I picked this up yesterday for my 9 year old, soon to be 10 year old son. I have a few questions if someone will indulge me?

1. I have owned a Suzuki street fighter bike in the past, and had zero issues. From a mechanical point of view, should I expect the same, or are there some "gotchas" I need to be aware of.

2. My son until yesterday has NEVER rode any type of 4 wheeler. I decided on getting him this as a starter quad, because of safety. I figured if I started him on a 110cc, I was afraid not knowing in general how to ride just yet, he could hurt himself. Well the family saw this and said it was too small and are raising Cain. Was I right in my thinking, or for this age this is too small?

3. I read the owner's manual last night about fluids, etc. For oil, is this something I can only get at an ATV shop, or will a place like O'Reilly's have it?

Thank you for your time. Needless to say, he's thrilled to have it.

 

Congrats, you have chosen a fine machine for your sons first ride.
#2~ NO he is not too big! I suppose they would rather have a 400# machine roll on him. My kids (and the others that raced the GNC series) had to race them till they were 16 years old. You should have seen them throw the machine around.
Experience tells me that as soon as a kid gets big enough to throw the machine around, the parent has a big idea and gets a bigger machine. THAT'S what will hurt them.
So the kid gets a bigger ride and the parents ride the 80's cuz they are so much fun..Go figure.....LOL
He may get bored with the speed. That can be fixxed.

Fluids (2 stroke oil and gear oil) you can get at any store. FYI: 10-40 is fine for the gearbox.
Have fun!

 

Thanks for the feedback. I watched him ride this thing all day yesterday, along with my daughter who is very tall for her age. They loved it. Again, I just tried to apply the same philosophy with ATV's as I did with snow skiing. You don't start out with skis that are as tall or taller than you are until you learn basic control and speed. If I got a big ole 400 like you suggested, I just saw disaster, and then I would never forgive myself as a parent.

Not surprisingly, my son told me, "Hey dad! You know that creek down there? I drove right through it and got all dirty!"

I told him that's fine, just don't try to jump the high side of the creek.

 

That's worth a million smiles right there.