Hi. I have a wife and two kids...
I (Chris) ride a 01 kdx200 and my 8 year (Jackson) old rides a PW80 and KX65. My 9 yr old (Garion)(almost 10) used to ride a PW80 but switched to quads, he has a Yamaha Raptor 50. My wife (Sylvia) has a Honda CRF150 but wants to switch to an ATV.

So!

What ATV would be good for Garion? He is not ready for a full size quad in my opinion. But the Raptor 50 is too slow for him, and it definitely cannot go in the sand trails we want to ride. It bottoms out when he jumps a 12 inch high jump! We have a backyard track with small jumps (none of them over 12-18 inches tall).

My budget is up to $1500

I will be shopping used. I live in Texas between Houston and Dallas.

Quads that I have heard of and may consider:

Raptor 80 - will it handle small jumps and sand though?
Suzuki LT80 - are these 2 strokes? And do they still make them? What year is good?

I am open to any suggestions.
Suggestions Please!

 

The LT-80 is much better then the Raptor 80. They still make them. Yes 2-stroke, I think all years are the same. Good luck!

 

The raptor 80 is virtually just a warmed over old Yamaha moto 4 80cc badger, just with new plastics, they have plenty of power I would think, but they are just a 3 speed,(some people are getting a 87 moto 4 engine for the 4th gear in it to put in the raptor 80 for more speed)

 

We just bought our 10 year old a 125 Breeze, nice little quad, automatic, reverse, electric start. He loves it compared to his old Zuki 50. You can find them used in your price range, also the Grizzly 125 is the same quad in different plastic.

 

Welcome to the forums. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
I'd want to stick with a 2 stroke (unless it's the Honda TRX90).
LT80,kasea,eton,dinli 90cc's all would be fine choices.

Like one post mentioned, the 125 breeze. It's much better than the craptor80. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]