Newbie here, but not to ATV's. My son has majorly outgrown his KFX50 and I am about to get a new (to me) quad for him. He is just 8 but is 4'7". I am about to buy a used 06 Eton Viper 90r (two stroke). These have some of the shortest wheelbasess of the minis but the tallest seat height. Question is, what age/rider height is normal for these quads? I don't want him to look dorky on it in a year or two. Thanks!!!

Leo

 

Hi, Pastorpete. How much does your son weigh? That's probably even a bigger factor to me than height. You need weight to counteract the force of the quad going around corners. Some thoughts are the Yamaha Grizzly 125: 2013 Yamaha Grizzly 125 Automatic Home, information

or the Raptor 125: 2013 Yamaha Raptor 125 Home, information

A quad that a buddy's son bought when he was about 10 or so was the Honda Recon 250. Two wheel drive and you can get it with an electric shift transmission where you push an up or down button to shift. You can also get a foot shift with an semi-automatic clutch. He wouldn't have to pull in a clutch lever, just shift with his foot. My buddy's son thrashed that quad, his younger brothers thrashed it, my son rode it, I rode it, some of the kid's friends thrashed it and it is still running.

 

He is 85 pounds and very muscular for a little guy. Won't turn 8 until late June. Kinda freakish compared to my other three kids sizewise.

 

My vote is for the eton. 8 is to young for the bigger machines. Quality used youth quads are more like a rental anyway. As long as they are maintained you shouldn't lose much value if you sell it in a few years. Better yet, the 2 strokes are coveted by racers as they are cheaper to maintain and to modify. The eton may even increase slightly in value.

 

I'd get a mini for sure, just worried the eton viper is too mini. If love a trx 90 but can't even find one. I'll out him on it and see how it looks.

 

Got the viper. Holy fast little machine. With the CDI on 2 it's a blast for him. Launches hard. Looks like it was hit on one side. Quite a bit more camber in the wheel the. The other side. Big dent in the A-arm. Easy swap. Bushings, tie rods and ball joints not effected.

 

Sounds like a winner, contrasts!