Nitro Quad Bike Reviews: Which Size Suits Your Rider? (50cc to 180cc)
By AfricaQuads · · 6 min read
Buying a quad bike in South Africa usually starts with one question: which size is right for the rider? We sell the full Nitro range from our Lenasia base and courier nationwide, so here is our straight-talking review of every size, using the real specifications of the quads we stock.
The Nitro range at a glance
50cc quads (6 models)
Age: 3–7 years · Top speed: 45 km/h · Max load: 60 kg
Enquire for price
110cc quads (3 models)
Top speed: ~50–55 km/h · Max load: ~80 kg
From R 14 000
125cc quads (7 models)
Top speed: 45 km/h · Max load: 85 kg
From R 18 500
180cc quads (3 models)
Age: 16 years and older · Top speed: 70 km/h · Max load: 185 kg
Enquire for price
Kids electric ride-on (1 model)
From R 4 000
50cc kids quad bikes: the first ride
The 50cc Nitro quads are where most families start. The Upgraded Pull-start models are made for ages 3 to 7, weigh just 31 kg and carry a rider of up to 60 kg. They are automatic, so there are no gears to learn, and they have disc brakes front and rear.
The 50cc Wrangler Electric Start adds push-button starting alongside the pull start, which makes life easier for small hands. Both run on a 2-stroke petrol and oil mix (25:1), so you mix the fuel before filling up.
Our view: a great first quad for young children riding on a farm, smallholding or private track with an adult nearby. Children who are close to 60 kg or getting confident quickly will outgrow it, so look at the 110cc instead.
110cc quads: the step up for youth riders
The 110cc Nitro Offroad quads have a 4-stroke engine, so there is no fuel mixing: just unleaded petrol in the tank and engine oil in the motor. They are automatic with electric start, reach about 50 to 55 km/h and carry up to about 80 kg. LED headlights and rear brake lights are a nice touch for late-afternoon rides.
Our view: the sweet spot for older children and young teens who have outgrown a 50cc. Easy to ride, cheap to run and still compact enough for a bakkie.
125cc Raptor and Wrangler: sporty and practical
At 125cc you choose between two characters. The Raptor is the sporty one: automatic with reverse, electric start, a mono-shock swingarm at the back and tubeless tyres. The Nitro Wrangler 125cc is the outdoorsy one, with aluminium rims and forward and reverse gears.
Both carry up to 85 kg and are rated at a top speed of 45 km/h, so they suit teens and lighter adults who want a bigger, more stable quad rather than raw speed.
Our view: pick the Raptor for a sporty look and simple automatic riding; pick the Wrangler if the quad will also do some light work around the plot.
180cc Wrangler: the adult all-rounder
The 180cc Wrangler is our biggest quad and is recommended for riders aged 16 and older. Its GY-6 motor makes 7.3 kW, it reaches about 70 km/h and it is rated for a rider of up to 185 kg. Disc brakes front and rear, front and rear luggage racks and a rear tow hitch make it genuinely useful on a farm or game lodge.
Our view: the one to buy if an adult will ride it, or if you need to carry feed, tools or firewood. It is too big and too fast for children.
Kids electric ride-on: for the very young
For toddlers and young children up to about 8 years old, the 12V electric ride-on is a quiet, petrol-free option with four motors, high and low speed and Bluetooth. It is delivered by courier only.
How to choose: our quick checklist
- Match the quad to the rider's age and weight first, not to what they will grow into. A quad that is too big is the most common safety mistake.
- Check the maximum load on the specifications and stay under it.
- Decide where you will ride: private land, a farm or a track. Unregistered off-road quads are not for public roads.
- Budget for safety gear: a helmet, goggles, gloves, long sleeves and boots.
- Factor in courier if you are outside Gauteng. We deliver nationwide, or you can collect in Lenasia.
Still not sure? Ask us
Tell us the rider's age, height and weight on WhatsApp and we will recommend a size. You can see every quad, with current prices and full specifications, in our range on the home page.
Questions about a quad?
WhatsApp us during business hours. Collection in Lenasia or courier anywhere in South Africa.