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For just a few hundred more if you want name brand trouble free atv the Desert Cat 90 is by far the best way to go over any of the Chinese quads. If you are short on cash and just want a beginner quad and can also turn a wrench then the JEtmoto brand is pretty reliable. With the Chinese quads it all comes down to how the person sets the quad up. These are not gas and go quads. You have to spend some time on it if you want reliability. There will be some issues but most are not major. So far I have had good luck with the Jetmoto It handles like no other chinese quad. It runs really well but may be a bit big for a 9yo. The DC90 is a great size for a 9yo and is pretty much a gas and go quad. No issues at all with this one. Not even a loose nut or bolt durring set up. This is as tough as they get. If you cant spend the name brand money but want reliability of the name brand then Unison is it. If you dont have the cash but want a somewhat reliable Chinese quad then The Jetmoto brand is it.

 

Thanks for the info smb05, AFROracing, & 2manytoys. I looked at the Desert Cat /Unison 90 after smb05 mentioned it - Nice looking quad! 2manytoys you really have me considering this 90. You all have given me more to think about - not that I am not already overwhelmed with all the possibilities and variations of the these ’off brand’ quads.

This is an interesting fact and I’m sure many reading these forums went through the same process - When I first began looking at Chinese quads for the boy I figured I would pick up one of the mini 90’s for $600 or $700 for him to putt around on our hunting camp property. Figured it wouldn’t get ridden too much and should last a few years until he totally outgrew it. Then if he wanted a bigger toy I would probably make the jump to one of the big names. Well - then I realized that a mini 90 was going to be too small to begin with so I started looking at the Kazuma 110’s, … for $999.99 ($1000). Then I found Raceway and the Alpine 125 - looks like a much beefier well built quad for $1045. Seemed like a no brainer to make that jump. Then the Jetmoto 125 with the better suspension, … for $1300 - well the additional $250 is probably worth it. Then I start looking at the Jetmoto 150 for the CVT trans, now we are at $1400. So. . . here I sit debating on going for the $1600 Desert Cat. Funny - what started out as just dropping a few $ on a little quad for him to use trail riding for $600 has turned into possibly an additional $1000. I am starting to wonder if I would be better of trying to find a slightly used big name quad (I do know they are pretty difficult to find used and in good shape but … ?). Oh well - I guess nothing in life is easy, including buying a quad for a kid.

Thanks a bunch to everyone for all of the advice. I wanted to hear from people with some experience and I so far have gotten exactly what I wanted & needed. Right now I think I am leaning towards the Jetmoto 150 mainly for the trans, otherwise I would go with the 125 but am still concerned about him using the 4spd. Not that he couldn’t handle the shifting, since it is clutchless and I am sure he would not need to shift a lot on these curvy hilly trails (I figure he could just ride it in 1st or 2nd most of the time) , but more for the ease of use. Also a little concerned that the 125 in 1st gear might be a little jumpy. Does anyone have anything to say about the durability of the CVT vs. the semi transmission? Size wise I’m guessing the 150 will be a little big right now but this kid is growing like a weed. I spoke with one of my buddies (Chris) today and he said last time we were at the hunting camp together he let my son ride his Honda 300 (with Chris on the back working the clutch to start) and he did pretty darn well. Chris was sure he could handle a 150 alright and really thought I would make a mistake buying something smaller even if it is a little big now - that is just another opinion - but as I have said - I want as many as I can get!

Thanks for the info on the Desert Cat 90 and the Jetmoto 2manytoys - still thinking about it but I can turn a wrench pretty well and am a detail oriented person so I will make sure to set up a Chinese quad correctly if that is the route I take. Plus I have a great source of information here to help! Also you have verified what I was hoping and had somewhat concluded - that the Jetmoto is one of the better Chinese quads available. If there are any others I should consider please let me know.

 

My family used to have a 2500 acre hunting lease in Forest Home, Alabama, which is about 65 miles south of Montgomery. For years we had a Yamaha Wolverine, which is a 350 cc 4x4 with an automatic clutch 4 speed. This part of Alabama is fairly hilly and clay galore. If you have ever done any type of riding in that environment you know what it means to keep the wheels turning at all costs; let them stop and you are done. Even with an automatic clutch, shifting momentarily disengages the drivetrain. Miss a shift (which happens more frequently as the transmission wears down - this is a key issue with the Chinese quads) and you are either stuck in the mud or stuck halfway up a slippery hill with no way to get moving again (imagine backing down a hill with a deer strapped to the front of your quad because you missed a shift and believe me, you will use these quads to retrieve your kill). Once I bought the Prairie, I realized just how wonderful a CVT is; never have to shift, need more speed, just give it more throttle. After we gave up the lease (my step-dad passed away and mother moved back), I started riding the Prairie in the Everglades. No hills but some really nasty mud. Same situation, though, you hit the mud and start giving it throttle to keep the tires moving. Let them stop and you're done. Now, in your situation, there are a couple of reasons more for you to consider a CVT; durability and ease of use. The gear ratio changes as a belt rides up and down two variable ratio pulleys (they are smooth instead of multiple sheaves). This makes for a very durable transmission that includes some shock absorption to the drivetrain through the belt. It also makes it very easy for your son to ride. He can concentrate on where he is going and what's happening ahead of him without trying to shift gears, too. The CVT is very different than a centrifugal clutch so don't think along those lines. For the most part, the engine will stay within the same RPM range and speed will go up and down with throttle position. Most CVT designs will incorporate some engine braking but once the quad stops, you are essentially in neutral and a parking brake will need to be used. Not that it's a drawback, just one item you will have to keep in mind.

 

I just wanted to drop a quick note and say THANKS to everyone for their information and advice on the issues. I called and talked to John at Raceway today with a few more specific questions - He was/is very helpful - Thanks John.

Well I have now made a decision - I will be ordering a Jetmoto 150

Thanks again to all.

If anyone is interested I will let you know how it all works out.