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Posted by: ftwflh
He is a good sized boy and would bore with any 50cc machine and out Grow a 80-90cc in a short time.If I were you I would look at a Yamaha 125 Breeze.Great bike small but not too small big enough forr grown ups but small enough for kids.It is automatic w/reverse and head lights.It is a bit pricy but well worth it.My son rode one from 9-12 yrs old and went to a 250 Trailblazer.
Posted by: ftwflh
Dont over size a quad for a youngen just starting out.Find one that fits them now.they will out grow it but need to learn on one they can handle and are not intimidated by.Lots of parents dont realize the size factor to a kid.If it looks big it may scare them from learning to ride one right.
Posted by: ftwflh
I totally agree with katstoy
Posted by: maddog56
My 7 year old sister has been able to ride our rancher 350es for about a year. She has her own raptor 80, but seldom rides it. If you really want a quad that will be the right size, but you are worried about the power available in a 250 machine, I would suggest a yamaha breeze or grizzly 125. They have fully automatic transmissions and are a good size for young riders. I would personally recommend a honda or suzuki 250 and then simply govern the throttle until the child gets used to it and gets better at controling it.
Posted by: BigBearFX
id go with a z250 or 250ex it will allow her to get the basics down and she wont outgrow it fast
Posted by: Ozark38
The 250s are perfect for him to start out on and you wouldn't have to buy a bigger one in a years time. I suggest any 250 utility cause they have an auto clutch and you can control the power with the thottle limiter. The Ozark or Recon would be perfect. They're not intimidating (size or power) and would be quite entertaining for years to come. I WOULD NOT suggest a Blaster! Too much, too soon.
Posted by: katstoy
If he's never ridden before you don't want too much too soon. I'd go for the 80 or a 90 and if he outgrows it in a year or two so be it. You can always buy another bike, but not another son.
I bought my then 6 going on 7 year old daughter an LT50 for Xmas 2002. She outgrew it in less than a year. I sold it for about $100 less than what I bought it for and upgraded her to an LT80 this fall. The LT80 is powerful enough, even with the throttle way down, to haul around a 200# grandpa. It's more than enough for a child. My daughter is about 4'6" now and is just the right size for the 80. The Yamaha Breeze was one other quad I considered, but when she sat on it in the showroom it was obvious that right now she is too small to properly handle the 125. I know that in about two years I'll be selling the 80 and buying 125, but there's always a market for used kids quads.
Just a note, there's a place near where I live in So. Cal. that rents quads. The largest size they have is a Honda 90 - all the adults use them and they move pretty quick. Before I bought her the 50 we went there and I made her try both the 50 and the 90, at first she wanted the big bike, but when she sat on it and started it up she wanted off! She was too intimidated. She handled the 50 and changed her mind on the size bike she wanted. I made her at least try the 90, which she handled just fine, but for her own comfort level I bought the 50 and when she was ready upgraded her to the 80. Don't rush things with children just to save some money!
Posted by: katstoy
Another consideration is how strong is your son? If he dumps the quad (and you know he will) can he lift 300# off of him? When I was deciding between the Breeze 125 and LT 80 I lifted the front end of each quad up. I could lift the 80 no problem. I had to strain to lift the 125. Imagine your son being pinned under one! I know my daughter can lift and move the LT 80 (for example when she wants to back up she gets off and pulls it around) without my help. She has almost dumped it twice (wider tires are on the way) and I know that there will be a lesser chance of her being crushed by a bike that doesn't weigh as much.
Posted by: Scooter86
Definately go with a smaller bike at first. A 250 or blaster is way to much for a 9 yr old to handle. Come on people, those bikes are all 3+ times his weight and way to powerful for a first time immature rider. hp703, Look to the 90's, possibly a 125 or 160. You know your child best as to his personality and what not. He will probably outgrow the 90 pretty quick, so plan on some aftermarket goodies as his abilities increase.
Posted by: Quad4Fun
For a first time rider, and a youngster, don't go to big. I would get one to use for about a year or so to get used to it and practice. Trust me, if you shop around, you can find one that you can turn around in a year and not lose any money. I would get a 80 or 90. If you get an LT 80, find one that has been widened already, save you some money since you will only have it for a short time. Let him learn to ride first. Then move up to LT160, or something similar in size.
You don't want to go to big, but physically you want him to fit the quad also. You don't want to get a quad that is physically way to small, or way to big. Shop around.
Good luck
Posted by: REVHIGH
This is a tough question. I started looking for an ATV for my 10 year old daughter (81 lbs). The longer I looked, the more it became obvious that the supposed 'rules' were made by ATV company lawyers. Theoretically, my daughter should be on a 50CC machine until she's 12. This is patently ridiculous since her knees hit the handlebars on every 50 she's ever sat on. Even the 90's aren't much larger physically than the 50's. I ended up getting her a used Yamaha Beartracker 250, and she's great on it. I know this is technically against the ATV rules set forth by the CPSC, but common sense must prevail. I'm sure the ATV companies would like the consumer to buy 2 throwaway ATV's between 10 and 16 years old, but I didn;t see it that way. In reality, by the time a kid's 12, there's no way they'd be riding an 80 CC machine anyway. THey'd get bored and not ride ANY ATV before a 15 yearold would still be riding an 80. As usual , the politically correct lawyers have erred on the side of the most irresponsible in our society.
You have to make this decision on your own, and balance personal responsibility against CPSC and ATV lawyers' rules. Most people I know have made the decision on personal responsibility. You may be different.
REV
Posted by: hp703
I am looking to be an atv for my son he in 9 years old. He weights about 90lbs.and is around 4ft 5inchs. He has never rode atv before Which one would you suggest and 50cc or an 80cc.
Posted by: sketcher
You have to make this decision on your own, and balance personal responsibility against CPSC and ATV lawyers' rules. Most people I know have made the decision on personal responsibility. You may be different.
REV
I ditto this. My daughter rode a 90 Polaris at age 10 with her knees close to the handle bars. In a fast year we upgraded her to my Honda 250EX. she had no problem learning to ride this from the get go. My six year old son has been on the 90 for two years now. I personally think almost any 250 atv would be a good starter quad for a kid but you're the one who knows him (your son) the best. Also, quads have those throttle limiters on them.
You should visit some dealerships looking and have him sit on a few to get a feel what would best fit. Except he can not be with you when you buy it for him because of the stupid law regarding that child age restriction on sized quads. He can be with you when you "buy" it for yourself. Good luck on your decision!
Posted by: Shav0
I know it sounds like alot, but a blaster (200cc) might be the thing. It ca be governed so that it dosnt open all the way up. Also when he starts to get older there is a million things to do to it so it can grow with him. It can be moded like crazy and can become a fun bike for him even when he is a teenager.
Posted by: tyzorg
i started on the bayou 220 when i was 9 and im 12 now and it still my bike and it fits me fine!
Posted by: deanz400
i bought my 12 tear old daughter a e-ton 150 it was large enough for her to learn how to ride and the controls were easy enough to get the riding experience she needed , i just recently moved her up to a z250 she's now 16 and she had fun on it for 4 years .didn't out grow it
Posted by: bugdust
I just went through the same thing. My son just turned 11 on 2/11. He is about 4'7" and 80 lbs. We looked at dirt bikes, then small quads. I ended up getting him a '04 Honda 250EX. He loves it and handles it surprisingly well for it being his first atv. I'm 6'2"/200lbs. and I bought myself one too. While it is fun, I'm thinking about getting a bigger one. A local dealer has a used '04 400EX, but I want reverse.
