The new Yamaha U-Max was delivered yesterday after lunch. I purchased the unit as a 'people hauler' and to move some light materials, garden supplies, shooting supplies, etc. but not for heavy hauling, towing, etc.
At $4505, including sales tax and delivery, this is on the bottom of the scale for side by side units in terms of price, features or performance.
For people who want to "run the trails" this is NOT the unit for you. For people who are used to operating golf carts and looking for a people hauler that can also take a modest amount of cargo, this is a nice unit.
It should be noted that the U-Max is a 2 wheel drive unit. Something that I had to explain to my daughter and will have to explain to my wife. It goes up the hills on my property with no problems, but it "free runs" down the hills and you end up riding the brakes in th curves as you descend the slope through the woods. I have 3 main paths on the hills to go from the upper to the lower property. The U-Max is not allowed on 1 of those, PERIOD. Then again, I've never even descended that particular slope in my 4wd tractors. The second slope drops off a low spot along a roadway and is roughly a 15 foot vertical drop. The U-Max easily climbs that slope but going down the same slope is a free running thrill ride that terminates into a cluster of Hawthorn trees. I can manage it, but I won't let my 12 year old daughter attempt it. The third path is the long way around, winds through the woods and is far more gentle, no problem up or down.
One other thing about the U-Max is that it operates LIKE A GOLF CART. You turn the key to the ON position and nothing happens. However, touch the accelerator pedal and the engine starts instantly. Take your foot off the accelerator and the engine completely shuts offs. There is no way to let the engine "idle" while the unit is parked.
It should also be noted that this is a "commercial grade" product, designed for landscapers, ground crews, and marketed to them. That means it is pretty much a bare bones design, spartan but functional. It is also pretty small; roughly 4' wide by 8' long.
Here are 2 photos from the manufacturer, I'll post my photos later, along with some more of my review.
At $4505, including sales tax and delivery, this is on the bottom of the scale for side by side units in terms of price, features or performance.
For people who want to "run the trails" this is NOT the unit for you. For people who are used to operating golf carts and looking for a people hauler that can also take a modest amount of cargo, this is a nice unit.
It should be noted that the U-Max is a 2 wheel drive unit. Something that I had to explain to my daughter and will have to explain to my wife. It goes up the hills on my property with no problems, but it "free runs" down the hills and you end up riding the brakes in th curves as you descend the slope through the woods. I have 3 main paths on the hills to go from the upper to the lower property. The U-Max is not allowed on 1 of those, PERIOD. Then again, I've never even descended that particular slope in my 4wd tractors. The second slope drops off a low spot along a roadway and is roughly a 15 foot vertical drop. The U-Max easily climbs that slope but going down the same slope is a free running thrill ride that terminates into a cluster of Hawthorn trees. I can manage it, but I won't let my 12 year old daughter attempt it. The third path is the long way around, winds through the woods and is far more gentle, no problem up or down.
One other thing about the U-Max is that it operates LIKE A GOLF CART. You turn the key to the ON position and nothing happens. However, touch the accelerator pedal and the engine starts instantly. Take your foot off the accelerator and the engine completely shuts offs. There is no way to let the engine "idle" while the unit is parked.
It should also be noted that this is a "commercial grade" product, designed for landscapers, ground crews, and marketed to them. That means it is pretty much a bare bones design, spartan but functional. It is also pretty small; roughly 4' wide by 8' long.
Here are 2 photos from the manufacturer, I'll post my photos later, along with some more of my review.
that if you accelerate the engine SLIGHTLY while going down the hill it will actually slow the rate of decent and make it easier to control on the downslope. It is very counter-intutitive, but it worked! THANKS BRENT!!! 
