ATVs made in China?

[LawnTamer]

Howdy all,
I am thinking about getting a small ATV for my kids for Christmas. I have noticed that several local dealers sell Chinese ATVs for dirt cheap. Many have brand new 110cc models with remote kill switches for about $500 new. I realize that these are not going to be like a Honda, but $500!
Have any of you had any experience with these machines? Could I reasonably get a few years of reliable use?

I mean, for $500, if it is reliable for 2 years, it's not a bad deal.

[cat2]

What isn't made in China now a days

[Uranus]

Just don't let kids chew on the fenders. They might get lead poisoning.

[cat2]

Originally Posted by Uranus

Just don't let kids chew on the fenders. They might get lead poisoning.

That was a good one

[Runner]

The bad thing about these things, is that they're NOT reliable for 2 years. There was a great thread on here (or maybe somewhere else) regarding these things. As tempting as it MAY seem,...don't get suckered into this. I have a good friend of mine that works at a good sized dealership, and he tells me about tyhe number of people who either bring these things in for service, or try to get parts for them. Parts? Guess what? you can't GET parts....ANYwhere! You couldn't get something as simble as a kickstarter shaft if your life DEPENDED on it! And the way these things are built, these things beak ALOT of stuff that you would never even think of. Don't do this to you kids...If you are considering getting them something, get them something of quality. Atleast if you get something like a Honda or Yamaha, you have SUPPORT. Ironically, with these though, you don't NEED the support nearly so much, because they are much better built to begin with.

[Restrorob]

100% agree with Runner,

I work for a ATV dealership and Runner is right on the money, We have people bring this junk in all the time and it seems to be worse right after Xmas. Everyone got a great deal till they break.

Now, If you bought 2 or 3 and only ran one you may have enough parts to keep one going for a year.

Your better off staying away from these things......

[LawnTamer]

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I was wondering. I think I'll search around for a little bit older model from a reliable manufacture. Occasionally a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawi will come along with fairly little use for $7-800.

[Mrs. H]

Originally Posted by Uranus

Just don't let kids chew on the fenders. They might get lead poisoning.

First thought in my head, too.

[Currier]

Based on my experience I would not buy a chinese built. I did. The older Honda we had bought for our son died and I found this "Great" deal. Same thing you described. We bought it and within the first 5 hours of riding the lights broke off. After that it was so much breakage that I didn't even try to fix the non-safety issue breaks.

When we took it back for the "6 month warrantee" the dealer freaked out and claimed all sorts of abuse. Finally the transmission locked up and I bought him a real Honda. It has never had a problem and it just so much better of a machine.

The Crx 90 (Honda) does not have reverse as the chinese junk did have. Unfortunately the chinese junk did not have a safety switch to guard against accidentally shifting into reverse. We had a cousin just about get hurt real bad. Do yourself and your kids a favor DO NOT BUY CHINESE MADE ATV's!

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

I would much rather save up and find a decent used Honda or Yamaha than buy those junkers. Some of my friends work for the Honda dealer here. They see people bring those in all the time for repairs. Anymore they want to just turn them away then work on junk