We just picked up one of these for my son's birthday, an '05. It's almost perfect......but it turns like crap. The steering stem hits the frame and keeps it from turning much at all. Before we unleash the grinder on the frame, does anyone know of another way to increase the turning radius?

Other than that, the Yamoto 50 is a beautiful little machine, and it's got LOTS of speed, hauled my 6'4", 230lb husband up the road at at least 25mph(Told us alot about the machine, and was extremely funny all at the same time). The dual A-arm front suspension is very nice too. It's also got a nice multi-speed auto tranny too. Not like my niece's 50 that's only one speed and whines out.

 

I believe the large turning radius is for safety reasons. It's harder to flip it when you can't turn sharp.

What you are describing sounds a lot like the Sunl 50/Redcat FX 55.

 

I broke out the GPS on the 2005 50 ATV Yamoto I have. I am 210lbs, clocked with GPS at 32 mph. These things are fast.

 

As I posted a few weeks ago, I'm 170lbs and the Sunl50 hauls me at 37mph. (I think it's really a 70, at least)

 

I figured it was a "safety" issue, but there's safe, then there's ridiculous. You need a 30 foot stretch just to turn around. We'll just grind it out a bit, even a 1/4" either way would add a lot to the steering. It doesn't hit the main part of the frame, it hits a cross piece. If need be we can always add another a little further up to make sure the frame stays strong. I want him to at least be able to hit some trails with us, but with the way the steering is now there is no way he could navigate through them with out nailing a tree.

Thanks anyways, I'll let you know how it works out, in case anyone else wants to do it.