I am wanting to purchase a new Mini 4 wheeler for my little girl. I have narrowed it down to the Quadsport 80 and the Polaris Predator 90. They are both about the same price. I know the Predator is a much newer model but is it any better, and if so why?

 

The new Predator 90 has 4&1/2 inches suspension travel, a new longer swingarm, an engine that is not part of the suspension, a lower center of gravity and a new wide stance. It is more stabile, and has a built in limiter that can be removed by the parent. I rode one, and my son also rode one at the dealer show. It is the best mini out there. It still has single a-arm front suspension, and I would like to see softer springs, more suited to the kids that will actually be riding it.

 

The best mini atv bar-nun is the Quadsport lt-80.

fourlix
You’ve been sold a bill of goods at that show

 

Fourlix has a point. The LT80 HAS been one of the best mini's for many years, but it is in need of an update, or a new model for a 12-15 year old sitting next to it. I think the LT80 is sized more towards 8-9 year olds.

The new Predator may be better, but if the springs are too stiff what is the point of having 4.5" of travel?

 

the suzuki lt80 is the best mini ever made. I owned one for about 6 years. I wish it had an odometer on it so i could have seen how many miles i put on it, but all i know is i rode it almost every day all year around. I rode in the snow, mud, dust you name it. I pounded the **** out of it every day of its life and for some stupid reason the thing never broke. I mean I had to replace tires, brakes, I even wore the grips off of it twice but nothing major. I never even replaced the belt. I almost cried when I sold it, and to this day it is still my favorate ride. I had riden alot of my freinds minis and they just plain didint have the ride, power, comfort, and surtanly not the reliability of my suzuki. i can recall many many times I had to pull the others home, or out of a snow bank or mud. So go with the suzuki it will make your daughter happy for years.

 

Blame the CPSC for the stiff springs. As a 90cc mini, it is supposed to be for a 12-15 year old, so the springs have to support the weight of a teenager, even though the dimensions don't. Just about Any 10 year old should be on an Ozark, Z250, 250EX, Recon or even a TrailBoss.

Our rule of thumb is based on weight. A quad should not weigh more than five times the weight of the rider, that's published dry weight and rider weight without gear. It works. And yes, I have spoken with the CPSC, and written letters etc.

Meanwhile, for the 8-9 year olds who should be riding the LT80 or Predator 90, they are stuck with too stiff suspension. But the design of the new Predator 90 is pretty good, and if lighter springs could be found it would be awesome. The works shocks on my son's Raptorette are only 80 lbs in front, and I nearly bottom it out when I sit on it, which is just right for his 60 lb weight. (see signature)

 

So the fact that you owned one Makes it the Best Mini ever made??? "LOL" my first Quad was a (Yamaha Moto-4 90) It was a good quad, and outran ANY lt80 i ever raced, But do i think it is the best, NO! The Predator Is the most Advanced mini made right now, and yes it is indeed better than the LT.
Another really Good mini is the Kasea Skyhawk-90, Kasea builds the most solid Mini's, and they are far from slow. Plus they Cost less than both the LT and the pred.

 

I don't recall Yamaha ever making a 90cc quad, they had the YFM80 back in the late eighties, then the 100 champ which turned into the 80cc badger. And the badger isn't faster than the LT80.

Let the kid sit on both. Size wise I believe the predator is bigger so she will be able to ride that longer. She will have fun on either one you buy.

On more thing, reliability of the LT80 has been proven. Predator 90, I believe is actually manufactued in Taiwan? to polaris specs. So who knows about the reliability. Could be better could be worse.

 

polaris quality sucks and a polaris made in taiwan, watch out

 

hello there having been in your position myself . i personally would do some more shopping aruond. we bought an extreme machine 90 for our son a couple years ago.yes they are the same damn thing as most of your other mini quads. i did contact lane smith with dealers distributing on the machine and he was vey helpful before purchase. he is the direct importer for that brand.during my sons riding and racing on it yes he did break some stuff but there is a whole list of parts that will fit from many other manufactures .heck we had eton front hubs.yamaha mini raptor plastic and several other polaris parts on his machine .. do your research on them first but the extreme is a very well built mini and very durable machine. there built on the same line as the polaris minis and etons as well as many others... just my opinion.. and yes there is a whole load of aftermarket goodies to make it faster.