1. Do most deploy the clutch with just a finger? I have been trying to get into the habit of using just my index finger, so I can hang on with most of my hand. With my big hands, I think I need to tighten he cable so it disengages ealier.
On my ds650 I installed a Magura hydraulic clutch which would make it much easier to pull but it was alot of $ I just hold on with the palm of my hand and grab the clutch with my fingers

2. With those huge MX boots on, it's almost impossible to shift? How can this be made easier?
I also had the same problem but it is an easy fix where the shifter is there is a bolt and use an allen key to loosen it up then there are different notches and raise it up so you will be able to fit the boot under comfortably

3. With the quad's all muddied up, can we just squirt them off with the hose? What parts don't I want to get wet?
yes when going through mud its better to spray it right when you are done riding and not letting it sit just try and let the engine cool off before qashing it down and try and not spray water on the engine.

4. How tight should the chain be?
there should be about a 1/2 inch slack in the chain and always keep it clean and bel ray sells a good chain lube before applying it clean to dirt and junk off of it and I would depending on how much you ride do it every so often making sure the chain doesn't rust or stretch

5. What is the slide lever on the LT hand side for?
I am guessing it is the choke when it is down the choke is on and when the choke is up its off always let it sit before riding with the choke on for a little bit

6. Are there any safety videos available?
I am sure the local dealer should have some or atleast courses that the family can take

7. They are BAD AZZ right out of the box, but eventually I may want a little more juice. Is there anything on the cheap(kinda tapped out after getting 4) that can be done to juice it up a bit.
Yes, there are some cheap mods you can do like an exhaust system slip on or full system,K&n airfilter and prefilter are recommended,jet kit,changing the gear ratio on the sprockets for more top end or low end

 

Suzuki definitely offers an incentive for taking the training course. For a dealer to not know about this is just crazy BS. They must be keeping the money for themselves.

The training is provided by the ATV Safety Institute. What should happen is when you purchase your ATV, the dealer fills out the paper work. You will then get a postcard in the mail or phone call from the Safety Institute that you are eligible for the safety training. You then pick an available date in your area and take the course. Once completed, you then get your check. You should be able to get a check for each new machine you purchased.

What I would do is first call Suzuki directly and talk to Customer service. Explain the situation to them and that you bought 4 machines and was offered no safety training. You could also call the Safety Institute but the best bet would be to talk to Suzuki directly.

Almost all of the Manf do this today and offer some form of incentive to take the class. I highly recommend you go and take the rest of the family too. You will get some money back and learn a few tricks, well worth your time. I am not exactly sure how much money you would get for the 4 of you but the minimum should be $250. Not bad for a couple of hours of your time.

Not sure how it is in Fla but in PA, a younger person must have the safety certificate from the class to ride off their own property. It is a law here.

 

Don't forget to start with the basics for the kid. The first thing I did was get my 8yr old to sit on the quad with his eyes closed (and the engine off) as I called out the controls such as the front brake. He had to apply them without opening his eyes to show that he KNEW where they were. Second is that in the event of a stuck throttle pull the kill switch tether. Third we worked on panic stops without panicing. This may seem a little overboard but I picked it up from a safety brochure at a dealer and it really helped his confidence in his ability to handle unexpected things. One last note, anything that you go over whether it is a bump, rut, or jump will seem a hell of a lot bigger on his little 80 with its shorter wheelbase and less suspension travel. Especially at faster speeds. Don't get me wrong, I am all for fun. The picture on my signature is my son in his second race after we worked through the basics of control.

 

Here is a good ATV safety website to check out!

www.atvsafety.org

Good luck