Guys I had a KX65 when I was about 11, and that bike was FAST, I wouldNT put a 6yr old on one.

 

Anybody know anything about the Kasea dirt bikes? Kinda pricey, but that MXR50 with 12HP sounds (and looks) pretty cool! Gas and go too!

The Kawasaki and Yamaha 50's look like they were built in the 70's.

 

I didn't think Kawi made a 50. The Yamaha has been bullett proof and easy to ride for years, so why change something that successful?

 

True, I guess a first timer really doesn't need much. But the duel back shocks remind me of my childhood.

Kawasaki has a kdx50.

 

Thanks for the advice all, I really appreciate it. I will go with the larger quad (80cc or 90cc)... just need to check out which one is the best deal, the Eton looks good for the price (~$1800). I like the Polaris too, but it is over $2 grand and I do not want to spend that much. I will also check out the Kasea and the LT-80, they seem like good quads. I live in NJ, where the laws are pretty tough, but live next to a farm that provides a safe area for the kids to ride and hone some basic skills.

 

Well good luck is all I can say. Although he may be ready for it, in many parts of the country (Keeps getting worse) he may not be able to ride it. I don't know where you live or ride.. but in my experience, it is getting to be a tough ticket if the boy does not meet teh size versus age guidelines. If all you do is ride in teh back yard, you are probably safe.. I hope you don't drive for 6 hours only to be told your son can't ride his... that really sucks. Been there, done that... I started a thread complaining about this.. but am so tired of fighting, I am actually going out to purchase the 50 now so I don't have any more hassles. I want to ride, and I want him to enjoy the thrill right beside me... and I am tired of all the fighting... I gave in and have chosen to fight other battles.

 

Mt DAughteres first quad was a Kasea 90 at the age of 7. She nows races it Highly( modifed now) and my 7 yr old Son has a slightly modded 50 Eton Viper( with 70 mods on it) IMO Both quads are a great quad. The Predaotr 90 is another one I reccomend and have seen first hand in performance .The nice things about ANY one of these quads is there is Aftermarket avail. at later date and substantial time on them



As for the size and age on a mini......Thats a toughy....... My Daughter is VERY tall and Im already in the need for a riser for her 90 an shes only 10 now...There would be NO WAY she would fit SAFELY all the way to an age requirement.. We all have our thoughts on safety and what is "the goods and bads". I believe that it should be just very good judgement from a parent and to not get the child in too far over thre heads with too big of a machine...I could go on an on about it all but I wont. Good luck on whatever you decide... Im sure it will be the right one....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Tina

 

I guess we should stop focusing on the guidelines, and ask the question why are ATV's being singled out in the first place. A kid under 12 can race gocarts, quarter midgets, MX dirt bikes, personal watercraft all without any restrictions... why then are we being subjected to such scrutiny? The guidelines were writen because of safety issues with 3 wheeled ATV's... today's machines are not even close to being in the same death trap category... Bicycles are more dangerous and cause more injuries and deaths, but you don't see them being limited in their usage.... I don't get it... maybe a class action suit needs to be introduced...

 

According to the reporting system in place at hospitals there really is a problem with a significant increase in ATV accidents. This injury factor then prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (who banned the 3 wheelers years ago) into having hearings to examine what were the attributing factors in the incidents being reported.

The CPSC found a disportional increase in injurys and that more people were being more seriously injured then 20 years ago (taking note of number of users - the injury rates were way higher) It was determined that the largest at-risk group was 15-19 year olds but right behind that was the under 12 year old group. The leading contributing factor for under age 16 injuries are riders on over sized quads - using the historical recommendations as guidelines to determine what was oversized. The increase in ATV weight and performance was recognized as the attributing factor in why the increase in fatality and more serious injury.

Over the years - many states have adopted the the CPSC age/size guidelines as state law. Some states allow exceptions from these restrictions after a youth recieves a ATV safety certificate.

Bicycles are not on the radar scope becuase they do not cause the enviromental damage, make noise, smell, and are not as envyable as some dirty muddy rich kid tearing up mother earths carpet of pussywillows that the bunny hugger whackos have made so much political noise about.

And because every kid rides a bike - I bet the fatality rate per number of users is lower than the power toy rate. Its that kind of number that puts it in the 10pm news.

Yes the numbers need overhaul - but when it gets overhauled - I'm afraid that in todays world - you may be required to have a drivers license when its all over and done. That is what I hear being bantered about in the committee rooms. Honestly - I don't recall anyone offering anything else.

WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that 35 witnesses have registered to testify about all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety at the commission's regional public hearing to be held in Morgantown, W.Va., on June 5, 2003. Estimated ATV-related injuries in the U.S. have doubled in a recent 5-year period and deaths also continue to climb.

ATV injuries requiring an emergency room visit increased by 104 percent from an estimated 54,700 in 1997 to 111,700 in 2001. In 2001, about a third of these victims were under 16 years old. In this same period the estimated number of ATV drivers increased 36 percent, driving hours grew 50 percent and the number of ATVs increased 40 percent, according to a recent commission analysis.

 

WhoDat, I'm curious. In your safety course, I'm sure you give advice on how to avoid accidents. But, do you teach people how to wreck?


I know that sounds funny, but what I mean is do you teach people things like how and why to throw themselves uphill and away from a potential roll? That priority one when you lose control is to get off and as far away from the vehicle as you can?