Since zipzap is 12 years old he will need to follow the guidelines below:

Recommended for riders 12 years of age and older, and riders younger than 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult. Honda recommends that all ATV riders take a training course and read their owner's manual thoroughly.

That puts him on the Sportrax 90

 

Let me make this clear where I stand on this. I have seen 12 - 14 year kids that can ride really well on bigger ATVs and I have no problem with that. My point is that a 400cc or bigger quad is not a beginner quad. Dariusld, you had mentioned that you heard quads are as dangerous as three wheelers (this is not true). Besides three wheelers were outlawed because of the stupid people that rid'em and people that don't wear helmets. I would hate to see quads go that route also. (two people around where I live died riding doubles up sand mountain with no helmets) So yes I agree there are adults that have no business on ATVs also.
Most people don't take the time to teach thier kids how to ride and just let them go out and ride with no supervision. I don't totally agree with government ratings but you have to at least take them into consideration. There is a lot more to riding than just hittin the throttle. I don't think that you have to be 16 to ride an adult size quad, but you need to have the experience,weight, size, and strength to ride one. I think everyone would agree that ridin a quad works the body and you shouldn't ride past your level or ride a quad that you cannot handle. I hope in Zipzap's case he has involved parents that supervise his riding.

 

The CPSC had ZERO right to ban the sale and importation of 3 wheelers! It never was their decision to make! The decision on what a kids can ride rests solely with the parents! I mean more people are hurt and injured on motorcycles than were hurt on 3 wheelers. I don't mean since their invention, I mean per vehicle sold! 3 wheels are safer than 2 and 4 wheels are safer than 3!

Zipzap, talk it over with your parents and you and they should decide what you ride, just don't get crazy until you can handle it. Don't pay attention to those stupid moronic guidelines, that the lawyers and the CPSC have mislabeled 4 wheelers with, they are meaningless!

It is your parents and your money, don't succumb to the fear that idiots like that want to instill in the public.

Freedom means making your own informed decision, not letting the gov't or some idiot lawyer tell you what to do.

By the way I am 30 and my kids will ride what I think they are ready for, as I started at 8 y/o on a ATC70, then 10 y/o went with a ATC200s, then at 12 went to ATC 200x, and finally went at age 14 to a 85 ATC 250R. My parents knew I could handle it not the gov't

 

ok thanx my dad would ride with me . he rode atvs and dirt bikes all his life.

 

Its not so much age as experience....

to be raised on a smaller bike (wanting more) is a good thing.

Anyone who just jumps on a 400ex(with no riding experience),,,is likely to hurt themselves (especially trying to keep up to an experienced rider).

If I was 12,,,and had tooled on my neighbors warrior a few times,,,,I would not be ready for a 400ex.

ZipZap,,,take your time,,,,all quads are fun,,,just get one that suites your skill level.

You will have a blast and ride quads for years.