Having a difficult time deciding. We are looking for some ATV's for the family, My wife has made up her mind that the Polaris Sportsman 500 X2 is the right fit for her and our 13yr old daughter to ride together. Easy enough. My teenage son has his mind made up on a sport ATV of some kind. So what about me? I'm going to say we will be doing a lot of trail/logging road riding in the mountains of north eastern Washington, however we do have nice desert/ sand dune riding areas as well. I'm no small guy. (6'2" 220lbs). I have been looking at the Raptor 700 R, I just don't know how good it will really be on the trails. Not that I expect to do any rock crawling, but some of the places we will go are pretty rocky and slow going. A bit of mud once in a while, but mostly just mountain roads. A utility would be great fun, until I want to tear it up on the dunes with My son (which is something the ladies in my life have no interest in) Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

Sounds like a Sport would be fun where you are,I see 2wds go through some wild stuff once you learn how to ride them,besides your wife,s 500 will tow you out if you get in over your head.

 

the 700R would be great for you

 

yhea go with the 700r

 

The 700 is a good all-around machine for a big guy. I personally don't like the ergonomics, and I know lots of folks who feel the same way. So, ride one if you can, but if not at least sit on it a lot and see is it feels half descent.

I would worry about them rolling that Polaris (even the best most experienced riders, will roll a quad at some time)! 800 pounds on top of a couple of little ladies is a serious matter....I'd get a Rhino with a roll cage instead!

 

Thanks for the info so far! Understood about the rollover possiblities with the X2, However I would be suprised if it ever leaves what amounts to a smooth dirt road, or breaks 25 mph with the two of them on it. The first Yamaha dealer I went to told me they do not allow people to test drive the sport quads. Is this normal? A person is supposed to drop 7k+ on an ATV he can't even drive around the parking lot first? I'll be heading to the other local dealer tomorrow...

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sevenstack

Thanks for the info so far! Understood about the rollover possiblities with the X2, However I would be suprised if it ever leaves what amounts to a smooth dirt road, or breaks 25 mph with the two of them on it. The first Yamaha dealer I went to told me they do not allow people to test drive the sport quads. Is this normal? A person is supposed to drop 7k+ on an ATV he can't even drive around the parking lot first? I'll be heading to the other local dealer tomorrow...</end quote></div>

Yea this seems to vary from state-to-state .... The only way around it here is if you know a guy at a dealership who will let you try one of their own demos or something. Otherwise forget it. I bought my z400, and didn't get to ride it until I got home that night.

In most cases they won't even let you sit on them without a sales rep present....

 

Normally they'll let you test drive them. But, I'll go with everyone else, the 700R would be great for you. I have a Raptor 350. Many people think that the Raptors are made to race, but they aren't really. They're fast, but better for trail riding and the ocassional open spaces. If you've been riding for anytime at all, and if you've ever rode a sport atv, then you shouldn't have a problem with rolling it. Again, if the dealer won't let you test drive it, then don't worry about it. You can't go wrong with the 700R.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sevenstackThe first Yamaha dealer I went to told me they do not allow people to test drive the sport quads. Is this normal? A person is supposed to drop 7k+ on an ATV he can't even drive around the parking lot first? I'll be heading to the other local dealer tomorrow...</end quote></div>

Liability! Some idiot would crash it in the parking lot, and sue them! How you going to get anybody to insure you for that???

 

try the KFX 700 kawasaki.Its a great trail bike.Its automatic with reverse,water-cooled and electric start.Its good for trails and will rip across the dunes.Its not the fastest sport bike and its a little heavy but for what your doing I think it would be great.