I spoke with dealer today that I am buying the Eton from and he told me all of Etons quads are going 4 stroke April 06. Anybody here anything on them yet. He does not even have pics yet.

 

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If you are into water, mud and crud, 4 strokes are "by far" much better then the average 2 stroke. Most 2 strokes of today use scooter moters. Thus, open CVTs, open stators and their air filter location is terrible. Most of the 4 strokes have sealed electrical, sealed tranny systems and much better air filter locations. Next time around, would I get my son a 4 stroke (that is sealed) for our unique trails? Without hesitation!!!! It may not have the same "zip" and it may not have the same sound but in our water / crud riding conditions, it wouldn't be so allergic to mud.

Will the new 4 strokes be "as good" as the Honda 4 stroke mini-quad engines of today? Not too sure. Only time will tell.... But I do know many of the new 4 stokes will have to go through their 1st and 2nd year growing pains. But in the long run, many factories should be able to make a pretty solid 4 stroke. Something that needs less maintenance, something that isn't as sensitive to altitude changes and something that isn't as sensitive to weather temp changes. To me, the 2 strokes are great (for zip speed conditions) but when it comes to mud / crud trail conditions, the 4 "sealed" strokes have a much better "average" history. And, much better on our environment.

Talk about 4 strokes, I see the '06 TRX 90 "finally" has electric start. For details, surf: - click here - If they would have had electric start years ago, we'd probably have a Honda TRX 90 sitting in our garage today. TRX with pull start was my biggest turn off back 3 years ago.

I wonder if E-Ton (and the other minis) will create their own 4 stroke engine or will they "clone the Honda"? Wouldn't that be cool. A Honda engine within its competition??? Just like I have a Suzuki engine within my Arctic Cat. Bet that's a pretty complex business deal....

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According to the dealer Eton built there own..LOL. The Honda 4 stroke has been so good I don't know how they could improve on it, at least they enclosed the foot rest on the 06. Where is the stator located on the Eton I live in Iowa and we don't run through much water my 7 year old is not allowed on the state parks anyway. No one here in Iowa even has a 4 stroke kids quad on the show room floor, everything is 2 stroke. Except the Honda and I am not shelling 2600 for a back yard scooter. By the time she is 12 they should have the bugs worked out of them. You are correct about the non sealed CVT's. And 4 stroke reliability. If Honda would put a CVT on that 90 that would sell alot more I think.

 

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To view the stator location on the E-Ton 90 2 stroke, surf the many pictures within:
http://community.webshots.com/album/262582347LVsyKh/0
http://community.webshots.com/album/262582347LVsyKh/1
http://community.webshots.com/album/262582347LVsyKh/2


Note: These albums are am '03 Pred-90. But the E-Ton 90 stator assembly is the same, and in the same location.


Hope this helps....

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