2-Up Riding

[chasineyes]

Are there any hard and fast rules for 2-up riding. Were looking to buy a 2nd wheeler so the wife and other daughter can ride also. We would like to buy a touring model for the 7 year old to ride on with mama and me and the 5 year old can ride on the regular one. Do you need a "specific" 2-up touring for this or can you just buy a aftermarket "2nd" seat.

Thanks

[Dave S]

You can ride 2-up legally on Class 1 ATVs. You're still limited, I believe, to 2 people on 2-up models.

A couple safety issues come to mind when riding 2-up on a single machine.

1) your passenger adds extra weight behind the rear axle causing the front end to become lighter and you can lose steering control.

2) You lose personal mobility and range of movement on a single machine making it more difficult to shift your body weight with a passenger.

As for the after market boxes with a "makeshift" seat, don't rely on them to be a functional second seat. They're not intended as a seat as much as they're for a backrest rest for a single occupant. There are some kits out there to make it more comfortable for a passenger, but keep in mind a single occupant vehicle is just that. If you're concerned about safety. Which of course you are or you wouldn't have asked the question.

For teh most confortable experience for both mom and your daughter, I would opt for a 2-up. They have a longer wheelbase and are designed to give the operator ample room to control the machine.

Hope that answers you question. Others may provide their input as well.