New Sportsman, SP Touring, or X2?

I’ve recently re-acquired my 2004 Sportsman 700 from a buddy who could not pay for it. Several years back I decided I wanted a Ranger so in 2006 I sold the Sportsman, bought a Ranger XP 700 and kept my Rincon around. Yes the timeline is correct, the 700 was gone for almost 9yrs and only about 1/2 paid for over those years. Note to self-don’t sell to friends on payment…

I now have 2 Grandsons ages 3 and 6. Both love to ride anything with a motor especially with Grandpa. So I’m thinking that this year we are going to do some trail riding. The Rincon speaks for itself. Reliable, does nothing wrong and just a nice overall machine. My 700 needs work. I need to figure out the cooling fan issues, and possibly a water pump. I scrubbed the carb and it starts and runs like a champ It has EDL’s front and 27 vamps rear as well as EPI clutch kit. We used to play in the mud a lot. I also have the stock tires and might still have the stock clutching parts too.

I figure initially the 700 will get used, but I’m not sure how long that will last before I get sick of it. My initial thought was the X2. I really like the ability to open the rear diff as I do with the Ranger. Problem is the x2 is still a strut machine. I’d really like to avoid struts. I’d also like to have EPS based on how I like my Ranger 900. I’d also actually like to have a selectable front diff, but that’s not going to happen with Polaris. I’m probably in the minority here, but I find that the fully locked front pushes and will not climb out or ruts well.

For those riding the Touring and X2 how well do they work for carrying juniors? Are they overkill in size or are the kids pretty secure back there? Would I be better with a std machine and add a box with a back rest for the little guys?