HELP!! I'm looking to purchase a 2011 90cc four wheeler for my 10 year old son. We have looked at the Polaris outlaw, the 90dsx Can Am, 90 or 150 kymco. What is the best 4wheeler for 10 year old boy that will last and take a beating. Looking to hear the pros or cons for any of these models.

 

If you are looking for a 90 that will take a beating, there isn't one tougher than a Honda TRX90. They are tough as, well, a Honda.

 

X2 The Honda TRX90 uses a proven Honda motor. Most, if not all of the other companies use Korean made kids quads. Better than Chinese but not as good as the major manufacturers. I think Yamaha makes a 125 Raptor that would allow him to ride a little longer as he grows up. Also, I would recommmend an ATV safety course to go with the new quad. If he doesn't already have experience it's a great way to start and the courses are often free when you purchase a new quad.

 

Third vote for the Honda 90. Beyond any doubt, there is not a longer lasting 90 on the market. Added bonus is that it's one of the few that have a 4-speed auto clutch setup so he can learn basic shifting too before he outgrows it. Downside is the high price and the drum brakes.

Unless he's a very small kid, at 10 he will outgrow most 90's by age 13. Your money will be best spent finding a good used bike -then you can sell it in a few years at close to what you paid for it.

 

first off..the 90 way to small for him..he will out grow and be bored in 10 min...my son has been on a ds 250 since 7 yrs old...add nerf bars and govern throttle with screw and let him grow into it..price is not that differnt and you will get yrs out of it..

my 2 cents

 

Chris - that's the kind of advice that gets kids hurt. While there is nothing wrong with your son on a 250 as long as he is a skilled rider, the number of 7 year-olds who can safely handle a 250 is very small. I've had three sons move up through the ATV ranks (all started riding about 5 or 6, oldest is in college now). My oldest was our most skilled rider and he was quite happy on a TRX90 at age 8. It suited him well until he was about 12 and started growing.

It is a fact that kids will usually outgrow an ATV long before the "age limit" is hit but so much depends on the kids size and skill, not fixing a certain age to a certain bike size. It's just a fact that kids will outgrown an ATV that starts out as the right size for them - still it's far better to spend a little more money on several 'right sized' ATV's than to try to fit an unskilled kid on a ride that will get him hurt, killed or ruin his joy of the sport.

The money issue is why I recommend buying a used kids quad. If you look around for a good deal when you purchase, you can keep the ATV for a few years and sell it at a price very near what you paid for it. That makes the cost of owning the right sized ATV maybe a few hundred bucks plus any maintenance - not a bad deal at all.

 

I'm with Chris on this one, we bought our oldest a Raptor 250 when he was 8, hes now 11 and will fit on the bike a long time. If it was me I'd look into a good used TRX250,Raptor250,or a 300ex. All 3 will fit said 10yr old and dad wont have to shell out more money by summertime. Unless the kid is super small the above mentioned bikes will all make good starter bikes

Just my .02

 

My son is 10 and the TRX90 is perfect for him. Heck me and him both still hop on his old Scrambler 50 sometimes. He CAN ride my old bayou 220, but he can really control and balance the trx90. I would try to find a nice used one bc he will outgrow it in a couple of years.

 

first off lets not make this some soap box rant..i wasnt suggesting for him to throw his kid on a 250 and walk away..if your kid has the size and skill to ride at that age you should look into something larger...thats it, like i said add nerf bars and govern it down so he can grow into it...my son is 9 and very tall and has no issues on the 250 rt now..back when he was younger it was an issue for a yr or so.. we road slow and had a good time...

also you will get a way better quality quad with better brake options and suspension..if you are looking to rant about safety look at the top banner of pics of people doing dumb **** without helmets on...thats going to get kids hurt not the size of the motor between there legs, its the size of your brain(parent) and using your best judgement based on each individual child...

 

Then we are on the same page here. Kids and quads should always be sized according to the kids size and abilities - that call should be made by their parent assuming that the parent has suitable ATV experience. I've got loads of posts here over the years promoting that same thought.

But, the number of 7 year olds who can fit on a 250 in both size and experience is very small. Putting a 7 year old on a 250 is much more than blocking the throttle. Your average 7 year old will have a much harder time turning and controlling the heavier machine compared to something in the 50 or 90 class. Also, basic controls like a brake lever are too large for most 7 year olds to grip.

Cashmom, the original poster didn't say that she had a larger than normal son or one with lots of experience - she was looking for advice on what brands of kids quads would hold up. I stand by my original comment - it is poor advice to recommend a 250cc quad for her 10 year old son. Not everyone who has a kid that is learning to ride an ATV has a lot of experience themselves. If they get enough responses from experienced riders on these boards that tell her to put her son on a 250, odds are the results will not be good.

Not a soapbox rant, just some logic from a guy who has taught three kids to ride.