October 18, 2018, 08:22 AM
stickman428Is a Yamaha Raptor 80 a good first ATV?
I think the time has come to introduce my son to the fun world of powersports. While I’d love to get him a dirtbike he is MUCH more into ATVs and I believe it’s a slightly safer choice.
I’ve been looking at used Yamaha Raptors. My son is 8 so he falls in between the 6 and up age limit of the Raptor 50 and the 12 and up limit of the 80. My son is pretty big for his size and with built in speed governors and an auto clutch 3 speed I think the 80 makes more sense. I’m worried he would quickly outgrow the 50.
Who else makes a good 50-80cc ATV?
The Raptor 80 is a sweet looking little ATV. I showed my son a pic and he went wild.
October 18, 2018, 08:26 AM
P250UA5My sister had what I think was an 80. It had a CVT trans, and was still pretty peppy with my 160lb self on it.
My dad had some carb issues with it, but it was a good starter.
October 18, 2018, 08:34 AM
dusty3030I shopped them all and quality wise I thought the Yamaha was the best of the breed for a youth sport ATV after looking at them all.
I got a good deal on a Polaris 50 when my boy was 5. He rode the snot out of it but it could be a bitch to start if your weren't judicious about keeping no ethanol gas in it.
Mine is now 10 and about 110lbs and we have him in a Polaris Razor 170 EFI SxS.
Polaris has a 110 cc EFI more utility quad that is pretty handy too.
https://atv.polaris.com/en-us/sportsman-110-efi/October 18, 2018, 09:37 AM
hvyhawlerWe have a 50cc.... get the 80cc... Go to the forums.. upgrades ranging from carb slides, throttle cable fixes, new cdi boxes... My grandkids 50cc are about to see some of those. I really do like Yamaha stuff...
October 18, 2018, 09:41 AM
dusty3030Heck I just looked and Yamaha has a youth utility ATV now too.
https://www.yamahamotorsports....tv/models/grizzly-90October 18, 2018, 07:39 PM
stickman428My son and I went and looked at a Raptor 80 for sale locally tonight. I’ll be bringing it home tomorrow morning.

October 18, 2018, 09:05 PM
nmsuGood choice with the 80. We have a yamaha 90 and the motor was sourced from ETON I think and it has never run well for us. I would be careful with any new small Yamaha and make sure it has a true Yamaha motor.
October 18, 2018, 09:08 PM
jimmy123xThe raptor is a good ATV and has some balls.
October 18, 2018, 10:06 PM
Jellyquote:
Originally posted by nmsu:
Good choice with the 80. We have a yamaha 90 and the motor was sourced from ETON I think and it has never run well for us. I would be careful with any new small Yamaha and make sure it has a true Yamaha motor.
This is getting to be a big problem with some of the newer ATVs. For instance the Kawasaki Brute Force 300 is made by ATVKwang Yang Motor Co. Ltd, of Taiwan not just the engine.. the entire ATV and they seem to be a source of endless problems.
October 19, 2018, 05:59 AM
stickman428I like the auto clutch. For such a tiny little ATV it will get up and go with both of us riding. I think it should serve my son well. He wants a leather jacket like my alpine stars stunting jacket.
