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3/11/2014
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Fort Dodge, IA
US
Edited Date/Time
1/30/2016 6:39am
So I'm sure there's other topics about this. But I didn't find anything. So I'm wondering would it be better to start a kid thatnwanta to race motocross on a KTM 50mini over a PW50? I've seen training wheels kits for the KTM 50. So what's everyone's opinion?
Thanks
Thanks
The Shop
Depending on size...PW50 or CRF50 to learn.
My son rode all three.
From my experiences, most of the kids that decided they liked to ride picked up the basic skills and got comfortable riding a PW in a matter of weeks. Once they got comfortable, their parents would return the borrowed PW and stick them on a KTM, Cobra or whatever and start them out on it in a field again to get comfortable with the extra power and different feel of the bike.. Next thing ya know they're ripping around the track!
Good luck! Hopefully this post helped you out some.
I was recently in your situation. My friend who's son was 4.5-5 yrs old was already doing OK riding a CRF 50, he bought a used mini for $2400 and it had training wheels. He left them on so his son could get used to the power and not focus on balance. His brother, myself and him and 5 kids total all go out riding. His son goes 25 ft loops out when he whiskey throttle's the KTM and both dad and son are laid out as he was running behind him trying to control it. His son never touched it and he sold well over a year later at a loss. Now, his son is 6.5-7 yrs and doing well on a KTM jr and can ride a Kawi 110 as well, he almost fits on a Sr.
I had my son on a TTR 50 at 4.5 yrs old and just got a mini adventure for him. Given the age/size of yours, Id say PW. These KTM 50's, especially the newer ones are ROCKET SHIPS. If your guy has not ridden, I wouldnt get the KTM yet. Keep in mind, the kids at Supercross doing the KTM challenge, those bikes have the same engine as the mini. Those kids are 7 yrs old, thats a huge difference from3/4 yrs old. If you do get him on a KTM, get GoPro and other video and post it here and have good insurance.
Pit Row
My son wants to race the local peewee MX series and I would rather he polish his skills on a capable bike rather than sticking him on something he is not ready for as in the KTM 50's. Another strong recommendation is a remote kill switch. The kit is under a $100 and it will save you ...and him/her injury and running your ass off after them if they get themselves into trouble (which they will). Good luck on your choice and hopefully our little ones will line up against each other one day. cheers
He will learn to balance in no time....its a lot easier for a kid to learn to balance in the simplest way possible.
My advice would then be a pw......even if its only for a month or two.....lots of good used ones and you'll get your money back on it.
Even so, and even with the throttle limiter and exhaust washer in full nanny mode, he crashed more times than I can count. It would have been UGLY on a KTM Jr. He's just going to need practice time on the bike, and for my purposes I'm glad we got the Yamaha. I'll put him on a KTM or a Cobra when he has all the basic skills down pat.
Get him to ride bike w/o training wheels first ..That balance is so important ..And riding a dirtbike with training wheels ,,they learn BAD habits ,that are hard to break when the trainers are removed...
And as someone said ,,those little KTM's are rocket ships and not a good learn to ride bike,,,one whiskey throttle with a gnarly wad-up and they will be afraid of the machine from that point on...I would guess only about 5% of little ones have the no fear balls out ,pain tolerance to learn on the little KTM's.
Get him on the pw,,let him build confidence and then move up,as quickly as you can > You will never lose money on a PW.
And remember ,,in a few years ,when he's on KTM jr's and Sr's,,,he may look and act like a big boy when he's on the bike and kicking ass,,but under that helmet ,,is still the mind of a 7 yr old.
Good luck man ,,and just enjoy it
The PW is a good beginner bike...especially regarding the power.
The KTM 50 is very pipey and powerful bike for a very small child...it will pull the front wheel without a problem
These 2 bikes might be similar in size but are definitely not similar in power.
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