We are looking at making our first ATV purchase. We have 4 people in our family, Myself, Wife and 2 kiddo's (5 and 3 year olds). We're just starting our search and have been thinking about the 2 up ATV's, Arctic Cat TRV, Outlander Max (I think) and the new Sportsman X2.

The main question for me is this, is a 2 up ATV the best route to go for us. Would we be better off getting a regular ATV then adding a box with seat in it for the kids on the rear? Which is the safest, SAFETY is of the most importance to me on this. We'd mostly be riding trails and such, not much into the deep mud hole riding.

Any advice you can give me would be great.

Thanks

 

Hands down, the two ups are safer. They have a longer chassis to handle the extra weight by keeping it forward of the rear axle, plus handholds and footpegs for your passenger. Many places I have gone forbid double riding except on machines designed for it. At the same time I always see people riding double on one up quads anyways. IMHO, your kids are young and likely light enough that they won't be much trouble sitting behind you on any machine. Your 5 y/o is almost technically old enough to ride a 50 and be on his own quad. Unfortunately, they are very limited as to what is really a trail worthy 50 and what is a backyard beater. E-Ton does make a Viper 70 though. Also, 3 might yet be a little young to take on a day long ride. At the least, you may still have to invest in one of those cargo box/seat contraptions as your children will probably be to small to make good use of the footpegs/etc on the two-ups. Also consider your experience level. If you and yours are newbies, then the two-ups are the only way to go. Nothing could be worse than looping out on a hill climb or rolling on a descent and seriously hurting one of your children, and the specific quads give you more stability and 'insurance' against such an event.

 

The Outlander Max800 is going to be the best performing, however, it is also going to be the most $, setting you back about $10k. The Max 400 is a bit cheaper than the 800, but I just don't like the thoughts of a 400 pulling that much machine. Both Artic Cat and Polaris have 500cc multi rider machines and between the 2 I'd pick the polaris simply for that 500 cc or 499 cc fuji heavy industries engine. It's tried and true. They use it for the Ranger, and ATP models because of it's dependability and it is a power house! If you're leaning toward the max 800, remember for $10k you can get a multi rider utility vehicle, which you could put the kids in the middle, between you and your wife being the safest. Polaris, Kawasaki, and Suzuki offer them in a bench seat. Yamaha and Artic Cat have them in bucket seats. Kawasaki also has the mule 4x4 with double row of bench seats, that will seat 6 comfortably for $9500. Let us know what you get!!!