A buddy of mine is looking for a new atv for his son. He currently has a Suzuki LT80 but he rides it harder than it is meant to be ridden. He's looking for something that will hold up better.


Thanks D.J.

 

No question - Honda 90. Can't hurt it and it will go most anywhere. My son (10 yrs) rides with me and his uncle. I ride an Eiger 4x4 and uncle is on a Prairie 650. Honda 90 goes where we go. The only thing that stops it is getting high centered in a rut. His has a rear rack and I've bolted on a bumper board so I can just give him a nudge if he ever gets stuck.

Good stuff - Honda 90 is physically larger than the LT80. Only maintanence required is oil/filters/chain lube. It will run forever. Despite what the mags say about only 2.6" of suspension, it's enough for some serious trail riding. Good fuel milage - about 50-60 miles on a tank. True auto clutch 4 speed and has front/rear hand and foot brakes just like big bikes. Top speed with a 80lb driver is 34mph. Every time the Honda 90 has been in a shootout in every ATV mag I've ever read - it wins. My wife has even ridden ours on the trail. At 5-6 and 150 she's at the upper end of size but it's gone all day with no problem.

Bad stuff - Honda 90 is cold blooded. You must baby it with choke and throttle for the first two or three minutes of running. After that it's no problem. No electric start but almost always starts on the first pull. Most expensive kids ATV and since it is build well it holds it's value so even used ones cost more. You should be able to find a used one for 1,800 - 2,000. New ones are 2,699 or 2,499 depending which guide you read. Only other bad thing is like other mini's, your kid will eventually outgrow it. It's good for a kid up to about 5 1/2' tall.

All this is assuming that his son is under 5 1/2' tall. Bigger than that and it's time for an Ozark/Recon/Bayou in that order.

Jaybee

 

Well DJ I definetly have to agree w/ jaybeecon55 on the Honda 90!!!! Our 12 yr. old son started out on 90 and races an LT80 which he has outgrown and is moving up to a Blaster. The 90 has been an awesome machine, we got it new in 00 and haven't had a problem at all with it except he hit a tree and bent the a-arm but we repaired that. It is cold blooded but all Honda's are. All we've done is change the oil (there is no filter) so he does that himself now. We took it to a ATV jamboree and he had no problems on the trails and he will follow his Dad(400EX) ANYWHERE and can pretty much make it anywhere w/ it!!! He's 115lb and still does scramble racing on it took 1st or 2nd the whole season!! It will be retired for our 4 yr. old this year just waiting on the Blaster motor work to get finished!!! GOOD LUCK [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]