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They do a top end perfectly every time, without measuring. Or doing anything else besides replacing the piston a ring.
The suzuki bonus is no doubt a great incentive. I think any bike can be fast enough especially while transitioning from the 65.
Last but not least, I heard about mini dads, true, but it is also necessary to take into account that these mini bikes are delivering something like 300hp+ per liter, and most are ridden hard. That is why I was suggesting earlier to buy 2 bikes, just to make sure 1 is running.
It is possible to sell some of the 2nd (3rd 4th) bike as spare parts. That way you can keep lots of good parts too and almost break even (by experience). Basically if you have 10 grounds, bring back a full truck from LL (3 or 4 fast bikes plus parts, gear, tyres, lub), sell with the help of your kid 4k of spare parts which will help him to learn business too, then you are very well equipped for 2 seasons including some pistons. That supports families that are invested in the sport as well since it is not so easy to get rid of bikes at the end of each seasons and that money will go back immediately into bikes, parts, training etc.
Our YZ's were bulletproof & if they updated that bike I would be first in line. Even as it is it's more adavanced in many ways that the KX. With proper tuning even the lack of powervalve isn't a bad thing if your kid can twist it.
KTM crank failures are a concern. However, I have found replacing the LH crank bearing with a standard caged bearing seems to mitigate that issue.
In reality they are all good bikes. Let your kid borrow rides on as many colors as possible and let him pick..............
About tm, great bikes, superb, not cheap, less availability of second hand parts (I.e. a case is not cheap). They dominated the french championship in 2016 with Guyon (pronounced: "Guillon" or "Guellon"). If really interested I would suggest you to contact the french importer that must know where these bikes are if they are already all sold. I love them but to transition from the 65, i think the hp is in the high rpm so more for fast kids with already a couple of years in the 85 class and a bit of support (i.e. dealer, chains, lub, gear), or just tam it down a notch then free it up progressively. It can be a sexy alternative.
Pit Row
My son rode the RM's last year for long term testing, the bike was nearly flawless with 130 hours. I've seen them in dealers for $2499 and a piston retails for half of the KTM's price and goes in in 20 min. It is a little down on power compared to the KTM but handles very well. I haven't heard anything about a new 85 though.
I am usually more excited by mini bikes than big bikes.
About the brand choice, someone suggested to try them all before buying. That's a good advice, feeling confortable with the ergonomic is probably the most important.
Last thing, buying a loaded truck of bikes as I adviced is great for developing the rider testing capacities; ie. Swapping tyres, shocks or forks with different settings can be fun and efficient. Working each session on the bike understanding and on track segment for raw speed. That can help to understand what works or not depending on the track and conditions. Never forget to take notes and a stock watch as teenagers can be stubborn! That can help them to understand how fitness is important too; 1 fast lap is probably 3 seconds a lap faster than the average lap time of a 10 laps race. That means that to gain 30 seconds during the race, it is not the bike. Hard data to stay away from bad diet or alcohol !
Post a reply to: Will there be a new RM85?