try the Brutes, 650 or 750, they are big, have gobs of power, adjustable shocks. they will carry you all day! anywhere! have fun shopping. welcome to the board.

 

we dont drink hatorade!!!!!gotta love that ........well most of us dont drink it......i think a big man needs a big bike. so look at large frame machines. just like trucks you can haul a ton in about any truck but haul it everyday and the little trucks are gonna suffer.

 

I swear I thought I posted this already but I don't see it.....

Anyway, most Ute ATVs will work fine for you..... there was a guy in Dirt Wheels mag a few months ago that said he was around 600-pounds and rode a Honda Rancher for like 14,000 miles or something like that...... he went on to say he lost 200-pounds and the machine was still going strong....

I'll tell you what though, as one big guy to another, an ATV is a great way to get a good workout.... you will probably drop some weight just by getting out on the trails and having fun.......

 

Welcome to the forum, I have a 500ho x2 touring,and the wife and I combined would be 400lbs and we have no problems and I cant see another 100lbs would bother it either but a bigger bike like a 650 or more would absolutly have no problem.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 700 sportsman

you can expect probably about 2,000ish miles, i think you'd love a 500 until you ride a 700/800 and then you'd have to have one, and as far as the shocks go I think ncriderforks is right</end quote></div>
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You must have meant 20,000 miles.......My 2006 Sp 450 has over 2400 miles right now ....So it must be "OVER-DONE"....
Caper.........

 

Well it looks like you are getting some really good feedback.

How are those EPI Rear shocks? And did you add anything
to the Front?

Regards,

R'

 

I go right at 300, my wife goes at 200, fully loaded we're pushing 600 lbs My 800 takes it fine with stock shocks adjusted to the highest. I ride everyday and have not been on a diet, just the workout the bike gives me has helped me to lose 60lbs so far. My buddy got the 800x2, we can ride that on the lowest setting and it is fine, for the money I'd go with the 800 2 up, you won't be disappointed

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>How are those EPI Rear shocks? And did you add anything </end quote></div>

So far (only had them a week) they are great! A very noticable difference. I haven't done anything with the fronts yet, but I probably will eventually.

 

Cictowa, A BIG welcome to the Forum. Great people, Great place to hang-out!

If you fing it difficult to swing a leg over mounting an ATV, you may wish to check-out the JohnDeere ATV's. They are made by Bombardier for Deere and feature a very easy walk-through feature VS swinging the leg over.

If swinging the leg over is NOT an issue, I like the X2. It has a little stiffer rear springs, has the little backrest, has extra storage up front AND in the rear little dump body. I find that it has A LOT of sensible storage. The gas tank is a HUGE 6 gal. The X2 has a recoil back-up just in case your battery goes dead out on the trails-NICE FEATURE!(the other's don't have one)

The 550 and 850 are nice ATV's as well. My X2 has a nice WIDE seat which you may like better than the narrower 550/850 seat. Also, the 850 has a VERY small gas tank so if you plan long rides, carrying extra gas is a pita PLUS it adds additional weight! 850/550 has no storage up-front.

Your $12K budget won't get gobbled-up. The X2 will set you back about $8K.

As far as cc's, I think for your type of riding, 500cc's is more than enough. You are not going to be riding around like a maniac, so 700/800 is just not necessary.

Good luck in your search.

~MT[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

im with the x2 crowd as well, ive got the 500 x2 and have had the rear maxed out many times with 400 pounds on the rear plus myself at 230 pounds. plenty of power for what you want to do and the extra lenght makes for a very comfortable stable ride. the only thing i would like to see is stronger springs up front, rears are fine, and i believe those can be upgraded if you find they are a problem