Hi everyone! I am in the market for an ATV for my 9 yr old son and have been reading many posts in this forum, researching the various options available, and have a few questions for people with more knowledge and experience than myself. Thanks in advance for any information or advice.

First of all, the FACTS that may help:
- He is a typical 9 yr old rough & tumble kid who loves anything with wheels and is really excited about getting an ATV.
- This will be his first ATV although he has been around and been ridden on adult quads.
- It will mainly be used on our hunting camp property consisting of large wooded hills and valleys with logging roads and trails throughout.
- He does have experience driving our Yamaha G8 4cycle golf cart that has been lifted and has gator tires around this property.
- My wife and myself will undoubtedly take the ATV for rides if it can handle an adult.

From the research I’ve done it is pretty obvious that if Raceway ATV has the best ATV for our needs they will be utilized. The various models I am considering (in no special order) are: Kazuma Falcon 110, Yamoto 110, Jetmoto 125, Alpine 125, and Yamoto or Jetmoto 150. He really wants a utility version and I’ve looked at the Kazuma Dingo 150 but it just seems too large for a kid.

Am I on the right track or am I looking at ATV’s too large for a 9 yr old? The main reason I threw the 150’s into the possibilities is the fact that they have fully automatic transmissions that may be easier for a kid to use (and mom when she is out for a ride).

A few other specific questions….. I really like the Alpine and Jetmoto 125’s at Raceway. Many pluses from full disc brakes to sturdy looking frames and nice tires. The only difference I see in the two is the Jetmoto has a double (not single) A Arm front end and an extended swingarm. Are there any other differences except for the name? For an additional $250 are these worth it for an ATV that is mainly going to be used for fairly mello trail riding? The Jetmoto’s and Yamoto’s I have seen appear to be built a little more rugged than the Kazuma/Redcat variety - is this the case? What about a 150 - or am I going to get him into trouble with more that he can handle?

One last word - I AM wanting to go the Chinese lower budget route (vs. Japanese) for a number of reasons and am pretty good with the tools (do most of the auto/truck repairs at home & for family, and own a 85 Yamaha VMAX that has needed some attention from time to time).

Sorry I have ask so many questions and THANKS again for any advice.

 

Sir,
Call John at Raceway and he'll give you the best bang for your buck. If you are looking at low price and quality, go with Raceway. They deal with you after the purchase. Also, if you have the money, don't hesitate for the Honda ATV 90! SEADAWG

 

What's Up BowHunter?

You may have read a recent thread on here (HELP Me before I buy!) where this same question came up. If you did, you will know that I have rather strong feelings about the Chinese quads and their lack of durability when ridden hard. That being said, a 4 stroke 110 such as the Kazuma or Jetmoto should not be too much for your 9 year old. My friend Chris owns a Jetmoto and Redcat for his 11 and 12 year olds (they were 11 and 10 when they got them). These boys rode them hard and they did not hold up very well. Chris is an engineer and he is a bit **** about having things just right. He spent several days making sure the bikes were assembled just right. Of the two, the Jetmoto has definitely held up better and still has quite a bit of life left in it. It's problems have been mostly cosmetic items breaking (headlights, tail lights, and the exhaust) and falling off and the throttle stripping out. A brake handle broke off as well. Both were made of plastic. The Redcat, on the other hand, is junk. In addition to the same type of issues with cosmetic items, the transmission started jumping out of gear after a couple of hard weekend rides and now is a good candidate for the trash heap. I ran into Chris just yesterday and told him about my posts of his experience and he said he agreed with me in regards to the Redcat but overall he was satisfied with the Jetmoto, although a bit disappointed due to the above mentioned issues. As far as an adult riding it, you will be a bit cramped but you will be able to ride it. Good luck and good riding.

 

well Bw here we sit trying to figure out which one to buy.but we do know where we are buying from seems to be raceway atv ,reserch tells me they have the best customer help. I too are looking at the same bikes as you my boy is only 7 though he really needs a bike that will fit him and hold up at least for a couple of years.After reading a lot of reviews iam still stumped.too many mixed reviews iam thinking of takeing a chance with the falcon 110 as long as Raceway stands behind them selfs and thier products it should be ok i hope. well any way hope u have a easyer time to figure out which atv to buy.would like to know what your outcome of this is and what lead you tou your decsion. GOODLUCK!!!!

 

SEADAWG – Thanks! I had thought about calling John and asking him a few of my specific questions (after reading about him and seeing his responses here). Raceway/John does seem to be very helpful and knowledgeable.

Digginfool – I did read the HELP me before I buy thread and picked up a lot of info. However, if I remember correctly it turned into an argument about the lack of quality in the Chinese quads and that was not what I was looking for. I mainly need some advice on the proper size quad and which of these brands seems ‘best’ if there are any. Your info on your buddy’s experiences with the Redcat & Jetmoto is exactly what I am looking for. Thanks! I’ve been leaning towards the Jetmoto line based on the specs and pictures I have seen. I do not or have not found anywhere locally that I can see these in person so I wanted some first hand advice on their differences.

Size wise – I figured that a 110 was the perfect fit for him but was hoping the 125 or 150 was still a possibility as he is growing like a weed (and I may want to take it for a spin if possible – I’m only 5’6” & 160lbs). If the 125/150 will work for him what are your thoughts on a 4 speed vs a full auto for kids?

Durability wise – I figure that he will only be riding it (on average) one weekend a month at our hunting property. We do have a big field down the road from where we live by some railroad tracks that I will let him ride some - at least when he first gets it to learn properly before hitting the woods. Maybe I am completely wrong but I do not see this quad getting ridden hard and beat up on for a few years. Most of the trails on our property do not lend themselves to hard fast riding. A couple of my buddies bring their quads (Yamaha Kodiak 450 and a Honda 350) every once in awhile (we use the Kodiak to till food plots for whitetail) and we really can’t ride hard and fast because of the trail patterns and ‘trees’ everywhere. The quads are mainly used for transportation or just touring around the place. That is why I built a Yamaha golf cart into an ATV instead of buying myself a Japanese utility quad – multiple passengers and can haul a lot more and a lot bigger items than my buddy’s Kodiak.

Thanks Hayankine – hope we make the right choices & good luck also.


Thanks again for any advice anyone can give.

 

Since one of the most vulnerable issues with many of the Chinese quads have been transmissions, if they have a CVT (Continuously Variable ratio Transmission) available, I would go that route. It is particularly suited for the type of riding you plan to do (trails, hunting, exploring... i.e. a utility quad). My Kawasaki Prairie is an automatic and I wouldn't have it any other way. I would hate to have to shift, automatic clutch or not, while I'm doing that type of riding. I don't know how big your son is so I can't really comment on how he might be able to handle a larger quad. The issue here would be if he is strong enough to turn the handle bars and operate the hand controls and if he is mature enough to control the power the larger machine can produce. That's a call you will have to make. One thing you might try is get the overall dimensions of the machine you are interested in and compare it to a machine that might be on the floor at a local dealer, even if that machine is from, say, one of the 'big four.' Put him on it and see how he fits. See if he is strong enough to dry steer the machine on the showroom floor and operate the hand controls. My 8 year old son was riding his sister's 90 cc 2-stroke Viper when he was 6 and handled the quad just fine. That is a quad recommended for 12 years and older. He did have plenty of experience already riding his LT50, though. I have said that the Chinese quads are probably okay for general putting around and that they tend to fall apart when ridden aggressively. For what you plan to do, you should be okay with the Jetmoto. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

Welcome to the forum BwHntr! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] The Jetmoto and the Alpine are made in the same factory. The dual a-arm suspension is much better than the single a arm and there is less feed back to the handle bars when you hit a bump too. I would pay the extra $250.00. As to the physical size of the quads, the Jetmoto 125,150 and the 200 are all within about a inch of each other.

 

digginfool - I was leaning towards a quad with an auto transmission but I do really like the Jetmoto 125 which is a 4spd. It appears that to get the auto transmission the only option with Raceway is the 150 Jetmoto. It is listed as 'Full Automatic with Reverse' - does anyone know if that is a true CVT? So a 4spd with an auto clutch would be more difficult even if just tooling around? I was hoping most of his riding would be done is 1st. When riding my buddy's Honda 350 on these 'trails' in these hills 2nd gear is about max speed possible and you can't stay in 2nd long. I think there is only one straight enough area to possibly hit 3rd and then you have to be quick to slow down before hitting a 90 and heading straight up a big hill. Anyway - how do the semi auto's / auto clutch transmissions on these quads work - like the old Honda Trail 90's I rode as a kid? Start it in netural, pop it into gear, and then hit the gas to go and shift as needed? When slowing to a stop and then starting again does it act like an auto - the clutch engages as slowing to the stop then you can just accelerate and go? Sorry for so many questions but I really do want to try an make as an informed decision as I can and not wish I had gone another way after it is too late.

Thanks for the welcome MyWifesQuad, the info regarding the Jetmoto vs Alpine, and the take on the front suspension. Also I guess since the 125 and the 150 are very similar in size if I am going to get him the 125 I should not be concerned that the 150 is too big. What are your thoughts on the transmission for our use and a kids 1st quad?

I really appreciate the info from people with some experience - Thanks Guys!

 

BwHntr,

You mentioned your son is a rough and tumble kid. You may want to go with something other than a Chinese quad. Look into the Unison that raceway sells.Unison 90 It has a CVT trans and most here who have purchased them seem to really like them. Hopefully some of them will respond in here.

The Jetmoto 150 is a CVT.

Maybe 2manytoys will chime in here he has both the Jetmoto 150 and the Unison 90 he could give you his thoughts on the two quads.

Good Luck.

SB.

 

I just got an email from www.jackel.com they have a 150 coming out... Don't know much about it, but what they sent me. Looks like a pretty neat quad.


Jackel ATVs - 150R
Engine: Single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled
Transmission: 4 speed w/reverse, manual, chain
Displacement: 149.5cc
Dimensions (LxWxH): 70.47 x 40.55 x 41.73
Net weight: 392 lbs.
Seat height: 31.89
Brake: Front & Rear discs
Tank capacity: 1 gals

picture here...