We had a kid in our group on an LT-80 break an arm this weekend. She was coming down a hill pretty fast, got into some rain ruts, locked up the rear brakes and got sideways. She paniced and bailed out, landed on her upper arm breaking it. The bike didn't even tip, and motored on down the hill without her. If she had stayed with the bike she would have been fine.

I think the lack of engine brakeing is a problem, especially for beginners (who are most likely to be on this kind of bike). Without being able to use the transmission to hold them back, they hit the brake (which is often difficult to modulate) and lock up the rear end and get sideways. In addition, the rear brake pedal on the LT is a bit hard to get to. The rider has to sit a bit forward to be able to flex their foot down to reach the pedal. And like I said, modulation is POOR. Besides the LT-80, I know the Breeze (another beginners bike) is an automatic also. What do you all think??

 

My buddies daughter has a Yamaha Breeze. She is pretty young ( about 8 or 9) and she has no problems with the automatic. I personally love the auto. I think with close supervision and training, any young beginner can ride safe. The situation you said she was in sounds pretty rough and unpredictable for a someone at that age and experience. I hope she gets better soon and still feels like riding.

 

YZGUY,

Life isn't safe, there are no guarentees. You have to ask your self how would she have done if she was on a bike? I'd be willing to bet the same thing would have happened, only a lot sooner. If they actually made the kids machines with engine braking (and for that matter good brakes too) no one could afford them. Kids don't generally care about brakes (or suspension, or convienience, or electric start, or reverse etc....) they care about looks and how fast they can go. Most parents feel the same way too.

 

I'm thinking of replacing the LT with a Honda 90, which has an autoclutch. My son is 8 and has been riding the LT for a few years. I think he can handle the autoclutch. We're starting to take him on a lot of XC rides, with a greater variety of terrain. He's not just putting around a track anymore like a beginner. I think it will be a safer bike.

 

I think if you can afford something with engine braking it is safer than not having it. I hope the girl that broke her arm learns from her mistake and doesn't give up and never ride again.

 

I think your son should be able to handle it. My brother started riding a Moto 4 80 Yamaha 4 speed when he was 5. He's 10 now and can ride my manual clutch 300ex pretty good. I don't think any quad without engine braking is safe, cuz all around where I ride theres steep downhills.

 

I think the auto clutch,manual clutch or the engine comp. braking is better then free wheeling. I went thru alot of brake pads on a sportsman 500.

 

I have a scrambler w/o EBS and downhilling is one of those things where you bite your tongue and hope for the best. (or use your brakes)

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400