Hi Everyone:
New to this forum and have been out of the ATV game for a while. My wife and I are wanting to purchase a two seater mainly for our camping vacations and perhaps some local riding. We've been in Utah a lot lately and it just seems like the way to go, ATV trails galore with awesome scenery.

I guess to start my main question is which one? and size?

I really like the reviews and comments on the Polaris Touring as well as the Can-Am Outlander, not really sure on the motor size, do you think a 570 is enough power for two people? 1000 too much?

Like I said just basic trail riding, not intense, might take it on a fishing trip here and there..

Thanks for the input..

 

Depends on what your going to do with it and how hard you ride. After we retired the wife and I sold our ATV's and moved up to a side x side and have really enjoyed it far more than having 2 ATV's. We can carry much more and sitting side x side is much nicer and more comfortable on a longer ride.
Now we don't do any performance riding or serious hill climbing so our 450 unit is more than adequate with a top speed of about 45mph, we normally cruis along at 25 or so on smoother sections of the trail. So far it has climbed any hill we have chosen to tackle but we live east of the Mississippi so you will have much higher elevations and steeper mountains to climb. Most everyone will recommend getting the biggest engine you can as we Americans are power crazy but in all actuality something in the 650 range will be plenty unless your into high performance riding. Many prefer the two up ATV's due the more narrow wheel base, but do look at a side x side for actual riding comfort and ease of steering with a steering wheel rather than handle bars. On a two up machine power steering will be a must but on my side x side we have no power steering and it can easily be steered with one hand while in 4wd even by the wife. Just some food for thought for you folks.

 

The issue with a SXS for us is I have no way to haul it, I have a Travel Trailer not a Toy Hauler. My trucks plenty big to tow a flat bed with a SXS, but have to take the trailer.

Thanks

 

If you're not concerned with high speed riding the 570 cc class machines from Polaris and Can-Am will both work, even at the higher elevations of the Paiute Trail and other areas with serious elevation. The won't win races or have much top end but will do what you're describing with relative ease. My son and a buddy's son rented Polaris RZR's with the 570 when we were riding the Paiute Trail out of Marysvale, UT in 2013. They did fine. I found my Outlander Max 650 to be just about perfect when we went out in 2016. Son and his buddy both had Polaris Scrambler XP 1000's. They sure had fun but the extra HP wasn't needed.

I have likes and dislikes with both machines. Big one for me was that when you have the passenger seat on the Polaris Touring there isn't much room for a good sized cargo box. With the Can-Am you can get a huge cargo box that fits well with the passenger seat on the quad. Both have good power. Polaris belt transmission is quieter than the Can-Am's. Polaris takes longer to engage the belt than the Can-Am. Polaris is a much more comfortable ride and surprisingly sporty. Can-Am is a touch more sporty. Polaris has better toting and towing numbers than the Can-Am. Hope all this helps.

 

I would also give the 650 Outlander Max a look. I've found mine to be a great all around machine. Even at 11,000 feet.

 

Really appreciate the input

 

Just bought this for $6,000. 700 cc Arctic Cat. Love the ride and the power steering. I also have a diesel one 700 cc. I was hoping the 700 would be faster, guys on the Arctic Cat forums claimed theirs went 70 mph. 65 seems to be the top end on mine with 27" tires.

 

I purchased the Can Am Outlander Max with the 1000cc engine. Can Am has two ignition keys for this machine. One called "normal" detunes the engine to maybe 45 horse making for a, well more normal ride. The "performance" key unlocks all nearly 90 horsepower for going really fast. Polaris does a similar thing with their engine controls.

So you can have a big bore machine without the worry of flipping over every time you accelerate away from a stop.

Moose summarized the Polaris and Can Am pretty well. My buddies ride Arctic Cat 700 TUVs and have had very good experiences with them.

David

 

I should mention, Cat also has a 1000 cc V-Twin with 70 hp. As Textron is taking over AC, you might be surprised at the discounts on some of the models. My dealer had a 1000 cc TRV discounted a lot, I just happened to find my 700 at a car dealer, someone traded it in on a new car!

 

The side x side in my posting (my 450i) does fit into the bed of a full size pickup!! One of the big sales points of this machine, so if your trailer is a bumper pull you can have your cake and eat it to... My machine new is 7500 what is the cost of a two up ATV? Not knocking the two up machines at all, they can be very fun to ride, however the stability and ease of steering makes the side x side a much improved ride. Now if your from the younger generation then throwing a leg over a hot rod then blazing thru the trails and using body weight to throw your machine around the turns just might be your cup of tea with a two up machine!!