We are buying a 110 Kazuma or 110 Yamoto for our boy. Is a shaft drive better or a chain drive better considering we're buying one of the cheaper atv. We want to spend $1400 or less. Any suggestions?

 

I think the chain drive is better. the cost to repair a shaft drive is way more than replacing a chain

 

Many Racers don't like shaft drive because they can't change gearing like they can with sprockets on a chain drive system. They also can't quickly view the wear / tear on the shaft gears.

For "around the house" and minor trails, I love the concept of shaft drive. Near zero maintenance and its great for "in the mud / water" riding conditions. We have shaft drive on my adult size quad and just love it!!!

From a repair perspective, chains and sprockets system is less expensive to fix. Within the many forums, I don't see too many "help - need to fix my shaft drive!!!" type questions. If your "young rider" does around the house and minor trails and you only plan on keeping your unit for 3 years (before upgrading), then shaft drive might be a better choice for you. Sure wish our Pred-90 came with shaft drive. We do lots of mud / water trail riding and the price of chain oil adds up quickly in the long run as well. Either system cost dollars to maintaine & fix in the long run.

Regarding shaft / chain drive, pick which system you feel will work best for you - for your unique riding conditions.

Hope this helps...

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I was first going to say chain drive, only because everything I have uses one. Chain's are reliable but require maintainence, especially in the mud. And they will have to be replaced eventually. Spike99 makes a couple great point's about shaft drive. Near zero maintainence and I have never heard of a shaft drive failure, now that I think about it.

 

I'm shaft drive all the way. chain maintenance is a pain, plus replacing sprockets and chains and lubing chain all adds up. BUT, we don't race. shaft drive usually floats in gear oil (like 80W90). we have an '84 Yamaha shaft drive and it's still perfect.

 

If your not racing,shaft all the way!

 

i thought u were getting a raptor80???

 

I'm still seriously considering it. Someone said they have seen a lot of kids flip the Raptors. What do you think? Should I stick with the Raptor80?

 

That post about the Kazuma or Yamoto was a week or so ago. Since then, we found this Raptor 80 and thought it was a lot smarter decision. The Kazuma and Yamoto are no longer an option for us.

 

EVERYTHING has a tip point. the sooner the kids learn respect for that point or feel the sensation of the machine going over, the sooner they'll figure it out. you'll tell them to be careful a million times and they think they are, but then they'll push it on a donut, fast turn, and they will figure it out better than you ever told them. it's a harsh reality. we have the raptor 80 and it's been a great quad. hasn't been flipped, but my son (8) flipped the honda trx90 (once), and my daughter (16) flipped the breeze (once). the breeze is really low and stable, moreso than anything else we have. it's just one of those things people learn best from experience.