Kymco Mongoose 50

The Mongoose 50 blows apart preconceptions about entry-level quads being stripped models that are boring. With low-profile 16x8-7 tires front and rear and aggressive bodywork, the Mongoose looks the part of a performance quad. And the look is more than skin-deep. Front and rear suspension is hidden under that plastic. Sure, there is only a hair less than 3 inches of travel available, but that keeps the center of gravity low. And in practice, the suspension works pretty well for the riders and conditions for which a 50cc quad is intended. The chassis also has plenty of performance features. The track is wide enough considering the cg, and the Kymco 50 turns crisply yet isn't tip-prone. All in all, the Mon-goose is a platform that offers plenty of comfort, stability and handling to suit a younger rider. It is sufficiently docile for teaching newbies but isn't a quad a youth would become tired of quickly.

For a 50, the performance of the Mon-goose is amazing. We assumed some of the restrictors required to limit the Mongoose's speed to 10 mph (demanded by the American National Safety Institute) had been defeated. But that wasn't the case, and despite its restricted state, the Kymco 50 has zippy performance right from the crack of the throttle. Acceleration is brisk up to the 10-mph top speed. Even with 200-pound adults cruising camp on the 50, the Mongoose snapped out of turns and was able to climb impressive grades. With lighter riders, the quad accelerated even more impressively, and for the watching parent, there was the potential for alarm. Fortunately, the Mongoose comes with a tethered kill switch, a cord attached to a cap that kills the engine when it is pulled off. We set the throttle restrictor very low, then walked or jogged alongside beginner riders while we were instructing them on proper technique and safety. If we saw any hint of a problem, we could yank the cord and stop the fun. As a parent, I call that a very nice touch.

Older, more experienced riders found the acceleration pleasing. We rode the Mon-goose in everything from rocks to sand washes without any problems. With a 135-pound rider up, we did have one steep climb on which the 50 began to run out of power right at the top. Also, the older riders would have been safe with a top speed higher than 10 mph. As a rider advances, he can perk up the Mongoose for more performance by defeating the restrictors. The easiest alteration is to change the setting on the throttle-stop screw. There is also a wire that can be cut to override the 10-mph rev-limiter. Finally, spacers in the torque converter can be removed so the belt can achieve full travel.

We had only a few problems crop up. The low-profile tires make the Mongoose 50 a blast in the sand or on flat turns but are so small that the rear brake drum and sprocket aren't much smaller. Both the drum and sprocket have nice bash guards/skid plates standard, and that brings the clearance even lower. We high-centered the rear axle on some fairly small rocks before we checked out the rear of the machine, then instructed our older rider to run the right-side wheels just to the outside of the trail obstacles. Once, we high-centered in plain sand following other quads that had added wheel ruts to a moist sand wash. The 50 is light, though, so getting it unstuck was easy.

Everything considered, we had a ball with the Mongoose 50. It provides hours of fun, has snappy performance and is pretty quiet. It is easy to load and store. It barely seemed to consume gasoline and drank even less two-stroke injector oil. Factor in a reasonable price, and you have plenty of bang for the buck. Add that smile to the one the performance and handling will inspire, and you'll be grinning big.

Kymco Mongoose 50
Retail price: $1499

Engine
Type: Single-cylinder, two-stroke
Displacement: 49cc
Bore x stroke: 39x41.4mm
Cooling: Air-cooled with fan assist
Carburetion: PB 14mm
Lubrication: Oil injection
Starting: Electric with auxiliary kickstarter

Drivetrain
Drive system: Chain, 2x4
Transmission: Automatic CVT

Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: Single A-arm/2.9 in.
Rear: Swingarm/2.7 in.

Tires
Front and rear: 16x8-7

Brakes
Front and rear: Drum

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 35.4 in.
Claimed dry weight: 221 lb
Ground clearance: 5.7 in.
Length/width/height: 54.0/35.0/36.0 in.
Seat height: 25.0 in.
Fuel capacity: 1.4 gal.

Electrical
Taillight: Yes
Headlight: NA
Instrumentation: NA
Colors: Blue, red, yellow

+ Light, quiet, fun and affordable with fine engine and chassis performance
- Low clearance at rear axle
= If you have youth riders, grab a couple