I know these types of questions seem to be asked a lot but, I haven't found anything on any forums to answer exactly what I'm looking for. I'm 6'2" about 280 Lbs and my girl is about 4'3" 110 Lbs or so. I have my eye on the z400 (and clones) but since I never really rode pairs so I don't have much experience in the field of comfortably for a passenger. I'm also looking at a 660 Raptor but if it's anything like the 700r the seat is much to small (grew up on quads but rode dirt bikes in my teens up until now, double on dirt bikes sucks). Especially considering I plan on using this mostly for trail riding. I"m to be the type of person who can't get enough power though, I'm teaching my girl how to ride clutch. Please keep in mind that I feel you should always learn on a quad (obviously not a dirt bike because that's just dangerous) too powerful for you. Reason being is that you should respect the vehicle right off the bat but not fear it. When you start with a bike your size or smaller I noticed peoples egos tend to get out of hand. Either way I'm looking for any opinions/suggestions you may have. Keep in mind that I'm going to train my girl on this quad but also acknowledge I will be the primary rider, my girl just putts around usually. Thanks in advance. Oh I forgot to mention I have a budget of about $2200-2300.

Check list:

Suitable for 2 riders.
Powerful for the weight.
Durability for weight.
Quality of machine.

Any and all information you feel is good to know would be great to read.

 

If you plan on riding with a passenger you need an ATV that`s set up to handle two people. You need to be looking at a touring model, they have the space for two riders and the suspension is set up to handle the extra weight. Your not going to find one for 2300 dollars unless its a major basket case, plan on spending between 4000 - 6000 dollars for a good used one.

 

x2 on what ghostrider said-

you're looking at sport quads in that price range- and sport quads are really not good for riding 2 people on a regular basis. Your examples for riding with your woman are bad bad and bad! You really want a sport utility with the 2-up option, the only three manufacturers I know that make the 2-ups are the can-am max, the polaris sportsman touring or an Arctic Cat touring.

but you won't find one in your price range- maybe find an 05 outlander 400 max for $4k (doubt it) most used 2-ups start around $5500 - $7500.

You might be able to find an 02-05 sportsman 500 4x4 sport ute and bolt a 2-up passenger seat to it (like a tamarack 2-up)- at least she'll be comfortable and have handles, plenty of power to carry you and the popo is a little heavier and more stable. Personally, I wouldn't consider anything under 650cc for 2 passengers. I know that's not what you want to hear but that's the reality of it.

other then that- Just buy yourself a sport quad, don't even consider looking for a sport quad that'll handle 2 people- especially with you being a big boy The polaris outlaw at least has an IRS- but you won't find one for under $3k.

 

If the intention is a passenger, and a 2up model doesn't suit your fancy have you thought about a side by side ? The price is up there, but means either one of you can drive (sticking 280lbs on the back will make steering an atv fun for a small girl when you change the balance)

 

A used SxS starts at $8k and would severely limit his trail options-
He could buy a 2008 can-am outlander 800 max for that $$ and it wouldn't even feel his weight.

 

the new polaris rnager razor isn't much wider than an atv (at 50" wide) ... but the price is up there

its not so much the atv having issues but the driver ... if my wife drives my 800 with me on the back (around his weight) ... the change in the balance does make a difference in steering having the cg pushed back that far

 

Limiting his choices on places to ride isn't because of width. There's a lot of places that don't allow UTVs on trails yet and that's what the Ranger Razor is. They are slowly becoming more and more accepted but it will take time for that.

 

didn't know that ... around here it's pretty wide open to any orvs

 

lots of 48" restricting poles in the new england trails- SxS are only good on the logging roads or SxS approved trails (not many around here) a lot of the NE trails are tight, steep or very rocky- I don't know where the OP lives but around here, those sxs do more sitting then riding unless you trailer it to northern NE- even the power lines have restricting poles- I barely squeeze through, both sides rub on the poles- on my outty 800 with 27x12x12 xtr's. Any tire smaller then 26" on a SxS is a waste IMHO-

 

Bodyrot - you are gonna wanna listen to these guys. Putting 400+ pounds of people, clothing and gear on a machine not designed for it is just asking for trouble. Not only is it dangerous but will be highly uncomfortable for both of you after just a short ride – unless of course you don’t mind riding with your knees next to your ears.