Kids atv, what are my choices?
Oct 27, 2000 | 10:30 AM
#2
Range Rover
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
my son is 5 hes riding a suzuki lt-50..nice machine but small with no susp. i was lookin at the new polaris 50's, theyre a bit bigger and its still an automatic,my opinion when kids are that age they have other things to focus their attention on other then what gear theyre in
Oct 27, 2000 | 11:39 AM
#3
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
Greetings,
This is one area of ATVing where there is no shortage of new models. You might want to do a search on the forum for this topic, there has been a lot of dicussion around this in the recent past and there is a lot of good info you could mine. One thing I recall from the discussions is that most people ended up going for a bigger machine -- generally a 90cc model. They almost all have throttle limiters on them and will therefore "fit" your rider for a longer time.
Dirt Wheels has done some reviews of various models this year so you might check them out as well. OK, some models to consider:
Suzuki LT-80 -- 2-stroke automatic
Honda Fourtrax 90 -- 4-stroke auto clutch
Polaris -- they have three new small quads that look like their big quads
Yamaha Badger and Breeze
E-ton -- they offer a couple of models and have gotten good reviews
This is one area of ATVing where there is no shortage of new models. You might want to do a search on the forum for this topic, there has been a lot of dicussion around this in the recent past and there is a lot of good info you could mine. One thing I recall from the discussions is that most people ended up going for a bigger machine -- generally a 90cc model. They almost all have throttle limiters on them and will therefore "fit" your rider for a longer time.
Dirt Wheels has done some reviews of various models this year so you might check them out as well. OK, some models to consider:
Suzuki LT-80 -- 2-stroke automatic
Honda Fourtrax 90 -- 4-stroke auto clutch
Polaris -- they have three new small quads that look like their big quads
Yamaha Badger and Breeze
E-ton -- they offer a couple of models and have gotten good reviews
Oct 27, 2000 | 09:42 PM
#5
Range Rover
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Moose1,
I have been considering a gas-powered mini-quad for my son (since the day he was born if you listen to my wife tell it). He is currently 4-1/2 years old, 3-feet 8-inches tall, and weighs about 40 pounds. He has been riding a battery powered Peg Perego “quad” for two years now. He has also ridden on my Bayou 400 4x4 seated in front of me, and he has ridden on my Bayou 300 4x4 seated in front of me, or seated in front of my 15-year old daughter. He has a good grasp of how to ride and he should be ready for a gas-powered mini-quad next spring when he turns five, if indeed he is not ready now.
I have looked at the mini-quads from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, E-Ton & Kasea (both the 40cc and 50cc models). I plan on keeping whatever I buy for a long time. The low price of the Chinese imports was an initial attraction. But parts and service may be problematic down the road, whereas five years from now the Big Three Japanese manufacturers will most likely still be around.
Of the Big Three Japanese minis, the Honda TRX90 is presently too big for my son. That leaves the Yamaha Badger 80 and the Suzuki LT80. Either one fits him well, though the Badger is slightly larger than the LT80. In my back issues of Dirt Wheels, I’ve located two shootouts between the Honda and the Suzuki. The Suzuki won the first one in the August ‘96 issue, and the Honda won the second one in the August ’98 issue. Both shootouts specifically referred to an earlier shootout (which I don’t have access to) that had included a Yamaha Badger, and both pointedly reminded the reader that the Yamaha had finished a distant third against the Honda and Suzuki. The shootouts also noted Yamaha’s refusal to give Dirt Wheels another Badger for subsequent testing.
When I visited the various dealerships with my son in tow to do "test sits", I was primarily interested in the ergonomics of each unit, so I took a tape measure with me.
The three measurements that I thought were critical are:
(1) The "inside" width of the handlebars. By which I mean the distance from the inside lip of the right handgrip to the inside lip of the left handgrip. This measurement determines how wide he must spread his arms to put his hands on the handlebars. On the LT80 it was 18-inches. On the Badger it was 19-inches. On the TRX90 it was 20-inches. As a comparison benchmark on my Bayou 300 it is 22-inches, and on my Bayou 400 it is 23-inches.
(2) The width of the seat directly over the footpegs. This measurement determines how far he would have to spread his legs in order to straddle the seat. On the LT80 it is 6-1/2 inches. On the Badger it is 7-inches. On the TRX90 and the E-Ton 90 it is nearly 9-inches. As a comparison benchmark on my Bayou 300 & 400 it is 11-inches.
(3) The "combined inseam distance". By which I mean the distance from the top of the left footpeg up over the seat and down to the top of the right footpeg. This measurement determines how well he will be able to move around on the quad as the terrain varies and still keep both feet on the footpegs. On the LT80 it is 41-inches. On the Badger it is 42-inches. On the TRX90 and E-Ton 90 it is 44-inches. As a comparison benchmark, on my Bayou 300 & 400 it is 48-inches.
I did put my son on both the E-Ton 40 (Rascal) and E-Ton 50. The Rascal was nearly the same size as the battery powered Peg Perego quad he rides now. There was simply no point in considering it, he would out grow it too quickly.
The other problem with all three E-Ton quads was the shape of the seat. To my mind it is tapered the wrong way. It is narrow at the back, and wide at the front. This allows the child precious little leg room in which to maneuver. The LT80 is just the opposite. The seat is very wide at the back and middle so the child has a nice place to sit, and then it tapers quickly from the middle to the front to allow the child room to stand on the pegs naturally instead of with a bow-legged stance.
You didn't say what stature your kids are, but when you take them to do "test sits", you may want to take a tape measure with you and keep my three key measurement criteria in mind.
Ergonomically the LT80 offers the best immediate fit for my son. It is one he will not have to grow into, and it is one that he will not grow out of too soon (especially considering that Big Brother and the Nanny State would have me restrict him to nothing larger until he is sixteen anyway). For me, the LT80 is the hands-down winner, and I will most likely buy one next Spring.
My property is graded such that there is a fairly steep hill in back of the house, and a gentle slope from the end of the driveway, down the property line to the neighbors yard, and thence to my back yard. My son quickly discovered that he couldn't climb the steep hill directly because the Peg Perego's plastic wheels lacked traction on the grass. But he soon discovered that if he followed the gentle slope all the way around the yard, he would then be at the top of the hill. From there he comes roaring down through my wife's flower beds, onto the driveway, around the Jet Ski, between the cars, and back up to do it again. The very first thing I plan on teaching him is how to use the brakes!
Army Man
I have been considering a gas-powered mini-quad for my son (since the day he was born if you listen to my wife tell it). He is currently 4-1/2 years old, 3-feet 8-inches tall, and weighs about 40 pounds. He has been riding a battery powered Peg Perego “quad” for two years now. He has also ridden on my Bayou 400 4x4 seated in front of me, and he has ridden on my Bayou 300 4x4 seated in front of me, or seated in front of my 15-year old daughter. He has a good grasp of how to ride and he should be ready for a gas-powered mini-quad next spring when he turns five, if indeed he is not ready now.
I have looked at the mini-quads from Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, E-Ton & Kasea (both the 40cc and 50cc models). I plan on keeping whatever I buy for a long time. The low price of the Chinese imports was an initial attraction. But parts and service may be problematic down the road, whereas five years from now the Big Three Japanese manufacturers will most likely still be around.
Of the Big Three Japanese minis, the Honda TRX90 is presently too big for my son. That leaves the Yamaha Badger 80 and the Suzuki LT80. Either one fits him well, though the Badger is slightly larger than the LT80. In my back issues of Dirt Wheels, I’ve located two shootouts between the Honda and the Suzuki. The Suzuki won the first one in the August ‘96 issue, and the Honda won the second one in the August ’98 issue. Both shootouts specifically referred to an earlier shootout (which I don’t have access to) that had included a Yamaha Badger, and both pointedly reminded the reader that the Yamaha had finished a distant third against the Honda and Suzuki. The shootouts also noted Yamaha’s refusal to give Dirt Wheels another Badger for subsequent testing.
When I visited the various dealerships with my son in tow to do "test sits", I was primarily interested in the ergonomics of each unit, so I took a tape measure with me.
The three measurements that I thought were critical are:
(1) The "inside" width of the handlebars. By which I mean the distance from the inside lip of the right handgrip to the inside lip of the left handgrip. This measurement determines how wide he must spread his arms to put his hands on the handlebars. On the LT80 it was 18-inches. On the Badger it was 19-inches. On the TRX90 it was 20-inches. As a comparison benchmark on my Bayou 300 it is 22-inches, and on my Bayou 400 it is 23-inches.
(2) The width of the seat directly over the footpegs. This measurement determines how far he would have to spread his legs in order to straddle the seat. On the LT80 it is 6-1/2 inches. On the Badger it is 7-inches. On the TRX90 and the E-Ton 90 it is nearly 9-inches. As a comparison benchmark on my Bayou 300 & 400 it is 11-inches.
(3) The "combined inseam distance". By which I mean the distance from the top of the left footpeg up over the seat and down to the top of the right footpeg. This measurement determines how well he will be able to move around on the quad as the terrain varies and still keep both feet on the footpegs. On the LT80 it is 41-inches. On the Badger it is 42-inches. On the TRX90 and E-Ton 90 it is 44-inches. As a comparison benchmark, on my Bayou 300 & 400 it is 48-inches.
I did put my son on both the E-Ton 40 (Rascal) and E-Ton 50. The Rascal was nearly the same size as the battery powered Peg Perego quad he rides now. There was simply no point in considering it, he would out grow it too quickly.
The other problem with all three E-Ton quads was the shape of the seat. To my mind it is tapered the wrong way. It is narrow at the back, and wide at the front. This allows the child precious little leg room in which to maneuver. The LT80 is just the opposite. The seat is very wide at the back and middle so the child has a nice place to sit, and then it tapers quickly from the middle to the front to allow the child room to stand on the pegs naturally instead of with a bow-legged stance.
You didn't say what stature your kids are, but when you take them to do "test sits", you may want to take a tape measure with you and keep my three key measurement criteria in mind.
Ergonomically the LT80 offers the best immediate fit for my son. It is one he will not have to grow into, and it is one that he will not grow out of too soon (especially considering that Big Brother and the Nanny State would have me restrict him to nothing larger until he is sixteen anyway). For me, the LT80 is the hands-down winner, and I will most likely buy one next Spring.
My property is graded such that there is a fairly steep hill in back of the house, and a gentle slope from the end of the driveway, down the property line to the neighbors yard, and thence to my back yard. My son quickly discovered that he couldn't climb the steep hill directly because the Peg Perego's plastic wheels lacked traction on the grass. But he soon discovered that if he followed the gentle slope all the way around the yard, he would then be at the top of the hill. From there he comes roaring down through my wife's flower beds, onto the driveway, around the Jet Ski, between the cars, and back up to do it again. The very first thing I plan on teaching him is how to use the brakes!
Army Man
Oct 28, 2000 | 07:43 PM
#6
Pro Rider
Sound advice there. "Hey, watch this........"
Sound advice there. "Hey, watch this........"
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 1
Armyman - Been there, done that. I didn't do all your measuring but - I have 3 sons, now 8, 7 and 3. Started the older two when they were 6 and 5 on a LT50. Good little yard bike. 5 year old didn't use it very much so skill level of the LT was OK for him. 6 year old took to it like a duck to water. LT was OK for one summer. Next year he used it but had outgrown it in size and skill level. We made some attempts to have him ride the trails (just like dad). Little LT50 was just too small, wound up being towed home many times.
Got a Honda TRX90 for oldest this spring. Fits him well and he loves it. Big enough for him to go on trails with me. 7 year old fits it OK too and is learning better control.
Two bits of advice: 1) At 4 1/2 years old you either need to wait a little of stick with the 50's. Bear in mind that their usable lifespan will be a few short years depending on your kids size/skill level and the type of riding that you want to do. Riding in the yard will work longer on a 50 than riding trails. 2) Your little 'flower stomper' sounds a lot like my oldest, has that touch of hot rodder with little fear. Our solution - we both use helmet radios on the trails. That way I can tell him to slow down or give advice on a difficult part of the trail. This also makes mom feel a little better.
Good luck. JB
Got a Honda TRX90 for oldest this spring. Fits him well and he loves it. Big enough for him to go on trails with me. 7 year old fits it OK too and is learning better control.
Two bits of advice: 1) At 4 1/2 years old you either need to wait a little of stick with the 50's. Bear in mind that their usable lifespan will be a few short years depending on your kids size/skill level and the type of riding that you want to do. Riding in the yard will work longer on a 50 than riding trails. 2) Your little 'flower stomper' sounds a lot like my oldest, has that touch of hot rodder with little fear. Our solution - we both use helmet radios on the trails. That way I can tell him to slow down or give advice on a difficult part of the trail. This also makes mom feel a little better.
Good luck. JB
Oct 30, 2000 | 09:09 PM
#7
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I have seen reviews on the E-ton's and I didn't pay close attention to it, but it seems to me like one of those would be your best bet.
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Oct 31, 2000 | 12:56 AM
#8
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I got my 4 year old an E-Ton 50cc in June. He loves it. We still have the throttle set screw turned down. I rode it around without the set screw. It carried me around the yard at a pretty good speed for it's size. I couldn't see spending an extra $1000. plus for a machine of this size. Lets face it, the kids will outgrow this machine before the machine wears out. This model cost $1500.00. It seems to be built pretty sturdy. It has an electric start as well as a kick start, a full floorboard like the Polaris has and it runs quite. I figure my 4year old can ride this bike until he's about 9 years old. Good luck finding the right bike.
Oct 31, 2000 | 04:19 AM
#9
Trailblazer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
armyman Get him a Yamaha Breeze, You can always Trust YAMAHA
To view the Yamaha Breeze go here
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/01motors...info_body.html
To view the Yamaha Breeze go here
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/01motors...info_body.html
Oct 31, 2000 | 09:37 AM
#10
Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
Greetings,
Actually, I'll put a second vote in on the Breeze. It is the only one that meets my top three criteria for a kids quad: 4-stroke, automatic trans, and shaft drive.
It may be a little bigger and more powerful than the real mini-quads, but it will fit a rider a lot longer. Wish Honda or Suzuki made one like it -- its just a dealer preference thing.
Actually, I'll put a second vote in on the Breeze. It is the only one that meets my top three criteria for a kids quad: 4-stroke, automatic trans, and shaft drive.
It may be a little bigger and more powerful than the real mini-quads, but it will fit a rider a lot longer. Wish Honda or Suzuki made one like it -- its just a dealer preference thing.
