[JJB]

Dampen deafening Gator noise. My 2017 825I Gator is sufficient for utility work but it was marketed as a crossover that was capable of work and recreation. It'll work alright, but not to good at recreation. The engine noise due to the clutching is ridiculous. Just as loud at 5 mph as it is at 40 mph. It'll chase deer out of a 40 faster than gun shots. For the operator's comfort I cut old conveyor belt for a bed liner and floor mats. That really helped and made it tolerable. Rarely is there a need for the aggressive tread of the UTV off road tires and they howl to beat hell on pavement. They also don't last long. So to reduce noise and increase longevity, I put Ford Ranger wheels on. They fit. Had to get different lug bolts and auger out the center hole just a bit but they work great No rubbing and it ties wagons, hauls wood, bales, and deer just fine. Sure drives a lot better and whisper quite. And actually handles road running comfortably (35 mph statewide speed limit on roadways). Looks kinda weird but for $40 and the improvement it made, I can handle the looks. Yes, I aware of the torque loss and all the other engineering hoopla. The Gator's suspension, steering, and load capacities are above average. But it's a low powered slow pooch. Someday, someone will offer aftermarket parts so the Gator won't be strictly utilitarian. This just works and it will almost keep up to a Cub Cadet 550 now. Still gutless, but much quieter.

 

[Harry Ferguson]

Maybe you need a Subaru?

 

[JJB]

Maybe you need a Subaru?

LOL.....perhaps I do. I used to have one. Wish they still made the Bratt....then the chainsaw gas wouldn't stink up the back.

 

[captaineddie]

I agree with you on the noise. The machines are far too loud! I believe there's an add-on muffler/tail pipe kit available that is supposed to help. I don't know for sure.

 

[JJB]

Yes, there's "silencers" available. I'm not familiar with them but I've read where they reduce performance. For me, clutching/gear ratios would be the answer. I'm aware of the max HP & torque rpm range, but just how often is that required. Besides, low range gearing / ratios could more than compensate and accomplish what's needed. That's why I mentioned clutching. High range with proper clutching would greatly improve the versatility of the Gator 825I XUV. The model name "XUV" along with John Deere's marketing certainly claims it's a crossover that offers Utility AND Recreational abilities. It does not......
I'm currently looking at a Ranger 1000. Unlike John Deere, there's lots of factory as well as aftermarket options available for the Polaris as well as most other brands. Yes, the Gator will out work a Ranger and many others. And I've never been a Polaris fan. With that said, the Ranger and others will work and play very well as claimed by John Deere. . Not one or the other, but both. The Gator is a well built machine but it is a one song singer. It's really not a crossover as promised. It's application of use is closer to a Kubota only louder and faster.
(The Kubuto has PTO & hydraulic options).
The 44 mph is adaquit, but will all the screaming that Cheri engine does at 15 mph and above it's a shortcoming. Everything else the Gator offers is actually above industry standards, steering, handling, suspension, load capacities, etc. It just could be so much better, so easily and live up to what it's billed as.
Just my opinion. Everybody's got one. Hope mine's not censored here on form of social media. For the John Deere faithful, I've been labeled a heretic. (You sound hear my Harley friends and I own two of em ....LOL

 

[JJB]

After much research for 5 years and infinite dead ends, I finally got my 2017 825I Gator to achieve satisfactory performance while greatly reducing the noise level.
I traded it off today for a 2017 Ranger. I had no idea what I had been missing. Good luck to the Gator community.

 

[Tree_Slayer]

Yes, there's "silencers" available. I'm not familiar with them but I've read where they reduce performance. For me, clutching/gear ratios would be the answer. I'm aware of the max HP & torque rpm range, but just how often is that required. Besides, low range gearing / ratios could more than compensate and accomplish what's needed. That's why I mentioned clutching. High range with proper clutching would greatly improve the versatility of the Gator 825I XUV. The model name "XUV" along with John Deere's marketing certainly claims it's a crossover that offers Utility AND Recreational abilities. It does not......
I'm currently looking at a Ranger 1000. Unlike John Deere, there's lots of factory as well as aftermarket options available for the Polaris as well as most other brands. Yes, the Gator will out work a Ranger and many others. And I've never been a Polaris fan. With that said, the Ranger and others will work and play very well as claimed by John Deere. . Not one or the other, but both. The Gator is a well built machine but it is a one song singer. It's really not a crossover as promised. It's application of use is closer to a Kubota only louder and faster.
(The Kubuto has PTO & hydraulic options).
The 44 mph is adaquit, but will all the screaming that Cheri engine does at 15 mph and above it's a shortcoming. Everything else the Gator offers is actually above industry standards, steering, handling, suspension, load capacities, etc. It just could be so much better, so easily and live up to what it's billed as.
Just my opinion. Everybody's got one. Hope mine's not censored here on form of social media. For the John Deere faithful, I've been labeled a heretic. (You sound hear my Harley friends and I own two of em ....LOL

I bought a Silent Rider secondary muffler for my XUV 625i. It quieted it down a lot. It's basically a glasspack with some hangers, but it definitely takes the edge off the exhaust noise level. I don't drive it particularly hard, so I can't say I notice any performance loss.
My neighbor has a 825i and drives it everywhere in low range, so it sounds like a screamin' Jimmy. Wish he'd buy one for his machine!!

 

[unhitched]

After much research for 5 years and infinite dead ends, I finally got my 2017 825I Gator to achieve satisfactory performance while greatly reducing the noise level.
I traded it off today for a 2017 Ranger. I had no idea what I had been missing. Good luck to the Gator community.

curious what you got from the ranger that the gator did not provide, I have owned Gators, Rangers, and Kubotas. I find them all to be about the same, that said I use them around the ranch, the only big difference is the Kubota has a much better transmission, it is also drives like a tractor and costs more. My biggest complaint about all utvs is they don't age all that well, 10,000 miles and they are kind of rattle traps. I expect that when you pay about what a pickup costs, that you will get the similar longevity.