Ok, I've narrowed it down to 2 quads that both my son & I like.
The Eton viper 90(82cc) is a 2 stroke with electric start, reverse, an optional head light kit, & only weighs about 192 lbs.
The Polaris Predator 90(89cc) is also a 2 stroke with electric start, & weighs about 230 lbs, but doesn't have reverse nor a head light option.
Both quads look great & have similar features & pricing so I imagine I can't go wrong with either one.
I have already asked about the Eton 90 on a previous post & have heard nothing but good things about it except they don't like deep puddles too much.
I would appreciate any comments on either model to help me & my son make a decision.
Thanks

 

I just picked up a Predator 90 for my son last month. He loves it!!! He has never been on a Eton 90 so I can't really compare but the Predator seems nice. It has a lot of power from the start. I clocked him doing 28 mph last weekend.

 

Ok...The predator 90 also has deep puddle issue's. None of the 2storke mini's really like water. Don't get me wrong you can take it up to about floor board level and you will be fine. Submerging any of these unit's is a gamble. The 05 Predator also has reverse this year. Still no headlight but that can be done for about $30.00. Pred 90 has the better suspension and is wider than the rest out there. With the 04 -05 predator they(polaris) came up w/ a fix that seems to be working...they added a cover/air duct vent tube to go over the flywheel/stator area which helps alot w/the water problem.
All in all I am satisfied w/the predator TODAY....if you asked me last week I would have told you to run from it. That was because of the water issue. We had to replace the stator...along with other owners. We have ordered the 04 air duct/vent tube so that should take care of the problem.

As for the ETON viper, I have no personal experince w/ this model. I have heard great reviews from owners.

If you are looking for a quad that is able to take on water you might want to look at the TRX90(4stroke) or the Bombadier DS90 4 stroke. The DS90 looks to be well sealed up...ie: electronics can handle water. The TRX90 maybe old technology ie: pull start(this machine is a 3 semi auto clutch)...but we ride with a friend who has one and it can handle what you give it. some say shifting is hard to pick up on...but kids learn quickly.

The Viper 90R is rated @ 209 lbs. the predator is 233pds. for the 03 and 260pds for the 05. This year they are and 2in' wider.

Of course all these models can be modded up and you will never have a problem w/parts when needed.

Goodluck...and remember to safety gear your kid up.

 

Dealers really seem to try & soak you on these mini's. The only dealer in my area carrying Eton wants $2199 for a new Viper 90 with electric start & reverse. On the phone they wanted $1999, in person they wanted $2199, list price is only $1899 right? Time to do some shpopping around, I may have to drive a little.

At this point I like both the Eton & the Polaris about the same. I like the fact that the Polaris has a 1" longer wheelbase & is 1.5" wider but being that much heavier than the Eton is hard to figure out. It does have a 89cc engine compared to Eton's 82.5cc so that may make up for the extra weight. Also, taking the seat off on the Predator was like a wrestling match, I thought it was just the one model but when we tried it on two others we had the same problem, what's up with that?

I must have been looking at '04 Polaris' since they didn't have reverse. I must say the styling is top notch on the Predator. I like the idea of a flag too. The '04 is $2299 & if the '05 is the same price & has reverse it may be the better of the two. The Eton has a reverse switch but I must say its pretty cheesy. Looks like it would break easily & the way it faces forward on the handle bars I think it would be easy to engage by accident. I could always turn it upward but then it would be hard to read the writing on it, not difficult for me but maybe for my kid.

 

I'm waiting on the pred 90 05 model. I hope they come out soon. I called several dealers and they all said a different time period. I'm thinking mid october. If thats the case I'll wait and give it as a Christmas gift. Yet hate to do that because I'll use up like 2.5 months a warranty with no real ridding on it. I wish it was easier on the pocket book to get a better warranty on it. I know if you use american express they double the warranty on whatever you purchase. So that will give me a year. Ooppss pizza guy is here.

 

I payed $ 2150 out the door for a 2004 polaris 90 at a place called Motorsports, Inc. It is just south of Hanover, PA.

 

"On the phone they wanted $1999, in person they wanted $2199, list price is only $1899 right? Time to do some shpopping around, I may have to drive a little. "


I don't think $2199 is too bad WITH REVERSE. My local dealer wanted much more than that....$200 set up fee?(yeah right). I shopped around a lot on the web and couldn't find anything cheaper than $2150..with reverse. Try anything atv.com. I don't believe list is $1899 for the reverse model...and the MSRP does not include shipping.

 

Apparently I was getting old list prices. Looks like the '05 Predator is $2299 with reverse & has a 1.5" wider & 1" longer wheel base than the '04 model but is up to 260lbs. It also has 5" rear wheel travel so it sounds like the best of the bunch albeit the heaviest. Also, they changed the color from an awesome looking black & red to orange, uhhhg...

I called around & I can get the '04 Predator for $2149 as well, including a cheesy helmet. With the longer/wider stance & slightly bigger engine, I am leaning more towards the Polaris Predator. Thanks for all the input.

 

dealer in antioch sold me 2 e-ton vipers 04 for 3500 out the door maybee you can deal there reese's toys 510-708-7555

 

Picking the right mini depends on what type of riding your child is going to do. Remeber reliability is what will count most when you and your kid is on a long trail ride and you end up having to tow them back. Plus how much fun is it when your bike is in the shop. I agree on th trx 90 being probably the best for trails, and for the dunes it would be the LT80, All of them can be modifyed so which one is best? All of them and none of them. As much as alought of us favor our brand as number 1 we need to remeber that no matter what flyer, magizine, local dealer and buddies you listen to, that they all are not that good in stock form. All of them,with enough money to be invested by the parents, can be modified and on any given day whoop your kids butt, no matter which model you have. My son has a very fast lt 80 and at the dunes he had never been beat, until last month in july a kid with a very nice kasea flat out embarassed him. I am glad this happened to him( not that I liked watching him get his butt kicked) Because it took him back down to reality. By the way that kid with the kasea was good and was racing and staying with blasters,wow! Not bad for a 90 but how much did the parents have to spend? Later that day he was broke down and done for the day.