I'm still trying to figure out why the X2 is selling for list price and the 500 is $1,000 under list price. Is that a typo? The EFI is normally $1,000 more than the carb model and the X2 is only $1,000 more than the EFI, if you want to compare "apples and apples" instead of apples and oranges. I think you get a pretty good value for the extra $1,000.

 

Alright guys... I just bought an 02 Polaris 500 HO. around 400 miles for $3300 with a plow! Compression sounds awesome, no smoke, tons of power. I think I made the right decision. The tires look unused and so does the quad. I'm in Northern Ohio where the land is flat, so no worries of flipping backwards... You have all been really helpful! Now it's time to find a pseudo-seat for a second rider.. I'm looking at Tamarack, but I'm sure there are others.. a winch would be cool too since I'll prolly be out alone alot (I dont have my kids most of the time). I'll prolly need to install the plow to determine where the winch should be placed.

 

If you want help finding a seat for a second rider on a one-person quad, a lot of people might not help you. I personally suggest you don't ride double. It has nothing to do with your liability, or mine if I told you to ride double. It's just that the machine isn't designed and made for it. You can put 6 people in the cab of a pickup truck if you want, but it's not safe to double up there either. It makes it hard to drive. One person quads should only have one person on them.

 

I highly recommend the X2 if you are going to be 2-up riding and have the money to swing it. It is more stable on the hills, has a really nice ride, and is very versatile. I've had passengers many times on single rider machines and it is much more difficult. You are crowded, unstable, and the law issue everyone mentioned is becoming more of something you have to watch out for as time goes on.

 

Your point of double vs. single riding has certainly be driven home. I'm very cautious, especially with someone else on. I'll just be "prowling" through the woods or driving down a dirt road mostly.

The biggest issue is with $$$. I feel that I did get a great deal on this quad, so maybe I'll end up selling it and making a little $$$ and getting an X2. A part of me feels that I really dont have any business at all with a quad as my divorce cost me $75k (lawyer fees, etc) and half of my paycheck is being given away. That's not to mention her getting most of the equity in the house ($60k) , cabin ($30k) and most of my 401k ($90+k). I've saved since I was a kid, got married at 29 and had kids, and was talken for every penny I owned. I'm 38 and my kids are 6 and 8. Before my assets were taken from me, I willingly gave my life to my family and naver spent much on myself. The biggest stinger was having my children "legally kidnapped" over 100+ miles away. They are my life.

I want to start living life, but the money is a tough one.

I'll probably keep this for atleast one year.

 

If your going to cash a H.O while doubling chances are the X2 will get crashed also. I have to double all the time and can barley feel a passenger back there. You just have to be careful, I would rather be on the back of a H.O with a good driver than a X2 with a Newbie driver.

If you can not double on a ATV in safety than chances are youl not be safe on ANY ATV out there.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to get a box with a seat in it (not meant for use as a seat while riding, yeah right) and attaching it permanently to the back. Put a kid in it an go, just be EXTRA careful. People have done this in my area for years. I've never heard of an accident invovling this. All the accidents I hear of are single riders on single ATVs. Thankfully the majority of people who ride double are riding sensibly. Whenever I ride with my 5 year old sitting in front of me, I always ride more slowly and never try anything challlenging.

Do it, just be careful.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: sheepdogMSP8117

I wouldn't hesitate to get a box with a seat in it (not meant for use as a seat while riding, yeah right) and attaching it permanently to the back. Put a kid in it an go, just be EXTRA careful. People have done this in my area for years. I've never heard of an accident invovling this. All the accidents I hear of are single riders on single ATVs. Thankfully the majority of people who ride double are riding sensibly. Whenever I ride with my 5 year old sitting in front of me, I always ride more slowly and never try anything challlenging.



Do it, just be careful.</end quote></div>

sheepdogMSP8117 is correct - people have been safely riding this way for years. I even had a reputable dealer offer me an H.O. with this type of an arrangement as he was out of X2's. HOWEVER - you should really talk to other riders in your state to see if they are cracking down on two people riding ATV's that were not SPECIFICALLY designed for two-up riding.

I was told New Hampshire is starting to crack down on this. I didn't want to invest the money into a H.O. with the box seat then find out our local wordens were busting people for this. I erred on the side of caution and bought the X2

 

I agree with everything that has been said! I would never try anything challenging and probably wouldnt go much over 15mph with someone else on. The kids dont know any different, and cruising around at 15mph is just a fun as 50mph to them! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Sicne we're on the topic of the seats. Can anyone recommend a good one? I am looking for something to surround on all sides. I do understand that there are supposed to be used when NOT riding. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

WOW! What fun this 2002 Sportsman 500 is!!!

This thing rides like a Caddy across the brush and weeds!!!

I took it to a culvert in a farm feild... this culvert looks like a giant eaves trough. Imagine an eaves about 12 foot tall, filled with about 2-3 feet of muckey mud.

I went down one side. The goal was to cross the muck and climb up the other, to test the limits and know the machine. Did I make it? Hell no!! lol what a blast though!! I had water and mud over the tires, just below the muffler. My friend tells me I need some "mudders", but I didnt buy this to dump money into it! NOTE: THIS MUD SMELLS TO HIGH HEAVEN!

I got my kids yesterday and putted around the yard with one of them, while the other rides the little 110cc. We're having lots of fun..! Thanks to all for your comments.