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What To Know About Installing ATV Passenger Seats
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As you may know, most quads are designed and recommended to be used by only one person at a time.
In most places, it is even illegal to ride more than one person at a time on these types of machines. So then why do they make them with these long seats that appear large enough to accommodate passengers? Let’s take a look at the reasons why ATV seats are designed the way they are.
So why do ATVs have large seats?
ATV seats need to be large to allow the rider to shift weight in active riding. Utilizing the rider’s body weight is important to maintain the vehicle’s stability and avoid a flip over when riding either up or down steep hills, sideways on slopes, or when doing high-speed turns.
The seat needs to be big enough for the rider to be seated comfortably and secure in all the different seating positions the different riding situations require.
While an ATV seat by definition is a seat designed to be straddled by the rider, there is no industry standard for seat size and placement.
There is no correlation between engine size/power and how big they make the seats.
On average, an ATV seat on a bike designed to be used by only one person is about 24-30inches (60-75 cm), but it can on some bikes be even shorter or longer. Polaris is the brand that generally has the longest seats, while Artic-Cat has the shortest.
You will find that seats on ATVs intended for sport or racing typically are about 2-3 inches longer than on machines intended for utility use. Seats on racing bikes are also generally not as wide in the rear end of the seat as they are on utility-style bikes.
This is likely because racing requires an even more active riding style and therefore requires the rider to shift to even further extremes to maintain the balance of the bike.
On a utility bike, the ride comfort, especially for longer trail rides, is more important than racing machines. And because the need for extreme body movement is not as important as on the race bike, they can compromise and design the rear part of the seat a bit wider and softer for added padding and comfort.
On an ATV, shifting your bodyweight is basically the only way you can affect the bike’s balance. The bike will lean the same way the terrain leans because of the four-wheel setup, so you will need to counteract by moving your body in the opposite direction.
You cannot lean the machine itself like you are on a motorcycle, so the ability to move around is extra important on an ATV.
Especially when you are doing active riding, you need to move around a lot and shift your body weight from side to side and back to front. This shifts the combined center of gravity of you and the bike in the direction you are moving.
When going up a steep hill, you must lean forward towards the handlebar with your arms bent. Except when climbing very steep hills, there is usually no need to shift the whole body forward on the seat. This will shift the combined center of gravity forward and further in front of the rear tires, which, in turn, will make a backward rollover less likely.
On really steep inclines, you may even need to stand up and lean your body forward as close to the handlebars as you can to move the center of gravity even further to the front. This is why the seat is more narrow in the front so you can stand comfortably.
On the other hand, when going down a steep hill, you move your bottom back on the seat while fully extending your arms. This will keep the combined center of gravity backward and further behind the front tires, which, in turn, will make a front rollover less likely.
If you are riding on a slope, you need to shift your body weight to the bike’s upper side.
Or when you are driving fast while turning, you need to shift your body weight to the inside of the turn.
So the seat cannot be wider than what allows this type of leaning. The narrow front part of the seat will allow you to lean further to the opposite side.
If shifting body weight were not such a crucial aspect of safely operating a quad, the manufacturers would most likely make the seats much smaller.
You see this on UTVs witch generally are wider vehicles with a lower center of gravity. These machines do not rely on body placement for vehicle stability. Therefore, they can be equipped with bucket seats and seat belts, allowing minimal free movement of the rider or passenger.
A smaller seat would likely make it less appealing to bring a passenger.
Reducing the seat’s size would also increase the distance between the seat and the handlebar, making age-inappropriate use of the machine less likely.
It is important to understand that ATVs are not equipped with large seats to carry more people.
There is a very good reason why bringing a passenger is not a good idea, especially when doing active riding in difficult terrain.
A passenger will greatly restrict your mobility, so you won’t be able to shift the center of gravity as you need to.
If you, for example, put a child in front of you, you won’t be able to lean forward on inclines.
Or if you put a passenger behind you will prevent you from moving your but back on declines. They will also limit free movement of your arms, so you cant turn the handlebar properly.
Both of these scenarios will increase the risk of a rollover.
A passenger will also add weight, creating a higher center of gravity, making your whole equipage more top-heavy, making it harder to control and more prone to tipping over.
As the passenger will have limited ways to hold on to the bike, they are prone to be thrown off the bike from acceleration, jumps, tipping, etc.
About one-third of victims in fatal ATV accidents are drivers with passengers or passengers themselves.
Because of the risks involved in riding with a passenger on a one-person ATV, it is highly recommended that you get a bike that has been specifically designed to accommodate two people if you intend to bring passengers on your rides.
These ATVs are commonly named two-ups and come fitted with a special passenger seat from the factory. Usually, these types of machines are also equipped with a longer wheelbase (about 8 inches) and a stronger rear suspension to handle the passenger’s added weight.
These types of machines are now becoming widely available by most manufacturers. The price is usually slightly higher than on a one-up model, but not by much.
However, this type of bike does have some disadvantages over bikes specifically made for one person.
The stronger suspension combined with, the longer wheelbase will make it less nimble when going off-road. The extra seat will also possibly be in your way when you move around a lot. It would be best if you looked for a model that has an easily removable rear seat for the times when you want to ride alone.
If maneuverability and off-road abilities are most important for you, and you do not plan to bring a passenger, choosing a bike intended for just one person would be the best option for you.
On the other hand, if you plan to bring your spouse or kid along on your adventures, I recommend you accept the relatively small disadvantages and get a purpose-made bike for 2 persons. Remember that a kid under the age of 8 should, in any case, not be put in the rear seat.
For most ATV’s that are originally designed for only one person, you can find a wide variety of extra seat kits that can be attached to the rear racks of the machine. This will extend your current seat to the back so that a passenger can sit relatively comfortably.
One model that riders seem to recommend is the WES deluxe seat.
However, before choosing to go down this route, you should be aware of the potential risks involved.
In most places, mounting a kit like this will still not make it legal to bring a passenger on your ride when your bike was originally designed for only one person. To legally bring a passenger, the bike needs to be designed for this purpose from the factory.
Some people understandably think this is quite strange.
If the rear rack is rated for 180 pounds, why shouldn’t you be allowed to bring a 165 pounds human as your “cargo”?
While we can agree that the placement of the extra seat and the passenger will be less than ideal, where it sits on top of or even behind the rear axle. The same would be true to any ordinary cargo, wouldn’t it?
I’m no lawyer, but I would not risk these arguments holding water in court.
While this is purely speculation on my part, an explanation to why you are allowed to bring cargo but not to bring a human passenger may be the fact that a “dead” cargo, when properly strapped down, will not move around as much as a live human.
With a moving person, there is a risk of altering the center of gravity or even potentially for the passenger to be getting in the way of the driver.
The extra seat is also a modification to the bike that has not been tested and certified together with the current ATV model and therefore is not approved to transport humans.
These seats are usually marketed as “storage boxes” or “rest seats,” and any serious manufacturer will inform you that they are not approved for passenger use.
But if you decide to accept these risks and mount one anyway, you should be aware you may risk being fined, or worse; you may be in for some serious liability issues if the passenger were to be injured in an accident.
The ideal seat should be no larger than what you need to move freely and comfortably in active riding.
It should go as far back as about just above the rear axle and not extend forward toward the handlebars beyond what is needed for you to comfortably shift the center of gravity forward when going up steep hills.
ATVs are not equipped with seatbelts. Installing them could actually be dangerous as it restricts the need for free movement. On a UTV, on the other hand, where you sit in a chair inside a protective roll-cage, you will need seat belts to keep you from falling out in a crash.
Read more.
Cars
11 December 2014
Question: I plan to install a passenger seat on the ATV along with a case. Can it be done? What you should pay attention to?
Answer: Most owners of single-seater ATVs will sooner or later face the problem of carrying passengers. Today, the ATV accessory market offers a variety of passenger seat options. At first glance, the issue of creating additional space is solved quite simply, but this is not so. First, it should be noted that a single ATV differs from a double ATV not only in the length of the seat. The two-seater ATV has a longer frame, the passenger sits inside the “base” of the ATV, so the axle load is distributed evenly. An additional seat on a single ATV is installed on the rear trunk, and as a result of such a reconfiguration, the center of gravity is shifted behind the rear wheel axle, and the front axle is unloaded.
In addition, it turns out that the passenger sits higher than the driver. All these factors have an extremely negative effect on handling, the ATV reacts worse to turning the steering wheel. In addition, the risk of rollover increases: it is enough to add gas inaccurately or not to calculate the angle of climbing the hill. At the same time, due to a tight landing, both people can suffer greatly, since it is very problematic to quickly leave an ATV that has overturned backwards. It is worth paying attention to the fact that even manufacturers of extra seats do not guarantee the safety of the passenger. Apparently, in order to disclaim responsibility for possible negative consequences, the inscription “No Passenger” flaunts on the seat itself. Thus, the one who sits down on this seat assumes all the risks associated with this.
If you still decide to install a seat, it is advisable to carry out a number of improvements. It is necessary to purchase footrests for the passenger, which will provide him with at least a partial footrest, and it is better to give preference to well-known manufacturers.
The installation of the seat itself must be carried out very carefully; additional consumables will be needed to ensure the reliability of the structure. Fasteners, which is completed with the "throne", will not be enough. To prevent the seat from being torn off the trunk, for its fastening it is necessary to use enlarged washers or, best of all, large metal plates. It is also desirable to install additional clamps. The luggage compartment, which is located in the seat, most likely will not be airtight - even the sealing gum on the lid will not help. Therefore, in order for the contents of the wardrobe trunk to remain dry, you will have to seriously tinker with sealing. This will require additional sealant and a good sealant. All this can be purchased at a regular hardware store.
Volkswagen Half-track Fox Cars
Regular maintenance will keep your ATV running safely and for a long time. Control, lubrication, cleaning, adjustment and replacement of parts are carried out according to the regulations or as needed.
Without the appropriate knowledge and qualifications, these procedures are best carried out at official CFMOTO service centers.
First check the level and quality of the oil in the engine, gearbox, front and rear gearboxes. Then proceed to other procedures:
ATV care includes:
Store the ATV in a cool, dry place, covered with an opaque tarp or cover.
For the engine - semi-synthetic oils CFMOTO G-MOTION 10W40 4T and 5W40 4T with a temperature range of application from -30 to +40.
For the gearbox, front and rear gearboxes - Gazpromneft 80W-90 GL-5 transmission oil.
G-MOTION engine oils are specially designed for maximum damping of loads on 4-stroke engines of CFMOTO ATVs, have an increased margin of protective properties to ensure uninterrupted operation of the engine in all operating modes, including extreme ones, and increase the service life of equipment.
The oil consists of high-quality base components and additives with an optimal chemical composition. Their use guarantees the maximum service life of the CFMOTO ATV.
Automotive ATV oils are not suitable. The use of fuels and lubricants that do not comply with the manufacturer's recommendations can disable the equipment with serious consequences for the budget.
Be trained and instructed before using the ATV. Persons under 16 years of age are not allowed to drive. It is forbidden to operate an ATV without protective equipment - a helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, long sleeves and trousers. You cannot operate machinery while intoxicated.
Check the ATV for proper operation before using it. Hands should always be on the handlebars and feet on the footrests. Do not drive the ATV too fast - speed should be appropriate for the terrain, visibility and riding experience.
Do not walk on the ice of a frozen body of water. Do not cross water obstacles, the depth of which is higher than the level of the footrests of the ATV - this can damage the equipment.
