Kids quad HELP
Discussion
As a child of 7 or 8 I had a 3/4 acre paddock and a humble Suzuki LT50 (as found in every inflatable quad bike ring at family fun day fairs). It provided many hundreds of hours of joy, and on wet grass taught me a lot about drifting and weight transfer. If you're concerned about safety, supervise your child and any dangerous riding gets them a ban for a certain time.
Whilst an LT50 is too small for adult use, they are brilliant for up to teenager sized kids. Sturdily built construction and bomproof Japanese mechanicals too with the always-willing, air cooled manual choke 2 stroke. I would a million times have a secondhand but we'll cared for Suzuki (easily, easily within budget) than a new Chinese no-name brand. Just watch out for a knackered centrifugal clutch (walk away if so).
Mine initially had a restrictor in it (between engine and exhaust manifold) - removing this gives about 1/3 more power.
My one (about 1999) had a solid frame and pull start, but I gather newer ones went upmarket with front suspension and leccy start.
Have fun! I eventually sold mine to upgrade to a 100cc Apache-Yamaha. I only sold that to buy a vintage Land Rover!
Whilst an LT50 is too small for adult use, they are brilliant for up to teenager sized kids. Sturdily built construction and bomproof Japanese mechanicals too with the always-willing, air cooled manual choke 2 stroke. I would a million times have a secondhand but we'll cared for Suzuki (easily, easily within budget) than a new Chinese no-name brand. Just watch out for a knackered centrifugal clutch (walk away if so).
Mine initially had a restrictor in it (between engine and exhaust manifold) - removing this gives about 1/3 more power.
My one (about 1999) had a solid frame and pull start, but I gather newer ones went upmarket with front suspension and leccy start.
Have fun! I eventually sold mine to upgrade to a 100cc Apache-Yamaha. I only sold that to buy a vintage Land Rover!
novhead said:
We have two acres and an airfield opposite which he can ride on. Plenty of land.
he is pretty sensible actually
Initially he wanted a mini moto but he thinks he will be safer on a quad and I tend to agree. I ride a bike myself and I am very safety conscious.
A little motorbike will be considerably less dangerous than a quad, I'd wager. More fun too. If he falls off a little off road bike he'll get a scrape (or less, on grass). A quad is both duller and more likely to tip over and possibly cause crush injuries. he is pretty sensible actually
Initially he wanted a mini moto but he thinks he will be safer on a quad and I tend to agree. I ride a bike myself and I am very safety conscious.
OP, I grew up racing schoolboy motocross from the age of around 7/8 and retiring at the grand old age of 16. My younger sister started racing at 5. We also had a quad bike that was generally used as a tool rather than for fun. We did however, take it with us to practice tracks at times for various duties.
Firstly, as others have said, do not get your boy started on a quad. They may feel safer than a bike but believe me, they go over easy. At any speed. And they weigh significantly more than a bike. Your son will get caught under it at least once, falling off is inevitable. Depending on the camber when they come off, there is a possibility it will roll and your boy will be under it.
Some might accuse me over being overly risk adverse but when you've ridden them safely, have a good reading of the terrain and how that will affect the machine, and still have one go over you, you realise how dangerous they are. Stick with mx bikes.
Secondly, your budget is nowhere near what you need for your son to safely ride. I'm, perhaps incorrectly, assuming your budget will include all kit. That budget might just stretch to the kit alone. You must get him correctly fitting MX boots, not wellies, not anything else. New, correctly fitting helmet. Goggles. Correct gloves, pants and shirt. Body armour is a must for a young lad. Get proper guidance from a MX shop.
Next, forget the quad, if he wants to ride off road, the bike. How mechanically minded are you? You'll need to ensure that bike is absolutely 100% maintained and safe. You need to ensure all guards are in place, the chain in the right tension, throttle cable is in great condition, brakes, the list goes on and on. Back when I raced schoolboy MX, there was no requirement for chain guards until too many lads and lasses lost fingers. Something as benign looking as a chain guard can have life changing consequences.
As for an actual bike, I would suggest something like a Yamaha PW50/80 as a starter bike. There are various alternatives and if you are serious, respond and I'll make some suggestions.
Finally, this land you have. I hate to say this but nuisance riding is killing the sport I love. I now ride enduro (similar to MX bikes but with lights and various other changes) and the club I ride for is finding it increasingly difficult to find land for us to race on. Bottom line, people don't want their days interrupted with the sound of 2 strokes and 4 strokes screaming through the countryside. I race with an organised and well run private club on private land around the country with the landowner's permission and yet still it's a never-ending battle. I could spend the rest of my life arguing against the entitled attitude of those complaining and campaigning to have our tracks closed. Tracks that have been established and in use long before they were born. But it's futile.
All I ask is that whatever land you use, please consider your neighbours as the image of men and kids riding MX/Enduro/Trails bikes is already, and will forever be associated with chavvy scum riding stolen bikes and the scourge of society. Don't give these people more excuses.
Anyway, your call, if you want advice, happy to PM you my mobile number for a chat.
Firstly, as others have said, do not get your boy started on a quad. They may feel safer than a bike but believe me, they go over easy. At any speed. And they weigh significantly more than a bike. Your son will get caught under it at least once, falling off is inevitable. Depending on the camber when they come off, there is a possibility it will roll and your boy will be under it.
Some might accuse me over being overly risk adverse but when you've ridden them safely, have a good reading of the terrain and how that will affect the machine, and still have one go over you, you realise how dangerous they are. Stick with mx bikes.
Secondly, your budget is nowhere near what you need for your son to safely ride. I'm, perhaps incorrectly, assuming your budget will include all kit. That budget might just stretch to the kit alone. You must get him correctly fitting MX boots, not wellies, not anything else. New, correctly fitting helmet. Goggles. Correct gloves, pants and shirt. Body armour is a must for a young lad. Get proper guidance from a MX shop.
Next, forget the quad, if he wants to ride off road, the bike. How mechanically minded are you? You'll need to ensure that bike is absolutely 100% maintained and safe. You need to ensure all guards are in place, the chain in the right tension, throttle cable is in great condition, brakes, the list goes on and on. Back when I raced schoolboy MX, there was no requirement for chain guards until too many lads and lasses lost fingers. Something as benign looking as a chain guard can have life changing consequences.
As for an actual bike, I would suggest something like a Yamaha PW50/80 as a starter bike. There are various alternatives and if you are serious, respond and I'll make some suggestions.
Finally, this land you have. I hate to say this but nuisance riding is killing the sport I love. I now ride enduro (similar to MX bikes but with lights and various other changes) and the club I ride for is finding it increasingly difficult to find land for us to race on. Bottom line, people don't want their days interrupted with the sound of 2 strokes and 4 strokes screaming through the countryside. I race with an organised and well run private club on private land around the country with the landowner's permission and yet still it's a never-ending battle. I could spend the rest of my life arguing against the entitled attitude of those complaining and campaigning to have our tracks closed. Tracks that have been established and in use long before they were born. But it's futile.
All I ask is that whatever land you use, please consider your neighbours as the image of men and kids riding MX/Enduro/Trails bikes is already, and will forever be associated with chavvy scum riding stolen bikes and the scourge of society. Don't give these people more excuses.
Anyway, your call, if you want advice, happy to PM you my mobile number for a chat.
pinchmeimdreamin said:
That looks way cool - and a lot safer than a quad. If I had a kid I'd not let it near a quad, they're lethal at "fun" speeds, unstable and attract thieving council scum like magnets.In all truth I think a mini mx bike would be safer than a quad. Still attract scum though.
Major Fallout said:
I have a 300cc quadbike for horse duties.
For fun they are crap in my opinion, fun is at the limit of traction and at the limit of traction they are dangerous.
As a tool they are fantastic.
An off-road go cart or motorbike would be more fun.
Just my thoughts.
Depends where you use them, I use them on beaches for work and they are great fun.For fun they are crap in my opinion, fun is at the limit of traction and at the limit of traction they are dangerous.
As a tool they are fantastic.
An off-road go cart or motorbike would be more fun.
Just my thoughts.
Power sliding in soft sand is excellent, low speed fun
When I was a kid, I had a kart with very slightly higher ground clearance, a reliable 4 stroke lawn mower engine with direct drive to the rear sprocket, so no slippy clutch nonsense. A set of knobblies and some supervision / someone to bump it meant that from 4 years old I could have some fun in the fields at home, and with a fair degree of safety too with it being almost impossible to tip over.
As my ability increased, then so did the engine config. It actually got quite quick quite quickly winding up with an old speedway bike engine on the back in the end.
Personally, I would go down the kart route rather than quad. Ask Ozzy Osbourne or Rik Mayall.
As my ability increased, then so did the engine config. It actually got quite quick quite quickly winding up with an old speedway bike engine on the back in the end.
Personally, I would go down the kart route rather than quad. Ask Ozzy Osbourne or Rik Mayall.
Hi
I bought a second hand LT50 for my daughters a few years ago, was perfect for them and was very reliable, and mine was an older one which I sold for under £400, so do consider used.
They also have a restrictor on the throttle and also an engine cutout cord on the back you can pull whilst they are starting out.
I bought a second hand LT50 for my daughters a few years ago, was perfect for them and was very reliable, and mine was an older one which I sold for under £400, so do consider used.
They also have a restrictor on the throttle and also an engine cutout cord on the back you can pull whilst they are starting out.
DO NOT BUY YOUR SON A QUAD AS A TOY
I ride a variety off off road machines and Quads are without doubt the most dangerous. They are very useful as tool to get places and pull small trailers that other machines won't go.
As a "toy" they are f
king lethal. I can name many of my friends and associates that have had life changing accidents on quads. There are a number of issues :
1. Total lack of Rollover protection - they rollover very easily, and tend to trap you under them and cause very nasty crush injuries.
2. Head on collisions with trees - due to way the weight transfer and rear axles work, when you start to push on they can suddenly and without warning simply swerve a few feet from right to left. If you swerve into a tree, no matter the safety gear you are very likely to end up paraplegic.
3. Rear axles and turning - due to the solid rear axles on the non "farm" type 4wd quads, there is a very specfic way to get a quad bike to turn at speed, you basically shift weight to the front, initiate the turn and then slide the rear, or they just understeer straight off the road. This means that even simple turns are close to the limit activities and leads you straight into the rollover problem above.
Buy him something like this : its more fun and a full order of magnitude safer. Yes its twice the price but when you balance that against the life/spine/ of your kid its a no brainer.
http://r.ebay.com/gTvKAn
I ride a variety off off road machines and Quads are without doubt the most dangerous. They are very useful as tool to get places and pull small trailers that other machines won't go.
As a "toy" they are f
king lethal. I can name many of my friends and associates that have had life changing accidents on quads. There are a number of issues : 1. Total lack of Rollover protection - they rollover very easily, and tend to trap you under them and cause very nasty crush injuries.
2. Head on collisions with trees - due to way the weight transfer and rear axles work, when you start to push on they can suddenly and without warning simply swerve a few feet from right to left. If you swerve into a tree, no matter the safety gear you are very likely to end up paraplegic.
3. Rear axles and turning - due to the solid rear axles on the non "farm" type 4wd quads, there is a very specfic way to get a quad bike to turn at speed, you basically shift weight to the front, initiate the turn and then slide the rear, or they just understeer straight off the road. This means that even simple turns are close to the limit activities and leads you straight into the rollover problem above.
Buy him something like this : its more fun and a full order of magnitude safer. Yes its twice the price but when you balance that against the life/spine/ of your kid its a no brainer.
http://r.ebay.com/gTvKAn
Origin Unknown said:
OP, I grew up racing schoolboy motocross from the age of around 7/8 and retiring at the grand old age of 16. My younger sister started racing at 5. We also had a quad bike that was generally used as a tool rather than for fun. We did however, take it with us to practice tracks at times for various duties.
Firstly, as others have said, do not get your boy started on a quad. They may feel safer than a bike but believe me, they go over easy. At any speed. And they weigh significantly more than a bike. Your son will get caught under it at least once, falling off is inevitable. Depending on the camber when they come off, there is a possibility it will roll and your boy will be under it.
Some might accuse me over being overly risk adverse but when you've ridden them safely, have a good reading of the terrain and how that will affect the machine, and still have one go over you, you realise how dangerous they are. Stick with mx bikes.
Secondly, your budget is nowhere near what you need for your son to safely ride. I'm, perhaps incorrectly, assuming your budget will include all kit. That budget might just stretch to the kit alone. You must get him correctly fitting MX boots, not wellies, not anything else. New, correctly fitting helmet. Goggles. Correct gloves, pants and shirt. Body armour is a must for a young lad. Get proper guidance from a MX shop.
Next, forget the quad, if he wants to ride off road, the bike. How mechanically minded are you? You'll need to ensure that bike is absolutely 100% maintained and safe. You need to ensure all guards are in place, the chain in the right tension, throttle cable is in great condition, brakes, the list goes on and on. Back when I raced schoolboy MX, there was no requirement for chain guards until too many lads and lasses lost fingers. Something as benign looking as a chain guard can have life changing consequences.
As for an actual bike, I would suggest something like a Yamaha PW50/80 as a starter bike. There are various alternatives and if you are serious, respond and I'll make some suggestions.
Finally, this land you have. I hate to say this but nuisance riding is killing the sport I love. I now ride enduro (similar to MX bikes but with lights and various other changes) and the club I ride for is finding it increasingly difficult to find land for us to race on. Bottom line, people don't want their days interrupted with the sound of 2 strokes and 4 strokes screaming through the countryside. I race with an organised and well run private club on private land around the country with the landowner's permission and yet still it's a never-ending battle. I could spend the rest of my life arguing against the entitled attitude of those complaining and campaigning to have our tracks closed. Tracks that have been established and in use long before they were born. But it's futile.
All I ask is that whatever land you use, please consider your neighbours as the image of men and kids riding MX/Enduro/Trails bikes is already, and will forever be associated with chavvy scum riding stolen bikes and the scourge of society. Don't give these people more excuses.
Anyway, your call, if you want advice, happy to PM you my mobile number for a chat.
Thanks so much for your time typing this reply. I am concerned about safety. No, the budget doesn't necessarily include kit. he has a helmet (a proper one) and I have already told him he needs to wear the right gear, which we will get him.Firstly, as others have said, do not get your boy started on a quad. They may feel safer than a bike but believe me, they go over easy. At any speed. And they weigh significantly more than a bike. Your son will get caught under it at least once, falling off is inevitable. Depending on the camber when they come off, there is a possibility it will roll and your boy will be under it.
Some might accuse me over being overly risk adverse but when you've ridden them safely, have a good reading of the terrain and how that will affect the machine, and still have one go over you, you realise how dangerous they are. Stick with mx bikes.
Secondly, your budget is nowhere near what you need for your son to safely ride. I'm, perhaps incorrectly, assuming your budget will include all kit. That budget might just stretch to the kit alone. You must get him correctly fitting MX boots, not wellies, not anything else. New, correctly fitting helmet. Goggles. Correct gloves, pants and shirt. Body armour is a must for a young lad. Get proper guidance from a MX shop.
Next, forget the quad, if he wants to ride off road, the bike. How mechanically minded are you? You'll need to ensure that bike is absolutely 100% maintained and safe. You need to ensure all guards are in place, the chain in the right tension, throttle cable is in great condition, brakes, the list goes on and on. Back when I raced schoolboy MX, there was no requirement for chain guards until too many lads and lasses lost fingers. Something as benign looking as a chain guard can have life changing consequences.
As for an actual bike, I would suggest something like a Yamaha PW50/80 as a starter bike. There are various alternatives and if you are serious, respond and I'll make some suggestions.
Finally, this land you have. I hate to say this but nuisance riding is killing the sport I love. I now ride enduro (similar to MX bikes but with lights and various other changes) and the club I ride for is finding it increasingly difficult to find land for us to race on. Bottom line, people don't want their days interrupted with the sound of 2 strokes and 4 strokes screaming through the countryside. I race with an organised and well run private club on private land around the country with the landowner's permission and yet still it's a never-ending battle. I could spend the rest of my life arguing against the entitled attitude of those complaining and campaigning to have our tracks closed. Tracks that have been established and in use long before they were born. But it's futile.
All I ask is that whatever land you use, please consider your neighbours as the image of men and kids riding MX/Enduro/Trails bikes is already, and will forever be associated with chavvy scum riding stolen bikes and the scourge of society. Don't give these people more excuses.
Anyway, your call, if you want advice, happy to PM you my mobile number for a chat.
Not mechanically minded at all, BUT my husband is in the military and we have assistance from the mechanics on camp, so that's a BIT of a help! Reality is he will mainly ride on camp (the airfield) -its HUGE.
ChemicalChaos said:
As a child of 7 or 8 I had a 3/4 acre paddock and a humble Suzuki LT50 (as found in every inflatable quad bike ring at family fun day fairs). It provided many hundreds of hours of joy, and on wet grass taught me a lot about drifting and weight transfer. If you're concerned about safety, supervise your child and any dangerous riding gets them a ban for a certain time.
Whilst an LT50 is too small for adult use, they are brilliant for up to teenager sized kids. Sturdily built construction and bomproof Japanese mechanicals too with the always-willing, air cooled manual choke 2 stroke. I would a million times have a secondhand but we'll cared for Suzuki (easily, easily within budget) than a new Chinese no-name brand. Just watch out for a knackered centrifugal clutch (walk away if so).
Mine initially had a restrictor in it (between engine and exhaust manifold) - removing this gives about 1/3 more power.
My one (about 1999) had a solid frame and pull start, but I gather newer ones went upmarket with front suspension and leccy start.
Have fun! I eventually sold mine to upgrade to a 100cc Apache-Yamaha. I only sold that to buy a vintage Land Rover!
Thanks. I have seen him ride quads at organised tracks and he ISNT foolish. He is careful and sensible. People who are insinuating that I'm irresponsible are wrong. He is my World. he has ridden at organised tracks and quad biking parties. Whilst an LT50 is too small for adult use, they are brilliant for up to teenager sized kids. Sturdily built construction and bomproof Japanese mechanicals too with the always-willing, air cooled manual choke 2 stroke. I would a million times have a secondhand but we'll cared for Suzuki (easily, easily within budget) than a new Chinese no-name brand. Just watch out for a knackered centrifugal clutch (walk away if so).
Mine initially had a restrictor in it (between engine and exhaust manifold) - removing this gives about 1/3 more power.
My one (about 1999) had a solid frame and pull start, but I gather newer ones went upmarket with front suspension and leccy start.
Have fun! I eventually sold mine to upgrade to a 100cc Apache-Yamaha. I only sold that to buy a vintage Land Rover!
I don't believe in wrapping in cotton wool. I believe in safety and care, but also in letting children grow. He MAY decide that it isn't for him, in which case I will sell whatever I buy. When we were kids we didn't have the safety gear that we have nowadays. I would of course supervise him at all times, or husband would.
I don't know what is a decent second hand bike / quad or a bad one, that's the big problem here!
GreigM said:
How about one of these - a lot safer...
http://www.razor.com/uk/products/crazy-cart/crazy-...
Already got a similar Razor product, but thanks for the suggestion! http://www.razor.com/uk/products/crazy-cart/crazy-...
Dog Star said:
That looks way cool - and a lot safer than a quad. If I had a kid I'd not let it near a quad, they're lethal at "fun" speeds, unstable and attract thieving council scum like magnets.
In all truth I think a mini mx bike would be safer than a quad. Still attract scum though.
He would bloody LOVE that. I think that's perfect. However £900 for a birthday gift? Plus kit? Not manageable. Unless I sell a kidney...In all truth I think a mini mx bike would be safer than a quad. Still attract scum though.
ExPat2B said:
DO NOT BUY YOUR SON A QUAD AS A TOY
I ride a variety off off road machines and Quads are without doubt the most dangerous. They are very useful as tool to get places and pull small trailers that other machines won't go.
As a "toy" they are fking lethal. I can name many of my friends and associates that have had life changing accidents on quads. There are a number of issues :
1. Total lack of Rollover protection - they rollover very easily, and tend to trap you under them and cause very nasty crush injuries.
2. Head on collisions with trees - due to way the weight transfer and rear axles work, when you start to push on they can suddenly and without warning simply swerve a few feet from right to left. If you swerve into a tree, no matter the safety gear you are very likely to end up paraplegic.
3. Rear axles and turning - due to the solid rear axles on the non "farm" type 4wd quads, there is a very specfic way to get a quad bike to turn at speed, you basically shift weight to the front, initiate the turn and then slide the rear, or they just understeer straight off the road. This means that even simple turns are close to the limit activities and leads you straight into the rollover problem above.
Buy him something like this : its more fun and a full order of magnitude safer. Yes its twice the price but when you balance that against the life/spine/ of your kid its a no brainer.
http://r.ebay.com/gTvKAn
Looks ACE. Bids are over £600. I know Polaris is an excellent make. He would prefer that to either a bike or a quad, so would I.I ride a variety off off road machines and Quads are without doubt the most dangerous. They are very useful as tool to get places and pull small trailers that other machines won't go.
As a "toy" they are f
king lethal. I can name many of my friends and associates that have had life changing accidents on quads. There are a number of issues : 1. Total lack of Rollover protection - they rollover very easily, and tend to trap you under them and cause very nasty crush injuries.
2. Head on collisions with trees - due to way the weight transfer and rear axles work, when you start to push on they can suddenly and without warning simply swerve a few feet from right to left. If you swerve into a tree, no matter the safety gear you are very likely to end up paraplegic.
3. Rear axles and turning - due to the solid rear axles on the non "farm" type 4wd quads, there is a very specfic way to get a quad bike to turn at speed, you basically shift weight to the front, initiate the turn and then slide the rear, or they just understeer straight off the road. This means that even simple turns are close to the limit activities and leads you straight into the rollover problem above.
Buy him something like this : its more fun and a full order of magnitude safer. Yes its twice the price but when you balance that against the life/spine/ of your kid its a no brainer.
http://r.ebay.com/gTvKAn
I cant magic the money though and it has to stop somewhere, this is an 8year old's birthday gift after all!
crusty said:
Hi
I bought a second hand LT50 for my daughters a few years ago, was perfect for them and was very reliable, and mine was an older one which I sold for under £400, so do consider used.
They also have a restrictor on the throttle and also an engine cutout cord on the back you can pull whilst they are starting out.
Ive seen a few on ebay etc but I don't know whats a good one or bad one :-( I bought a second hand LT50 for my daughters a few years ago, was perfect for them and was very reliable, and mine was an older one which I sold for under £400, so do consider used.
They also have a restrictor on the throttle and also an engine cutout cord on the back you can pull whilst they are starting out.
novhead said:
Dog Star said:
That looks way cool - and a lot safer than a quad. If I had a kid I'd not let it near a quad, they're lethal at "fun" speeds, unstable and attract thieving council scum like magnets.
In all truth I think a mini mx bike would be safer than a quad. Still attract scum though.
He would bloody LOVE that. I think that's perfect. However £900 for a birthday gift? Plus kit? Not manageable. Unless I sell a kidney...In all truth I think a mini mx bike would be safer than a quad. Still attract scum though.
£600 is one hell of a birthday gift, I never got a R/C hovercraft for my 10th birthday, I got over it.
PAULJ5555 said:
Is the extra worth it for the safety factor, If not get something else. everyone has told you the dangers of quads but you seem happy to get him one, accident happen to responsible kids too.
£600 is one hell of a birthday gift, I never got a R/C hovercraft for my 10th birthday, I got over it.
You're missing the point. I cant magic the extra money. £600 is one hell of a birthday gift, I never got a R/C hovercraft for my 10th birthday, I got over it.
Do I seem happy to get a quad? I don't think you have read the thread in that case.
I'm not 'happy' to get a quad OR a bike, but I wanted advice from people more in the know than myself as to the pros and cons and makes / models of machines.
Yes it is one hell of a gift, but we are going to buy something, whether it be a bike buggy or quad. Each one of these can be dangerous and everyone has their own opinion.
Those contributors who have owned and had children ride bikes/ quads etc are helpful because they're speaking from experience and that's the point of my question.
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