I've been looking for an inexpensive kid ATV and run across these Chinese ATVs - specifically noticed the Coolster model 3125. Anyone with a history on these? Seems like reading the forums you need time to fix them regularly - but it maybe only those posting need them fixed and thousands of people may own these and don't post.

I have neither the skill nor the time (working 60-70 hrs a week) to be fixing the ATV. I don't mind buying one of these if there's a good chance it'll run great for a couple years... but if almost guaranteed to need work on day one then I'll be very sad...

 

i think with the chinease quads its hit or miss... my lttle brother have a 110 and an 80 the 110 we have had for 2 years and bashed the crap out of it and only problem we have had is a front shock died and wont move.. the 80 how ever only runs when you pull plug and then put it back in go figure and its only a year old and had more problems then any thing iv owned

 

of corse now i think of it the 110 came from pepboys and says suzuki on the engins case

 

Welcome to the forum moonpoco!


Your second paragraph makes me say this:

Save your money and get something else...It will need a good deal of your time and you'll be very unhappy...

 

I appreciate you two taking the time to offer your input. I'm going to keep my eyes open in the local classifieds and what'not for a used brand name kid size atv.

 

If you don't have time... buy JAPANESE for sure...

Problems from a friends is why I'm surfing this forum now...

 

I don't think any of us has a better view on Chinese ATV's than My Wife. He lived it. Litterally. So listen to him. I think there have been a lot of opinions on teh subject. Some have flipflopped on them, but the majority of people will tell you this. Yes, you will save money. BUT you had better be prepared to spend a LOT of time and effort keeping them running. Parts availability, although getting better with some, is almost non existant for many. Very few people have had what I would say is a trouble free experience. HOWEVER, given the way these are treated, you are bound to brake parts. I have had carb problems with my son's Yamaha 80, but most is not the fault of the manufacturer. Perse... With the quality of gas we get today, and the fact that there is at least 10% corn based alcohol in it, they have a bad problem with gumming up needle valves. One other problem is the factory fuel filters turn to mush from the alcohol too. What can you do? Well, when you are ready to shut down for the night, turn off the petcock (Gas tank) and run the carb out of fuel. It definately helps. Also, when starting up, make sure you rock tha machine back and forth to mis the fuel again. Follow these steps, and you will have much better luck...

But the issue is Chinese machines. I have found the metalurgy is extremely poor. Every step in the manufacturing process has shown cost cutting, cheap workmanship, and all you have to do is look at all the kids toys, dog food, and now the CPSC shutting us down because some 4 year old may suck on an engine part that contains lead. Talk about a stealth BS claim that just happens ot be working. Of course they are not going after bicycles, boats, cars, just about every product made in China... they are going after ATV's made for kids.

Would I buy a chinese, ATV. NO!

 

Here is a better piece of advice on the fuel issues...

QUIT BUYING FUEL THAT CONTAINS ETHANOL IF YOU CAN!!!

It's very easy to test for content... as the goal is NONE.

Get a measuring cup with a lid for this... I found one at walmart...
Fill to first line with water...
Add a bit of gas from every can full...
Put on lid and shake up...
If the little pour spout pops open... OXYGENATED FUEL... BAD FOR 2 STROKES...
Let mixture settle out...
Now if the water line raises above the line you filled to... it contains ethanol.
It will separate from the gas and mix with the water, which raises the water level.


And for running the carbs out.... extend the bowl drain tube... get a catch can and turn the drain screw to drain the carb... if it has an accellerator pump, you'll also have to pump the throttle a few times to squirt that on into the intake.

This is good advice on 2 strokes because it is not a good practice at all to turn off the fuel and run them out... as it runs lean a bit before it shuts off... and if you mix gas it is not getting enough lube either... in the cylinder or crank case since the crank case fills with mix.... and if it is injected, it's still going lean and getting a lot of oil in the crankcase and cylinder at the end... fouled plugs and very ratio rich on the next startup...

 

Welcome to the forums.
Wise move IMO. Riding beats wrenching.
Other than the Japs Most mini's are made in Taiwan and are as good as any jap brand (and better than any yamahahaha) Altho, I hear the Yam raptor90 is a tiwanese machine with a yam stickers. If so, only Yam I can recommend..
DRR's are the hot set-up currently (dual a-arms and run strong out of the box). But a Honda TRX90 is a bulletproof machine..Best mini built IMO.
Kasea's and Eton's are fine machines.
Stay away from Apex, no parts/technical support.
LT80's run forever but lack suspension.
Hope that helps a lil.