As far as I've been able to determine, nobody makes a 50/70/90cc ATV with 4WD. A quick look at a couple of big name manufacturers suggests that they don't even offer 4WD in their 250cc class machines.

My 6YO son on his LT-A50 could use 4WD today, darn it. He doesn't need more power but he needs what power he has going to all four wheels. Example: His machine can't make it through more than a couple inches of snow because the front wheels stall out. This occurs well before he runs out of clearance. If those front wheels were driven he'd have better mobility.

What's the smallest ATV that DOES have 4WD? Brand and model?

Thanks!

 

I think a 250..A/C used to make one, not sure if they still do.

 

suzuki ozark 250,honda recon 250 and a/c 250

 

Honda has the 400 Rancher, Polaris has the 300 Sportsman, Yamaha Grizzly 350, Suzuki King Quad 400, Arctic Cat 366, CanAm Outlander 400 and the Kawasaki Prairie 360. I think these are the smallest 4x4s out there. There used to be others in the 250cc engine size. Suzuki, Polaris, Honda, and maybe others used to have 4x4s in this size. You might be able to get a used one for quite a bit less than new.

 

Yes, I'd look for a used one when the time comes. He's only six years old at the moment so machines in the 250+ class are way too big for him, but hopefully when he's bigger there will be some smaller 4WD options. Looks like he won't be getting 4WD for a long time if 250 is the smallest available!

 

You could look look for a used 250 4x4.

In 2001 Polaris made the 250 Xplorer 4wd, Suzuki made the Quadrunner 250 4wd and Arctic Cat made the 250 4x4.

A used 300 Honda may also be a good option,even though its a 300 and is not a 250 it still lighter in over all weight.

The 350 wolverines 4x4 were the lightest 4wd ATV ever made at 485lbs even compared to the 250 Suzuki at 557lbs,and Honda four trax 300 at 487 lbs.

If these ATVs are all to big than get the badest back tires you can find for his little ATV.

I seen many 2wd improve greatly in avoiding getting stuck with just a tire change.

 

Agreed, large tires are an improvement. They decrease the angle of attack that the tire presents to the snow ahead of it, permitting the tire to do more "climbing over" instead of "pushing". I could compensate for the higher COG by adding wheel spacers.

I'm not sure what options exist for those little wheels, though. I think they're eight inch rims (!!!) but I'll have to confirm that.

 

Gonna be tough for a while until he is much bigger, better to have them stuck than riding a machine too big for them. I have a 6 yo riding now and the only thing that kept him from getting stuck last year was speed. I let the limiter out a little bit more than normal and he did ok, still stuck a few times though. Man that kid learned how to powerslide around the corners in the back yard last year. He rides an LT80. I would make a few passes first with my 500 and then he could make it thru pretty good. This year we put wheel spacers on so it should be even better but it is about due for tires so I'll have to probably do that before too much snow hits.

 

Yes, he's going to stay on small machines for safety reasons. It would be nice for him to have electric start and a reverse gear, but those aren't enough to justify a different machine. 4WD would be, though, and I'd buy one immediately if it were from a reputable manufacturer. (Just imagine a Sunl 4WD system - yikes.)

 

Yeah, I hear ya, only good mfgs would I trust making something that small with a 4wd system on it, maybe not even then. We have electric start but no reverse. I think most of the good 125's have it, I know a buddy of ours has a Yamaha Griz 125 that has reverse. That thing frame wise isn't all that much bigger than our 80, but more grunt of course and I already get the "make it faster dad" line enough.