hayankine:

Yes, it was easy easy to get running. There are two fuel petcocks which confused me for a moment, initially. Also, I had to adjust the mixture and idle a bit after it fired up. Subsequently, I've been amazed at how easy this thing is to crank - almost never need the choke - even when cold. It's always ready to go. I'm happy with the purchase.

Someone mentioned rolling the quad. The baby falcon is much shorter than the regular falcon - lower center of gravity.

All that being said, boys are likely much tougher on equipment. I got a new honda 185S in 82 or 83 - the one with front shocks. While the engine was nearly indestructible, the chain, tensioner, rear bearings, spockets, etc were a constant source of irritation/frustration. I did drive the heck out of it.

Obviously, everything I've said is anecdotal. Opinions are like - well, you know what they're like.

Quality control can vary at the factory. Quality control can vary with the factory's parts suppliers. This is true with any manufacturer. I would suspect it is more of a problem in chinese factories.

I have no doubt that there are plenty of people who have bought kazumas who have regretted the purchase. I am not one of them. On the other hand, plenty people, are very happy with there purchase. I suspect that the latter vastly outnumber the former. I also think that if you buy from a reputable dealer then your chance of being one of the happy is greatly enhanced.

In the end, it's a risk/utility analysis.


Rodney

 

Hi Rodney,

Well said (although I don't agree with all of it) but your analysis of the shorter wheelbase on the baby falcon is flawed. A shorter wheelbase will not necessarily affect center of gravity and if it did, it would never lower the center of gravity. The principle at work here is the moment-arm. Think of a lever. The longer the lever you have, the less effort it takes to move a load. That is why designers go long and wide to impart stability; the farther the tire contact is from the center of gravity the more 'righting' force it can exert (to borrow a term from bouyancy). Therefore, shortening the wheelbase reduces stability, increasing the likelihood of rolling the quad. Of course, go too wide or too long and other aspects of handling, such as turning rate, are negatively impacted. I was going to let it go but the engineer in me just wouldn't allow it.

 

Ive just read this thread, and I must say, its ridiculous--- "this" guy trying to convince "that" guy the Chinese quads are total crap, and vice-versa. Well ok, lemme ask you all a question...........is mushroom, olive, and pepperoni pizza good? Or does it taste like dog poopy? The ensuing debate could be very closely compared to this arguement, as some people will like it while some others wont. Ya dig? Just because you didnt have a good experience with a Chinese quad doesnt mean others havent, and the reverse is also true. Personally, as of thus far, the $775 I spent on my daughter's Kazuma Falcon 90 is money well spent, its still kickin' like it did the 1st day, puttin' around with NO problems. Then again, my daughter is only 8 and weighs about as much as a paperclip, but still--- its hummin' right along without a hitch. This is not to say it wont ever have a hitch, but as of now its doing fine. Therefore, I dont subscribe to the "all Chinese quads are complete crap" theory, because quite realistically, thats an opinion, hardly a fact--- "Crap" is open to interpretation. Maybe it would be more appropriate to simply describe your personal experience with a Chinese quad rather than include all the pointless adjectives, as your experience does NOT dictate another's. Is this reasonable? I understand that people will be passionate (read: pissed), expecially if your experience is on the "crap" side and you feel you were just taken to the cleaners for however much cash. Analyze your financial situation, determine the probable use and abuse, make a decision, buy your quad from a reputable dealer who stands behind the product and go have fun.

 

You have had a good experience with the Chinese quad you own for the same reason I have advised this gentleman to steer clear of them. You have an 8 year old daughter putting around on it. Put a more aggressive rider on it and the machine is not going to hold up and, generally speaking, boys are going to ride more aggressively than girls. In an earlier post on this thread I stated that in my opinion a Chinese quad is probably going to be okay if all you're doing is putting around on the lower 40. If you think my position is ridiculous, why don't you check the hundreds, if not thousands, of posts on this site alone of people bemoaning their purchase of a Chinese quad. To put it into your perspective (just trying to help you see clearly enough on this) if you have hundreds of people saying your pizza tastes like poopy and only one or two saying 'it's great, have some,' I'm going to trust the advice of others and stay away from that brand of pizza. Now if the decision comes down to pure economics in that this is all the guy can truly afford, then I guess it is what it is and I wish him the best of luck. But if it's a case of trying to get a good deal on an ATV, remember the caveat that you get what you pay for. Don't learn the hard way that these Chines quads will not handle heavy use. If you believe they will, then go ahead, ignore the hundreds of posts on this site that say otherwise and prepare for heartache and to have your wallet raped.

 

digginfool:

I didn't say it had a shorter wheel base. I said it was "shorter", i.e., not as tall, closer to the ground, etc. I think the wheel base and other dimensions are about the same.

Think of your lever analogy. A shorter quad, is like having a shorter lever - and I'm sure you know what that's like. A shorter lever requires more effort move the load. Therefore, a shorter quad is generally harder to roll.

You said: "I was going to let it go but the engineer in me just wouldn't allow it." Perhaps the comprehensive reader in you should've thought better of it.

Rodney

 

The standard convention is to speak in terms of length, width and height. Shorter would refer to length whereas terms such as 'lower stance' or 'lower seat height' are used to denote a "shorter" quad. Sorry, not much of a mind reader. You are absolutely correct; the lower the cg is the harder it will be to pull the quad over with the lever.

 

its not a matter of what i can afford ok maybe it is but its like this, my work tools i use every day ill be dam if i buy no name brand i buy the best cause i use it hard every day.This atv riding we may do 4 or 5 time a year at the sand dunes when go camping.My son 7 just rides around not getting crazy or anything YET.I do listen to everyones advice but from what ive been reading those who just put tires and steeringwheel and gas and go has a lot of problems and those who take the time for a proper final assambley seem to enjoy this chinese quads.is it not also a fact that all of our american things are made in other countrys.And from what ive been seeing all kids quads from the big 4 are 80 cc and smaller also automatics which are harder in sand then semi auto.So at this point i cant see spending 2000 + for just the little bit of riding that we do.trust me i would like to buy him a raptor he would look cool on that bike.But as i sit here i still cant make up my mind.DIG iam listing to your advice also thats why i still cant make up my mind[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] thanks to all who posted but if you have a kazuma or jetmoto I would like to here from you once again thanks for posting.

 

I would hate to be responsible for you going out and spending $1,000 more on a quad for a 7 year old if it would be a strain on your budget. That being said, there is at least one other reason besides quality and reliability why something like a Kasea or eTon would make a better choice. They use a CVT, which means it is a Continuously Variable ratio Transmission. There are no gears to shift. The transmission senses the load and adjusts the ratio accordingly. It is a near foolproof design and you don't have to try to teach your 7 year old how to shift. These Chinese quads are famous for their lack of durability and the transmissions are one of the most vulnerable pieces. If you can afford it, I highly recommend the Kasea or eTon. But, since your son is only 7 (I was under the impression he was older having come from the Honda 125) you might do well with the Kazuma until he is older and more demanding of his machine. If you shop around, you can find the Kasea 90 for around $1,699 and the eTon for around $1,799. That is about $1,000 more than the Kazuma. Whichever way you go, have fun and best of luck.