Advice for Son's Next Bike

Advice for Son's Next Bike

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Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/25/2012 3:41:37 PM

sbreault_2000

Posts: 184
Joined: 10/22/2009
From: N. Grafton, MA
Status: offline

Hi All,

My son is 11 and currently rides a honda CRF 70. He has not participated in any competitive events yet, only trail rides. I'd like to get him involved more though. He's been riding for 2-3 years now. His current bike is starting to get too small for him.

What would you recommend for his next bike?

Thanks,

_____________________________

Steve Breault
N. Grafton MA
KTM 450
BMW GSA 1200
Yamaha TTR 125 (Kevin's)

Post #: 1

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/25/2012 4:38:02 PM

Brian VT

Posts: 1660
Joined: 3/23/2003
From: Southern VT
Status: offline

E-start is really nice when learning to use a clutch. That's why I got my (14 y.o.) daughter a TTR-125 after she outgrew her CRF-70.
It depends what type of riding he wants to do. All the "cool" kids have MX bikes with loud mufflers.

< Message edited by Brian VT -- 1/25/2012 4:40:30 PM >

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Post #: 2

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/25/2012 7:12:55 PM

wilmarion

Posts: 22
Joined: 12/18/2011
Status: offline

I've had a boy go through the mini class, and its gonna be real hard to beat a KX 85 for a reliable, easy to ride (power valve), descently suspended woods machine.

After he cut his race teeth, I got him a YZ 85, he raced it a year, then we turned it into a 105 bigwheel and got another year out of it. I think the Yamaha has the best platform handling and suspension-wise out of all minis. He just turned 15 and owns a KTM 200 now, and is competitive on it. So the mini class treated him well and he learned alot.

So for a new mini, I recommend the KX. Parts are CHEAP and available on EBay. Super cheap to own and race.

KTM mini ???? Maybe, but saw lots of lost cranks and bad brakes on our competitors bikes. And the price of a used one is a bit higher.

Ya, the CRF was fun, but he will feel like a King once he gets some real suspension under him.

Post #: 3

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/25/2012 7:39:28 PM

ktm250rider

Posts: 431
Joined: 6/1/2001
From: canterbury nh
Status: offline

I got my oldesta 50sx after the crf50. He absolutely hated it. We traded it n for a TTR 110 and couldnt get him off of it. he now has a 65sx which suits him nicely on our MX track. I think the ttr is a great transition bike. It's great for trail riding and it's not too bad on the track.

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RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/26/2012 8:39:25 AM

dma550

Posts: 6
Joined: 1/3/2012
Status: offline

Just bought my 100lb 13 year old a 2009 Kaw KLX140L. Nice big wheels to roll over the ruts. It's got a very easy clutch and seems perfect for under 30mph trail riding which is 90% of what we do. Buy the L if he's got some legs (28+ inseam). I like this bike because it's about 30lbs lighter than the crf150f (not the R) and dead simple. It's also got a F+R disk vs. the crappy drums of the lower engineered hondas. I even had fun on it, it would be a great trail bike for the really tight stuff for me at 5'8 170lbs!

Post #: 5

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/27/2012 1:18:00 PM

aafish

Posts: 12
Joined: 8/22/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: wilmarion

I've had a boy go through the mini class, and its gonna be real hard to beat a KX 85 for a reliable, easy to ride (power valve), descently suspended woods machine.

After he cut his race teeth, I got him a YZ 85, he raced it a year, then we turned it into a 105 bigwheel and got another year out of it. I think the Yamaha has the best platform handling and suspension-wise out of all minis. He just turned 15 and owns a KTM 200 now, and is competitive on it. So the mini class treated him well and he learned alot.

So for a new mini, I recommend the KX. Parts are CHEAP and available on EBay. Super cheap to own and race.

KTM mini ???? Maybe, but saw lots of lost cranks and bad brakes on our competitors bikes. And the price of a used one is a bit higher.

Ya, the CRF was fun, but he will feel like a King once he gets some real suspension under him.

X2 we went from crf 50/ktm 50/yz85/ktm144 he rode most of the 100-150 four strokes and found them to be fun to run around/play on but when he fell the extra weight hurt. Put him on the 85 at 12yrs/80lbs and it was a great choice for us,competitive and VERY dependable,all the bikes are good choice these days but the right choice depends on what your going to do with it.

Post #: 6

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/28/2012 9:32:42 AM

sbreault_2000

Posts: 184
Joined: 10/22/2009
From: N. Grafton, MA
Status: offline

Hi All,

Thanks for the great advice. It sounds like there are a lot of options to consider. Does anyone have any idea where he could try riding a few different bikes?

Thanks again,

_____________________________

Steve Breault
N. Grafton MA
KTM 450
BMW GSA 1200
Yamaha TTR 125 (Kevin's)

Post #: 7

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/28/2012 10:57:22 AM

trailripper

Posts: 16
Joined: 7/1/2003
Status: offline

I think the rm 85 is the most beginner freindly of the mx bikes. It has a powervalve, plus it is so easy to lower with the devol kit. Both of my boys were able to go right from 65s to the 85 when they were 10, in part to the suzuki

Post #: 8

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/28/2012 10:30:39 PM

tinman

Posts: 217
Joined: 8/30/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: wilmarion

I've had a boy go through the mini class, and its gonna be real hard to beat a KX 85 for a reliable, easy to ride (power valve), descently suspended woods machine.

After he cut his race teeth, I got him a YZ 85, he raced it a year, then we turned it into a 105 bigwheel and got another year out of it. I think the Yamaha has the best platform handling and suspension-wise out of all minis. He just turned 15 and owns a KTM 200 now, and is competitive on it. So the mini class treated him well and he learned alot.

So for a new mini, I recommend the KX. Parts are CHEAP and available on EBay. Super cheap to own and race.

KTM mini ???? Maybe, but saw lots of lost cranks and bad brakes on our competitors bikes. And the price of a used one is a bit higher.

Ya, the CRF was fun, but he will feel like a King once he gets some real suspension under him.

Kx 85 with a fly wheel weight is great machine.
I started my son on one at age 10 .Had to put in a lowering link and shave the seat.
At age 11 we installed the stock seat and now at age 12 removed the lowering link.
Should be able to get another year out of it and will then install the 105 kit and big wheels to get another.
Short money to get 4 years out of one bike for age 10-14.

Post #: 9

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/28/2012 11:18:13 PM

mad300exc

Posts: 271
Joined: 3/11/2009
Status: offline

My son went from an xr80 to a cr85 with no trouble.
We bought a used bike with some mods. the bike was well taken care of but a guy who knows and raced.

Added a 7 oz flywheel, and the jetting is pretty fat so it's enduroized. runs like a top, and he chugges it.
skid plate, moose hand guards , radiator brace and a couple other things.

can't beat going to an 85 for the suspension and light weight.

The TTr's are really heavy.

KX, Cr YZ maybe in that order.

Post #: 10

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/30/2012 9:56:12 PM

gcon

Posts: 116
Joined: 10/30/2006
Status: offline

I agree with mad...
The TTR 125-E is as heavy as heck bike. My son loved the e-start but if it fell over it made for much frustration. The front suspension on the TTR is nothing to write home about either.

That being said, if your son is the 4 stroke chugger type rider, then the TTR is the next step up best option. (it has a large wheel/small wheel version)
My son is a chugger so we did the xr80 to TTR-125 to KDX200 transition starting around the same age.

lots of TTR's on craigslist also...

Post #: 11

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 1/31/2012 2:38:45 PM

BusPeople

Posts: 109
Joined: 5/18/2002
From: Southern Maine
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sbreault_2000
-snip- Does anyone have any idea where he could try riding a few different bikes?
Thanks again,

A riding opportunity with Kid sized bikes of all sizes will be at the Family Day ride in July. (see NETRA Other Events schedule 22 July 2012)
I can not promise a ride on any specific bike but you can meet and talk with all of their owners and maybe try a few on the track. You can definately observe these beginner bikes in the hands of their amature riders. This venue is expected to be a NON-race day with lots of seat time so there will be more time for visiting and meeting other riders than you might get at a race-day event. Maybe even some shopping for that next bike as there are often a couple on trailers with "ForSale" signs.
MikeH

Post #: 12

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 2/17/2012 11:37:56 PM

jhanan

Posts: 22
Joined: 11/15/2010
Status: offline

Like some others have said, the 85 mx bike is the way to go. It is a performance platform - and will not hold your son back as he improves.....this is a plus when going from trail riding to trail racing - e.g. NETRA type events.

Also, if your interested, I'm selling our CR85 too - as my son moved up to a 200 XC! (see the add in the for sale section).

Thanks, Jeff

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Post #: 13

RE: Advice for Son's Next Bike - 2/24/2012 9:10:51 AM

chip

Posts: 486
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Brooklyn CT.
Status: offline

Look into a flywheel weight no matter which two stroke you buy,as it will tame the "hit" a little,and help on hills and such. Being a Honda man,I want to recommend a CR,but ANY one of those mentioned above will serve him quite well. Good luck!

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Post #: 14