Any Quad Riders?

[Dave R.]

I know its an ST 1300 site, but thought this could be an interesting topic in this forum. I am 56 years old and have been trying to find some outdoor activity that my wife would possibly like to do with me. She actually brought up the subject of Quads once, so here is my question. How many of you ride Quads with the better half and what machine do you like. I have done a little research and think the Honda Rincon with a passenger seat / back rest might be nice. My wife is a creature of comfort so whatever we ride needs to be somewhat comfortable for her. I've tried desperately to get her on the ST, but she just is not comfortable with the idea. I'm in Oregon so we everything from sand dunes to back country mountain terrain to play in.

[gene]

We have 2 of them and Lisa really enjoys riding them for hours at a time when we go make a day of it !

[NewsMag]

I have a Polaris 500 Sportsman purchased brand new in 1998. This thing is quick, comfortable, and reliable - darn near indestructible!

I ride with a friend who is loyal to Hondas and has tried all their larger models. None comes close to the Polaris as far as comfort and reliability.

That said, be advised that passenger seat or not, backrest or not, the pillion position on an ATV is not set up to realize the benefits of suspension. Unless you are on perfectly graded gravel roads, pillion riding is a chore. Not at all like riding on back of a Gold Wing! And the pillion rider also gets a nice coating of road dust on the back!!

My only other advise is go for something with 4 wheel independent suspension. The comfort improvement over a solid rear axle is substantial.

[ligito]

My wife used to ride but quit after hip replacement and leg surgery.
Riding two-up on a single rider ATV is dangerous.
Find a way to get some ATV training from a qualified ATV instructor.
I think, though that the classes in Oregon are over for the year.
Check with SVIA to make sure.

I have 2 ATV's-Suzuki 230 Quadrunner--Kawasaki Bayou 220 and plan to buy an Arctic Cat 250 next year..
I have one that I got for my 18 year old grandaughter.
She went through a class, then tried to keep up with me, on a bumpy road, after being told not to and had an accident that destroyed her helmet and the rack on the ATV.

Safety should always be paramount.

My riding buddy's girlfriend also rides her own ATV.

[ChipSTer]

I agree with:

Get each rider their own
4 wheel independant suspension
Stick with the Major Brands
Do the ATV training class

I do not agree with:

Polaris - Polaris depends on a belt drive as part of the drive train... In wet terrain I've seen them come to complete stand still on level ground
Arctic Cat - Arctic Cat deteriorates too fast if ridden hard - you get what you pay for

Just my opinion... and worth exactly what you paid for it...

:cool:

P.S. I've only owned Honda 300 4X4 - On my third one - would still have the first two if it wasn't for 'financial hardship'... :oops: I have pulled more than my share of Polaris (which my cousins swear by - and will out run my 300) and Arctic Cat (due to failed engine) out of the woods...

[ligito]

I rode my friend's Arctic Cat 250 and so far, it's the best upright non-gut scrunching ATV for under $5,000, that I've found, so far.
It sits me up higher and less bent over.
I don't ride hard, or often.
The Honda and Kawasaki 250's are still very small and cause me to become too scrunched up when riding, creating stomach troubles.
My '85 230 Quadrunner has enough power but I'm told that I am too big for it.
I'm way too big for the Bayou but I got it for my grandaughter, not me.

I'll be 67 next month and probably won't wear out anything but myself.

I am glad to hear about quality, though, thanks.

[skyboybry]

What's a quad? I'm still riding my '81 ATC 200. It's fun to watch my girlfriend flip it. It's not so much fun when it pulls my leg off though. She thinks so.

sbB

[tommy5313]

had a honda 250r that was all built and everything, 30 over, 10000 off the jug, 39mm mekuni, you know the works, striped it to the frame and started from the powder coat up, last time i got hurt on it the wife said it had to go. now i just stick to the ashphalt:) :)

[sennister]

I have a 99 Honda 450 ES. It is alright. I really don't use it much. We had it for plowing the driveway but the blades for ATVs suck. Sure better than shovel but we have a big 4x4 John Deere tractor that does a much better job. At first I would leave the blower on the JD and the blade on the Honda. After dealing with the crappy job for two winters I sold the blade for the Honda and switch back and forth as needed between the blade and blower in the winter. It only takes 10 min so it isn't a big deal.

The biggest complaint I have about the Honda is the ES. (Electronic Shifting) It is all find and dandy until you run the battery down too low from running the winch. You raise and lower the blade on the plow with the winch. What happens is that the engine will continue to run but you cannot shift and you are stuck in gear. I had backed up to the house, dropped the blade, and was stuck in reverse. That was the last straw. They do have an emergency shifter in the tool kit. Who knows where that went though. I think I lost it on a hunting trip.

That is about all it gets used for now. Hunting and playing around in the snow. I like riding around the yard when we get a foot or so of snow. By then the ground is good and frozen so I don't tear up the grass.


EDIT:

I should add that I agree and that it is best to have one per rider. We have been talking about getting another one as there are some big trail systems in Wisconsin that we could ride. The problem is that we have a 2 year old and what are we going to do with her. So we will likely wait until she is older and maybe look at getting some more.

[Dave R.]

Thanks for all the replies. The Rincon is not to my knowledge a designated 2 up machine, so that will be considered . I know there are machines designed for that use however so will research them. I doubt my wife would ride nearly as much as I, so getting her own machine will have to be weighed carefully. Again, I appreciate the replies and advice.

[AzDesertRider]

You might also consider a "Side by Side" Like a Yamaha Rhino (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/486/0/home.aspx) or the new Polaris RZR (Razor) (http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Ranger/RangerRZR/Reviews/) They are trail tough & built for two. I had some money down on a Razor, waiting for the 08 release, then this little red Jeep deal came my way. We went with the Jeep instead of the Polaris. Wife really likes the A/C option.

[NCrider]

You might also consider a "Side by Side" Like a Yamaha Rhino (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/486/0/home.aspx) or the new Polaris RZR (Razor) (http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Ranger/RangerRZR/Reviews/) They are trail tough & built for two. I had some money down on a Razor, waiting for the 08 release, then this little red Jeep deal came my way. We went with the Jeep instead of the Polaris. Wife really likes the A/C option.


You beat me to it.

I would suggest one of the new side-by-sides also. The Razor looks awesome!

[ligito]

What's a quad? I'm still riding my '81 ATC 200. It's fun to watch my girlfriend flip it. It's not so much fun when it pulls my leg off though. She thinks so.

sbB

ATC's are the reason that I like ATV's, much more stable, for me.

[ligito]

You might also try a used ATV for your wife, since it won't get used much and won't cost so much.

[NewsMag]

Polaris - Polaris depends on a belt drive as part of the drive train... In wet terrain I've seen them come to complete stand still on level ground

I have pulled more than my share of Polaris (which my cousins swear by - and will out run my 300) and Arctic Cat (due to failed engine) out of the woods...

I live in a very dry area, so I can't comment on wet terrain behavior. Most of the creeks we run in are dry at the time. I have had mine wet and muddy and snowy without impact, however. And I do carry a spare belt with me, because when the belt frays/fails you are at a dead stop and will need a tow if you don't have a spare. It takes about 20 minutes to do a roadside swapout.