First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

I'm about to purchase a pair of ATV's for the kids. They're ages 8 (daughter) and 10 (son) and have never ridden. I've been looking at the Chinese imports because of the price, but want to be sure they are worth the money.

I don't expect the kids will be out ripping up the local motcross track any time soon, so their riding style is going to be somewhat mild. Mostly around the field and maybe through the trails in the woods (no major jumps or anything like that). Probably pulling each other around on the snow disks in winter.

Are these Chinese imports durable? What failures (if any) can I expect soon after purchase? Is parts availability good? Any particular brand or vendor recommended (I'll probably order over the net since most offer free shipping)?

I like the fact that most of them come with a speed limiter and I definitely want one's with the CVT tranny (no gear shifting to worry about).

So far I have been looking at the 150cc size for my son and the 90cc's for my daughter (and of course, her's HAS to be PINK in color, or forget it, so that limits choice a little).

Anyway, interested in your opinions, thoughts and experiences...thanks!

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

Dane2, first, once your daughter rides hers, I don't think color is going to matter as much anymore. Second, according to the powers that be, both of your kids should be on 50 to 70cc machines. Personally, I think that is hogwash but you may run into problems if you try to go to public riding areas, especially state or federal lands. My 7y/o is on a 90 by the way, and this size may be a good place for both of your kids to start out on also. In general, the cheaper you go, the more troubles you can expect. Anything you buy you should go through and make sure all the accessible nuts and bolts are tight, loc-tited is even better. That really could go for the bigger manufacturers too, although you are far less likely to get burned if you skip tightening things first on those. I will say that the LT80 and TRX90 are basically bullit proof. I would consider looking around for at least one of these used. If you decide to go with one of the off brands, Raceway is a favorite here on this site. You can just click one of the Raceway adds. Kidsatvs also seems fairly well recommended. Also, try using the search feature, as there is a ton of info and opinion on this forum. Many of your questions have been hashed over a couple dozen times before. Good Luck shopping!

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

Listen to Scooter. He is correct. Find a good used Honda/Suzuki. Your time and sanity are worth the extras cost, and the kids will be riding good safe proven machines.

Good Luck and keep us posted

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

I agree with Scooter and cvc42. I have been down that road. Bought a used trx90 - the boys have been beating on it and it's been awesome. Bought 2 new Kazumas for the girls - set them up right and the girls did not ride hard - always breaking, no power, POS. Lost my butt and bought 2 new lt80s for the girls, they like riding again and one wants to race. Looking at picking up a used predator 90 - found a killer deal on a barely ridden '04.


Get a machine that FITS the kid. My older son was on the trx90 from age 11 to 13 - about 3 years. I didn't move him up til he was bigger than me and could ride the snot out of the machine (I mean scary fast for what that little bike was). We're old school in that a rider should have a bike mastered before moving up.

Good luck, have fun, set a good example and supervise. Our family of 6 rides together a lot and we love it!

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

I've been looking heavily in the used ATV ads. Honestly, I can't find anything that's in decent shape that doesn't cost as much for one, old used atv as what two of the imports cost new. Any of the brand name quads used that are in the same price range are pretty beat up and a lot of them say "needs work".

Where are you guys finding all these great used quads for the same price as the imports?

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

I would recomend a E-Ton 90R. Great machines, automatic, easy shift. As far as finding em cheap. Well theres always ebay (thats where I got both my machines at). Scout around at the local shops that may have taken in trades. Craigslist.com, or the for sale section here. I am sure there are others, and someone else will chime in I am sure. If you are planning on riding in parks and the like (state or federal type land), Make sure they have the spark arrestor muffler. I like my 4 stroke motors, but my understanding is that the 2 stroke will last longer, and have fewer break downs. My yamaha Snowmobile would be proof of that i guess. Its pushing almost 20000 miles, and never has been taken apart except to replace the track.

On a side note. My wife is 4'10" tall, and all of 94 lbs. She loves her Eton 150. Its the perfect size for her, and she is a very novice rider. It has good stability, easy shifting. the only thing I would change about the quad is a foot brake. but most of the smaller ATV's dont have that for some reason.

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

Thanks, I'll look around for those, however not sure a 90cc is going to be enough for my son. He's only 10, but he's taller than your wife and about 135lbs (big dude!) so that's why I was looking at the 150cc's for him (primarily for overall size). Probably a little more power than he needs to start, but at least it will be enough to last him a couple years before he outgrows it (maybe) and I can't afford to keep upgrading to bigger bikes every year!

My daughter is 8, about 70lbs but she is very tall for her age, so the even the 70cc models are a bit on the small side (knee clearance issues with handle bars). Some of the "mid-sized" 90cc models fit her pretty good though.

I know about riding the public trails. Pennsylvania requires you to register your atv ($22.50 to register, then $20 every 2 years). Children between the age of 8 and 15 are required to have a safety certificate to ride public trails as well. Under 8 years old are not allowed to ride public trails at all. The only option is to operate on private property and even then they require you to register the atv, but there is no charge for it. Most of their riding will be on private property.

I'm very limited in my budget to get these atvs (that's why I was looking at the imports). I need 2 atv's, 1 helmet, 1 set of knee/elbow pads/gloves (son already has those), and 2 pairs of boots.....all for around $2,000 or less.

I understand the nature of the chinese bikes and I don't mind tinkering or replacing a part here and there (time I do have, money not so much). I don't expect them to stand up to the abuse a brand name will take (I don't expect my kids will ride them that way either....at least not for quite a while). If these things will last reasonably well for a couple years without too much troubles then that will suffice for now. By then the kids will have enough of their own money saved up to buy something else :-)

So, I'll still look, but from what I'm seeing, it's looking like a pair of the chinese bikes are the way I'm going to have to go, or they won't get atv's at all :-( (there is no option to buy one and share it....trust me on that!)

I thought about getting one for me as well, but my powered paraglider is my gig and I'd rather fly than ride :-)

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

I wonder where the paraglider is built?

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

My glider is a MacPara Eden II, it's Chech made. The motorunit is from Skycruiser (a U.S. company, but they went out of business). Skycruiser made the frame and cage. The harness was custom made by an unknown foreign company for Skycruiser. The engine itself is a 202cc 2-stroke (28 HP) made by Simonini in Italy. The prop is a 46" Sensenitch.

There are currently no U.S. manufacturers making lightweight engines for PPG (most of them are Italian or Spanish made). No U.S. manufacturer of paraglider wings for PPG. About the only thing U.S. made for PPG are cages and frames. Everything else is foreign made and imported to the U.S. distributors.

When I bought the equipment, I bought the motor unit used and the wing was brand new.

First ATV's for the kids...what to get?
 

BTW, I'm a PPG instructor, so if you want to learn to fly the safest and most fun aircraft around, let me know :-)