FOCUS – Kid Quads and Karts

The headlines appear every day – “Teen Killed, Friend Hurt in ATV Crash,” “14-year-old Life Flighted After ATV Accident,” “Child Killed in ATV Accident.”
Despite warnings from manufacturers and dealers, and disregarding common sense usage, parents across the nation allow children under the age of 16 to ride adult-sized ATVs. Putting kids on a large quad is dangerous, and it doesn’t have to occur.
The following pages highlight a number of companies offering small displacement machines, often referred to as “youth sized,” quads. Rather than put a child on a 600 lb. multi-speed workhorse, why not introduce a child to a size-suitable, speed restricted vehicle designed for play?
Another vehicle type highlighted in this Powersports Business Focus section is the kart – both off-road and race versions. Off-road karts represent a relatively new product niche, but one that is picking up steam in many markets across the world. In fact, at the recent International Motorcycle and Scooter Show (INTERMOT) in Munich, no less than 30 companies showcased these unique vehicles.