We test a plethora of kids bikes in ADB because we recognise that a large slice of our audience are kids. Kids from as young as two years old ride dirtbikes nowadays (well, electric balance bikes) so we’re forever on the lookout for kids bikes to test as well as adult bikes. ADB would be one of the only magazines in the world that caters for both adults and kids which is pretty cool! And this month we have the 2024 Kawasaki KFX90 to test.
As a result of all the testing we do, we have a team of kids on hand for testing. Those lucky kids (the Briggs girls, Marcello Evans, Indi Hooper and my son Jaxon) get to swing off so many different machines and it’s technically work! As a kid it would’ve been my dream. For the 14 years I’ve been working on ADB, those tests have always been on two wheels. So when I rallied the grommets and told them they’d be testing a quad I got a few weird looks.
The quad they were testing is called the 2024 Kawasaki KFX90 and it’s designed for kids 10 years and older. It’s powered by a 90cc four-stroke engine and the power is managed through a simple yet efficient Keihin PTE16 carburettor. Making it easier for kids to pilot, Kawasaki have bolted on an electric start with kick backup. The younger kids loved the key and button start (kids and buttons, right?!) and the motor was fantastic. It’s got plenty of grunt for kids that weigh between 20kg and 70kg and it was surprisingly quiet for a quad too.
The transmission is an automatic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with a centrifugal clutch, which adjusts seamlessly to changing terrains and riding conditions without the need for manual gear changes. This is coupled with a chain final drive. No clutch and no gears is fantastic for young kids who haven’t learnt to change gears yet like Jax. It allowed them to focus on throttle control and counter-balancing the bike. Most ag quads don’t have gears but race quads do.
The KFX90 utilizes an air-cooled system, which simplifies maintenance and improves reliability by avoiding the complexities of liquid-cooling systems. Lubrication is managed through a forced, wet sump system, and the other benefit of this is more controlled oil flow throughout the engine for better performance and longevity. When the kids were learning to ride the KFX90 it sat and idled for long periods so not worrying about it overheating or having to turn it on and off was welcomed by us parents. It also gave me a sense of peace that the kids could run it on the farm for years and there’s one less thing to worry about and fear might break. Typically, air-cooled engines last forever.
It’s loaded with safety features too which was great for the younger testers. The Kawasaki KFX90 gets a keyed ignition system so all you have to do is hide the key in a place they can’t reach it and they can’t ride off without you knowing! The 2024 Kawasaki KFX90 also has a throttle-limiting screw, which restricts throttle movement, and a collar on the automatic CVT. This collar can be removed as the rider’s skills develop, allowing the KFX90 to go faster as the rider gains experience.
The adjustable screw is brilliant and allowed kids aged 5 through to 12 to ride the KFX90. In the slowest mode it went as quick as a slow jog. With the limiter all the way out it did over 60km/h.
The KFX90 is equipped with full-coverage floorboards that feature a slip-resistant texture. This worked great for our riders when standing while navigating rough terrain, providing better control and stability. Another benefit is better mud protection, which not only maintains the engine at cooler operating temperatures but also prevents the build-up of dirt on your kids’ boots and on the KFX90 rear-end.
The KFX90 runs a double cradle, steel frame with a single A-arm front suspension with twin shocks and a swingarm rear suspension with a single shock. It runs 71mm of travel up front and 74mm at the rear. The suspension worked great for absorbing all the bumps and rocks but with the kids that weighed between 20-30kg it was a touch stiff.
The steering angle is incredibly tight for a quad, allowing for excellent manoeuvrability in tight spaces. The dual front brakes are a mechanical drum setup, while the rear is equipped with a more responsive hydraulic disc brake, complemented by a mechanical drum parking brake. The brakes were great and the kids could pull big skids.
The ATV measures 1425mm in length, 900mm in width, and 925mm in height, so it’s small (but not the smallest, that’s the Suzuki Z50). Our testers that were about 140cm and 40kg were best suited to the size. Its wheelbase is 965mm, which helps in maintaining good stability and handling and the seat height is set at 650mm so while Jax couldn’t reach the ground at 120cm, Blair Briggs was just tall enough to get one foot on the ground while seated at 140cm. If you’re over 160cm tall you’re going to start feeling cramped.
Aesthetic enhancements on the KFX90 for 2024 include new sporty front-end styling and LED lighting. Front LED accent lights and an LED taillight not only improve visibility but also add a modern touch to the vehicle’s appearance. The grill’s design sharpens the front end, while tall front fenders project a dynamic off-road capability and sporty performance.
For an ATV designed for kids 10 years old, it’s quite heavy at 122 kg but the benefit of the heavier vehicle meant that our testers felt planted and stable.
The fuel capacity of the 2024 Kawasaki KFX90 is 5.3 litres, which provides a decent range. You should be able to ride for most of the day if you’re mucking around on your farm.
I was surprised at how much the kids loved the 2024 Kawasaki KFX90. Some of them had never ridden a quad! Something about it being different and new meant they wouldn’t take it in turns testing it. The novelty of riding a miniature quad, just like dads was exciting for them.
The KFX90 was easy for all of them to ride thanks to the docile motor and agile handling. While a little heavy on the scales, the 122kg means it seemed a little more planted and the brakes are excellent so there’s no fear of them not being able to stop.
We did worry that they wouldn’t understand how to counter balance the weight but they worked it out using their dirbtike knowledge. If your little one doesn’t ride a dirtbike, maybe restrict them to flat paddocks only. Finally the idle screw was a game changer, being able to slow it up for Jax and let it sing for Marcello meant kids between the ages of five and 13 could ride it because you don’t necessarily have to get your feet on the ground to hold it up or balance on it.
2024 Kawasaki KFX90
Engine Four-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC
Displacement 90cc
Bore x Stroke 47.0 x 51.8 mm
Compression Ratio 10.0:1
Fuel System Carburettor: Keihin PTE16
Starting Electric with kick backup
Cooling Air-cooled
Transmission Automatic, CVT with centrifugal clutch
Frame Double cradle, steel
Front Suspension Single A-arm with twin shocks, 71mm travel
Rear Suspension Swingarm with single shock, 74m travel
Front Tire AT 18 x 7-8
Rear Tire AT 18 x 9-8
Front Brakes Dual mechanical drums
Rear Brake Hydraulic disc
Wheelbase 965 mm
Ground Clearance 100 mm
Seat Height 650 mm
Weight 122 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 5.3 litres
Words and Pics | Mitch Lees