parts availability? , cost, mods?, manual trans

So like I said I think I'm more confused now than when it was a tossup between the RZR, Roketa 800 and Joyner 650.

What are peoples opinions on the above machines and where can a good reputable dealer be found ? I'm on Michigan so I pretty much figure I'll have to order something and have it shipped.

Thanks

Posts: 4286

I would not consider the hh 400, there are some or have been issues with the plants, legal stuff

the joyner 250 has low/high automatic tranny and is a good machine. parts and service are good

the carter 250 and 300 are both good machines with parts and service no problem

the Blade xt or xtx are also good machines with good parts and service.

as for the said speed I dont believe any of the manufactors claims as to how fast they are stock. I do know the carters will run 55+ with the speed kit.

Posts: 411

My bros hammerhead 250ss runs 54 mph with hammerhead performance kit. exhaust,jets and intake has 21 gram dr pulley sliders too stock variator stock clutch springs stock torque spring.
And the hammerhead has high/low too.
I have the video on youtube its the blue one.

Posts: 27 · Lurker Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 27 Pictures: 0

Okay, so another one to add to the list:

Carter GTR300

Blade XTX

Joyner 250 sand spyder

No comments on the Phoenix 300 ? Is that a Kinroad product?

Next question is , which dealer ? Since I'm in Michigan I don't think there are any dealerships for any of these near me.

Feel free to PM me if you want to keep your comments discreet.

Posts: 301

The Phoenix is brand new, meaning it has only even been available for about a week now. It is a Kinroad. Dave from awesomebuggys has put up some geat videos of it that make it look fun, but no one here has any experience with it. It has another taiwanese motor I believe, which might mean mods will be a long time coming, since most are based on the honda clone engines from China. I'm using the GTR as a reference there. It took a while to get decent performance mods for that buggy because the engine was a different, altho generally thought of as better, design than the other buggies out there.

I don't believe you would be disappointed with a GTR. We love our 300 and with two 200 lb adults it hits 43 stock. Alone I can get it to 48. WHat's more important is that it climbs like it was made for it.

www.carterbro.com has a dealer search feature. There are a Carter dealers everywhere, most also service the buggies, and parts are readily and easily available when compared to most brands.

Posts: 327

i'll have my HH400 this week. i'll have a full report sometime this weekend or on the show. from what i've heard about it, it should be pretty good. legal issues really depends on where/who you buy from. i bought mine from Hammerhead so i dont feel any problems in the legal area.

Posts: 1229

I noticed a few discrepencies on some of the descriptions.

On the Joyner machines....the 250 sand viper is an automatic with Hi/low range in the transmission. The blade and the Hammerhead utilize the same engine/tranny setup....CFMOTO.
These engines/CVTs can easily be modified to gain more performance.

The 650 sand spider(joyner) is virtually the same wheelbase as the 250 sand viper. Though the sand viper will keep up with the sand spider in hills and trails, the sand spider will do better in the sand.

The kinroad 300 is new. It has been out for about 2 weeks and I have not heard anything back from new owners of this machine. It has a suspension comparable to the Joyner 250 but wider stance. The engine used in this machine is new to the market and currently there are no mods available though MRP is working to develope some. The extra HP might compensate the Joyner, Blade and Hammerhead hi/low range.

If you cannot find a local dealer that will take care of you there are dealers here on the forum that will.

Glade

Posts: 2640

if all you are doing is some serious trail riding, and you want to go fast with awesome support... If you can afford an RZR, I have no clue why these other buggies are even in the same consideration... the 4X4 option alone blows all the others away, let alone warranty, dealer support and width!!! all the buggies you listed above, are over 54" wide... Some are over 60!!!! the RZR is a scant 50"!!!

The RZR has supposedly a stock speed rating of 57mph, but i have heard of those removing something from the cvt and gaining 10mph or more!

My next buggy is most likely going to be a home made. But if I had 10K right this second... No ifs-ands-or buts about it... The RZR will be in my driveway tomorrow... No need to compare anything else...

If budget is something of concern, or you plan on running in the sand, I would go with the 650 joyner over all those you have listed... Yes the 250 joyner and blade can both gian a lot from cvt and upgrade mods... but they are heavy and wide... why sacrifice all your engine power for a heavier frame?? the 650 seems the best choice out of those you have listed...

Good luck, and I am envious that you are considering any of these buggies!!! lol

john Very Happy

Posts: 4286

the carters have the SYM engine in them. its a taiwanese motor with ceramic coated cylinders , cvt mods are around for them along with exhaust and carb.