CPSC calls the Kazuma Meerkat 50 UNSAFE

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118109173218725876.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Chinese ATV Is Called Hazardous
June 10, 2007

A Chinese-made all-terrain vehicle designed to appeal to children is unsafe and drivers risk injury or death, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The Kazuma Meerkat 50 Youth All-Terrain Vehicle has no front or parking brake and can be started in gear, the agency said. Consumers should stop using the product immediately, and demand a refund, the commission said.

The commission usually announces recalls of items it deems unsafe. In this case, the distributor, Stafford, Texas-based Kazuma Pacific Inc., declined to settle with the agency and will continue to sell the off-road vehicle, a commission statement said. The four-wheel, 156-pound ATV sells for $525 to $825.

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Thanks for the info buddy! Wink

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I actually considered one of these for the kids. Guess I won't now!

Thanks for the heads up!

I would think it would be a little crazy for the company to continue selling after a statement like that from the CPSC, but I have to assume some fixes are coming down the pipeline?? Odd series of events.

-Steve

Posts: 3560 · *Last edited by guy48065 on Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:35 pm; edited 1 time in total*

While I'm sure the facts are true, I wonder if the Meercat is any different from other 50cc youth atv's?

I think it's probably not a wise choice for Kazuma to spurn them. Like the Borg, "Resistance Is Futile" Wink

I'm a little suspicious of the CPSC since the Yerf recall. For those who don't know, the Yerf 3206 had several problem areas. The front spindles were undersized and prone to breaking off. The rear axle was also undersized where the hubs attached and it could snap there. Both of these could cause an accident as your wheel departed your buggy Shocked

So the CPSC announces a recall...for the balljoints! Until that recall I hadn't heard a single complaint of breaking or losing a balljoint. I called the CPSC on 3 separate occasions and could never reach anyone who knew any details, nor had heard of issues with the axles.

Like most any big bureaucracy some things they do are good, and justify our tax dollars, but others might indicate some hidden agenda. Good luck Kazuma.

Posts: 1678

Posts: 1678

This Kazuma stuff is all over the net:

http://www.atvaonline.com/News/07/Meerkat.asp

http://www.atvriders.com/atvnews/cpsc2007kazumameerkat50atvrecall.html

even the lawyers are getting in on this:
http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/meerkat-atv-cpsc-warning/Index.aspx
If a child has been injured on a Kazuma Meerkat 50 that you own, you should contact Pritzker immediately to speak with an attorney.

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I just got one for my little girl this past weekend for $200. I think it's a great first atv for a little kid. The article just says it has no front brake, parking brake, or neutral indicator. I don't think that's such a big deal. It has a rear brake operated by your right foot, which should be fine. It's so tiny, there's no room for a brake up front anyway. It's so light weight, even if it ran over a little kid, it wouldn't be a serious injury. Kids are going to get hurt on any atv. Just part of being a kid. I think the key is to teach the kid how to operate it properly, and set the limiter screw so it won't go faster than they can handle. Mine is set at about ~4mph. That's not enough to go up any of the hills around my house, so she can only ride it in the flat back yard. I found a set of wheel spacers on ebay to push the tires out a few inches to make it a little bit more stable when turning. I'm not worried about this recall.

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Posts: 489

Well here it goes again these bloodsucking lawyers got a list of 14 different atvs with recalls.Not just the Kazuma. Ready and waiting arent they.

http://www.pritzkerlaw.com/polaris-hawkeye-recall/Index.aspx

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This is one of the first quads we got. Still running. It is really cold blooded though, but once it runs for a few minutes, it's good to go the rest of the day. My daughter dumped it once going too fast in a turn, my niece ran over a boulder going up a hill following me (I knocked it out of the dirt) and it rolled back on top of her. I have yet to find a "safety" issue with it after almost 2 years. My 3 year old will be riding it this winter. I like that you can keep it in 1st gear too.