New bike for my son

Ashley_Elizabeth
Edited Date/Time 10/11/2015 3:51am
My 7 year old has been riding a pw50 for 2+ years now, he wants to start racing and I want to get him a new bike he wants a bike that he has I shift gears but idk the best one for him I'm not looking to spend thousands so it will most likely be used but I need ideas on what to get.... He is very good on his 50 so I'm not worried about him not knowing how to handle a bigger bike. Thanks for the help!
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colintrax
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colintrax 10/10/2015 8:56am
10/10/2015 8:56am
Any 65 Kawi, KTM, Suzuki, all good bikes
Ashley_Elizabeth 10/10/2015 9:00am
10/10/2015 9:00am
He's not very tall lol will those be ok height wise for him he a little shorter than your average 7 year old (gets that from me) lol
GeorgiePorgie 10/10/2015 9:02am
10/10/2015 9:02am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2015 9:04am
You should get him a Ktm 50cc. Big difference between a pw. Then after a year bridge him to a 65 and still allow him to ride the 50 too. Especially if he's shorter, 65 will be too big a jump.

And going from a pw to a 65 is like going from an automatic geo metro straight to a manual corvette.

I hate to tell you, but you'll be spending money. Spending the thousands now will pay off later when he isn't interested in partying or doing drugs in school. All he will want to do is in be in bed by 9pm on Saturday nights so he can ride/race the next day.
Bob693
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Bob693 10/10/2015 9:06am
10/10/2015 9:06am
Seat height on the PW 50 is 19.1 inches, KX 65 is 29.9.

The Shop

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BobPA
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BobPA 10/10/2015 9:07am
10/10/2015 9:07am
I second the KTM 50 or Cobra 50. From a PW to a 65 would be overwhelming.
GeorgiePorgie 10/10/2015 9:07am
10/10/2015 9:07am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2015 9:08am
Perspective: this kid one of the best in the sport from a few years ago. Riding a automatic cobra 50. And he's absolutely flying.

http://youtu.be/MjHuns_cDaQ
Ashley_Elizabeth 10/10/2015 9:09am
10/10/2015 9:09am
Wow that is a big difference!! Thank you!
colintrax
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colintrax 10/10/2015 9:10am
10/10/2015 9:10am
I'm not sure how tall he is, or what would be ok. But I'm sure at 7 a 65 is appropriate. Only thing smaller would be a 50.
You can take him into a dealership and sit on a 65. If it's a little big you can always lower the bike some.

Just as an FYI the racing bikes are much more expensive than a little pw50. The 65s go through top ends and bottom ends quickly. You need to replace the top end regularly as normal maintance
Ashley_Elizabeth 10/10/2015 9:16am
10/10/2015 9:16am
That's why I was thinking 65 he's been riding the pw50 for over two years and it's just not enough for him he wants to race and jump (pw50 not so good for) I just worry about the height thing it just seems like he's out of the 50 stage but idk enough about bikes to really decide.
colintrax
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colintrax 10/10/2015 9:19am
10/10/2015 9:19am
You guys are assuming he's appropriately sized for the PW. Maybe a KTM 50 would be better if he's really short. But IMO that would be a harder jump than the 65. Those 50s are very peaky and tend to get bounced around more with those tiny tires, where as the 65s have a broader power band that can be lugged around. My little brother learned to ride on a RM65 and didn't have any problems lugging it around the MX track
markit
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markit 10/10/2015 9:19am
10/10/2015 9:19am
Yea as above the kaw kx65 is good and the KTM 50s are also, like above take him in to a shop and get a feel see what he likes. Price wise the kawa going to be cheaper (guessing).
colintrax
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colintrax 10/10/2015 9:21am
10/10/2015 9:21am
Ashley_Elizabeth wrote:
That's why I was thinking 65 he's been riding the pw50 for over two years and it's just not enough for him he wants to race...
That's why I was thinking 65 he's been riding the pw50 for over two years and it's just not enough for him he wants to race and jump (pw50 not so good for) I just worry about the height thing it just seems like he's out of the 50 stage but idk enough about bikes to really decide.
Take him to a dealership and see what they say size wise. Ask about classes as well, some tracks have free classes for beginners where he can learn the clutch and transmission.
BobPA
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BobPA 10/10/2015 9:22am
10/10/2015 9:22am
Ashley_Elizabeth wrote:
That's why I was thinking 65 he's been riding the pw50 for over two years and it's just not enough for him he wants to race...
That's why I was thinking 65 he's been riding the pw50 for over two years and it's just not enough for him he wants to race and jump (pw50 not so good for) I just worry about the height thing it just seems like he's out of the 50 stage but idk enough about bikes to really decide.
Watch videos of kids on good 50's...it will satisfy his jumping needs.
Boarddesign
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Boarddesign 10/10/2015 9:23am
10/10/2015 9:23am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2015 9:23am
Cobra King 50 is the hands down best bike. It is also much easier to work on as well as most cobra dealers having parts in stock.

Cobratalk.com
Ashley_Elizabeth 10/10/2015 9:24am
10/10/2015 9:24am
Thanks and a little off topic I want to order him new boots for Christmas his are way too small I have up order BC we only have two small shops that don't really carry youth gear... Is there a big difference between boot size and his regular shoe size?
Boarddesign
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Boarddesign 10/10/2015 9:33am
10/10/2015 9:33am Edited Date/Time 10/10/2015 9:37am
Always go slightly bigger at his age, put a pair of boot socks on him and let him grow in. They are typically pretty close. Astar seem a bit small for their size.

Also the Astar soles for kids sizes are junk, my son went through a pair Avery month or two.
Ashley_Elizabeth 10/10/2015 9:36am
10/10/2015 9:36am
Thanks! He loves fox so that's probably what I'm gonna go with
Dtat720
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Dtat720 10/10/2015 10:30am
10/10/2015 10:30am
If he is tall enough for a 65, its pretty easy to de-tune them amd slow them down so he can adjust to the power. Make adjustments as he gains confidence on it until its back to full power

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Starcrossed
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Starcrossed 10/10/2015 10:38am
10/10/2015 10:38am
Sounds like you may benefit from having someone who is knowledgeable about the bikes, as well as your son's ability, give you some advice. Take him to the track on a busy practice day and you may be able to get some further insight on the direction that you should be going. Good luck.
mattyhamz2 10/10/2015 11:42am
10/10/2015 11:42am
I'm another vote for a kx65 or rm65. You can get them cheaper than a KTM50. I skipped from a pw50 to a kx60 and I wasn't a very good rider back then at all. I was about as beginner as beginner gets. I completely agree that the power will be better on the Kx or rm65 vs the KTM50. Also you have to think about if he has a growth spurt. You don't want to by him a bike that isn't much bigger than the pw and have him shoot up in a few months.

If you still aren't sure maybe talk to some parents at the local track who have a kid on a Kx or rm65 and let them know what your situation is with him. A lot of parents may even let him take a few laps on the 65. There are plenty of moto families that would be more than willing to help you and your son out. If you ever come down to Southern California let me know. Good luck!
imoto34
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imoto34 10/10/2015 11:49am
10/10/2015 11:49am
GeorgiePorgie wrote:
Perspective: this kid one of the best in the sport from a few years ago. Riding a automatic cobra 50. And he's absolutely flying.

http://youtu.be/MjHuns_cDaQ
Man they are hauling ass!!
RCB33
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RCB33 10/10/2015 11:50am
10/10/2015 11:50am
Move him to a PW 80 or xr70 if he won't be too serious about racing yet,good solid bike,if you are going to race seriously or very much motocross,I would say a KTM 50,cobra,or polini,however you will spend way more money on a 50cc no matter how hard he rides it.
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fins227 10/10/2015 12:18pm
10/10/2015 12:18pm
I second going to the track and asking for advice from other parents of young riders or even adult riders,

I don't know about others but i have gave away truck loads of old gear that i had grown out of to younger guys getting started.
project racer 10/11/2015 3:51am
10/11/2015 3:51am
Be prepared to work on any of the race type 50's, a bunch, to keep them going. If he is even close to fitting the 65's, much better investment. The KX65 seems to be a bit less maintenance intensive to keep going than the 50's and 65 KTM's.

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