ATV Florida Forum

I'm a huge Honda fan.   Bearing this in mind, I would like to buy my son a quad (we finally got to go out together this weekend mudding and he took to it like a Retriever to water)...........anyway I am really interested in buying him something descent.  However, I want to make sure that I don't buy him something he'll out grow in two years.  Ergo, my dilema, even though he is only 7 years old......... he ways 90 lbs. and stands around 4 foot tall.  thats about the size of an average 10 year old.  Though admittedly he has the personality of a 7 year old does anyone hear think I'm nuts about entertaining the thought of a 200 for him?  Or better yet is there a way of getting him a 200 and then putting some type of govenor on it to slow it down? His problem, again is his sheer size and wieght ratio when compared to a 90.........................Need help folks.
Thanks

90cc in my opinion. my boys both have been riding since they were 5. they are 11 and 7 now. Both are very talented in their riding skills.

In all reality, its is your decision. None of us here can tell you what to buy or what not to. Your the one who knows his personality, attitude etc. With that said, do you think he would abuse the power of a Blaster or 250ex etc? Does he know when enough is enough and time to call it quits? Is he responisble? Yes size is a factor, but really a lot is in the head. Is he mentally stable enough to know the risks and so on. Do you think he could handle the power, he may be tall but may also be weak or like a twig. Do you think he will have good skills or not? Answer all those questions then make a decision. ;)

Kid, a blaster or 250ex will not be the best for mud, plus its really to much power for a starter. I would try to find a 110cc, 125cc or 150 cc. But I don't think I would go over a 150.

I agree with yunt
But try find uitlley Quad  type.They sell them
 online and at other stores such as pepboys.Or
look in dirtwheel magzine they should have buyers atv guide
coming this month or next month.That might help  you out alot.


thanks,
amhighlander 8)

what about a recon

i have seen this kid i thought he was 10 he is a big kid . now about size i would go with a 90 but if u want to get him sum thing biger i can bring my recon and see how he dose on that if u want just let em know i got to fix it first

that's what I was gonna say.

Id@

I would reccomend a Suzuki lt 160.  It is a very small atv that has a set screw for you to control the throttle position. My son got this when he was 7 and did so well we upgraded him after 2 years to a z 250 and he is now and excellent rider. Good luck. Oh by the way, that 160 was a great machine that never let me down.

90 cc machines don't have adequate ground clearance for mudding and Dad will be stopping every 2 minutes to lift junior out. In June 2004, my 7 y.o. started riding the Bomby DS90 cc and one year later @ 8 y.o. he was safely-operating his 185cc Rally 200 on the Durhamtown MX tracks and trails, last July. Full body protection is a MUST, at ALL times and he should always ride between two adults!

Will go with Grizzly 80 or Grizzly 125.

I must admit, I am both thoroughly surprised and pleased with the helpfulness of this board. I can not say enough about what a pleasure it is to find people of such caliber. It is rare in todays society to see such friendliness from total strangers.  I truly appreciate your input and will consider it with the utmost respect.

It disturbs me when I see a little kid operating a 600 lbs. utility quad. I have friends that allow this and I hope nothing bad ever happens. When, and not if they wreck, their chances of getting hurt are a lot greater on an adult sized quad. People want to buy a bike and let their kid grow into it so they dont "waste" money on a small machine. I dont recommend that approach, the small machines can be built up as their skills improve.
 As far as mudding in waste deep water, that just adds the danger of drowning if knocked unconcious.
 
This may all sound like BS to some but my 3 children are more important to me than ANYTHING. This is not a cheap sport, not only did I buy 3 bikes but 3 sets of riding boots, chest protectors, goggles, helmets.

Weel I was in you shoes about 3yrs ago. My son was 9 and we went looking around at the 90's he looked like a grasshopper riding a lady bug J/k. The 90's look great but most have no reverse (a real pain in the rear) Not much fun for you or them. I would also agree stay away from the sport quad if you are going in the mud.

I looked all around and decided to go bigger I rode on the back to see how he was going to do. GREAT he rides a Polaris 330 auto trans plenty enough power and great in the mud.

I would say go bigger if he is big for his age my son at 12yrs is 5'6" 160lb
most of all use your own judgement he's your life.

haahah i thought i was browsing the forsale section n i see u talkin bout a 7yr old boy , and i think to myself "OMG hes selling his son! LMAO!"
 lol

i would get him a trx 450 r with elka long travel all around, sparks pipe, hrc cam, je 13:1 piston, sparks air filter, nology coil, x-factor nerfs, mxr4 tires, bead locks, lsr axle, lsr dc-4 a-arms, houser +2 anti vibe stem, pro taper bars, denton stablizer, translucent blue powder coated frame with full gussets..................................wait a minuite?..............that stuff sounds awful familiar :dunno.gif


he is your son! how much power will he respect and use for that matter? ask yourself?????????????? if he wrecks and the quad is laying on him; CAN HE GET IT OFF? good luck with this age old question and debate ;)

I would go with a small grizzly. I think they make a 125.   About a year ago I was at da hump and I saw a grizzly 125 go further in the mud than a grizzly 660 with 28 mudlites

great response. just remember at that age he is not aware of the circumstances of his actions. although he is big he is still 7 years old. hell i'm 39 and i still do stupid stuff that gets me in trouble.

You said you don't want to upgrade in two years but i think u have to face it that no matter what he'll out grow it. Get a bike that holds its value not one of these off brands.

I right there with you Gery. 

try a 05 bombadier rally 200cc, it is a ute my 9 yr old sister rides it and does great on it, try to get a newer one, they have better brakes.

I have seen that machine on atv magzine tv on oln channel.
Well it's very close to honda recon shape type.But it's very nice machine
I have heard the specs are aokay. :)

Well you have try do your atv homework on alot small uitlliy atvs to
find right one for your son for the perfect fit.
Dpends if wanna it in 4x4 or 2wd models.
Thats hard part you have look then you get right one for your kid.
I hope he enjoys machine very well good luck
on trail riding.And this will built a son and father hobby years to come. ;) 8)

thanks,
amhighlander 8)

 

My son is 7 and he rides a 90.  It fits him good. Im glad I didn't get him a 50 it would have been to small. But I wouldn't have gotten him anything bigger than a 90. Your son may be a big kid for his age but more power than he could handle might be a problem.  My son will ride his 90 till I see he could handle a bigger ATV.  Make sure he gets all the gear. Good luck

The real problem with kids quads is that everthing that is offered is crap and real old tech. Why not a mini 4x4 and a mini MX machine from one of the big manufacturers. A mini Rhino? Kids need good equipment too. You can buy some bad azz 2 wheelers that are race ready.

I think the market is starting to change and you will start seeing better equipment for the kids very soon.  You can now buy mini mx race quads from the factory if you have about $8,000 to spend

Cobra is now making a 70 and a 50 mine race ready, the 70 cleaned up this year, the 50 is just coming on the market.  http://www.cobramotorcycle.com/v2_ecx70.asp

Hetrick racing, one of the premier names in mini-quad racing is coming out with their own mini-race quad, the HSI...should be available for the 06 race season.  They've changed their site layout, so I can't find the pics anymore   http://www.hetrickracing.com/index.htm

Dinli is now putting dual front a-arms on the 06's, and there is talk that many of the other chinese brands will be putting them on as well (i.e. Eton)

And there is rumor the Polaris acquisition of 24% of KTM will result in a race mini.

I truly appreciate everyones input on this subject.  I believe that my best course of action is probably going to be a Honda 90.  Although, admittedly no reverse and low clearance will initially be an issue, I feel that my son, as did I, should learn on the 90cc engine modality.  Lack of ground clearence will just be something he will have to learn to overcome and as far as reverse is concerned he will simply learn that though he may feel he has no limitations any machine made by man most certainly does...............It is when we as men feel we can exceed those limitations of physics and machines, that injuries occur.  I beleive that all on this board would agree that holding a child back rather than allowing him too much lattitude is the safer although not quite as fun choice.
Thank you

cool when will he be geting his first atv

Very true but if you have good health insurance then don't worry.  ;)

In all seriousness, You are making the right decision.

Dam if Powersports didn't just sell there last 90 in stock.

Anyone no a good place to buy quads?

You can try Riva up in pompano.  They've always been fair to me...don't know how the prices compare to some of the names mentioned in the good, bad and ugly section, but I thought I did pretty well.  i got my yfz as soon as they came out, tax, tag and title included, for less than retail

get the 200 man, u can always mess with the governer, and 90s are just wimpy