Hi all,

I'm just starting to look at getting an ATV, not new, but no older than a 2006. This will be for my son and I to go out on with, so this brings the question, 2up, or a single with a buddy seat?

My son is only 5, so the concern I have about the 2up models is that there doesn't seem to be much support for side to side movement, where with a buddy seat it seems like he would have much more support all around, so there would be less risk of him sliding off to the side, and I think it would be a more relaxing ride.

I'd like to get a Polaris, as from reading they seem to have the most comfortable ride, and people seem to be happy with them. I'd also like to go no smaller than a 500. I'm also 6'4", and just over 200lbs.

Later down the road we would be looking at getting a second ATV so my wife and daughter (who's now 3) can come out also, but that depends on if she likes ATVing or not. She love going out in the woods in the Jeep (Grand Cherokee), but she's out of the elements in that. If she does like it, I figured we could look at a 2up then.

Just looking for thoughts from people that take their younger kids out on the trails with them.

Cheers,

Derek

 

Two ups are the way to go in my mind. They are purpose built for 2 people by placing the rear axle behind the passenger for the most part. A single rider machine would have the passenger sitting behind the rear axle which can effect the balance of the machine. 2-ups usually have stronger springs in the rear to compensate for the passenger. There are 3 companies that make a 2-up quad. Can-Am with the Outlander Max, Arctic Cat, and Polaris which makes the Sportsman Touring and the Sportsman X2. The X2 is a more work-oriented machine with a very heavy duty rear spring package. It has a dump box that converts to a passenger seat in about 10 seconds. Had an older one that I thoroughly enjoyed. There is also the Polaris RZR. It's a narrower side by side that even comes in a 50" model for width limited trail systems.

Can-Am makes the Outlander Max in 400 cc, 500 cc, 650 cc, 800 cc, and 1000 cc models. Usually has the best power to weight ratios in their classes. The passenger seat is very comfortable and has good hand holds for whoever comes along with you. I, personally, wouldn't worry about a 5 year old on the passenger seat unless you're planning on really aggressive riding.

Polaris makes their Touring model in 500, 550, and 850 cc models, and makes the X2 in a 550 cc model. I had an older 500 cc X2. I only felt it was underpowered when going up fairly steep hills that were wide open and you would use high gear on. Between my 350 lbs. and the weight of the machine it didn't have a great top end speed on those kinds of hills. Also, snow riding on wide open trails where you can peg the throttle presented the same kind of underpowered feeling, top-end-wise.

I honestly don't know much if anything about the Arctic Cats.

The RZR, in the 50" width comes with a powerful 570 or a slightly more powerful 800.

 

you're more apt to harm your child bolting a seat on a 1-up atv rack then you are with an atv built for a 2-up.
it has everything to do with center of gravity & the suspension, and the placement of the rear shocks & axle (like moose said) behind the 2-up passenger rather than the rear shocks placed in front of the bolt-on rack seat- which will cause the atv to easily flip over while riding up any moderate incline.

the topic has been discussed many times in the threads...

some people will tell you that you'll be fine, but the correct answer is, buy the atv that's designed to do the kind of riding you plan on doing. 2 people riding should be done on an atv designed for riding 2 people, not 1.

 

All of the above is correct. Something else to consider is that if you have actual "parks" to ride, many will not allow 2 people on an atv unless it is specifically built for 2. If you spend all your time in woods, etc., then that might not be that much of a concern.

 

On all the trails I ride through the woods you also need a 2-up atv if you carry a passenger.

 

Thanks all for the replies. Thanks Moose for the comparisons between the models. I didn't even think of the legality of carrying a passenger on a 1up machine. I know 90% of the ATV's you see around here have a buddy seat, but that doesn't mean that it's actually legal to use.

I watched quite a few videos, and read a bunch of reviews for the Polaris Touring, and it seems like it would be the bike for me. I got to thinking, that even without carrying anyone else, the extra length and added stability of a 2up would be worth it over 1up. Also as mentioned, the extra stability with a passenger definitely makes it worth going with a 2up.

Now to convince my wife that we should get one sooner than later!

 

I did most of my riding (and still do) one up. The only drawbacks to the longer wheelbase are the breakover angle, and tight twisty trails. You will scrape the skids on obstacles that single rider machines just barely clear. In the tight twisty trails you have to occasionally back up and try again.

On steep hills it's tons better to have the 2-up machine. Much less likely to do an end-o.

 

Yeah that's true, and there are quite a few trails around that are fairly tight in places. I don't think it would be too much harder to get a 2up through, but would definitely need a little more finessing.

Honestly, I'd like to have a sport quad for myself, but there's no way I'd ever be able to convince my wife that we need three ATV's! I used to have an old Honda 200x, and that thing was just plain stupid fun!

 

With a kid I would not eve consider a buddy seat. Extra cost of 2up is well worth the safety of my child. Even though mines a Marine now.