Got a question for you ATV experts

[sugarbee]

I know many of you fathers and grandfathers have probably been through this already. 

My 7 year old grandson asked me the other night if I could buy him a 4 wheeler when he comes down for the summer.  I'm thinking a 50cc or 90cc?

I need to know anybody's experience with purchasing one, probably will be a used one.  Don't want to invest too much if he is really not into it that much.

Of course, I've considered Honda, but what about some of those cheaper  models?  Are they worth it? 

I will make him take the safety class they offer down here, and of course, wear his protective gear.

I need help from those of you with experience!    Any help you can give me is appreciated, Thank you

[Westernbiker]

I have seen the 'No Brand Name' ones and I will say they are not built to last. I would stick with a brand name Honda ect.... that is my 2 cents worth.
YES! Safty class (if they will let him in the class, age may have allot to do with it) And ALL the gear and constant supervision while he is on the bike.

[flcjr]

I just bought one of these for my 6 year old. I know it's not a honda not even close but for the money and how long it will last her I think it's a good deal and even if a get a few hundred back for it when she out grows that will be a bonus.
kidatvs.com

[Robdawg13]

Get him a dirt bike instead - They are MUCH safer than four wheelers IMHO (four wheelers tend to land on the victim, er rider, when they crash, causing much more serious injuries.)  It will also help to cultivate the passion that we all share around here, which I think is a good thing.  Just ask how many members here started out on dirt bikes.

And no - I don't have any studies to back up my opinion on the relative safety of 4 wheelers vs. dirt bikes, just my own experience and observations.  Take it for what it's worth...

[sugarbee]

The thought of him flipping it over did cross my mind  ...thanks for your input...I'm now looking at some used dirt bikes as well!

Get him a dirt bike instead - They are MUCH safer than four wheelers IMHO (four wheelers tend to land on the victim, er rider, when they crash, causing much more serious injuries.)  It will also help to cultivate the passion that we all share around here, which I think is a good thing.  Just ask how many members here started out on dirt bikes.

And no - I don't have any studies to back up my opinion on the relative safety of 4 wheelers vs. dirt bikes, just my own experience and observations.  Take it for what it's worth...

[sugarbee]

I just bookmarked that site, thanks!  I will look into it more when I have time later today.

I just bought one of these for my 6 year old. I know it's not a honda not even close but for the money and how long it will last her I think it's a good deal and even if a get a few hundred back for it when she out grows that will be a bonus.
kidatvs.com

[sugarbee]

Supervision...definitely!  That's my grandson we're talking about!   
 

I have seen the 'No Brand Name' ones and I will say they are not built to last. I would stick with a brand name Honda ect.... that is my 2 cents worth.
YES! Safty class (if they will let him in the class, age may have allot to do with it) And ALL the gear and constant supervision while he is on the bike.

[cookiedough]

I have to disagree that small youth cycles are safer than a youth ATV. 2 wheels vs. 4 wheels and for sure will tip it over on 2 wheels vs. 4 wheels not really much of a chance of tipping over unless the youth goes crazy like going on the road and flooring it and cuts the wheels all the way one way to the side, then it will tip or for sure go on 2 wheels, not 4 (trust me I know).
We bought our now 11 year old when he was 7 a new youth 90cc can am sport ATV.  At the time, it was a youth carryover model and got a 300 dollar rebate.  I compared cheaper chinese youth ATV's and did not like the quality or small tire size.  IN 2007 and even now, the can am 4-stroke 90cc has the biggest tires being 20" in front and 19" in rear making a very respectable ground clearance and still not tippy.  Go with a 90cc over a 50cc since you can use the throttle set screw to adjust speed down to 5-10 mph the first few times until you feel the child can go faster.  Trust me, by the age of 9, your child will want to go as fast as it can trail riding as my youth atv about 33 mph which is fast enough to keep up most trail speeds set around me at 30 mph.  The 50cc engines will not have hardly any power and top speed is 25 mph tops which is not fast enough for most 9-10 year olds.  If interested, my lightly used automatic 90cc youth can-am 2007 model year red/black in like new condition I was thinking of selling it this spring or for sure in the fall for 1500 bucks.  Tires and body are still in great shape (like new really) with only a few very minor scratches and I have always changed the oil whether it needed it or not every spring with new can am synthetic oil.  New, they run over 2200 bucks and a cheap chinese scooter new will run around 1200 bucks but parts are hard to find if chinese unlike can am or polaris or suzuki or honda youth 90cc atvs.  Only problem with Polaris is worse reliability and price is higher (2400 bucks) while Honda's are reliable but are foot shifter, not automatic, making it harder for begineers to learn plus honda youth atv's are very expensive.  My can-am never had any issues with and always starts and runs very good either kick start or battery/electric start.  If interested, let me know, good deal.

[KSDragonRider]

I started at 8 on a 4 wheeler.  When my oldest was 3 i bought her an old 1980s lt50 suzuki, and her and her sister both ride it now with help and supervision. 

It is family fun, and it has taught them both respect, listening skills, and consequence understanding. 

Plus i paid 300 bucks, for a bike 30 years ago was only 500 bucks new, and in 4 years when they are both ready for something bigger, i will get my money back out of it. 

I agree, get an older yamaha or suzuki 50-60 and teach them the ropes.

[TimG]

ATV's will rollover over on you sooner or later-personal experience. I would suggest something with a roll cage or 2 wheels and a very good helmet.  Then turn him loose and watch the fun.

[Hef]

When my son was small four wheelers were not out yet. Everybody had 3 wheelers. My son wanted a motorsickle as he called it because daddy had one. He, who is now 41 started at age 4 (yes age 4) on a Honda 50cc Mini-trail (two wheeler) and rode that thing every day. I spent time with him until he got the hang of it. He was not allowed to ride unless I was home and if I saw him getting stupid on it, it was parked for a day. Never had a problem with the bike. He did go down a few times but learned alot. He graduated rapidly to bigger and faster bikes. At age 8 he was riding a Yamaha 175 YZ in the woods with me and a group of dirt bikers I rode with. We rode pretty wild and fast and we never had to wait on him, the kid could ride with the best. My two daughters also rode but never in the woods. They started a lot later, age 7 for the oldest and age 10 for the youngest. Motorcyling has always been a way of life for us and probably always will be. However, I never encouraged any of my children to ride, they did it because they wanted to. I have a couple of friends whose children were hurt by flipping an ATV, one pretty seriously, so I vote for the two wheeler because i think they are safer.

[The Anvil]

I have seen the 'No Brand Name' ones and I will say they are not built to last. I would stick with a brand name Honda ect.... that is my 2 cents worth.
YES! Safty class (if they will let him in the class, age may have allot to do with it) And ALL the gear and constant supervision while he is on the bike.

Yeah I've come across the Chinese made stuff too. It's trick or treat. You might get a decent one or you might get a real piece of crap that rarely runs.

All of the smaller ones I've seen (from the quality manufacturers) have lockouts and limiters for learners. So if he's a bigger kid a 90 would be fine. That said, buddy SpecialEddie has a Suzuki 50 that his kids all ride and it's been bulletproof for the past eight years. I'd look into used machines from the quality manufacturers were I you.

[fudgie]

We started on them at 10 or so. No accidents or roll overs in them 10 yrs. Ours was a honda 350 4x4. Worked it well on the farm. I ended up getting a polaris after getting married. Far better then the honda. They can get pricey. Just dont get a 3 wheeler.

[The Anvil]

We started on them at 10 or so. No accidents or roll overs in them 10 yrs. Ours was a honda 350 4x4. Worked it well on the farm. I ended up getting a polaris after getting married. Far better then the honda. They can get pricey. Just dont get a 3 wheeler.

They haven't made those (three wheelers) in many moons and I believe they're illegal in some places. I grew up racing motocross and enduro/CC. I've been many feet in the air with a motorcycle beneath me more times than I could count. The most terrified I've ever been was on one of those spine-crackers.

[Bob E.]

I'd recommend the Suzuki LT 50/80 if you get a quad. We have an old beater LT80 that has been awesome for the kids.  It has a CVT type transmission so just gas and go...no shifting.  It has a throttle limiter that you can set to keep it slow, and when opened up, it scoots along pretty good even with adults on it.  And when ridden around the yard, it has been very stable.  When it comes to flipping over, it comes down to the terrain and speed.  Keep those under control until they gain some experience and you should be ok.  Just remember the gear.

[sugarbee]

Thanks for all the info....I have a few months before summer vacation to do my research and make a decision...kinda leaning towards a dirt bike...maybe paw paw Beekeeper can get one and ride with him 

[The Anvil]

Thanks for all the info....I have a few months before summer vacation to do my research and make a decision...kinda leaning towards a dirt bike...maybe paw paw Beekeeper can get one and ride with him 

That would be my suggestion. I personally think two wheels are better than four. I have a Quad now because the areas available for riding here are just too gnarly for two wheels at my age and eroded skill level. We also like to take stuff out into the woods with us and quads facilitate that. But for skills building two wheels are the best, IMO.

[threevalks]

          My boys were 5 & 7, started them out on Honda 300 4X4's, never a problem. IMHO the smaller 4 wheelers are not as safe as the larger ones, short, narrow, and light. I must admit though that my boys were a little larger than the average 5 & 7 year olds.