Hello,
I have a 10 year old boy who is brand new to this sport. He is on the small side, The dealer that I went to said to get all of the safety features and to stay with a 70cc. Other things I have read say that a 110cc is alright. I am a really overprotective mom and would normally stay on the side of caution, but I don't want to buy a new machine in another year. He really likes the utility quads, he is into archery, fishing.... I am worried about how heavy some of them are in case he flips it. I looked on family go karts and they have 2 that I like. One is Blade Motor Sports 90cc and I have never heard of that brand except for go karts. However, it has all of the safety features that I am looking for. The other is a Hensim 110cc with no speed limiter. I have a few questions. Can you have a speed limiter added aftermarket? Can anyone tell me if they have a Blade Motorsport ATV? I would like to spend appoximately 1000.00. I want to spend close to the whole thousand and don't want a 400.00 machine, long story. I can't go higher than 1k either. Can anyone recommend any other good utility ATV's for starters that are around a thousand dollars? Should a 10 year old beginner ride a 90cc or 110 cc?
Thanks so much for any help,
Michelle

 

For a ten year old with no experience I'd try for the 90 to 110cc range. I think that no matter what you do, the odds are that this quad will only last a couple of years. Two factors for that: [1] If it turns out that he likes riding, then he is going to go from no experience to being a skilled rider. With no experience as yet, you cannot justify a larger (250cc class) quad to start but it will not take too long before he'll be ready for that size. [2] At 10, he is still kid sized. Once he hits 12 or 13 he's going to start growing rapidly. My oldest rode a 90 at 10 but no longer fit when he was 13 (just under 6' tall then). Keep in mind that due to most dealers following CPSC guidelines, the only answer you will get from a dealer is to put him on a 50cc to 70cc machine.

The only other size range that may work for a while would be the Yamaha Griz 125. It's not too big, not too small and can be governed down in speed if needed. Most manufacturers, both major brands and off-brands have 90cc bikes. I'd go for a used major brand over a new off-brand. Reliability will be better and in many cases you can buy a used bike, run it for a couple of years and then sell it for very close to what you paid for it to begin with. We just did this with our Suzuki LT80. I bought it used four years ago for $1,400 and just sold it to a friend for $950. The quad cost me just over $100 per year plus maintenance - that's a deal.

Jaybee

 

Thanks so much for the response, I have been looking at that size range and now I feel better about it.
Take care,
Michelle

 

you have to keep in mind that if you buy a chinese bike...youll need to go with the 110, if you buy a name brand bike..no need to go over a 70/80cc...they haul the mail pretty darn good. my 7 yr old had a 110 china bike and it didnt go fat enough for him...it didnt have enough power to pull itself out of a ditch with a 55lb kid on it...whereas the name brand quads have bigger chassis, wider stances, and better power and overall performance all with smaller well designed engines.

 

Chinese ATVs have many reliability problems from what I hear and have experienced. Other than that there really aren't any utility ATVs for small children besides the Yamaha Grizzly 80 or Grizzly 125.

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2008 Suzuki Ozark 250
GBC Gator Tires Coming Soon!!

 

I don't know if they still produce them but I think a very good starter for his age would be the polaris 90 sportsman. nimble enough to have fun with and has the racks for carrying things.

 

Thanks so much for all of this helpful information. I appreciate it [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

We also have a rear rack for our Honda 90 - in my pics.

Jaybee