With the recent CPSC Lead Law scares, the mini quad market has generated more buzz recently than in previous years. While the lead ban is aimed at cheap, lead-painted import toys, there are plenty of other kids' products taking collateral damage-among them are ATVs, bicycles, and dirt bikes. Despite the instability of the future of youth quads, there are an astounding 23 models under 90cc up for grabs from ten legit (non knock-off) manufacturers. Here's a quick look at them. Snatch them up while you can.
Can Am www.can-am.brp.com
Can Am's offerings to the youth market are two versions of the same machine: The DS90 and DS90X are based on the same 89.5cc, air-cooled, two-valve SOHC motor mated to an automatic CVT transmission. Where the differences lie is in the suspension, where the DS 90 measures 35.6" wide with 3.4" of front travel, and 6.3" of rear travel. The racy X model measures in at 43" with 7" and 9" of travel. The X also gets disc brakes and aluminum wheels where the standard DS90 gets drum brakes, and steel wheels. The X also gets nerf bars with racing-style kick-up pegs, a 1" handlebar riser, aluminum bumpers, and an "X" package graphics kit and seat cover. MSRP for the DS 90 is $2,499, while the blinged out DS90 X model will run you $3,349.
DS90X
DS90
Kymco www.kymcousa.com
KYMCO's Mongoose 90 weighs in at 232 lbs and features an 89cc, 4-stroke air-cooled SOHC mated to a smooth-shifting, CVT automatic transmission, front drum and rear disc brakes, electric start, Maxxis tires, a 34" width. It is available in five colors (red, blue, pink, yellow, white).
MSRP: $2,099 DRR www.drrinc.com
Another USA-based youth ATV manufacturer is DRR, and like their Michigan-based counterpart Cobra, DRR has focused their efforts on race-ready minis. Five separate youth quads are in their 2010 lineup with National Contingency Programs being offered on the entire lineup. In the 50cc department DRR offers two different models, the first being the DRX2 50, and the second being the DRX2 50 LTD. There's also a DRX2 70cc model and a DRX2 90 and 90 LTD models.
Both of the liquid-cooled 50cc models and the 70cc DRX2 70 weigh in at 232 lbs and come with 21mm PWK D slide performance carburetors, high-performance intake manifolds complete with flow-control-adjustable fiberglass reeds, CVT transmissions, electric start, rear disc brakes, square-tube swingarms, and various upgradeable options such as single or dual A-arm front suspension. The DRX2 50 LTD model also comes equipped with "Pro Peg"-style nerf bars, an aluminum front bumper, aluminum wheels, and a shock upgrade.
MSRP: DRX2 50 $2,499
MSRP: DRX2 50 LTD $2,899
MSRP: DRX2 70 $2,599
The DRX2 90 and DRX2 90 LTD models also weigh in at 232 lbs and share a 90cc, two-stroke, automatically oil-injected, liquid-cooled powerplant mated to a CVT transmission. Both machines are equipped with electric start, rear cross-drilled disc brakes, 7.5" of front wheel travel, and a square-tube swingarm. The major differences between the two 90cc offerings are carburetor size (28mm PWK on the DRX2 90, 24mm on the 90 LTD), air filter (two-stage air cleaner with outerwear on the 90, remote Uni on the LTD), exhaust (carbon-fiber look silencer on the LTD), front suspension/overall width (44" dual A-arms on the 90, 41" dual A-arm, or 38" single A-arm on the LTD), and wheels (steel on the 90, aluminum on the LTD). The DRX2 90 LTD also comes with Pro Peg-style nerf bars.
MSRP: DRX2 90 $2,899
MSRP: DRX2 90 LTD $3,299
Honda www.powersports.honda.com
Honda's TRX 90X has been a staple of the Youth ATV market for as long as we can remember. The 86cc air-cooled, SOHC, single-cylinder four-stroke features electric start and is mated to a four-speed, chain-driven automatic transmission. While not quite as race-ready as other models in this comparison, the TRX90X comes with a long history of "Honda reliability," boasts 2.6" of suspension travel front and rear and drum brakes, a 35.2" width, and a curb weight of 262 lbs. The TRX is available in red or white and comes with a one-year warranty.
MSRP: $2,999