Hey All
I'm new to posting but have been searching and getting info from here for a few months. I'm looking to buy my daughters (8 and 6) there first quad. We live on a few acres and are surrounded by farms with atv trails. I soaked up as much info as possible and have narrowed it down to 3 machines. Money doesn't grow on trees so used is the route I can afford.
I'm hoping you guys can help figure the best option for us. The three I have narrowed down are as follows

1996 Suzuki LT80 - great shape well taken care of.Brand new tires. Needs battery for starter and has backup pull start installed (love that idea instead of fighting battery issues as most I read) and headlight.
700$
2004 Suzuki LT80 - great shape, good tire tread all stock
850$
1986 Honda trx70 - great shape. Compression was tested and is high. Spark tested as well. Hasn't ran in a few years starts up buy needs a carb cleaning and should be good to go.
650$

The big difference in the Suzuki is the 96 has brand new tires ,the 100$ pull start installed and a headlight but the 2004 is 8yrs newer and in great shape as well. I haven't been able to eliminate the honda cause as a kid I had a cr50 and it was unstoppable for reliability. The 70 seems to be rare as well and may have a good resale. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated

 

2004 Suzuki, just my 2 cents. Both of my Arctic Cats have pull start, never ever had to use.

 

I think electric start is the easiest but all I ever hear is the battery doesn't last and costs alot to replace everytime. Seems like the honda isn't as popular as I thought. The lt80s seem to be the choice for most

 

The battery's are just like anything else. Put a cheap battery in and get cheap performance out of it. Its a tough call on the lt80 as 2004 could have been ridden more and have the same wear and tear as the older one. I wold go over them and look for loose/warn components. Beg, borrow, buy a compression gauge and do a compression test on both machines. Make your dissension from their. Nothing worse than buying something for your kids and they ride 10 min and then it needs a engine rebuild due to low compression. I see alot of that across the forums

 

What kind of compression should I be looking for. I will purchase a guage and check both LT80's

 

110psi is good...130 is better...


You'll know if they run good...just hop on and take for a test spin...if it impresses you (should be easy to pull a wheelie) then the motor is strong. Poor performance, however, may not be engine related...these quads have a habit of clutch neglect (because getting the clutch cover off in stock form is a PITA!!)...so if the engine is rev'g and the quad not moving too fast there is some clutch work to be done.


I ALWAYS tip the machine back on the rear grab bar and take a CLOSE look at the frame...check for cracks & other issues...


The LT's use the motor as the swing-arm...look the motor over carefully (especially where the axle carrier attaches to the engine) for cracks/repairs...


Those are the biggies...IMHO...

 

Great advice !!!
Thanks

 

Good luck!

 

If anything goes wrong with the Honda I think it would be hard to get parts for. After all it is 30 years old.

 

LT80's are fun fun I like them alot
I would pick one of those, not bad prices either