OK I got it narrowed down to the Kymco 90 or the Eton 90R. Anybody got either of these? I know Eton is nice machine though and the reverse is a great feature. How long will an Eton run and will they have more engine problems than a 4 stroke. It will be ridden fairly easy by my daughter on trails and backwoods river trails.

Thanks for all your input it makes this much less painful..

 

The two stroke will give you fits with the "backwood river trails". If you go through much water, you'll wish you had gotten the 4stroke. I have a Polaris SP 90 and my boy has to tip-toe through water to not get water in the intake. It doesn't have much grunt for slow and go through rocky trails. You have to rap up the motor to get it going and then let off quickly to manage technical riding. I'm a believer that the 2 stroke is meant for the dunes and smooth riding. The 4stroke is best for slow and go technical riding. ...unless you're into mods and like making a 2stroke do what a 4stroke already does. Just make sure the machine matches you needs I know I'd rather have a 4stroke than a Reverse as the Eton has....as for my trail riding needs. JMHO.

 

I'd rather have a 4-stroke for tight trails too, though I'm not sure the Kymco is the answer. Heard it's pretty weak. Guess you could gear it down. For fairly open "hard-pack" trails, the 2-strokes would be fine imo.

Not sure what type of terrain you're planning to ride on, but I wouldn't buy a cvt for mud. Most have vents that can allow water and mud in. On the fan cooled engines (such as Eton), the stator is also vulnerable to water and mud. That's about the only situation I would consider one of those 110cc semi-autos.

 

So whats a good 4 stroke besides the Honda 90??

 

My nephew has a Raptor 80 and it out-did my son's SP 90 in every aspect (deep water crossing, technical riding up rocky trails, quietness of the motor while in camp, more torque on the low-end and chain noise and maintenance). The Raptor is shaft driven and a nice quad all around. It doesn't have full floor boards, a big negative with any wather or mud.

Look for a 4stroke with gears. You can't beat a 4stroke for technical riding. If you're doing dunes and smooth riding go with the 2 stroke.

 

Everybody knows what I like 'cause I posted it here.
Did I also mention the Kymco warranty?
All parts covered for 180 days.
Engine and electrical for 270 days.
Engine for 365 days.
I don't know the difference in engine in the last two, maybe one is external, one is internal?

 

Hows the suspension ,,stiff? Low end tourqe is my main concern with a CVT. Are they built as well as the big 4, frame and shocks?? Hav y had any problems in water??

Thanks

 

As it came from the dealer, the suspension is not as stiff as our LT80. It seems to be like the Honda 90. The preload is adjustable on all shocks, I will probably soften it up until he gets heavier. The suspension travel is more than the Suzuki and Honda, don't know about the Yamaha.
The frame tube diameter is just like all the rest, but I have no way of knowing the wall thickness.
Sorry, this time of year water is hard to find in SoCal so I can't answer that.
Dealers around here want $2399 and up for the Honda, which translates to about $2800 otd. One was even selling them for $3000 and they won't come down because it's a popular model.
The Kymco was $1899 and I bought paddles on aluminum wheels with it and spent $2400.
I might have bought the Honda but didn't want to spend the extra money for the name.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Has anybody else on this Board had any troubles with water and the CVT on the Kymco? I'd like to know if it runs into the same problems or if the placement of the air-intake is higher regarding deep water (above the floor boards).