Utilities or seats safe for double riding?

[gearhead400]

The internet is pretty unclear as to whether or not some of these "trunks" with built in seats are meant for a second rider or if they are large enough to where the built in seat is for the driver of the ATV. I have a friend wanting to buy a used ute for a few thousand, just an older model to have a little fun on thats all. He has a young son he'd like to drive around with on the atv. I know can-am makes a ute for double riding and john deere use to. Are there any atv's that could be had for 2-5K that have the proper seat and setup to carry a passenger? Considering the kid is young, too much weight on the back isn't going to be a problem for handling so if you know of any seat add on's that could fit a kid, please let me know.

enough digging would give me my answer, i know, but the ute to sport owners is like 2 to 1 on this forum lol and i'm a sport guy. Just hoping some of you have invested in a safe way to carry passengers and can give me some input.

Thanks!

[AintSkeered]

It's unlawful for 2 riders unless the atv was designed by the manufacturer to ride two persons, period. You'll risk being ticketed in national and state parks for doing it. That being said, loads of folks do it anyway, especially on private property. Personally, I don't see an issue with a safe, mature, responsible father carrying his young son on one of those aftermarket seats, so long as it's bolted down to the frame(and not with the cheap plastic straps/clips that come with it). Mine's only hose clamped to the rack, so, I'd never carry a passenger unless it was necessary and traveling under 15mph. 

[gearhead400]

Yeah I agree with you 100%. My first quad was an '87 kawi bayou 300 2x4 and my cousin who was no more than 120 would greatly change the way that thing handled when he got on it, couldn't turn the thing really once you got out of 1st gear. I'd tell them to get a sidexside or that outlander with the second seat, but obviously you can't touch one of those for 2-5k in good condition.

Thanks for the reply.

[asmart82]

I have a "second seat" on the back of mine and use it all the time.  I do have my rear springs at full preload and high lifter springs.  I don't do much riding other than cruising down sugar sand trails and water holes but handling for those applications is not an issue for me.  I also never get much above 10-12mph and if I do its only on strait aways.  The second seat I have is one of the larger ones and I have it connected to the back rack with U-Bolts, so its almost like a complete enclosure for whoever is riding with me.

[digginfool]

It's unlawful for 2 riders unless the atv was designed by the manufacturer to ride two persons, period. You'll risk being ticketed in national and state parks for doing it. That being said, loads of folks do it anyway, especially on private property. Personally, I don't see an issue with a safe, mature, responsible father carrying his young son on one of those aftermarket seats, so long as it's bolted down to the frame(and not with the cheap plastic straps/clips that come with it). Mine's only hose clamped to the rack, so, I'd never carry a passenger unless it was necessary and traveling under 15mph. 

I'm not sure that it's 'unlawful' but it is certainly prohibited on public land and highly discouraged by the manufacturers mainly because of product liability suits.  You know, when somebody rides their single seat ATV 65 mph at night on a forest trail with two drunks onboard and kills themselves leaving their heirs with a $100 million dollars of ill-gotten gains.  Even if it turned out to be against the law, it's something that is ambiguously enforced.  We have an add-on seat for our Prairie and have never had any handling issues while carrying children on it.  It has been used for two-up by adults a few times but like asmart82, most of our riding anymore is 15-20 mph and the suspensions are not working that hard.  Attach it properly and used your head when you ride two-up.

[MedicMudder]

I have a spm 500 with a aftermarket seat/storage on the back.I have it u bolted to the bike ,never had issue with riding some one on the back.
Slow trail,playing in the mud is what my group does.Can't do it state Parks,the fun police will stop you,hence i don't ride in parks any more.Cant
play in the mud,ride were you want,....Thanks Park service u SUCK!!!!!!!      AAAAHHHH Thatsbetter

[asmart82]

I also forgot to mention, I don't use my sway bar, that way I'm not tipping or leaning much if I hit any ruts or holes

[ganny76]

You shouldn't have a problem finding a nice quad for under 5K.  Might could find a decent used side by side for 5k.  I have ridden with my wife on the back of mine and I dont like it.  I just dont feel that safe.  We do some really rough trail riding.  When I have a quad that had a straight rear axle, it was no problem.  If you want to go double on a quad then I would get a side by side or a straight rear axle quad, they are muc more stable when riding two up then a independent rear suspension.

[AintSkeered]

Dig may be correct, the law appears to be unclear. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2074.HTM&Title=->2009->Ch0316->Section%202074#0316.2074

The second paragraph of the law seems to merely define ATV, yet, paragraph 8 states, "A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318."

Noentheless, the law gives state and national parks authority to fine you for 2up on 1up ATVs.

[gearhead400]

so what seats do you guys recommend? The ones with built in coolers i would imagine are the best. or at least i'd like them the best.

[asmart82]

I learned this the hard way but make sure the cooler is not too big.  If you get a lot of liquid in there moving around and you get sideways on an incline(either the left or right side lower than the other), the liquid can rush to one side of the cooler and throw your quad off balance pretty quickly.