Fast Lane Kawasaki ATV
Street Price: $29.99 US
Manufacturer: Scientific Toys for Fast Lane
Mfgr's recommended min. age: 6
Our recommended age range: 5-8
Primary use: Indoor or outdoors
Top speed: ~3mph
Radio: 49mhz (27mhz also available)
Includes:
- Assembled vehicle
- Controller
- Instructions
- 7x AA batteries
Initial Impressions
The Fast Lane RC 1/7th scale Kawasaki ATV is a low-end toy RC that tries to give a big "wow" factor for a low price. It uses 5 AA batteries in the vehicle and 2 AA's in the controller, but the batteries are not included. The size and visual impact are its biggest assets, with a realistic appearance that includes not only a rider figure, but details of the frame, engine, and exhaust. The ATV has a stiff spring in the rear, but the front suspension is non-functional and just for looks.
Testing
The Fast Lane RC Kawasaki ATV is slow enough to be used indoors without causing damage when it crashes into things, and it's plenty fast for younger kids around the house, whether on hard flooring or soft carpet. Outside, it can go over soft or hard dirt, but not grass. It can go over fine gravel, but bigger stuff will get it stuck. Interestingly, Toys R Us has a video on their site and their YouTube channel that claims this ATV can go up "rocky hillsides," but that is completely and utterly false in every way. The vehicle does not handle rocky terrain well, and it doesn't have the power to go uphill unless it's a smooth surface with only a very, very gentle slope.
Video
(Click a video a second time to view it larger in a new window.)
Conclusion
Fast Lane RC's 1/7th scale Kawasaki ATV isn't a speed demon, and it doesn't do big jumps & stunts or conquer nasty off-road terrain. It's a pretty basic RC that goes forward & reverse and left & right at a modest pace and can successfully navigate mostly flat dirt or fine gravel. For its price, you get a pretty big RC, and for kids in its suggested age range, it can produce some bright eyes of excitement and a lot of fun & pride. It's a pretty decent value.