Hi, I am a newbie on this forum and I have been searching through past threads for answers to this question but I haven't been able to find it.
My step son comes up to visit us in Alaska several times a year and we are looking at getting him a kid's quad so he can just putz around the camp sites and stuff like that. Everything I have read is all about the right size (physical not engine) for the kid. But, I am having trouble figuring out what that is for him. We would like to have it already purchased when he gets up here so we don't spend the whole time looking for one so don't have the chance to put him on it and to see.
He is 10 and I know all about the guidelines and everything but I would rather put him on something that is appropriately sized for his height and weight than something that is too small for him. I am not worried about engine size or top speed as it is more for the back trails in Alaska than a high speed track. That and with him only using it for limited periods of the year it isn't a great idea to give him too much power.
He is currently 4'6" and 80lbs.
Ideally I would like it to be able to grow with him over the next few years but don't want to put him at risk putting him on something he isn't strong enough to handle. Also, I am looking used and/or cheap but not gonna totally fall apart on us as it won't get used all that much. I will probably jump on it and have the dog chase me around down some of the smaller trails we can't get our Commander down but other than that we are talking maybe a couple months a year maximum usage.
I found a used Alpha Sports 90 at a reasonable price. I need to inspect it before I actually fork out on it but is this actually going to be too small for someone of that height. Yeah, I know his height and skinny as a rake weight don't help either. He is very strong for his weight and a sensible kid who will be VERY well monitored when riding. Is this a good bike for someone that tall or is he going to knee himself in the chin?
Basically, forgetting Age, from looking online it seems as though bikes get bigger as the engine gets bigger. So, what are the range of height/weight reccomendations for each size bike?
Thanks in advance,
Julie

 

I'd stick with a 90cc class machine like the alpha-sport.
I've built many LT80's for adults. They don't have any problems having a ton of fun.
IMO, there is no "too big" for a 90. Especially for a 10 year old.
My expierience is: as soon as a kid gets big enough to throw the machine around (instead of the machine throwing the rider around) they get a big idea and buy a bigger machine.
Good luck and have fun.

 

I think Yamaha makes a Raptor that has a 125 in it. Just came out in the last year though. Polaris makes a RZR 170 for kids that is a small side by side. All the major makers have kids quads in the 50-90cc range. If you can find a Honda 70cc I believe they make their own kids quads. Avoid off brands almost all of them are made in China and are horrible quality-wise.