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4/1/2008
Location
Valley, AL
US
Edited Date/Time
7/23/2014 10:47pm
After going to the races this past weekend my grandson informed me that he wanted one of those orange bikes that "smoked" him on the track. He currently rides a 2014 CRF 50 and does okay with it.
Can someone please explain the differences on different 50's. I know that KTM has at least 2 (JR and SR) different ones. I know they have the Cobra's as well. Which one of the KTM's does the Cobra compete against?
He is 5 now and will be 6 in a couple months.
I always buy used bikes (i'm not taking the big depreciation hit) so what are the better years to be on the lookout for and which years do I avoid?
Thanks,
Gerald
Can someone please explain the differences on different 50's. I know that KTM has at least 2 (JR and SR) different ones. I know they have the Cobra's as well. Which one of the KTM's does the Cobra compete against?
He is 5 now and will be 6 in a couple months.
I always buy used bikes (i'm not taking the big depreciation hit) so what are the better years to be on the lookout for and which years do I avoid?
Thanks,
Gerald
My sons rode used bikes. Rory who today is a fast NW Pro raced a used PW, the a used CR 50 and for several years used KX 80's that I rebuilt a lot! For LL one year I built up a big wheel from used bikes a acquired.
Congrats , it was a fun 2 or 3 years and a lot of money. He was great on the holeshots as I kept his KTM 50 like new. Never DNF a race.
The Shop
Your son is the perfect age for a FAST 50.
http://www.hondatrailbikes.com/index2.html
http://www.ktmtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=885b927dcd973d9eaf506f2574435…
Be careful moving him from a smooth easy to ride CRF50 to a hard hitting light switch KTM too quickly. I'd recommend anything 09 and up. There was a major redesign in 09. The power can be smoothed out thru some clutch shim work but they won't last long with a lot of slip. But if it hits too hard kids that aren't ready develop a on/off/on/off throttle habit that eats up the clutches too. It's a different animal.
The KTM forum and just diving in and getting one will be the best teachers. Good luck! Dm me any specific questions you have.
Again, thanks for the info.
I've have seen people mention these type things before. Skip the 50's all together, buy two of them, etc. It certainly look like people are giving you the warnings. You know the same ones our friends tell us about getting married but we never listen anyway and do the stupid shit. LOL Life lessons I guess!!
Pit Row
If you are looking for minimal maintenance, go for 2013 and newer KTM 50. I did so for the exact same reason and it worked out well. I replaced the clutch twice in about 18 months of owning the bike and never had to do any orther clutch maintenence on it. Furthermore, though the KTMs are expensive you will get your money back when you sell if you maintain them well. I purchased for about 4 grand brand new and sold 18 months later for 3 grand.
The lack of you needing to wrench on it all the time would be appreciated, however, it's still 120 pounds, not 80 pounds like the racing 50's.
http://www.paxracingstore.com/
1. Mr Gharmon, its great you are so active in your grandsons life. You say he races in the crf/pw 50 class, does he clean house in that class or is still getting a handle on the fundamentals of riding? Is he ready to move up to a faster bike?
2. Of course it depends on the child but is it a good idea to put a 5/6 year old on a 2 stroke rocket or is it better and safer to restrict their speed with a less capable bike at that age?
ONCE again if you are not into wrenching, then stay with the crf because they are gas and go bikes.
Find out how you local class structure works before you buy anything. Check with your district 50 rep to get a break down on classes and bikes allowed per class.
For example, in MN a KTM50SR is only legal in the 7-8 premix class. PW50's are legal in all classes, but not particularly competitive in some.
Since you're rider is going to be 6, you could get the smaller KTM50 and be legal for the 4-6 and possibly other classes depending on local rules and class layout..
Do your local tracks have anything available in the multi speed or 4 stroke classes? Wouldn't be running against much faster bikes in those.
One other note, some areas allow only stock machines in the 50 classes.
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