Weekend Warrior: 2012 Polaris Outlaw 90 - Perfect For Young Riders

[caption id="attachment_18580" align="alignright" width="300"] The Outlaw not only has a fun, edgy name, but it comes in colors that kids will love - pink and white or blue and white.[/caption]

For me, offroading is a family experience, and my youngest is getting old enough now (she just turned 10) that she is ready to start learning the ropes of driving ATVs. I'm certainly not going to let her learn on my ride, as it's far too large and powerful for her. So instead I've been looking for smaller ATVs that are better suited for a young learner. The one ride that caught my eye is the 2012 Polaris Outlaw 90. This youth ATV has a modest engine, easy-to-navigate controls and parental controls that will let me decide just how fast my girl is going to be riding.

The Outlaw not only has a fun, edgy name, but it comes in colors that kids will love - pink and white or blue and white. Additionally, Polaris saves parents the hassle of buying an ATV helmet for their youngster, as this piece of motorcycle gear, as well as a safety flag and an instructional DVD, are included with your purchase. While you might know everything there is to know about ATVs, there's no harm in having your kid hear all about safety and riding tips from as many sources as possible, so don't discount the DVD as a helpful tool.

The Outlaw has a four-stroke engine with a modest 89cc displacement. The ATV is also pretty easy for kids to handle, since it only weight 274 pounds dry. However, it is a bit larger than other youth-oriented models. At 4 feet, 8 inches, my daughter is tall for her age, so this probably won't be an issue for her, but if your kid is smaller, you might want to wait until he or she is a bit older, as the Outlaw is ideal for kids who are closer to 5 feet in height. The larger size is advantageous though, as it means your kid will be able to continue using it as they get older and bigger.

The bike is fully automated, with a push start ignition and automatic transmission. This lets your kid learn the ropes of handling an ATV on and off the road without having to worry about figuring out shifting. Once they've got a good feel for riding you can consider adding that element, but it is best to keep things simple. This will help keep them safer as they get to know their new ride.

2012 Polaris Outlaw 90 Image Gallery