If you’re planning on buying an ATV, it’s a good idea to know if the machine was rated for your weight. This guide will help you decide which size of ATV you should be looking for. The manufacturers recommended weight limits aren’t set in stone. But if you push it too far, you could do damage to the ATV shocks and other parts.
Let me start with a disclaimer, always use the manufacturer specifications for weight limits or load limits. Sometimes this will be printed on the four wheeler somewhere under max weight. The load limit usually include the weight of the rider, all cargo, and accessories. That being said, in real life you can usually go over the recommended weight limit a little bit and still be fine.
What you really want to watch out for is how the ATV is responding to the weight of the rider. If you’re over the max weight limit on a quad, avoid hitting jumps or getting air at all. If you notice the shocks bottoming out, you shouldn’t be riding that machine. Also, you will notice the handling may act differently if you’re over the manufacturer weight limits. Lets look at some of the weight limits set by the manufacturer of some of the most popular models to get an idea.
Sport ATV Weight Limits
| Make And Model | Weight Limit | |
| Honda 400EX | 220 lbs | |
| Polaris Scrambler XP 1000 | 290 lbs | |
| Yamaha Raptor 700 | 220 lbs | |
| Yamaha YFZ450R | 220 lbs | |
| Can-Am Renegade 1000R | 400 lbs |
As you can see, for sport or racing quads, the weight limit varies but most are around 200 pounds. Notice the Can-Am Renegade weight limit of 400 lbs, well that’s a 710 pound machine to begin with. It’s important to find a quad designed to hold your weight, but if you’re 250 lbs, I’m sure you’ll handle a 400EX just fine. Lets look at some utility 4×4 models next.
Utility 4×4 Weight Limits
| Make And Model | Weight Limit | |
| Can-Am Outlander 570 (1 seater) | 517 lbs | |
| Can-Am Outlander 570 (2 seater) | 598 lbs | |
| Can-Am Outlander T Series 1000 | 600 lbs | |
| Honda FourTrax Foreman 500 | 485 lbs | |
| Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 | 715 lbs | |
| Yamaha Grizzly ESP 700 | 485 lbs |
Right away you can notice how much more weight the utility ATVs can carry than the sport quads. Bu these machine are designed for carrying weight, doing work, and towing. A lot of these machines also have front and rear racks and some even have a seat specifically designed for a passenger. These ATVs were made for carrying the extra weight.
Youth ATV Weight Limits
| Make And Model | Weight Limit | |
| Polaris Sportsman 110 | 180 lbs | |
| Polaris Outlaw 110 | 180 lbs | |
| Yamaha YFZ50 | 90 lbs | |
| Honda TRX90X | 187 lbs | |
| Can-Am DS90X | 120 lbs |
Youth ATVs are made for kids usually around age 10. A lot of these models state in their owners manual to not let children under the age of 6 ride the ATV. And any child under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult. Also, none of the youth models I’ve seen allow for a passenger.
Do with that info what you will. I know when I was a kid we rode with passengers everywhere, we used to tie ropes to the back of the quads and pull each other on sleds. Maybe times have changed, the point is if your kid is getting to be above 120 pounds, it may be time to look at a bigger four wheeler for them. Don’t forget, the weight limit may say 120 lbs, but that includes everything else on the quad not just the rider.
What To Do About ATV Weight Limits?
I would always advise that you follow your users manual. Going over the manufacturers weight limits could damage crucial parts of your ATV. Another option to think about, if you really like a certain model but happen to be over the weight limit a bit, is to get yourself some after market shock absorbers designed to hold the extra weight.
A good example to get your search started are these GZYF Pair Air Shock Absorbers from Amazon. They come in sizes from 280mm to 400mm and great reviews. This particle brand comes in different sizes and colors so you can pick what will work best for you. I recommend you check the size details to make sure it will fit your quad before committing to a purchase though.
The manufacturer of these shock absorbers claims they fit most 150cc – 750cc Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, sport bikes, dirt bikes, and quads. Again, I would double check your size and get the one that fits your machine. The size is from eye to eye on these shocks, you can measure your machine or look through your users manual to find the size you need.
Sum It Up
To sum up real quick, it’s important to use the ATV the way it was designed to be used. If you’re going to ride a quad not rated for your weight, take it easy and see how the ATV responds to the extra load.
If you feel the quad bottoming out on bumps or jumps you’re most likely causing excessive wear and tear and damaging the four wheeler. Invest in a quality pair of shocks to prevent damage and increase the load the machine can handle.