Kids quad HELP
Discussion
Hi. hope Im posting in the right place here...im a newbie...
My 8 year old son is hankering after a quad for his birthday in two weeks. I was reluctant because of safety issues but its literally ALL he wants.
I've had a good look around and really didn't want to buy a used one, again for safety but also reliability...
I saw that there were some decent ones around and was looking at the Polaris range BUT they are looking way too expensive.
We are limited to @ £600.
He doesn't want to race it, just wants to ride around on it. I was looking at 50cc and I want to be able to limit the throttle too. Really needing some help as Im just bogged down and not very in-the-know. Had Suzuki LT%)(I think)? recommended by a friend but they look old? also looked at Polaris 50cc but too expensive! I don't want to buy cheap Chinese cr&p.
Any help would be HUGELY appreciated
My 8 year old son is hankering after a quad for his birthday in two weeks. I was reluctant because of safety issues but its literally ALL he wants.
I've had a good look around and really didn't want to buy a used one, again for safety but also reliability...
I saw that there were some decent ones around and was looking at the Polaris range BUT they are looking way too expensive.
We are limited to @ £600.
He doesn't want to race it, just wants to ride around on it. I was looking at 50cc and I want to be able to limit the throttle too. Really needing some help as Im just bogged down and not very in-the-know. Had Suzuki LT%)(I think)? recommended by a friend but they look old? also looked at Polaris 50cc but too expensive! I don't want to buy cheap Chinese cr&p.
Any help would be HUGELY appreciated
Troubleatmill said:
And driving it around some poor sods field without their permission will end badly.
I have seen broken glass specifically positioned (sorry I mean accidentally dropped) by some fed up landowners.
We have two acres ourselves and I said an AIRfield, not a field. I have seen broken glass specifically positioned (sorry I mean accidentally dropped) by some fed up landowners.
As a lawyer Im well aware of the legalities. That wasn't the question, the query was recommendations / ideas on models, makes etc
thanks
mph1977 said:
when the OP says they have 2 acres i presume they mean they have control / ownership ofthe 2 acres
however the 'airfield' is probably a different matter ...
ask lincs pold how many FPNs, seizures and prosecutuions they get from Metheringham airfield of all kinds of vehicles...
The land is no issue. Its the quad that's the issuehowever the 'airfield' is probably a different matter ...
ask lincs pold how many FPNs, seizures and prosecutuions they get from Metheringham airfield of all kinds of vehicles...
Roo said:
My brother bought his boys mini motos at about that age.
He was fed up with them nicking the ride on lawn mower and his trials bike. His theory was the same as already mentioned, they'll fall off at a lower speed.
He also wanted them to have experience of riding a bike so that when they were old enough to ride one on the road they'd either know what they were doing or would've gone off the idea. They both went off bikes by the time they were sixteen.
That's really helpful thanks! I think the ride on lawnmower has been a big attraction! He was fed up with them nicking the ride on lawn mower and his trials bike. His theory was the same as already mentioned, they'll fall off at a lower speed.
He also wanted them to have experience of riding a bike so that when they were old enough to ride one on the road they'd either know what they were doing or would've gone off the idea. They both went off bikes by the time they were sixteen.
I came off my own bike at Christmas (knocked off by another road user :-( ) so I actually hoped he wouldn't want to follow my steps! That said he is pretty sensible and I wondered whether a bike might be better. Any idea what make / models your brother bought?
pinchmeimdreamin said:
sadly not that far :-( they have quite big engines too don't they?
Neil1300r said:
Bike would be safer. Firstly as he'll feel more vulnerable he may be slower and take more care. Secondly, if / when he crashes and gets thrown over the bars the quad is big and heavy and likely to cause more injuries as it squashes him than being thrown off a motorbike. See Ossie Osborne / Rick Mayall accidents for details.
yeah I had that in mind and I talked to him about that, but he said that he would feel safer on 4 wheels and I kinda get that, but equally im worried at the same time! I guess if he has a bike and is wearing the gear, he might bang himself up a bit but wont be, as you say ending up with a heavy machine on his wee body. Major Fallout said:
I think he would LOVE that but they say 14+ years :-s papercup said:
Quads are bloody dangerous things. They aren't 'four wheels' like a car is. When driven with enthusiasm, if you turn the handlebars and you aren't leaning in the right way then they have a tendency to just roll over, with you underneath them.
I'd recommend a bike and to go completely left field I'd point you at a decent electric one. Look at OSET or Kuberg bikes, they do all sizes of kids trials bikes. Electric stuff has come a really long way. Go 2014 or later. You can limit throttle travel and they have switchable maps for beginners. As they get bigger, so do the batteries (and therefore the power].
Best of all, they are SILENT...
Hmm worth a look yes. I shall look at those, thanks. Any idea what battery lives are like though? I'd recommend a bike and to go completely left field I'd point you at a decent electric one. Look at OSET or Kuberg bikes, they do all sizes of kids trials bikes. Electric stuff has come a really long way. Go 2014 or later. You can limit throttle travel and they have switchable maps for beginners. As they get bigger, so do the batteries (and therefore the power].
Best of all, they are SILENT...
Timmy40 said:
Yes but isn't this the bit where being an adult you explain to him that whist he may feel safer on a quad it's actually potentially much much more dangerous, you could then talk him through some of the more famous people to have nearly killed themselves getting crushed by overturned quads?
My tuppence, get him a bike, me and my brothers grew up racing beat up old 50cc's around the farm, great fun, and if you fell of no great harm done. We used to put knobbly tires on and massive great sprockets on them so they didn't even go very fast.
We once got our Dad to mow a field that was full of thistles but only mow two tractor widths to make a race circuit, we called it Death Race on account of what coming off into a bed of thisltes felt like......certainly made us more inclined to stay on!
haha, good idea re the knobbly tyres etc!My tuppence, get him a bike, me and my brothers grew up racing beat up old 50cc's around the farm, great fun, and if you fell of no great harm done. We used to put knobbly tires on and massive great sprockets on them so they didn't even go very fast.
We once got our Dad to mow a field that was full of thistles but only mow two tractor widths to make a race circuit, we called it Death Race on account of what coming off into a bed of thisltes felt like......certainly made us more inclined to stay on!
Ive had a Yamaha PW80 recommended. Any thoughts?
Timmy40 said:
We had 50cc, mine was a 'Fizzy' a FS1E I think was the model. It even came with pedals IIRC so you could save some petrol! We soon had those off though.
I would think any lowish powered bike, what I got alot out of is because they were old cheap road bikes we had to fear of dismatling them, changing sprockets, tinkering with gears and brakes.
Happy innocent days, I can still smell the petrol and oil we used to make up in a milk bottle ( they were 2 strokes ).
Btw I would have been about your sons age when I got my first one. Bloody good education in how real things work, and if it gets him out and away from sitting at computer like so many kids so much the better!
he is very outdoorsy and because we live in the country we have no neighbours. He is bored of xbox in 30 mins, he would be outside all day every day, bike, scooter, skateboard, trampoline, etc etc etcI would think any lowish powered bike, what I got alot out of is because they were old cheap road bikes we had to fear of dismatling them, changing sprockets, tinkering with gears and brakes.
Happy innocent days, I can still smell the petrol and oil we used to make up in a milk bottle ( they were 2 strokes ).
Btw I would have been about your sons age when I got my first one. Bloody good education in how real things work, and if it gets him out and away from sitting at computer like so many kids so much the better!
As long as he is safe, sensible and I can keep an eye on him im ok
Thanks for this.
I think (I hope) that he will be more sensible than me,but I definitely have some food for thought now. Originally I thought that bike might be better, but then had leaned towards the quad bike and now I'm leaning back again. Question I then need to ask myself is whether a mini Moto are a trail bike would be the best type of bike. Aarrrggh
I think (I hope) that he will be more sensible than me,but I definitely have some food for thought now. Originally I thought that bike might be better, but then had leaned towards the quad bike and now I'm leaning back again. Question I then need to ask myself is whether a mini Moto are a trail bike would be the best type of bike. Aarrrggh
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.
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