Posted: 4/18/2025 7:38:45 PM EDT
[Last Edit: NotIssued][Edited]
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Currently I have a 10 and 12 year old kid. We have some land that has a few open fields. They like my ATV, but I'd like to buy them something else (mostly because there's 1 machine and 2 kids). Locally on the used market there are a few Polaris 800s for about $5k. There's also an Arctic Cat 700hdx, same price. I'm in a quandary. I like the polaris because it can use 5 point restraints and hard half-doors an contain them better. But damn it's a lot of machine for them. The Arctic cat would be more useful, but bench seat, 3 point restraints and no side roll bar or door makes me worry about tip overs. I guess a gokart would be a third option (one kind of close for $800) but I worry they'd outgrow it too quick. Any thoughts? Edit, 5/2- new/used Polaris 170 bought, pics below. Thanks for the insights! |
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Polaris 800 is a LOT of machine for that age group and for a few more years will still be.If it is a RZR it can do 60+MPH and 0-60 in about 6 sec. Don't have any info on the other one,The Arctic cat is more utility oriented but can still do 50MPH. Both of these are, in my humble opinion too much machine for the guys. You decide based on what you know,but I've been fooling with ATVs' UTVs' for 30+ years and wouldn't be comfortable with either. |
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Originally Posted By NotIssued: Currently I have a 10 and 12 year old kid. We have some land that has a few open fields. They like my ATV, but I'd like to buy them something else (mostly because there's 1 machine and 2 kids). Locally on the used market there are a few Polaris 800s for about $5k. There's also an Arctic Cat 700hdx, same price. I'm in a quandary. I like the polaris because it can use 5 point restraints and hard half-doors an contain them better. But damn it's a lot of machine for them. The Arctic cat would be more useful, but bench seat, 3 point restraints and no side roll bar or door makes me worry about tip overs. I guess a gokart would be a third option (one kind of close for $800) but I worry they'd outgrow it too quick. Any thoughts? You could look into the rzr 170 on the low end, and then there’s the 570 as well. Polaris also has the rzr 200 now, which looks to come factory with hard doors, but they’re pricey at about $7k new. Good luck. I’ll probably put a 170 in my garage at some point for the same reason. |
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Originally Posted By BoomToob: You could look into the rzr 170 on the low end, and then there’s the 570 as well. Polaris also has the rzr 200 now, which looks to come factory with hard doors, but they’re pricey at about $7k new. Good luck. I’ll probably put a 170 in my garage at some point for the same reason. Originally Posted By BoomToob: You could look into the rzr 170 on the low end, and then there’s the 570 as well. Polaris also has the rzr 200 now, which looks to come factory with hard doors, but they’re pricey at about $7k new. Good luck. I’ll probably put a 170 in my garage at some point for the same reason. @BoomToob Local 570 just popped up, 2016 with 6k miles, asking $4k. Seems high, buttttt....? I read they can be tuned to decrease the max speed. Only one I've seen locally, so just reading your post is fortuitous. Would want 5 point restraints but otherwise looks ok from pics. Hoping to see it on Friday. Anything to know/ask? Originally Posted By Youtawn: Not utv, but what about a couple of 80 or 125 enduro or dirt bikes? I agree that an 800 is too much for them. Bikes aren't in their immediate futures. I'm an ER doc, mom is a pediatrician. Too many bad vibes with them. At least a roll cage offers some hope. Yes, I realize we're being emotional. |
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Originally Posted By NotIssued: @BoomToob Local 570 just popped up, 2016 with 6k miles, asking $4k. Seems high, buttttt....? I read they can be tuned to decrease the max speed. Only one I've seen locally, so just reading your post is fortuitous. Would want 5 point restraints but otherwise looks ok from pics. Hoping to see it on Friday. Anything to know/ask? Bikes aren't in their immediate futures. I'm an ER doc, mom is a pediatrician. Too many bad vibes with them. At least a roll cage offers some hope. Yes, I realize we're being emotional. Originally Posted By NotIssued: Originally Posted By BoomToob: You could look into the rzr 170 on the low end, and then there’s the 570 as well. Polaris also has the rzr 200 now, which looks to come factory with hard doors, but they’re pricey at about $7k new. Good luck. I’ll probably put a 170 in my garage at some point for the same reason. @BoomToob Local 570 just popped up, 2016 with 6k miles, asking $4k. Seems high, buttttt....? I read they can be tuned to decrease the max speed. Only one I've seen locally, so just reading your post is fortuitous. Would want 5 point restraints but otherwise looks ok from pics. Hoping to see it on Friday. Anything to know/ask? Originally Posted By Youtawn: Not utv, but what about a couple of 80 or 125 enduro or dirt bikes? I agree that an 800 is too much for them. Bikes aren't in their immediate futures. I'm an ER doc, mom is a pediatrician. Too many bad vibes with them. At least a roll cage offers some hope. Yes, I realize we're being emotional. I’ve been around power sports my entire life and my kid is now too. 1) a bike is the safest way to learn - quads and side by sides are all solid until they get too comfortable then it’s bad really bad. Atvs you have roll overs and utvs are harder but if anything gets pinned under the cage it’s bad. Not trying to scare you but that’s why they say bikes are safer initially - they are scared and take their tumbles while they learn what the weight and such will do. No false sense of security. 2) as others have said 500 and 800 is going to be too much. Go kart or Polaris 170. I don’t mean to be harsh but if you guys are concerned about safety which is great. You need to do a little more research. Do either of you have any experience with bikes, atvs, or side by sides? ETA: it’s good you are getting your kids into it. Take time to teach them basics and safety and explain just how dangerous it can be if they don’t pay attention. |
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I've ridden bikes a bit, but more just familiarity rides. We have an ATV but I don't ride much depending on the year. No experience with SXS. 170s are hard to find around here. I see a 2016 for $4500, hoping to see that in the next few days. The 200 seems like it has better safety features, though again, hard to find any used. Given how infrequently we'd use it (being under snow half the year) I'm not in about to spend the money for new. As for bikes, both my kids are pretty smart and listen well. The field is also only about 200 yards long so not much room to get up to speed. Yes, I've looked at gokarts. The only new ones I see for sale are from Fleet Farm and Walmart. If you know any decent brands that home deliver, I'm all ears. |
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Originally Posted By NotIssued: I've ridden bikes a bit, but more just familiarity rides. We have an ATV but I don't ride much depending on the year. No experience with SXS. 170s are hard to find around here. I see a 2016 for $4500, hoping to see that in the next few days. The 200 seems like it has better safety features, though again, hard to find any used. Given how infrequently we'd use it (being under snow half the year) I'm not in about to spend the money for new. As for bikes, both my kids are pretty smart and listen well. The field is also only about 200 yards long so not much room to get up to speed. Yes, I've looked at gokarts. The only new ones I see for sale are from Fleet Farm and Walmart. If you know any decent brands that home deliver, I'm all ears. IMO you don’t need premium brand - this is a stepping stone, short term, to teach them to get their wits about them. Cheap is your friend There are even some 90/125cc 4 stroke quads that have throttle control. You can dial it way back then slowly ramp it up as they show they can control it |
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I honestly don't understand the SXS market, perhaps I am missing something. It costs nearly as much as a decent used car, and it's optimized for joy rides on trails. Yes, narrow track, roll cage, bucket seats with 5 point harness, and all that...but it's basically the factory version of a go-kart, but it has bluetooth and you can finance it. The only people happier with it than the owners are the financiers. Isn't the SXS the new product that used to be filled by a used XJ with DIY mods? Doesn't that accomplish much the same thing, albeit taking longer to get to the fun part? Watch this Latvian guy build a UTV out of a junk yard Pugeot:  4x4 Build Ep.1 - BMW E39 Differentials & Axles |
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Originally Posted By NotIssued: I've ridden bikes a bit, but more just familiarity rides. We have an ATV but I don't ride much depending on the year. No experience with SXS. 170s are hard to find around here. I see a 2016 for $4500, hoping to see that in the next few days. The 200 seems like it has better safety features, though again, hard to find any used. Given how infrequently we'd use it (being under snow half the year) I'm not in about to spend the money for new. As for bikes, both my kids are pretty smart and listen well. The field is also only about 200 yards long so not much room to get up to speed. Yes, I've looked at gokarts. The only new ones I see for sale are from Fleet Farm and Walmart. If you know any decent brands that home deliver, I'm all ears. It seems that you have budgeted about $5k and you are decided upon a vehicle with a roll cage. I applaud both these things because, if you have to splurge (you don't, but it's a justified reward for you hard work and success), at least you are doing it with budget and safety in mind. I am sure you have seen the damage done, so that prudence gets a high five from me, fwiw. Depending upon how handy you are, and the assumption you only use something like this a few times a year, I still humbly submit that the project of doing something DIY could have as much value for you and the boys as actually having the thing itself (and meanwhile, rentals scratch the itch and have the immediate fun factor). Just a thought. |
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Originally Posted By GTLandser: I honestly don't understand the SXS market, perhaps I am missing something. It costs nearly as much as a decent used car, and it's optimized for joy rides on trails. Yes, narrow track, roll cage, bucket seats with 5 point harness, and all that...but it's basically the factory version of a go-kart, but it has bluetooth and you can finance it. The only people happier with it than the owners are the financiers. Isn't the SXS the new product that used to be filled by a used XJ with DIY mods? Doesn't that accomplish much the same thing, albeit taking longer to get to the fun part? Watch this Latvian guy build a UTV out of a junk yard Pugeot:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFV7BiMEsfQThe performance is worlds apart so they just aren't really comparable to a Jeep. Purpose built independent suspension buggy is much better suited to ripping around. Solid axles like in the cherokee have benefits but it takes a lot to get them to perform at a high level especially the leaves out back. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By GTLandser: It seems that you have budgeted about $5k and you are decided upon a vehicle with a roll cage. I applaud both these things because, if you have to splurge (you don't, but it's a justified reward for you hard work and success), at least you are doing it with budget and safety in mind. I am sure you have seen the damage done, so that prudence gets a high five from me, fwiw. Depending upon how handy you are, and the assumption you only use something like this a few times a year, I still humbly submit that the project of doing something DIY could have as much value for you and the boys as actually having the thing itself (and meanwhile, rentals scratch the itch and have the immediate fun factor). Just a thought. Sadly I'm the polar opposite of handy... though my son has been asking to do a project (we were thinking about a tree house). Rentals are great ideas, again, none that I'm aware of here. I can ask around though, a few coworkers are pretty involved in that scene. Yeah, budget around 5k. Ideally a 2 seater so they can go together. Currently they take turns on the ATV. And the roll cage is definitely for piece of mind. Ideally hard doors vs nets (as there any real benefit?). And Ideally top speed around 25mph So, yeah ... gokarts seem the smarter option, right? Just can't really find them like I want.  The one at Fleet Farm is too small for the 12 yo but the price is right. |
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I started my kids on a go-cart, then bikes, then quads, now UTV's and bikes (still).... Since you are new to the whole thing, just grab a go-cart and see how it goes. My kids had a blast with go-carts. This one has a top speed of 25 mph: Coleman Powersports 196cc 2-Seater Gas-Powered Go Kart |
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https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/us/en/models/side-by-side-vehicles/maverick-r.html#x-rs They can grow into it...maybe |
Silent Brigade 1-20-20
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Originally Posted By GeneralDisaray: I’ve been around power sports my entire life and my kid is now too. 1) a bike is the safest way to learn - quads and side by sides are all solid until they get too comfortable then it’s bad really bad. Atvs you have roll overs and utvs are harder but if anything gets pinned under the cage it’s bad. Not trying to scare you but that’s why they say bikes are safer initially - they are scared and take their tumbles while they learn what the weight and such will do. No false sense of security. 2) as others have said 500 and 800 is going to be too much. Go kart or Polaris 170. I don’t mean to be harsh but if you guys are concerned about safety which is great. You need to do a little more research. Do either of you have any experience with bikes, atvs, or side by sides? ETA: it’s good you are getting your kids into it. Take time to teach them basics and safety and explain just how dangerous it can be if they don’t pay attention. Isn’t the 170 what I recommended? I’ve ridden trail bikes since I was about 8, and my 6 year old son rides a pw50 at the moment. He will be grown out of that before I know it. |
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The cheap go carts are fun but the keyword is cheap. I fix a local guys two Chinese go carts and it’s a hassle. Other than the easy wear items like belts, tires, carburetor, parts don’t exist for them. I can get around fixing them due to having a large shop full of tools and a decent amount of knowledge. The Chinese go cart would probably work for your boys due to the limited use so hopefully it wouldn’t be wore out by the time they’re done with it. But remember, they’re built cheap. They want to sell you the go cart but any service after that is pretty sparse. Buy a quality name brand UTV such as Polaris, etc. You will start off with a higher quality machine and have dealer support and parts available. |
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Originally Posted By sparkles: The cheap go carts are fun but the keyword is cheap. I fix a local guys two Chinese go carts and it’s a hassle. Other than the easy wear items like belts, tires, carburetor, parts don’t exist for them. I can get around fixing them due to having a large shop full of tools and a decent amount of knowledge. The Chinese go cart would probably work for your boys due to the limited use so hopefully it wouldn’t be wore out by the time they’re done with it. But remember, they’re built cheap. They want to sell you the go cart but any service after that is pretty sparse. Buy a quality name brand UTV such as Polaris, etc. You will start off with a higher quality machine and have dealer support and parts available. Noted, and I've read the same online. I'll probably snag the 170 today if it looks good. Plus we have some good ruts on our land and the extra ground clearance would be nice. |
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I guess he likes it! Attached File Attached File Yes, apparently he needs a new helmet. |
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bumping this back up. Im in a similar situation: kids are 10/12. we rode in a Honda Talon the other day and now, we all want one (or something similar). I was told that i can set a top speed while my guys grow into it. Im looking at used ones on FB marketplace and see some at a decent discount from brand new. I work on my own cars, build engines, etc, but ive never worked on these things before. Unless they are crazy different, im sure i could handle most of this stuff. maybe not the transmission? The last post above me stated that people beat the hell out of them, clean them up and sell them. Thats what im thinking some of these FB things are. I dont want to save a little and then find out the frame is cracked or whatever. Whats you guys thoughts on buying these things used? thanks |
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Starting riding bikes at 4 got my own at 5 years old. 56 years layer I am SO glad dad had me riding bikes back then. I've beat the crap out and destroyed a few bikes but never had a serious accident. Still riding with only 4 bikes at 61. Think those enclosed, with a cage, SXS give to big of sense of protection. Kids think they are invincible and push things to far. I learned really quick after the first couple flops getting scrapped up. To slow the F down and use caution. I see my neighbor kids flying around pedal on the floor. Only a matter of time til something really bad happens. Never had or wanted a sxs. Instead we have a Jeep YJ I use for farm work. Best 3500 bucks I've spent. |
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Originally Posted By Chipper44mag: Starting riding bikes at 4 got my own at 5 years old. 56 years layer I am SO glad dad had me riding bikes back then. I've beat the crap out and destroyed a few bikes but never had a serious accident. Still riding with only 4 bikes at 61. Think those enclosed, with a cage, SXS give to big of sense of protection. Kids think they are invincible and push things to far. I learned really quick after the first couple flops getting scrapped up. To slow the F down and use caution. I see my neighbor kids flying around pedal on the floor. Only a matter of time til something really bad happens. Never had or wanted a sxs. Instead we have a Jeep YJ I use for farm work. Best 3500 bucks I've spent. We went through the same decision process, but it was really no question. I worry about roll overs more. My sister had a close friend who rolled an ATV and died. That was a tough funeral. I rode dirtbikes and sport-bikes. Crashed a lot (stuntbike, many slow parking lot wheelies, one doozy of a looped 2nd gear wheelie) I ride utility ATV's at the in laws, and chase my kids on quads but respect them heavily. Kids have had a few dumps and spills with dirtbikes of course, but once you start adding friends in or on the vehicle with them at a young age, my worry meter goes too high. |
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| Some kids are risk takers who get caught up in the excitement of speed and instant results. Some kids are much more cautious. Some adults have permanant neck and back injuries that are painful for life due to "all those off road vehicle crashes when I was a kid". The more speed and opportunity for roll over, the more crashes, especially with a kid at the controls. Here is a chance to teach self reliance the easy way or the hard way with permanent reminders. Get the Go Kart and keep the speed down and stay close to the ground. |