Ok, my 9 year old wants a quad and she has been doing really good in school so I think I'm ready to buy this Christmas. A friend of mine has a Yamaha Breeze that he wants to sell. I did a quick check-out today and it looked pretty good. The plastic is scratched up (some brush riding) and the front tires were pretty bald. Other than that, it looked pretty good. He said he "wants" $1,200 for it. If and when I buy this thing I will give it a really good look-over (compression, oil test bla, bla, bla) and I can do any mechanic's that the machine needs.

This brings me to my question: Should I buy this quad if it checks out ok, or should I buy a brand new off-brand?

Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks

 

DoctorTurbo, I am in the same boat as you[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]As far as what to buy. My wisdom tells me to stick with the 4 major brands. For they have been around longer, parts are readily available, etc. On the particular quad your referring to, I think they, for the most part are well built and parts will be around for a while. You didn't mention what year it was, but, for a little money on new tires, the quad is, well worth the money he is asking[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]IMO. Friend bought 2 breezes last year and he is very happy with them[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]and he paid a few hundred dollars more per quad. Heck, even a small adult, learning to ride, can fit on one. So, the potential to be around for awhile, in my opinion makes them a little more valuable. It seems the "cheaper" versions are a little harder to find parts for, and the people/stores selling them, lack the parts for them or the experience to help problem solve. ie, pep boys, local trailer shop or local boy, selling them out of his garage[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Just some of my thoughts, as I contemplate the decision myself.

 

Even though I own a yamoto 150, I would go for the breeze for that price. That is what I was looking for when I bought a yamoto. I have written a bit about my wifes yamoto in other posts so I wont go in to any detail here. However the Breeze suspension is far superior to the yamoto. I am in the middle of modifying my wifes quads suspension now. Now if the Breeze was priced above $2000.00 I would go for the yamoto.Just my thoughts.

 

One thing about the Breeze is that being an automatic it has no engine-braking, so you are depending entirely on the brakes. It is very tough for the kids to modulate the brakes on a rough downhill. They will tend to lock up the back end and skid, then get sideways. It can get ugly, and the Breeze is no lightweight!

My choice in this class was the Suzuki LT160, which has an autoclutch, and stop-you-dead engine-braking. It has been discontinued however for 05, but so has the Breeze. It will be interesting to see what the replacements will be, if any.

My son is 10, and although he is tall enough to ride the 250EX/Recon, he just doesn't have the weight to handle a big machine. I do wish I still had the 160, as it would be perfect for him at this stage. But, he will have to stay on the 90 until he puts on enough weight to handle a bigger bike.

Think about a Honda 90, if the kid can learn to shift. It is a very nice, solid, time proven machine, and there are lots of used ones around.

 

Recon valid points[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]There was a '01 Honda 90 in the paper for $2000. A phone call to late[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]On the Breeze, didn't Yamaha basically make it a miniature Grizzly? Sorta like the rest of their line, basically the same set-up, just tweaked it a little and throw the "Raptor or Grizzly" name on it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] Guess, I need to do a little research on it and pay a trip to the local dealer. And, I agree, the 160 fit this size area perfectly[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]That's why I bought one last year[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

How big is the 9 year old?

 

The Breeze has been replaced by the Grizzly 125. It is a Breeze w/ Grizzly plastic, racks and dual headlights. Mechanically the same quad. I paid $2800 for a new one in August. $1200 for a used one, in good shape, is a great deal. I paid $1900 for a 2nd hand '01 LT160 , this summer as well. Wish I could have found 2 of them. As for engine braking on the Yamaha, I have instructed my daughter to always give it a little throttle when coming down hill. It helps to keep the clutch engaged and less free wheeling.

 

Welllllllllllllll..................hmmmmmmm....... ..about medium size, lol. Not big and not small. She is a pretty tough little girl, so I don't think the Breeze would be a problem. She has been driving a golf cart since she was two. She would sit on my lap and she would steer. Then at 5 she could reach the peddles and she would drive around the ranch herself. Never hit anything yet, unlike her 13 year old cousin. That kid can wreak sitting on a chair in the living room!!!!
Let me put it this way, I would trust her on the road or trail more than most adults I know, lol.
Does anybody know if the Yamoto 150 has engine braking? Not that we are going down any steep trails.
Does anybody know what a full set of plastic costs from Yamaha? Aftermarket?
I want to thank everybody for their imput so far.

Hmmmmmmmmm...............1k ugly quad, but good shape mechanically. Lets say 500 bones for a new set of Grizzly plastic. New 125 quad for $1,500!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmm...........you got me thinking now!!!!!!! Anybody know what a new set of Grizzly plastic would cost? Would it fit on a Breeze without any mods to the mounts???
This is sounding better and better!!!!!!!!!!

 

Unless she is large for her age, I'd probably go with a mini quad. You might have her sit on them for a fit. Good luck!

 

[quote]
[i]Originally posted by: Doctorturbo


Does anybody know if the Yamoto 150 has engine braking? Not that we are going down any steep trails.


No engine braking at all on the Yamoto 150.