Nov. 2004
Dinli website

Dinli L.P., producing youth quads since 1999, has been an innovator of several features used in youth quads today. Some of these are Hydraulic Disc Brakes (1999), Wireless Remote Engine Shutoff (1999), Fully Enclosed Floorboards (1999), Solid Locking Rear Axles with a Life-time Guarantee (1999), Reverse (2001), and Speedometer (2002). Dinli proves to be a tough competitor among the youth quad industry.
We are proud to provide a comprehensive review of two Dinli youth quads, based on criteria pertinent to potential buyers who want their child's quad to function dependably on the trail.


Specs:

Dinli Diamondback 90cc

Styling
Colors - Black/White, Blue/White, Red/White, Yellow/White
Features - Chrome Bumper

Engine
Type - 2-Stroke Single, Air Cooled, Oil Injection
Displacement - 89cc
Bore x Stroke - 52 x 43mm
Max Horsepower - 7.7 hp / 7000 rpm
Max Torque - 6.6 ft-lbs / 7000 rpm
Transmission - Automatic (CVT-belt)
Drive Train - Chain 428 O-ring
Starting System - Electric / Kick
Battery - 7 amp Maintenance Free

Chassis
Rear Axle - Solid Locking Rear Axle
Suspension / Rear - Swingarm with Adjustable Hydraulic Shock
Suspension / Front- Single A-arms with Adjustable Hydraulic Shocks
Travel / Rear - 2 inches
Travel / Front - 2 inches
Brakes / Rear - Hydraulic Disc Brake
Brakes / Front - Drum
Tires / Rear - Maxxis 18 x 9.5-8
Tires / Front - Maxxis 19 x 7-8

Dimensions
Length - 58.0 inches
Width - 33.5 inches
Height - 37.0 inches
Wheelbase - 39.4 inches
Seat Height - 27.6 inches
Dry Weight - 238 lbs.
Fuel Capacity - 1.5 gallons
Max Load - 200 lbs.

Other
Taillight - Yes
Brakelight - Yes
Cover - Yes
Flag - Yes
Warranty - 6 Months



Safety Features

We found the Diamondback to offered several safety features to make the beginning rider a success.

First, the Diamondback offers a tether kill switch. The switch is located at the rear of the quad, and is operated by a short pull cord.

There is a throttle limiter screw to adjust the quad to the riders experience level.

Two front daytime running lights warn oncoming traffic and a tail light/brake light caution followers.

Floorboards keep the little feet where they need to be, as well as dry from most of the splash.

The hydraulic rear brakes make for dependable, confident stopping power.

The Diamondback proved to be very stable in corners, and off camber situations. Even with poor body english, the Dinli's proved very stable.

Another safety feature that proved to be helpful was the horn. The horn, although annoying with excessive use, proved very useful when the kids needed the attention of an adult.

Dinli includes a safety flag with the purchase of every ATV.

The only item we found that the Diamondback 90 needed was a functional headlight. A functional headlight comes in handy and is a good safety feature when you're out on the trail and it gets dark a little earlier than you intended.

NOTE: There is no form of electronic speed limiter on this quad such as a "jumper" or CDI wire to cut.



Setup

For those of you who are contemplating buying a youth quad unassembled we are providing info regarding the initial setup of each quad. Our test quads were shipped straight from the factory.

Setup on the Diamondback was super easy. The engine fired up almost instantly, and no adjustments were needed. It took approximately one hour for complete setup.


Styling

The Diamondback 90 has an awesome raptor-like appearance and good ergonomics.

Rear rack is optional, and easily bolted on.

Controls are well placed, easily accessed, and not where normal movement can easily bump them. The key is located at the center pod, which we like better than on the fender as some are, where they can acquire mud, water, and grit.
The plastics are not thin and flimsy, as on some youth quads. The plastics are of good thickness and allow flexibility, if snagged.

Motor/Transmission/Drivetrain

We had zero mechanical problems during our testing.

The 90cc exhibited good, responsive 2-stroke power, and was easily started every time. There is a back up kick-start though, just in case the battery fails you. The DB is also equipped with oil-injection so you don't have to premix gas.

The 2-stroke motor drives a CVT transmission, which engages just slightly above idle. There is NO reverse.

The rear axle is driven by a heavy 428 O-ring chain with chain tensioner. The chain tensioner is a good feature, ensuring proper tension on the chain and making adjustments less frequent. We adjusted the chain one time during our testing period, due to normal initial chain wear.


Suspension/Handling

A independent single A-arm front suspension with a clevis style hub dampened by adjustable shocks made for a ride well suited for young riders on the trail. The ride was not too stiff, as some are, even done well on rough county roads. Although, with only 2" of suspension travel, a young rider who catches a lot of air may find the short suspension travel a bit lacking.
One thing we would like to emphasize is how outstanding the tires did. The flat, aggressive profile of the Maxxis tires developed exclusively for Dinli provided excellent traction in all terrains.
As stated above in the safety features, the Diamondback was very stable, in cornering, off camber situations, possibly due in part to the flat profile of the tires.



Braking

Front brakes are the usual drum brakes associated with many youth quads.
Rear brakes are hydraulic disc. These provide confident, dependable stopping power.
After being exposed to water, mud, sand, and gravel the rear brake pads and front shoes show very little wear. Often times when exposed to mud, brake pads will wear very quickly, not the case with the Dinli pads.



Water/Mud Ability

The aggresiveness of the Maxxis tires and the high rpm's associated with a 2-stroke motor made playing in the mud a fun time. The Maxxis tires were able to keep the Diamondback moving if there was any little bit of something to grab on to.
Water crossing with the Diamondback 90 should be kept to about floorboard deep at a slow pace. The carburetor intake has a snorkel to keep out the elements, but the CVT transmission has an intake vent up front and exhaust vent half way back.


Overall Quality

We rate the overall quality of Dinli ATVs as EXCELLENT. We had no problems whatsoever out of either quad tested. Dinli has paid attention to detail on their quads, and hasn't cut any corners. The quads are well assembled, wires are neatly arranged, extra bracing is evident in strategic areas, and all bolts are tight and stayed tight.

One thing people often ask is about parts/service availability. Dinli has a national network of dealers to offer parts and service. Performance parts are available threw the Dinli website, which is a unique and convenient feature.



*Upcoming New Features*

Soon Dinli ATVs will feature dual A-arm front suspension and hydraulic front disc brakes! To my knowledge, these features are not offered by anybody else. These features should separate Dinli from the crowd! The overall handling, jump capability, and safety advantages these upgrades will bring should make for an awesome youth quad!

A review of Dinli's quads with the new features will be posted in the future!

Dinli website

Special Thanks to Justin Hall, of Dinli for his cooperation, and Missouri Outfitters for the shipping and receiving assistance.

Wildcard,Doc

If the Dinli brand was available in my area, it would have been at the top of my "short selection list". For my checklist, I have the following:

- Rear Disc brakes. Although Dinli's stock braking system is hand lever, 3rd parties do sell a foot brake option. Many feel that a foot brake system is much better then hand levers.
- Clevis style hub is much stronger then non-clevis systems. Many racers love the strength of the Clevis design.
- Thick chain. A must for sand, mud and crud type riders like our family.
- Full floor boards. Some floor boards have a gap where they bolt onto its fenders. Hence, over spray when you least expect it. Not to mention weaker joint.
- Auto transmission. Many "first time" riders need auto-transmissions. Trying to concentrate on driving and shifting to sometimes "too much" for a young rider to master at first.
- Electric Start
- Cool / stream line looking body style
- Wide range of available colours
- etc.
- etc.

This brand also comes with factory horn and speedometer. Although the horn can be "over used at first", many government trails in my area are making horns mandatory. They are also making speedometers mandatory as well.

* Does anyone know how to install a speedometer on an '03 Predator 90?

To me, daytime running lights is mandatory - especially when driving in a dark bush during the day. On our trails, many people are driving their ATVs with their lights on during the day. Could also be force of habit with daytime running lights on cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles.

To me, some areas of improvements on this model (and many CVT transmissions) is their vent holes. When driven in water deeper then their running boards, water enters their belt area. This water and crud gums up the kick starter teeth and does other unhealthy damage within the belt area. Since one can drive an adult quad with auto transmissions deeper then their transmissions, you'd think mini CVT transmission makers would make their mini transmissions sealed as well. To me, ALL minis should have sealed Belt & stator areas, just like the adult quads.

Other areas of improvement on this brand is more suspension travel. At 2" suspension, there isn't very much movement - especially in the rear. Hopefully, Dini will increase its suspension travel when they introduce their dual A-Arms. On the trails, Reverse is a mandatory feature as well. Racers tend to remove reverse gears (eg. make their machines lighter) but since 90+ percent of people use minis for trails, reverse is a great feature to have.

Overall, I would agree on your rating. Based on what I've read (in many mini-quad forums, many other reviews, product pictures), the Dinli brand is the brand to put at the top of your "short selection list". If only the Dinli brand was available in my area for a little "rough trail run & microscope" opportunity for our family.

Doc: Many thanks for taking the time to put the Dinli DB 90 under your microscope, and giving us your unprejudice review.....

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