KFX400 to much quad for 12yr old boy

[KAWIRYDER]

I have a 2003 KFX400 with powernow, yoshi full exhaust, K&N filter, Big gun over rev. My buddy is interested, but he asked me if it was too much machine for him. The boy is about 5 '2'' tall and about 100lbs. Would you please give me your opinion?

[soilworker]

If that kid rides that quad then you deserve to be put in jail for endangering a child. NO is the answer to your question. I used to have one and though nowhere near a 450, no kid that's 12yrs old or even that size and older should be on something like that. An accident waiting to happen.

And if a young kid that age comes on and bashes me for that then grow up and go buy a quad w/your own money instead of mommy and daddy's. The age says 16 should be youngest but that is not always right.

If a kid is 14 and like 200lbs and 6' tall then he could ride that thing easily. 5"2 and 100lbs would be like a ragdoll riding it. Completely unsafe.

[quadriderkfx400]

Ok if it is his first big machine then absoultly not. But if he knows how to handle one and has owned one before then there is no problem.

[Z-Rider86]

I'm 21 and my KFX still suprises me every now and again. I'm not sure a 100lb child would be able to handle it with what you have done to it. I'd say a big checkmark in the NO box.

[05Z400rdr]

If he has some experience with riding quads or dirtbikes, I personally think it will be great for him, but it is your and his personal preference. I have been riding since i was three, started on a little suzuki 50, then fourtrax 250, then beartracker 250, then 300ex, then kodiak 400, then z400, and now im riding/racing a lt-r450, and I am only 15 years old, 130lbs, and about 6 feet tall. I think it's a very good quad for him, as long as he feels comfortable on quads, and doesn't go over his head and trying stupid things.


Landon

[bellzbub]

i rode last weekend with a 13 yr old who was on a kfx400. that said he is about 6' tall and does not look or ride like a 13 yr old.

he could really handle that machine. on the other side of that is he has been riding for 10 yrs.

if this kids father wants to buy it for him then shame on him if he has no exp. as a responsible adult you need to really step back and think what this could or will do to this child.

my z400 is not stock and i will not let my wife ride it. she has been riding a z250 for 3 yrs. she is in no way ready for the power of the 400. no way i'm letting her get in over her head.

don't help the atv statistics look worse than they already are.

[KAWIRYDER]

I took the machine over to his house to ride. I governed it down to about 1/3 throttle and he did outstanding, even with the clutch. he has ridden four wheelers for about a 2 years and now rides his dads 450 grizzly extremely well. So I did tell him about the machine having to much power for him. He did agree, but when I governed it down it was about perfect and like csr250r said you need to have common sense and now he can grow with the machine. I did tell the boys father about all the feedback. Thanks guys your opinions were very valuable. I just hope I sell this machine someday, so I can buy my new 450 KAWI.

[TheNewn]

Jesus, it surprised me to see all the posts saying "absolutely not."

I wouldn't just slap a general "No." on if he should have it or not, If he's a good rider then by all means, sell it to him. It should be taken on a case by case basis, some 12 year olds are complete fools who shouldnt be near anything that is gas powered, others ride extremely well.

If YOU think he's a good enough rider, and his father will let him...then why not?

No, i'm not 12, i'm 18. Still young i know, but i was in the same situation (kinda) when i was 12 and riding a 400EX.
It's not like he HAS to go WOT 5th gear down the trail. I know i didnt.

[the fat kid]

this could go both ways first of all ill say the throttle works both ways you dotn have to smash it all the time, they do go slow if you want them to, and to whoever said theyre wife isint allowed to ride theirs, mine has basically no experience on a quad and she does fine, just putts around the trails, like a 10 year old could do,,,, BUT, i know how i was at that age and i wouldnt putt around id be trying to be on it, and me being at 275 lbs my dvx will certianly put me on my back in first or second with just the throttle, soo with that said id say no not yet, and my daughter is 4 now shes been riding a 110 cc quad since she was three (it was restricted alot till one day i forgot to turn it back down from me riding it and she discovered how to "roost" in the gravel and now she wont ride it when its "slow") so im sure ill run in to this situation when shes 12 or so, good luck with whatever you choose...

[07250ex]

personally he'd be all set because my buddies have predators that are decked out and i ride them all the time coming of a 250ex and before that a bayou 250 and i full throttle that son of a b everywhere cant get enough of it btw im 13 almost 14 to make it clear predators have much more power then z 400s i was amazed at how weak my buddies Z is

[scanz2k z400]

i agree with the people who are saying if he has experience. kids impress me everyday with what they are capable of. If he's mature and responsible with good experience i think he'll be fine.

[Ruby Soho]

just as long as he doesnt go wild on it he should be fine. i went from a stock dinli 90 to a 440ex. the first month i had it i barely got out of first gear.. now im getting on it because i know what it does and how it reacts to when i do certain things.

idk if they have throttle limiters on them, but if they do putting one on may help.

[coryatver]

It depends on how much riding experience he has but if he has been riding for a while it should be fine. I don't like the idea of governering it down though sometimes you need all the throttle to safely get out of situations.

[Flynbryan19]

His size is more the factor than the age although it does play in also. I would wait till he's bigger. I would want my child to be closer to 130lbs-140lbs and more like 5'5" before I let him ride a machine that size. At his size and height he'd be perfectly fine on a 300ex and it would be not so large of a machine for him to handle.

[Quad82DP]

I have to agree with Flynbrian19. The Z isn't a monster to learn on. But it doesn't come with training wheels either.

As Bellsbub said eailer in this thread, some 13 year olds are able to handle the 400. But I wouldn't let a newbee learn on one. It happens to be my son that he was talking about. This is what he started out on at age 3!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Quad82/19974Nicks4thBirthdayDarryNick.jpg



He has been on the Z for 2 years now. But hes been lucky because he has been through a lot of bikes (pw50,pw80,bw80,rm80,kx125) and quads (suz50,lt185,lt230,3 warriors) in 10 years. Being just shy of 6' and 150 pounds, he is an exception and not the rule. He has never be allowed to ride with out me. I belive that's the most important thing. To ride with your kids and often!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Quad82/100_1982.jpg

[Flynbryan19]

Originally posted by Quad82DP
I have to agree with Flynbrian19. The Z isn't a monster to learn on. But it doesn't come with training wheels either.

As Bellsbub said eailer in this thread, some 13 year olds are able to handle the 400. But I wouldn't let a newbee learn on one. It happens to be my son that he was talking about. This is what he started out on at age 3!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Quad82/19974Nicks4thBirthdayDarryNick.jpg



He has been on the Z for 2 years now. But hes been lucky because he has been through a lot of bikes (pw50,pw80,bw80,rm80,kx125) and quads (suz50,lt185,lt230,3 warriors) in 10 years. Being just shy of 6' and 150 pounds, he is an exception and not the rule. He has never be allowed to ride with out me. I belive that's the most important thing. To ride with your kids and often!



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Quad82/100_1982.jpg

Thats the key. Your son is actually taller than I am. lol Although I've got him by about 10lbs. A 13yr old that size should be able to handle the Z. ;)

And I know some will say that the women in GNCC are as small as the original kid in question, but you have to remember that these women have ALOT of experience and are also alot more mature. Theres alot that plays into it.

[JAYKNIGHT]

if you can turn the throttle down the 12 yr old can turn it up i would be worried about the kids reach at only 5'2" i hav hit rocks and stumps and had the bars ripped from me and im 6' but if it is set up right and he is suppervised and taught well he should be fine

[1992 Trx 250x]

my cousin rode a banshee when he was 12. its all about experience...

[jonboy]

I owned a T-3 and a lt250r quadracer at 13 and 14, both of which I bought with my own Tobacco money. I was about 5'4" and maybe 125 then. I had to learn those bikes like all the adults were back then. I am still alive and a very safe rider. I understand about being a worried parent, but also think that sometimes the kids will impress you with what they can do.

[moto04racing]

last year i was riding my Z at 5'3 105 lbs... i was 15 (yes small... weresting season.) and i would manhandle the Z. he'd be able to handle it with some riding experiance.. thats all that it is about.. you could put a screw in the throttle.. tune it done to about half.. plus the z's have decent suspension so it wont tip as easily as some quads...

[DVXDUDE]

I grew up riding trikes from age 5. I have a 125cc zuki trike that my dad bought for me and my brothers had a 200x and 250r hondas. I rode both of them when i was 12, mostly the 250r because it was faster lol. I'm not a very big guy either, 5'11", 165lb at 21 years old.

Its all about experience, I would think that a z400 is too much for the majority of 12 year olds, but if you know your son will take it easy on it and not be show off, then he should be alright. I'd atleast limit the throttle on it because at 100lbs the bike is gunna feel like its driving itself, he could get bucked off if he hits a good bump at high speeds

[KAWIRYDER]

Just sold my machine today. The kid was 20 yrs old and 5'9" and 150lbs. Thanks for everyones opinion they were well received. Now I can get my new KFX450R next Saturday. :D

[DVXchic]

Glad to hear u sold the bike and are in the process of a new KFX. I just felt like adding a Pic of a friend of ours who is 12 years old, his bike of choice is his Z400, heres a pic of him on it, tell me if he can handle it or not.
And i am 5'1" and 120lbs, so does that mean i should be riding a 300ex, I don't think so:)

[the fat kid]

Originally posted by DVXchic
Glad to hear u sold the bike and are in the process of a new KFX. I just felt like adding a Pic of a friend of ours who is 12 years old, his bike of choice is his Z400, heres a pic of him on it, tell me if he can handle it or not.
And i am 5'1" and 120lbs, so does that mean i should be riding a 300ex, I don't think so:)

i think its more of a maturity level thing as opposed to a size issue.

[kfxracer]

Well, it depends on the kids riding history. Like me, I've been riding since I was 5, and rode a blaster from 8-11. Then my dad got a z400 and he'd let me ride it every once in a while but not go fast on it. Well, when I was 12, he bought a 05 KFX 400 and I ended up with it. I've been riding it for a lil overe a year now, with a HMF exhaust and UNI air filter. I'm about 5'2" 110 lbs. and have no problem controling it and I even race motocross on it occasionally. I'm, very comfortable riding it even pulling big jumps and long wheelies! I'm not saying I'm the best rider ever, I'm just saying that if a kid has grown up on atv's, and has been taught how to ride properly, then yeah a 13 yrs. old could handle it, if he's been taught right and is mature on a quad. Plus, it always helps if a parent rides with you to show you mistakes you make and proper techniques for jumps and wheelies!:D ;) So, parents, teach your kids right and ride with them often!!! I know it's made a difference that my dad rides with me often!

[yellow400ex05]

Originally posted by moto04racing
last year i was riding my Z at 5'3 105 lbs... i was 15 (yes small... weresting season.) and i would manhandle the Z. he'd be able to handle it with some riding experiance.. thats all that it is about.. you could put a screw in the throttle.. tune it done to about half.. plus the z's have decent suspension so it wont tip as easily as some quads...


Heck you think your light lol i'm almost 16 5'5 and only 95, and i handle my 400ex pretty damn good lol. The only thing i hate is when u hit bumps or some whoops your back end will fly around and its very hard to control and the traction problems when your that light can't grip too well.

[danLTR450]

Well I think it depends on the riding level more than anything. You could be 25 and only 125#s as an adult too.........

My son started on

CRF50
KD80X
RM80
Z400
and sometimes my LTR

Here is a pic from last weekend on my LTR. He's 12 and 115#-120# geared up.

http://pictures.aol.com/ap/singleImage.do?pid=7b109EaHVPVtjQEUsn-pAoqytQQvSivgVktU


There riding level and knowing how to ride play the biggest role,IMO. We've got one friend in our group 6ft 175# who can't keep a 250 rental quad right side up. Let alone a 300-400-450.... It goes both ways.

[450ERRRRRR!]

Only the parent knows if there kid is mature enough to ride a Z400. I have no problem with my 12 riding her z. If I had one when I was 12 then I would not be here today. I was way to crazy and my daughter is just the opposite. She is able to hold back and refrain from running wide open all the time. She has also take her share of spills and bumps and bruises. It all depends on the kid and his maturity level

[DJR300ex]

yeah he should be just fine on it if he respects it and learns how to ride it before he goes crazy on it. but now i feel young because im just 14 and ride a 250r

[TRXRIDER4567]

my cousin is 14 and has a kfx 400 i ride it all the time i am 12


moose racing nerfs
outerwears shockcovers
FMF Powercore 4 slip on

[LRD450R]

ya i thank it all depends on riding levle becous im 15 and i can handle 700 rapter like nothing flate and 400 dont have alot of power

[procircuit406ex]

Originally posted by LRD450R
400 dont have alot of power

:huh

[honda6490]

Originally posted by LRD450R
ya i thank it all depends on riding levle becous im 15 and i can handle 700 rapter like nothing flate and 400 dont have alot of power
yea they dont have comparable power to the 700, but they dont weight 500 pounds either. alot better handling, jumping and better climbing in pits.

[3exrider23]

i think it just all depends. i just turned 15 and im average size and i have a 300 thats i just out grew and dont have fun on anymore and a kfx700 that i can whip around and ride and that wieghs 500 something lbs. i was able to ride my cousins 400ex when i was 11. and now im on his zx9r streetbike and im getting a bike myself really soon. it just depends on there riding abilitly and respect for the machine

[danLTR450]

Not to bash, but 15 on a ZX9 is a no-no.

Your compairiing apples to oranges, sorry dude.

I've ran all make and models on the track and for many years. NO 15 year old should be on a liter bike.

[Bender]

Well I think, personal experiance doesn't have much to do with it. How much pesonal experiance in life is a 12 year old going to get when he mkes a bad jugement call and gets killed crossing a road or jumping something with out checking where he/she's going.Especially if there is a group of the same age horsing around.
So far a lot of 15-18 olds chimed in thinking thats ok. But what do they really know at that age? I 've seen a lot of accidents happen in my time (I'm 36), but if you want to take a chance, go ahead it's your kid, you live it down. I have too much respect for my children, regardless of experiance.
There is a warning sticker for a reason. You are not your 12 year olds friend, you are a parent. I've done my fair share of stupid stuff , I had an 85 250r atc thats was built up at age 14, I learned much from it, you suppose to teach you kids better than you were taught so theyll do the same for their kids someday.
I'd never post a picture of my daugher wearing sneakers on a sport quad, sure many do it, doesn't make it right.
JMHO

[07250ex]

Originally posted by 450ERRRRRR!
Only the parent knows if there kid is mature enough to ride a Z400. I have no problem with my 12 riding her z. If I had one when I was 12 then I would not be here today. I was way to crazy and my daughter is just the opposite. She is able to hold back and refrain from running wide open all the time. She has also take her share of spills and bumps and bruises. It all depends on the kid and his maturity level

thats why i ride a 250 =p it would not take long till i'd be doin a 5th gear wheelie through the whoops and split my bike and me in half on a tree if i had sumtin fast :devil: cept im 14 lol

[charlie211]

Adult supervision is key...