I've been lurking/posting around here trying to educate myself about a good all around youth (80-90cc) quad. The one quad I here very little about is the Yamaha Raptor/Grizzly 80. Is it because of the dated front end suspension? The motor? Hard shifting? I think the little rappy has great looks and shaft drive is likeable also. Is this forum biased more towards race quads? Is the Yamaha really inferior to the Tiawanese minis?

 

It's inferior to the Honda too.

 

Welcome to the forum wannabe1, I dont own a raptor 80. but have seen quite a few kids riding them around. They all seem to be having a great time to me. they do pretty god in the sand with paddles from what i saw last weekend too. I do think they are too expensive for the lack of technology you get though.

 

the most important thing is what will it be used for trails/mx/xc etc..........

 

I did run up on a site called www.raptor80racing.com so I guess they can be made ok. My daughter's needs would mainly be trail riding, but I want her to be able to hang with the other minis when needed. It just seems nobody on this site has one or says much about them. Thanks for the inputs.

 

I will send a PM to Rescuediver and tell him about your thread. He has one for his little girl.

 

I've got nothing but good to say about our Raptor 80! It's been ridin good and hard and hasent missed a beat yet. It may not go much over 30 mph but it always has enough power to climb any hill around here. The kids have taken it swimming and it hasent complained yet. I even enjoy riding it around the house with the dog on the tank. Can Someone show me a more Dependable youth ATV?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

We have a Raptor 80 for my son also,This quad is very reliable,Most people dont like the leading arm design,and Ill say i didnt either until my son nailed our retianing wall in second,i think most single a arms would have bent were the beefy front arm on the 80 just bounced off,and theres plenty of preformance mods to make em go fast,,but in reality how fast do you really want your kid to go?I think 30mph is plenty till they go to the next level

 

Welcome wannabe1[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I have nothing but good things to say about the mini raptor 80[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] My daughter(9 years old) rides the heck out of it. I'm talking in a day at Pismo or at the off-road park, that thing will easily see 8+ hours of riding[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] All she does is start it, put it in gear and off she goes. She even gases it up herself[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Only down side is it has no reverse. However, the thing is light enough[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] that she can push it backwards if need be. The site you found is out of Fresno. From the looks of it, they started the business because their son was racing one. They do have some cool stuff and nice performance upgrades for the quad. One day I will venture down that way and pay them a visit. For now, ours has enough power for my daughter[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] (She's been riding since around 3) to enjoy the dunes with us on our quads[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
I know around here, you can get a '01-03 used for around $1800. Which I think is reasonable. When I was looking at buying a quad this size, I looked at the Chinese imports. I like the idea that when I am riding/camping, that "IF" I need a part[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I can go to a shop and get the parts I need. Not trying to get a part that "might" fit the quad or will need to be frabricated to work. Or worse yet, tell the kid on a week long trip, sorry honey, need to wait a few days for the part to arrive[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

Hope it's not to long[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] If you have naymore question(s) ask away[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

MWQ, thanks for steering me this way[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I hope helped a little bit[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]