I have a 5 yr old boy (50 lbs) and an 8 yr old girl (80 lbs.)

I am contemplating buying a pair of 90cc quads for them. The 90cc quads I am looking at appear to be on the same frame as the 50cc and they have a governor on them so I figured I might as well get the most motor I could in that size and just reign them in with the governor. Thoughts?

 

Pretty much what I did. Just keep close tabs on the youngin.

 

I had the same concerns and came sooo close to buying a Honda 4TRX 90 for my 5yo son. In the end we decided that the Kawasaki KFX50 was a much better fit for him now, making it also a safer machine for him. The KFX/LT50s are not only much more correctly sized for sub 4' kids, but also weigh nearly 100lbs less than the typical 90s. My own ego said buy the Honda 90, but my conscious said buy what suits him best now. I'll just sell the 50 in a year or two and then buy the 90... I'll be rolling the the new quad next to the tree on Christmas Eve, it'll be an exciting morning! If you're planning the same, don't forget all the safety gear as well. In my experience, the one time someone rides without all their gear on is the one time they needed it all![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

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Body sizing is one of the debatable things. Each has their explanation.

For me, put kid on a motocross bike. While on the seat, their toes must be in a comfortable tippy toe position. Ask the young rider to put their legs on the motocross foot pegs. Take a serious note of the "degree" bend on their legs. For example, knees beside the gas tank and 30 degree bend at the knee. Same sizing is used on peddle bikes (with its peddles in a horizontal position).

Put this same kid on a mini-ATV with their feet on the pegs / running boards / nerf bars. Is their leg geometry in the exact same position (compared to sitting on a motocross bike)? To me, it should be for "proper body fit". When the young rider is sitting on the seat, ask them to turn the handle hards all the way in one direction and all the way in the other direction. Is it a comforable reach or is it a stretch / strubble in either position. If a struggle / stretch, then the mini frame size is too big for them.

Regardless of the engine CC size (re: 50, 70, 90, 110), the body's leg position and arm reach is the main factors in determining "proper body fit". Regardless of their body fit, I'd still make a mini's front end wider. 1.5-2.0" wheel spacers or better yet, 3" wider A-Arms dramatically reduce the risk of roll overs. Especially for technical trail and "around the house" riders.


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