Testing Kymco's UXV 500 UTV - Multipurpose Conqueror

I tried extremely hard to... 

   

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I tried extremely hard to get a parting shot of Editor Thad Josey rubber side up, but my heavy persuasion was no match for the stability of the UXV 500.

Stability at high speed and on off-camber trails is exceptional due to the UXV's 59-inch width. This does, on the other hand, present difficulties when navigating through tight, winding trails. We found ourselves slowing down to safely pass between trees and had to occasionally use reverse to squeeze around some nasty hairpin turns. Crawling over downed trees and creeping through a garden of boulders presented no problems thanks to the 12.2 inches of ground clearance. High-centering on obstacles isn't as easy to overcome in a UTV as it is on an ATV, and every bit of available clearance is needed to keep the belly high and dry. When the going gets tough momentum is often the key to overcoming even the most challenging of terrain.

Aftermarket accessories aren't as abundant as those offered for competitors' machines, but as the overall number of units increases, I'm sure this will change. However, Kymco has been working directly with Koplin in the design and manufacturing of unique accessories specifically for the UXV 500. We had the opportunity to mount up a pair of gun scabbards along with an auxiliary fuel can. The installation was simple, and even though I didn't bring along any rifles to put in the scabbards they remained secure throughout our testing. Next trip I'll try to remember to bring along my old Remington Model 700 so we can squeeze in some target practice while we're on the clock. Wink, wink.

At the end of our weekend adventure we concluded the Kymco UXV 500 a success. We suffered no mechanical failure of any kind and had a blast thrashing around in the UTV. I feel confident this machine is just as reliable as Kymco's other units that we've tested in the past. It would be a great vehicle for hunters or enthusiasts with the need for their rides to haul heavy loads and double as a weekend recreation machine for the entire family. With a price tag of $7999 it comes in around $500 to $1000 under the price of comparable machines. This is enough to buy new skid lids or invest in some of the Koplin products that Kymco offers for its UXV.