i'm thinking of buying a raptor 80 for my 7 year old and a raptor 50 for my 5 year old. the new '06 models. any thoughts on these would be much appreciated. thanks[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

I have an '03 raptor 80 that my older boys, now 11 and 13 have been riding for a few years and having a lot of fun. It's built on the old yamaha badger frame so the suspension is a little stiff in the front. It's fairly simple maintenance with the shaft drive. My five year old rides a Kawasaki kfx 50 and has been on it since he was three. I really like that bike. Small frame and components that fit him nicely, good power for it's size. A-arms in the front, single shock inthe rear. I have a friend with the raptor 50 and he's a little disappointed. It's under powered for it's size. It's basically the 50 with smaller tires and handle bars. It doesn't fit a small kid well and a bigger kid will probably like the 80 better. Both Yamaha's are very reliable. I chose the kawi for the physical size. My five year old is average size and he has at least another on it then he's going to the raptor 80.
I live in California so the green sicker/red sticker issue came in play. both the 50's were red stickers so it didn't matter. The raptor 80 is a four stroke green sticker. The kawi/suzuki 80 is a two stoke red sticker so I shyed away from them. I'm happy with the raptor 80, but if you like perfomance modes the lt80 has lots of options.
Depending on the size and experience of your oldest the Honda 90 is a nice bike to consider. That will allow for lots of growing room. I weigh about 185lbs and those 90's move me around with no problem

 

thanks. that's very helpful. i think i am going to get the 80 for my 7 year old. but my 5 year old is a little small for the 50. he fits nicely on the suzuki 50 (the 2006 model is a 4 stroke which apparently is new) and i was thinking of getting that. any thoughts re that atv?

 

The only thing I know about the new suzuki 4 stroke 50 is it's a california red sticker. It looks cool with z400 plastics. I haven't heard anything on the performance though.

 

I bought my 7 year old son a Honda TRX90 a little over a month ago. It lacks in some features compared to other brands but I know the history of that Honda 90 engine. I weigh 190 and it pulls me around quite briskly....in fact, it's fun to drive.
The only complaint I have is that Honda equipped them with an electric starter for 06, not that it's a bad thing, but failed to keep the pull-start as a back-up. Other than that...it's a great machine.

 

Tylog, just wondering what the local laws are for riders under 6. Some states do not allow riders under 6 to ride a quad. You might consider a mini 2 wheeler for him if you think he may have issues with turning and operating an ATV.

 

i bought my 7 year old son a 50 raptor for the fit hes was a total novice but in no time at all he said to me dad i want more POWER
so i found raptor80racing.com and there we got jet kit, advice on cutting the slide valve so the carb will open all the way ,header pipe and cdi box and racing shock set much softer then stock ones plus off set aluminin rims and nice treads tires and wideng kit this little ride will now keep up with my 660 in mid second gear what a trip plus later we pulled 8 out of the 12 roller ***** in the atomatic tranny now it throws dirt on take off what a trip just a hint about the raptors check out raptor80racing .com there great guys who will help