My 12 year old son has been riding a Raptor 80 (piece of crap!!) for a little over a year. He handles it very well, and respects the machine, doesn't get nuts, not overly aggressive. I am thinking about selling it, and getting a Z250, primarily for him. This would also allow my wife or another adult to ride at times. I think that I can restrict the throttle of the 250 to not give him too much power. I am more worried about the weight of the machine. He is somewhat of a stick boy, but he is getting too tall for the Raptor.

I would appreciate any comments from others regarding what their kids, or kids they know are riding, along with any positive or negative experience. Just trying to get some feedback.

Thanks.

 

I think it would be an ok quad for him. I think a 160 or something might be a little bit better choice, but he would probably outgrow that too quickly and since money doesn't grow on trees that probably wouldn't be too good of an investment. I'm 115 pounds and 5'8" (a stick) and can throw the Z250 around pretty good. I'm just worried that the jump from the 80 to the 250 might be too much of a jump in size depending on your sons skill and size. My 12 year old and 8 year old brothers do have no problems on our 160.

 

You are right about the money not growing on trees!! I considered the 160, but figured that I would be getting rid of that in a year or so. I am already going to lose money on the Raptor, but I knew that going in and planned on it. I wanted him to get used to riding an ATV first. I am not real worried about the power fo the machine, as I can limit the throttle. It is more the weight of the machine that concerns me. I really appreciate your input.

Anyone else?

 

I say buy him a YFZ 450, and let him grow into it![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
My wife is 5'1" and like 100 pounds and had a '02 Honda 250EX, (same class as the z-250) her first quad, she had no problem on it, nice machine, as I'm sure the Zuke is too. In fact, there's pics of her on it in my pic page, I say get the Z-250! Plus the wife can ride it too!

 

I think as long as he is fairly responsible with the raptor a z250 would be ok. It is probably more dangerous to ride on something that you've outgrown, than something with a little more power, which can be limited. I had a 230 when I was 12, and never had any problems until I was 16-17. I don't think a Z250 is powerful enough to be considered dangerous.

 

Thanks again for the additional input. I appreciate it.

Warrior, where are you from in NE Ohio? I am originally from Ohio, hence the "Buckeye".