ATV riding has always been a family sport and that means everyone in the family shares the adventure. It doesn’t take much coaxing to introduce a new rider to ATVing, and they usually take to it like ducks to water. It’s important to make sure junior gets started correctly, however, and with literally dozens of youth quads available, we wanted to list the ones that pass our inspection for quality, safety, and complete OEM support from sales, to parts, to safety. We’ve created a mini quad buyer’s guide!
Honda TRX90X
Any mini quad buyer’s guide certainly needs Honda’s lone youth ATV, the TRX90X. It’s a reliable performer and we appreciate many of the aspects to the Honda that, if not technically state of the art by a decade or three, help prepare riders for a transition to full-sized ATVs in the future. The engine design for the Honda has been in production so long there’s an excellent chance old Granddad learned to ride on one, but it does have a couple outstanding features. It’s efficient to produce, it’s as reliable as your best dog, and it is unique in that it offers a semi-automatic transmission that helps riders learn how to shift properly before they jump up to a full-sized ATV.
Overall size of the TRX90X is ever so slightly larger than most youth ATVs, and it’s built to Honda’s practically obsessive standard for quality. Electric start brings the engine to life and the riders will find a shifter at their left foot just like full-sized sport ATVs. We’ve yet to see a kid who couldn’t master shifting quickly, and we like that. Riding isn’t supposed to be a challenge! Styling is lifted straight off its big brothers in the Honda sport ATV lineup. We’ve had a TRX 90 in the family for almost a decade and with thousands of nephew miles, it’s as reliable as the day we brought it home. It’s agile, easy to operate, and fun – all rolled into one red package. Honda recommends age 12 and over for the TRX90X.
https://powersports.honda.com/atv/sport/trx90x
Suzuki Quadsport Z90 and Quadsport Z50
It wouldn’t be fitting for the factory that invented Quads to not feature a youth model, and with the Z90 and the diminutive Z50, Suzuki offers two! They definitely belong in our mini quad buyer’s guide!
The QuadSport Z90 is cut from the same cloth as the rest of the Suzuki sport ATV lineup and even features their trademark T-Bone seat. Underneath the seat is a unique suspension system that allows the engine to pivot with the suspension and a double sealed shaft drive. Like nearly every mini ATV, suspension travel is limited and it relies almost as much on tire flex as shock travel, but youth riders never complain. Inside the engine, Suzuki has given the cylinder their top of the line SCEM coating which was developed for the high-performance GSX-R sport bikes. The advantage is excellent durability, reduced weight, and superior heat transfer. On the trail the Z90 is reliable, easy to ride, controllable, and up for years of action.
The QuadSport Z50 is so cute we practically want one just to sit on top of our tool box, and it features a 49cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine designed for durability, quiet operation and low maintenance. The littlest Suzuki tops out at 9mph. In real world testing, however, it struggled to reach even that thanks to an extremely restrictive exhaust limiter, but it can run WORLDS better with a simple exhaust modification. A throttle limiter and rear tether allows adults to yank the power out from under junior should he or she require extra instruction. The Z50 has been the original learning platform for schools of little riders and is a great way for junior to get started on a lifetime of adventure.
https://suzukicycles.com/youth-atv
Suzuki recommends age 12 and over for the QuadSport 90, and 6 and up for the QuadSport 50
Kawasaki KFX90
The Kawasaki KFX90 may be the sharpest looking mini ATV with its lime green color, stylish bodywork, and even a couple fake headlights thrown in as accents. Underneath the bodywork, the engine from the KFX is a super reliable 4 stroke first used in scooters. Suspension on the littlest Kawasaki is similar in design and travel to other youth models, but it has a big advantage with a hydraulic disc brake in the rear. It may not seem like much, but in the realm of mini ATV technology that moves at glacial speed, this is akin to fuel injection, autopilot, and the ability to hover all wrapped in one.
While kids may be on the seat, parents are firmly in control and can limit top speed with a throttle limiting screw. When the time is right, a collar may be removed from the CVT for a little extra speed. A wide footprint makes the KFX super stable on the trail and the only way to get riders to stop will be when it finally runs out of fuel. They’ll love it! https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/atv/kfx/youth/kfx-50
KYMCO MONGOOSE 70S and 90S
KYMCO makes our mini quad buyers guide with their Mongoose 90s and 70S. They’re some of the most reliable and best buys in youth ATVs! The junior KYMCO offers an 89cc air-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke, electric start engine with backup kick starter, but we doubt you’ll need it. Designed to meet all regulations for emissions, the KYMCO engine is fully CARB certified, but it is also designed to be quiet and comes with a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor. That means you can take Junior riding practically anywhere. Bodywork on the Mongoose is sporty, stylish, and highly durable.
KYMCO is actually the manufacturing partner for several well known OEMs, and both the Mongoose 90s and 70s are the base for a couple other models with the only difference being bodywork and colors. The Mongoose 90 does come with a hydraulic disc brake at the rear, but it takes technology one step further with a CVT transmission that even has reverse – it’s a great feature on a youth ATV. The Mongoose is very stable on the trail, but should a rider become separated from the machine, a safety lanyard immediately cuts power to the engine. Overall quality of the KYMCO is very good and they stand up to years of abuse. The kids will love it! https://kymcousa.com/2021-atvs/2022-mongoose-70s/
KYMCO recommends age 12 and over
Arctic Cat ALTERRA 90
Arctic Cat offers the Alterra 90 for youth riders. It features a 90cc, 4 stroke engines, a CVT transmission with Forward, Neutral, and Reverse, a single A-arm front suspension, and a swingarm rear suspension. Drum brakes are found at the front, with a nice Hydraulic disc at the rear, and chain drive transfers power to the ground. In fact the entire chassis is well made and almost completely identical to the Kawasaki and the Kymco models, but the Arctic Cats offer a couple extra features adding even more value. The little ‘Cats offer a transmission with a reverse gear, both offer full headlights and tail lights, and they come standard with a whip flag for safety. Also, thanks to the front and rear racks, the 90 can even haul junior’s camping gear for overnight expeditions in the backyard, boards for a tree house, or fishing gear. Styling on the 90 is modeled after dad’s full sized ‘Cat. It’s ready for any type of action.
Polaris – A FULL LINEUP OF YOUTH MODELS
Polaris practically needs a mini quad buyers guide of their own! With one of the most complete lineups in the sport, Polaris wasn’t about to leave youth riders out of the party and they’ve several models for the cookies and graham cracker crowd. WIth a range from 70 to 200cc in both ATV and mini-Side x Sides, the little RZRs and Sportsman ATVs are packed with a lot of great featrues. Some even come with a tracking and geao fencing system to keep Junior contrained to the property! https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road/
Can-Am DS & LITTLE RENEGADES
CAN-AM both the junior DS and Rengade youth models for our mini quad buyers guide. Both are based on their adult sized modelss, and are some of the most high-quality youth machines available. Both models are built on an identical platform in every dimension except bore and stroke of the cylinder. We like the aggressive, sporty look of the CAN-AM youth models, and they offer more features than any other youth quad, and at a very respectable price. Air cooled, 4 stroke engines, CVT transmissions with a reverse gear, electric start, chain drive, full time running lights for safety, and suspension that surpasses just about everything else. Longer suspension travel means better control when the trail gets rough, and we also like the neutral and reverse indicator lights. Shifting is done with the lever at the rider’s right knee. We really like that CAN-AM offers a 70cc alternative to the often anemic 50s, and like all CAN-AM products, the DS youth models are well built, designed for years of riding fun, and no kid will ever be disappointed with one. CAN-AM recommends age 12 and over for the DS 90, and age 6 and up for the DS 70.
https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/us/en/models/youth-off-road-vehicles.html
Yamaha Raptor 110, YFZ 50, and Grizzly 110
Without a doubt, Yamaha has the best sport ATV lineup in the business, but the Grizzly line of utility ATVs is very popular also. Thankfully, Yamaha did not forget new riders and there are three junior ATV models to choose from.
The Raptor 110 and YFZ 50 drwaw styling cues from their bigger brothers in the Yamaha Sport lineup, while the Grizzly 110 shows it;s utility side.
