I am thinking of trading in the boys 2001 badger on a 2002 breeze. He is almost 8 years old. Pretty good rider and doesn't push his luck too often. The badger is a good quad for him but is a little under-powered on our riding terrain. He often takes my 2001 Kodiak for rides and handles it well without getting carried away. Question is, How are these breeze things? Are they a half decent quad or a piece of crap? Searched the board for info on these but there isn't much posted on these quads. Thanks to all who reply...

 

I have checked out a lot of these minis. They are mostly crap. Check out my link on the bottom of my signature. I took a brand new Raptor 80 and rebuilt it with Blaster A-arms and works shocks, widened it 10 inches.
It is a really great little quad, and a one of a kind. My almost 5 year old is doing great on it.
.....The best looking thing out there, I think, is the Kasea Skyhawk 150.
It has full double A-arm suspension, a 150 cc 4 stroke with a 5-speed and a manual clutch. That could be a problem. But if he's able to ride a Kodiak, maybe he could learn to use a clutch. The Breeze has a nice wide stance for a mini, and an auto tranny with reverse. What it does not have is any usable suspension, just like the Badger. Just adding shocks would help, but it still only has 2" of travel and unless you were willing to do what I did to the Raptorette, a Breeze is just not going to amount to much. If he's 8, with riding experience, I bet he could handle the Skyhawk 150. Remember, the smaller Kaseas go back to single a-arm suspension, forget 'em.
.....You can't expect a kid on one of these crappy minis to get very far on a trail ride, or learn much when they're suspension is holding them back. Good handling and suspension are the very best safety features.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Hey Fourlix. Excellent work on the little quad. I have already seen and checked it out off of another board several days ago. I admire your work and craftsmanship. I too like to tinker and build stuff. I am an Auto mechanic by trade and enjoy welding and fabricating. To this day I have built many things includind my own trailer that is heavy duty enough to haul a 8 ton dozer. Several wagons and go-carts for the kid including one that was an electric power wheels to start but ended up with a 3 1/2 hp. briggs motor with rubber all the way aroung instead of plastic. Total weight was about 40 lbs and it was scary fast. Also built a front end loader for my B7100 Kubota last year. Works great for building monster jumps that my Kodiak and Badger can't take on!!...Kubota FEL 1-----Kubota FEL 2 I design most of my work on a CAD program before hand to weed out the bugs. Anyways, congrats on your project. Looks awesome. Thanks for reply...

 

Nice work!! I've got a little Ford diesel with a loader and have been making ramps all weekend. We went to the supercross race in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. I was watching the tractors grooming the track even more intensly than the motos. The only thing I'm having trouble with is making whoops. They used a big loader.
........With your skills you might consider rebuilding your Badger into a Raptorette like I did. But if he's already 8 he probably needs a little more oomph anyway. I don't know if he is ready for a Blaster yet, but I would think about that one too. But there's that manual clutch thing again, and a Blaster might have a little too much oomph for an 8 year old.
.......We've had no problem putting 9 & 10 year olds on 325 Polaris.
HEY!
......A Honda 250EX is a great machine, with an auto clutch, driveshaft, and reverse. That could be a fantastic machine for him. If he is big enough to reach the pedals I bet he could ride it.

 

the breeze has a 125 cc engine but it is fully auto and is a peice of crap. I say put an fmf shorty on the badger and give it a boost.

 

try an suzukie lt 160 its more his size probably

 

if i was u i would coniser a blaster if he is 8 and has some skill i think he could handle one and would probably have some growing room on it too were he could have it till he was like 13 or something

 

The Honda250EX and Z250 are the perfect machines for him just like fourlix stated! If he cant reach the pegs, and have an overall nice fit on the bike he should be ready to go.