Anyone out there trail ride on ATV's? Nan and I want to get back up in the mountains west of Denver this summer and are considering a two-up ATV.

Any suggestions? Trails range in elevation from 5000 to 12000 feet. Dependablility along with enough power are on the top of our list.

The only 4 wheelers I own that seat 2 are side-by-sides (UTV's). I have a Yamaha 700cc "Rhino" and a Polaris 800cc "Razor". I own a Polaris 850cc ATV but it is a single passenger ATV...and a "Rocket"! Speeds up to 70 MPH. Scary-fast!
If I were going to by a "2-up" ATV I would go with the Polaris 800cc. It is incredibly comfortable, plenty of power and extremely smooth with forgiving suspension! Good luck and let us know what you wound up with.
Best, Capt. Chris

If I was buying one I'd seriously look at the Arctic Cat Prowler. I had some bad luck with Polaris warranty a few years ago and it left a very sour taste in my pocket book. Another consideration is that in the Rocky's, some of the trails are not wide enough for a side-by and will only accommodate a 4-wheeler. Also along those same thoughts, it's much more difficult to "lean" on a side hill with a side-by and if you had to jump out of a side-by, forget it. You will roll all the way down the hill. If I was going trail riding in the Colorado Rockies, I would take a 4 wheeler, like a Suzuki, which has been rated the best 4-wheeler for many years. It does have gears, so if you want an "automatic" then go for an Arctic Cat.

Pap

Pappy,
A "2-up" is not a side-by-side. It seats one behind the other with an extra long seat and seperate running boards. It is the exact same width as any other ATV of appropriate CC's. The Polaris 800cc is one I have had dealings with. We can't use Artic Cats down here where I hunt. They are fine...just no place close to service them. The mainstream shops won't touch then as they are a "Bass Pro" deal and Bass Pro subs their service work out. At least that's the story down here.
The "Razor" is pretty narrow, so far as "UTV's" go, but still about 8" wider than an "ATV". I like them a lot better for where I hunt because you stay warmer and can carry a rifle in the cab with you.
Best, Capt. Chris

Good info Captain! Thank You! The machine width limit on the ATV trails here is 50", your suggestion of the Polaris 800 or in 2010 I believe it is the 850 Touring is a good one. Just left Polaris's website and that 850 is 70 Horsepower with 11 to 1 compression ratio. Man, I had no idea they have progressed to that kind of power! Of course it doesn't come cheap.

Pappy, thank you for responding! If I remember right you have a Kabota 4 x 4. Very good friend of mind has one of those on his ranch. He loves the heat and air conditioning in the cab.

Yes, I have a 'Bota 900 UTV. Top speed is 28 mph but it gets almost 100 mpg, a little 3 banger diesel. It's great on old forest roads but I wouldn't take it on most of the 4-wheeler trails around here. I'd use my 4-wheelers. Like the Captain said, service is the real issue and as long as you can get good service, that's the dealership you want to buy from. No matter how good everyone says "their" brand is, it's bound to need service or warranty work. Just because I had a bad experience with Polaris doesn't mean that with another dealer, I too, would be very satisfied.

Pap

Pappy,
"I've" had problems with Polaris also. "None" with Yamaha, but Yamaha's scooters have a single cylinder 700cc and it's a pig compared to the fuel-injected (remember those altitudes you were talking about?) twin cylinder Polaris. "AND" Polaris is American made. All service issues I had were on pre 2008 machines and were resolved with one service. Since then all of my machines have needed nothing!
Whatever you decide Chuck. Drive safely and good luck.
Best, Capt. Chris

Cap, my wife says - The Captain knows best! Here is what we ended up with. The trails up to Rampart Range open 7May - we will be there! Thanks to you and Pappy!

Very nice!

Were they out of blue ones?

Thanks Tom! They have one more blue one!!