What�s so �mini� about Mini ATVs?

Being in this industry, I get asked this a lot….what exactly is it that makes a mini ATV a mini ATV. Why not just call it an ATV made for kids? It is, after all, precisely that. In all honesty, although mini ATVs are smaller versions, slower versions of the adult ATVs, there are many differences between an adult ATV and a kid’s mini ATV.

The most obvious reason would be the size of the motor which are made for kids of different ages. For instance, kids between 6 and 12 should be riding 50cc mini ATVs; kids 12 to 16 should be riding 90cc mini ATVs and kids over 16 should be able to handle mini ATVs or ATVs over 90cc. The threshold that we usually keep to is 16. Although this is the regulation governing mini ATV riding for kids, I sometimes think it’s a little unfair but rules are rules, of course. For example, it’s not uncommon to find a very mature 10 or 11 year old who can easily handle a 90cc mini ATV, especially girls but because the law is put in such a way that mature ATV riders are not allowed to ride on anything faster because we cannot judge maturity. While there are measuring methods for width, height, age but there’s none for maturity! And furthermore, some kids are heavier, bigger or taller than others the same age. The rules don’t take into account that factor as well.

With all that said, it cannot be denied that rules are rules and we have to follow the rules to mini ATV riding as much as possible because it’s there to protect the kids, you see. But have you ever seen a teen ATV rider who is an exceptional ATV rider? Have you seen a taller than normal kid riding a 50cc mini ATV because the law does not allow the kid to ride anything faster or bigger than that. Sometimes I feel a sense of regret for having to force these kids to ride what they have outgrown and it makes me feel like a little bit helpless in a sense. Some of these parents wish that they could send their kids for pro ATV riding classes so that they can break the kids out of the regulation. It’s true that some parents are irresponsible who lets their kids ride adult ATVs instead of mini ATVs but in some way, parents should be given the chance to make the decision for themselves. For exceptional riders who have outgrown their mini ATVs, the parents should be able to appeal to a certain regulating body to let the child ride anything but the mini ATVs that they’re allowed to. For example, if I feel that my 14 year old is capable of handing a 90cc, then I should be given the chance to decide.

I am just deliberating here but perhaps we can set something up whereby we can test the skill of the kid on their mini ATVs before allowing them to ride a certain size of ATV? Until that time comes, we’ll have to adhere to the rules for now, though.

And don’t ever forget proper ATV riding gear for the little ones too. You can find some really good kids ATV helmets here and check out some of the kids riding apparel we have too, in the meantime. There’s nothing more important than their safety whenever the kids are riding their mini ATVs.

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