Is a sportsman 500 to big for a 12 year old?

 

Depends on the kid. My 10 year old daughter is tall for her age, and "fits" the 500 without a problem. However, she can only ride it on nice trails and in fields, as the steering is too heavy for her under any other riding condition.

 

the kid is 5 foot tall

 

Another question you should consider is:

Is it LEGAL for a 12-year-old to ride it?

Other states are different, but in mine (MI) you have to be 16 to ride on a public trail, with adult supervision, and 12 years old to ride it on your own property.

 

Ya IMO the sportsman would be to heavy for the kid to steer and have complete control over. My grandson drives my wifes 300 hawkeye very well (10years old) its alot lighter and more compact,hes been riding since he was 4.5. like sheepdog said it would have to be under ideal circumstanses. We went to a safety class in Maine and now he can drive the trails legaly

 

Another question is, do you NEED a 500cc atv for a 12 year old. I have a 250cc Suzuki Ozark and I'm 14. I take it through swamps, deep water, hard trail, up really steep hills, rocks, anything I want and it has yet to let me down. The only thing I put on it was Interco Swamp Lite tires for better traction. It is able to tug my dad and I around on it without a problem. I've also pulled other atvs out of the mud with it. It does whatever I want or need it to. But remember to buy him an atv that is large enough because once he turns 13, he might grow A LOT in just one year. I went from 4' 11" to 5' 6" in just a year!! Now I'm 5' 8.75" and as tall as my dad.
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2008 Suzuki Ozark 250
Interco Swamp Lites

 

The truth is im the 12 year old[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] No person under 16 years of age shall operate an ATV on any land other than private property unless accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a licensed driver 18 years of age or older.

there heres the rules. well it would be a family atv. maybe a 400

 

We've had ours since I was 9, I've been driving it since I was 10. I'm 21 now hahaha.

 

Not no but HELL NO!!!! My sportsman weighs 800 lbs. There is no way in hell a 12 year-old should ride one without an adult.

 

Shank, all laws and regulations aside, how about the new Sportsman 400 HO?

They are an awesome machine.

Keep in mind though, that the Sportsman is not a sportquad. If thats the kind of riding your expecting to do with it, then you'll be disappointed. Its also not a jumping machine.