Ask The Editors: What Size ATV Is Right For My Kid?
How much is too much?
What’s everyone’s thoughts on getting something this large for a 10yo?
When it comes to matching the correct ATV for a youth rider, the physical size of the machine’s exterior is only one of a dozen or so factors that have to be considered. Some of the others include the size of the child, prior riding experience, intended use of the ATV, ability to operate the machine responsibly even when unsupervised, type of transmission, available parental controls/ safety features etc.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) spends countless hours each year studying ATV crash and injury statistics and have arrived at the following engine size suggestions for young riders:
Age of Operator | ATV Engine Size
Under 6 years | Not recommended
Age 6-11 | Under 70cc
Age 12-15 | 70-90cc
16 years/ older | Over 90cc
The CPSC considers any ATV with an engine size of 90cc or greater an “adult” model and suggest youth be at least 16 years old to operate an adult ATV. Of course the ATV manufacturers offer guidelines on engine size for young rider’s safe ATV use as well.
These projections seem slightly on the modest side but the reasoning here, always, is to start out small and see how it goes. You can always upgrade to bigger machinery when a rider outgrows the quad he’s riding but an injury sustained in trying to control something too powerful could be irreversible.
Regardless of what you decide to go with, be sure to have your child complete an ATV Operation Safety Course.
Lastly, while you don’t have to adhere to the CPSC’s suggested engine size guidelines, do keep in mind that most states have laws in place that keep youth ATV operation safety priority one like the following (taken from actual enforced vehicle law code) :
No person under the age of 16 shall drive an ATV across any highway unless he (or she) has a valid safety certificate and is under the supervision of a person 18 years of age or older.
No one under the age of 8 years may operate an ATV on any state-owned property.
A person 8 or 9 years of age shall only operate an ATV with an engine size of 70 cc or less.
No person from age 8 to their 16th birthday shall operate an ATV except on lands owned or leased by a parent or legal guardian, unless he or she is under the supervision of a certified ATV safety instructor or has completed a prescribed safety training course and received an ATV safety training certificate.
