I'm about to buy an atv for my 9 yr old son. We live in CT, but plan on doing most of our riding on the logging trails in Maine.
The following is where I am at:

son is(4'6" 80 lbs) - ofcourse my son likes the looks of the Rapter. I like the electric start and easy to maintain. I wanted to get the honda trx90 though- because I have herd it is better, but has coil start.would the trx 90 perform better on the trails? Is the Rapter really as bad as I have herd from reviews etc.? is there any after market stuff to alter the trx's look or add an electric starter? Is the Honda faster than the Raptor?

any help would be appreciated.
(Jaybee- thanks for your help earlier)

Dawgboy

 

I posted a thread on this on a last forum. But even though your son likes the raptor 80 ive heard hrrible things about it. I would try and get him that trx 90 he would be able to ride that for a few years but will rapidly out grow it im 14 and have a 300EX and its great for me but im 5'8 150 lbs. look at a yamaha breeze to those are nice mini quads he would love it.

 

I posted on this too earlier. I would have to go with the honda TRX 90 too.
I never thought about the Yamaha breeze. That would make a nice quad becuase of their auto trans, full floor board and the size is nice.
But still if its between the Raptor 80 and the Honda Trx 90 the Honda is the better machine.
Chet

 

Is the honda faster than the Raptor?

 

oh ya i bet the honda goes 30-32 the raptor goes 25mph i just thought of another one husky or viper 90. i think they may have a top speed around 29-31 mph good luck and buying your son a quad GREAT IDEA i just got one and love it i hope he has as much fun with it as me.GOD BLESS

 

If I were you dawgboye I would get the trx90,it is a better machine in that that it has much better suspension design which makes it handle better and ride much smoother.

 

This is a no contest. Every time the mags compare these bikes the TRX90 comes out on top and the Badger is last, even with pull start on the Honda.

Our TRX usually starts on the first pull - even after it didn't get used for about 3 months last year. It is cold blooded though, for the first two minutes or so you really need to nurse the choke/throttle to keep it running.

There are a couple of Honda clones, like the Midwest Cheeta, but the quality is not there. My ten year old can pull start the Honda, although he prefers to have me do it as he has to get off the bike to get a good pull.

Get the Honda. I didn't want to shell out the $2,700 (now $2,500)so I shopped around and got a '96 model with a rear rack for $1,400. Never been on a trail so it was in great shape. The TRX has been around long enough that there are many for sale.

Get the Honda, Get the Honda, Get the Honda!

Jaybee

 

Consider getting him a Recon or Bayou 220. I sold my sons 97 badger because he outgrew it at age 10. He is a little bigger 5'1" 105lbs but he was able to handle both the Recon and Bayou. What everyone is saying about the Yamaha is true but it is very tough and reliable. I don't think your son is going to get any smaller so any kids quad he would soon outgrow. Disregard the CPSC guidlines because if you read them your son can't ride the Yamaha 80 or the Honda 90 until he is 12! How stupid is that? A mid size quad would also suit the wife quite well so maybe you could ease the transition with one mid size quad for both to start with. I have very high regard for the Recon and the Bayou 220 is a great deal now. Long term I would go with Honda.
bobcatv8

 

jesus-k-krist,recon or bayou! he said the kis was 9 years old! Oh yea,i root for the trx-90,I had a yam 80 years ago,and unless they did some radical changes(other than plastic) I'd get the honda [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Depending iv'e seen 8 year old kids drive 250EX's Bayou's and Recon's and depending on how much you want to pay i would might have to go with a bayou but since you are on a minimum budget i'd still get him that trx 90 or yamaha breeze