Youth ATV

Good Morning All,
I did a quick search and only found a few little pieces of info here and there. I am about to grab my kids first ATV and I wanted to see if there was anything I am missing, or people had experiences I should be aware of!

Outgrown the electric, we have a lot of trails and are always outside, they love riding on my 850 and I think its time for the older one to get her gasser. I am not going to be getting a knock-off, I am spending the money for a brand name so lets just get that out of the way to start. No interest in Chinese trash or tons of work, I want this to be easy and fun. (I do not consider CF to be trash these days) Mom usually takes them wheeling when I am working during the day, so she needs to be able to hop on and go.
Right now, the Can-Am renegade 70 is the clear winner to me. BUT it's also the most expensive outside the honda. Reasons I like it:
EFI: I hate carbs.
Reverse gear: I find this essential and not sure why almost no one else includes it but polaris.
Display lights: Has low gas, engine and N and R lights so you have at least some idea of what is going on.

The only two I find compare are the CF110 which might be a little large for my daughter to start on. For some reason my local dealers didn't order any this year after it being a top seller, and I can't find any used online. The other is the Polaris. I have a polaris sportsman, its pretty good and I haven't had issues, but I also had a Ranger that couldn't keep a battery charged for the life of it. I really don't want to get them hooked on Polaris if I am being honest. So I have ended up at the can-am.

The used market is insane, in that it almost doesn't exist. Bikes that are 15-20 years old, sell for 500 less than brand new. So with no 20 year old EFI and Reverse, I find myself looking new.

Also looking for input on sizing and long term. My second daughter is 18 months behind and will be okay on a battery this year, but will want Gas by next year I think. So do I get a little 50 that doesn't have all the gizmos to start, then a 90/110 in a year or two when the youngest can take the 50 over? Anyone who has been in this situation before, your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

You didn’t say how old your daughter is. Buy an atv she can handle for the next 18 months, as you will pass that one down to the next it sounds. Then get her the next appropriate size. Your plan to stick with big brand is wise, although your obsession with an efi is not necessary.

 

I know the efi is not necessary, but I do prefer them. I have small engines with and without, guess which ones give me less issues? I use ethanol free fuel and try to keep them running, but carbs are carbs from my experience. But you are right, the options are really limited when you add that in. The little Kawasaki's and Yamaha's are nice too and I know they make a nice bike.

They way they regulate who should be on a atv, and when where I live, I prefer not to state their ages. The older one is just hitting where she can physically handle it, and mentally she's ready as well.

Appreciate the input, I will try to be a little more open minded on the carb.

 

My 2001 Honda Rancher with carb went 18 years of just starting every time you pushed the button. Year 19 it needed a new carb. They can be pretty darn reliable. Now if you live where it’s 10°f and want to ride then, efi is worth its weight in gold.

 

Used Polaris Outlaw 50 ... carburetor with VP small engine fuel, 4 cycle.

 

I live in the north east, and while we don't ride at 10 degrees, we will at 20 with some sun. Cold starting is certainly a concern.

I use a 93 non-ethanol, just 1 away from the 94 VP. I use the VP mix for my two stroke stuff and have been happy with it.

 

Biggest problem with carbs ( especially small ones) is leaving pump gas in there.

 

You think using the VP stuff, which I know says 2 years, will make a noticiable difference vs the nice pump stuff? Won't argue its probably "cleaner" and the little octane boost cant hurt. Just always a little dubious on the claims written on the bottles of things like this.

 

I think as long as it's ethanol free it's fine. I just found ordering it online was easier than finding ethanol free pump gas. Sure, it's expensive but 5 gallons lasts a real long time as we probably only ride like 2-3 times annually. I believe VP small engine fuel is what the fire department use in their tools as well. The Outlaw 50 is what my two grand kids ride and has been problem free except when we were running 10% ethanol pump gas. The Outlaw has, DRL, horn, foot risers, safety flag, and wrist lanyard in case they get punted off. I really don't know why they stopped making it in 50cc version. All their new youth models come with EFI but starting at 70cc's

 

the 50's are turning into 70s and the 90's are turning into 110's it seems. Good information and I appreciate you input!

 

I like this one...

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/models.php?product=310&action=productPage

or this one...

https://powersports.honda.com/atv/sport/trx90x

The first one matches my Grizzly, the second one my friends Rubicon. These two companies are solid and will last you a long time. Really don't think a carb would be a problem at all. IMO.

 

I have looked at both of those, and I think they are machines that would last a lifetime. The Honda is more than I want to spend (so is the can-am), but I have been looking at the Yamaha.

How much will reverse matter? I use it alot on my atv. I live in a wooded area and the trails are tight. Frequently trees fall across the trails (thanks ash borer) and I don't always have my saw with me. Even just around the property it's handy. How do you see kids work around that in your experience. My girls aren't lifting and dragging 100 lbs quite yet.

edit: I am leaning a little towards a 50, the younger would be able to get on it a little sooner, and I am going to have to get a second one at some point anyways. I might want a 110 for our second step, I really can't predict how that will go. There are several new 50's on sale in my area, and since none have reverse or efi, Kawasaki and Yamaha are on the table too.

 

I bet they will surprise you and those are good teaching moments lol. "You got yourself in that mess, now get yourself out. Try. You can do it! Push, Pull, etc". Of course if they ultimately can't you will be there. And yeah reverse is mandatory on the big quads. Dang things are so heavy.

With trees in the trail I guess you could teach them to anticipate turning around so teach them how to get 90 degrees to the tree, get off and push the quad back, then turn out of it? I don't know lol

The Honda is quite a bit more money but probably provides a little more growing room.

 

I don't think reverse is a show stopper on a small ATV. We normally ride as a family and one of us will jump off and help one of the little ones when they get stuck on the 50. I have reverse on the Z400 and find it easier to jump off and move it than trying to find reverse.

 

Okay you guys are making me feel better about toughening them up a bit and the wife will like the 5-600 in savings over the fancy ones. I'll have to check out the options all over again. Most are pretty similar but for ground clearance and width.

 

This is the winner I think. A local dealer has one coming this month, I'll call them tomorrow when they open up and get my name on it.

Thanks for getting me back to earth with what is "nice to have" vs what's needed. Just get a name brand at this age is nice to have!

 

yeah that’s pretty sweet. She is gonna love that color!

 

Did the deposit this morning. Just an FYI for anyone, these things are like cars, the price is NOT the price.

Shipping/assembly fees etc... added $600 to it, then tax... Basically an extra $7-800 over the listed sale price. The place I put a deposit at was still a few hundred cheaper than the other options, but it sure stings!

 

Motorcycle dealerships are worse than cars and second to RV dealerships

Congrats on kids new ride

 

$2400 plus those fees?

 

They did discount $250 ha! I could save the tax by taking it in VT instead of NY, but they charge money to delivery it over there, so I only end up saving 40 dollars for an extra hour of driving in my Tundra. The time and gas doesn't add up.

 

Not bad sir

 

There isn't a "cheap" good option it seems. And the used market doesn't exist, these things are apparently kept forever. Got the best deal I could for dealers within about 2 hours of me.

Oh, and 10% off anything I want when there, will need a helmet and gloves. The expenses keep coming

 

Today is the day! Leaving in about 1.5 hours to go grab the YZF. Got the younger daughter a 24v to upgrade our 12v that died last year. She'll be liable to throw a fit about not having one when I come home with the Yamaha. Should be some good riding around the fields and trails this afternoon

 

Got her. I even drove it around my driveway a little bit. Think its going to be a hit. And not just on my wallet

 

That's awesome!!