What would be a good sized ATV for a 15 year old

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Not to beat a dead cow or anything, but I was wondering if ATVs are like wine; the older the better?

I found a '92 FourTrax 250(x I assume) on Craigslist. He wants the MSRP for it(1250) but he seems like he is has to get rid of it, so I was wondering what I could propose to him, that doesnt seem like a complete [donkey] but is not way too high. Kbb.com says that suggested retail value, but that assumes that its fit for a king, and has not one scuff on it. It definately looks less than prestine, having a dent in the seat(I dont know if this is padding, or if its plastic.)

Also, is it a pain to find parts for things of a earlier decade?

Or are these as bad as the 3 wheelers that got phased out for a reason?

http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/1856928084.html


My friend said stay away from Blasters and Banshees... so I have to find out if it was that sports are bad for my terrain, or if its that he thinks they are too small/fast for me... but I might just get one anyway, if I see one that comes up cheap...

 

[newrider3]

Or are these as bad as the 3 wheelers that got phased out for a reason?

Mind elaborating on that remark?

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Mind elaborating on that remark?

Sorry if I offended you(I know some people love their trikes to death) but the design was known to be hazardous. It was less than stable on un-even terrain, and killed more than one person due to this. They were phased out infavor of a more safe design in the late 80s early 90s.

Just a brief result from google:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080307170506AAZ8AjH

http://forums.atvconnection.com/atc-3-wheelers/287095-three-wheelers-dangerous.html


[They were outlawed due to this reason]

 

[That One Guy]

When my father was younger (20's) he and a friend of his had them. They lived in Arizona, which has massive craters (Or where they rode, anyway). Anyway, my father was ahead of his buddy, and soon realized that he could no longer hear the constant drone of his engine. So, he stopped, shut off his trike and listened. All he could hear was his buddy screaming his name. He rode towards his voice until he found the particular crater where his friend lay. He was sitting up with his sheared left humerus sticking 4 inches out of his shoulder.

Let the debate ensue...

 

[newrider3]

Sorry if I offended you(I know some people love their trikes to death) but the design was known to be hazardous. It was less than stable on un-even terrain, and killed more than one person due to this. They were phased out infavor of a more safe design in the late 80s early 90s.

Just a brief result from google:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080307170506AAZ8AjH

http://forums.atvconnection.com/atc-3-wheelers/287095-three-wheelers-dangerous.html


[They were outlawed due to this reason]

Please try looking at some more reliable sources than Yahoo answers. The CPSC mortality reports for instance. A good 75-80% of the incidents were related to someone riding drunk, riding on the road, and other various errors like riding with two or three kids on the machine with you. One incident that was blamed on the vehicle was a man carrying a steak knife in his back pocket while riding, and he sustained injuries to his ***. Can you seriously tell me that is the threewheeler's fault?

When my father was younger (20's) he and a friend of his had them. They lived in Arizona, which has massive craters (Or where they rode, anyway). Anyway, my father was ahead of his buddy, and soon realized that he could no longer hear the constant drone of his engine. So, he stopped, shut off his trike and listened. All he could hear was his buddy screaming his name. He rode towards his voice until he found the particular crater where his friend lay. He was sitting up with his sheared left humerus sticking 4 inches out of his shoulder.

Again, what does this have to do with the machine he was riding? So he would've been safer on a dirtbike, or with a 700lb quad on top of him??
Offroading is dangerous, no matter what vehicle you are using.


The bottom line is if you ride stupidly, you are going to get hurt, and it is no one's fault but your own.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

When my father was younger (20's) he and a friend of his had them. They lived in Arizona, which has massive craters (Or where they rode, anyway). Anyway, my father was ahead of his buddy, and soon realized that he could no longer hear the constant drone of his engine. So, he stopped, shut off his trike and listened. All he could hear was his buddy screaming his name. He rode towards his voice until he found the particular crater where his friend lay. He was sitting up with his sheared left humerus sticking 4 inches out of his shoulder.

Let the debate ensue...

Lets not start a debate, shall we? I just would like an answer on the ATV, not a war over 3 vs. 4 wheeler.... Thanks.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Please try looking at some more reliable sources than Yahoo answers. The CPSC mortality reports for instance. A good 75-80% of the incidents were related to someone riding drunk, riding on the road, and other various errors like riding with two or three kids on the machine with you. One incident that was blamed on the vehicle was a man carrying a steak knife in his back pocket while riding, and he sustained injuries to his ***. Can you seriously tell me that is the threewheeler's fault?

Thats why I included another source. I know, forums, but everyone has their own oppinion. And yea, that steak knife thing is obserd.

Didnt mean to start a debate on 3 wheelers....gawd... I just was using that as an example of things that were phased out due to issues.

 

[That One Guy]

Sarcasm, my good sir.

 

[newrider3]

OK, to go a bit back on topic, I would stay away from older machines (with a notable exception being hi-po atvs' like the TRX250r, LT250r/500, Banshee, etc) just for the simple fact of how greatly some of the designs have improved over the years. The older lower end lower performance machines are somewhat more inferior designs, especially in regards to suspension when comparing to something more modern.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

OK, to go a bit back on topic, I would stay away from older machines (with a notable exception being hi-po atvs' like the TRX250r, LT250r/500, Banshee, etc) just for the simple fact of how greatly some of the designs have improved over the years. The older lower end lower performance machines are somewhat more inferior designs, especially in regards to suspension when comparing to something more modern.

Okay thanks my kind sir.

What would you recommend, under $1k with price, for maybe a mid condition(needing carb cleaning, some plastic damage(scratches, missing paint), stuff like that.)

Any idea why my friend would say to steer clear of blasters and banshees? I dont really want to go utility, because, I was spoiled on my first ride... having ridden on a Raptor... I liked the feel of the sport.... (not stiff, somewhat quiet, et cetera.)

 

[That One Guy]

Quiet?

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Quiet?

Quite... you know what I meant.....

 

[That One Guy]

Actually, no. I'm still lost.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Actually, no. I'm still lost.

Not loud!

 

[That One Guy]

You said quite the second time, not quiet. I'm jus sayin sport quads are usually louder than utility quads.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

You said quite the second time, not quiet. I'm jus sayin sport quads are usually louder than utility quads.

Mmm but it was also a 4 stroke... I would expect it to sound more like a lawn mower if I went 2 stroke....

 

[mrfreyguy]

OK, to go a bit back on topic, I would stay away from older machines (with a notable exception being hi-po atvs' like the TRX250r, LT250r/500, Banshee, etc) just for the simple fact of how greatly some of the designs have improved over the years. The older lower end lower performance machines are somewhat more inferior designs, especially in regards to suspension when comparing to something more modern.

If hes just getting something for him to tool around on he should get what he can afford. Dont get me wrong though I love new atv's with all the power and more features but I also enjoy older ATV's because there reliable and they are very simple and easy to work on. Bottom line get what you can afford and get something that will bring you too and from in one peice.

 

[That One Guy]

Oh, two stroke to four stroke comparison. I get it.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

If hes just getting something for him to tool around on he should get what he can afford. Dont get me wrong though I love new atv's with all the power and more features but I also enjoy older ATV's because there reliable and they are very simple and easy to work on. Bottom line get what you can afford and get something that will bring you too and from in one peice.

I want something to "tool around on" but also something that I can race with, should I go that route, or race friends in local fields/sand pits.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I have a lead on an ATV, a Yamaha Warrior 350 1998, for $850. All it needs is a lower ball joint, and a rear caliper. Does this sound good?