Stacyc vs. PW50 for Kid

Lip44
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Lip44
I’d like to get some advice from people who’ve had either a Stacyc or a PW50 for a kid. My son is turning 4 in April and I’d love to get him his first bike. He’s a little tall for his age but kind of skinny. The Stacyc seems really cool, low maintenance, low weight, low costs, and low noise (which my wife will like). The PW is more traditional for moto and with the softer seat and suspension might be better for varied terrain.

My back yard is big enough for either, relatively smooth, and the noise of a PW wouldn’t be an issue with the neighbors. As a dad who has 2 other kids, works a lot, and tries to race enduro mountain bike races I’d love to not do any maintenance so I’m leaning towards a Stacyc. But, I never got a PW when I was a kid so there's the traditional/nostalgic factor of a PW...

Any thoughts on the pros & cons of each from people who’ve had them? Thanks

(PS please don’t come at me with the NEWB comments, I’ve been glued to the sport since RC’s 2001 season and have been listening to you guys bitch at each other since the motodrive days 😊)
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AxlBundy
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AxlBundy 1/25/2021 10:41am
1/25/2021 10:41am
How is he on a bicycle?

PW is a real motorcycle, Really good first bike.
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Jardo
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Jardo 1/25/2021 10:44am
1/25/2021 10:44am
It depends on the kid. My opinion: that age is all about getting the kid seat time on something that requires him to balance, use a throttle or brake, and just navigate in general. Electric is nice because he won't need you to be chasing him around restarting it and what not, plus some kids just don't like the sound. Some kids just get on a pw50 and never look back so who knows.

Either way.. Great job dad.
Mcflurry98
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Mcflurry98 1/25/2021 11:02am
1/25/2021 11:02am
My son turns 3 next month and has been on a Stacyc since this summer. He's not strong enough for the PW and he still has trouble reaching the front brake lever. However, he was able to get on the kids track yesterday and ride around with all the other kids with no problems. It's light, so it doesn't hurt him when he crashes it and he can pick it up on his own.

In terms of power, the Stacyc isn't nearly as fast as a PW, but it scoots plenty fast enough for me to feel like I got a high intensity workout after chasing him around the track for 5 laps at a time.
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rohleder644
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rohleder644 1/25/2021 11:46am
1/25/2021 11:46am Edited Date/Time 1/25/2021 11:49am
They’re not the same thing by a long shot. What I found with my daughters was, the STACYC is so much more accessible. Don’t have to get all geared up, don’t have to go somewhere to ride. It’s light, silent, and not hot in the summer. It still gives them the practice they need to be comfortable with balance, throttle control, braking etc. My girls were a little hesitant on their TT-R 50’s and I was kinda worried about it not really being their thing. A little time on the STACYC got them confident enough in the mechanics, I can’t keep them off the 50’s now. I couldn’t recommend a STACYC highly enough. Don’t go in to it thinking it’s a replacement for a PW, but more of a baby step in to one.

Edited to add:
On the STACYC, they were just wearing their open face bicycle helmets. That made it a lot easier to communicate with them while they’re riding. They didn’t think I was yelling at them every time I was trying to give them a tip.
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mx12boy
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mx12boy 1/25/2021 11:47am
1/25/2021 11:47am
I was thinking about the same thing for my granddaughter who will be turning 4. Still undecided which way to go.
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crawfishoo 1/25/2021 11:49am
1/25/2021 11:49am
Just had this same debate for my 4 year old. I ended up buying a Razor MX125 for $180. It is pretty much the same as a stacyc 12 but 1/4 of the price. Ultimately he will be getting an SX-E 5, but he is not quite big enough for one yet. I figure if the Razor works for 6-12 months before I get the real bike that will be perfect. I just couldn't stomach to spend $850 on a bike he might not ride for more than a few months.

If you are going to keep the stacyc long-term the cost is more plateable.
Undersprung
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Undersprung 1/25/2021 12:15pm
1/25/2021 12:15pm
The Stacyc was created as a stepping stone for the PW50 fwiw. If I was in your situation I'd buy the Stacyc just because they're so more versatile. Could rip it at the local peewee track or bring it to the local pumptrack/skatepark, probably wouldn't get away with that with the PW lol.
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xrmark
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xrmark 1/25/2021 12:27pm
1/25/2021 12:27pm
Undersprung wrote:
The Stacyc was created as a stepping stone for the PW50 fwiw. If I was in your situation I'd buy the Stacyc just because they're so...
The Stacyc was created as a stepping stone for the PW50 fwiw. If I was in your situation I'd buy the Stacyc just because they're so more versatile. Could rip it at the local peewee track or bring it to the local pumptrack/skatepark, probably wouldn't get away with that with the PW lol.
I get the theory behind this thought. But a Stacyc on a peewee track just doesn’t look fun for a kid. Stacyc specific tracks are rad. But like everyone is saying it’s a stepping stone to the PW
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731chopper
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731chopper 1/25/2021 12:45pm
1/25/2021 12:45pm
I’ve had both for my two boys and I say go stacyc. The bike is awesome and he’ll have the ability to go just about anywhere with it. It isn’t an even comparison since the stacyc doesn’t have suspension and is more like a bicycle than dirt bike but he’ll be able to hold the bike up, pick it up himself when he falls and start it all by himself. That is huge for the kid having fun and isn’t that the goal?
BMc914
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BMc914 1/25/2021 12:46pm
1/25/2021 12:46pm
I have both and am probably gonna sell the PW and get the Electric KTM Husky whatever is in stock. The PW has to much lag in the throttle to motor response. I'm gonna stay Electric as long as i can with my boys.
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AxlBundy
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AxlBundy 1/25/2021 12:46pm
1/25/2021 12:46pm
I wish the Stacyc was around before my kid got to pw age, but now that we are leaving pw's and onto mini's, I cant really see justification for one. Certainly wouldnt replace the PW stage with one.

PW's weigh 95lbs and if you give them enough room, will go pretty fast. Kids need to be geared up to ride. Things can go south quick

ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 1/25/2021 12:56pm
1/25/2021 12:56pm
Stacyc is a good bike to learn balance and the basics. Makes riding the PW much easier
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Agent717
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Agent717 1/25/2021 1:10pm
1/25/2021 1:10pm
My kid will be 3 in March and has been on the Stacyc for around 6 months. He freakin loves it and has put some SERIOUS hours on it. The only real negatives to the Stacyc are the long reach for the brake (he still can't reach it), and the fact that he has no interest in learning how to ride a pedal bike.

I do plan to get him a PW for his 3rd Birthday though. He wants to a bike "like dad's bike". We'll see what happens then.

This is from the last couple weeks. I got him a real helmet because he was getting pretty brave.




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Lip44
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Lip44 1/25/2021 1:11pm
1/25/2021 1:11pm
Thanks for all the feedback! I like the idea that when he falls on the Stacyc he can get it back up himself and keep ripping, def. can't do that with a PW.

My other son is 14 months so hopefully I'll be recycling whatever my older boy gets down to the younger one.
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GeorgiePorgie 1/25/2021 1:21pm
1/25/2021 1:21pm
I feel like it’s not a mistake to have both.
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Falcon
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Falcon 1/25/2021 3:28pm
1/25/2021 3:28pm
A Stacyc is like a cross between a balance bike and a PW. I started my kid on a Strider and then he got a PW for Christmas when he had just turned 4. Maybe the Staycyc could be a stepping stone to a "fast" 50; a KTM or Cobra, for instance.
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kapaa10
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kapaa10 1/25/2021 3:29pm
1/25/2021 3:29pm
oset 12.5 racing or the gasgas/torrot e10
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Denn700
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Denn700 1/25/2021 5:42pm
1/25/2021 5:42pm
Do you want a bike that will make it up all the hills that you can make go 5mph (StacyC) or a bike that bogs and won’t make it and if held wide open for a long time will go like 25mph? (PW)
My son went from a Stryder to a 12 inch StacyC at 2 and then a 16 inch, a PW50, and now he rides a KTM SX5E and
50 mini. He is 5 now and he won’t even ride the PW. If he is tall I would go 16 inch brushless Stacy and then to a KTM SX 5E. If he is short I would go to the PW after the StacyC.
My son spent a bunch of time on kids tracks on the StacyC before he got a real motorcycle. There is a ton of tracks that race them now too.
ChubbyCat113
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ChubbyCat113 1/25/2021 7:15pm
1/25/2021 7:15pm
I’ve got both, my boy thinks the PW is too loud right now and he doesn’t ride his Stacyc anymore LOL waiting for him to get back on it! He was 2 when he started riding the Stacyc but like others said not really strong enough for PW yet. You can check out some of the mods for Stacyc too, some guys are doing disc brakes and suspension forks
Craig93
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Craig93 1/25/2021 8:16pm
1/25/2021 8:16pm
Anyone know a way to get a Stacyc into Australia. I also want one for my 3.5 year old.
109
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109 1/25/2021 10:44pm
1/25/2021 10:44pm
That’s not an either or. That’s a start with a Stacyc then move on to a PW. A Stacyc is a toy to ride around the pits or pump track. A PW is a motocross bike. But be careful we started with a 10in Stacyc now I have a stock and a brushless Stacyc for each kid.
But it doesn’t stop there. We started with a stock PW, then modded a PW. But you can’t race a mod PW in AMA and a regular stock pw isn’t competitive so you need an AMA stock PW (races only).
But there’s multiple 4-6 classes depending which events you go to. So you also need a cobra JR for 4-6 Ltd, but wait there’s also special Ltd so you need a cobra P3. What’s that, it’s a JR with a smaller carb insert shorter shock and forks for 2inch lower seat height. Can I just buy the forks and shock and insert. No - that’s against ama rules in a Ltd class. Can I go the other way and buy a P3 and put JR forks/shock/insert? No that’s also against the rules. Ok so no we’re up to 4 bikes. But wait there’s also a 4-6 e bike class. So you need a KTM, husky, gas gas e 5 and a generator to charge it. But wait I can’t fit all that in my truck so I need a trailer.

So what started with a 10in Stacyc in 2018 at age 3 has ended up in 2021 with a 6 year old that has $20k in bikes and dad doesn’t have a 2021 crf450!

Mod PW - $2500
Ama stock PW - $3500
Cobra P3 - $3500
Cobra JR with Tyson AMA package - $4300
KTM e5 - $5000

Welcome to the wonderful world of the ama making motocross more accessible to everyone.




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Lip44
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Lip44 1/26/2021 6:37am
1/26/2021 6:37am
Unless he gets really into it I'm not planning on taking him racing moto just yet. I started off racing BMX then moved to moto when I was older, I'd like to go that route with my boys too, break the ice with bicycles and not have the financial commitment of jumping head first into moto.

I'll check out the mods for the Stacyc, I like the idea of front susp. Thanks again everyone!
mx 219
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mx 219 1/26/2021 7:17am
1/26/2021 7:17am
Craig93 wrote:
Anyone know a way to get a Stacyc into Australia. I also want one for my 3.5 year old.
I would contact the dealer in Hawaii as that is the closest one to you.

I can't imagine the cost of shipping if you got one from someone in the continental US, the cost from Hawaii will still probably be steep.
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LungButter
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LungButter 1/26/2021 7:43am
1/26/2021 7:43am
109 wrote:
That’s not an either or. That’s a start with a Stacyc then move on to a PW. A Stacyc is a toy to ride around the...
That’s not an either or. That’s a start with a Stacyc then move on to a PW. A Stacyc is a toy to ride around the pits or pump track. A PW is a motocross bike. But be careful we started with a 10in Stacyc now I have a stock and a brushless Stacyc for each kid.
But it doesn’t stop there. We started with a stock PW, then modded a PW. But you can’t race a mod PW in AMA and a regular stock pw isn’t competitive so you need an AMA stock PW (races only).
But there’s multiple 4-6 classes depending which events you go to. So you also need a cobra JR for 4-6 Ltd, but wait there’s also special Ltd so you need a cobra P3. What’s that, it’s a JR with a smaller carb insert shorter shock and forks for 2inch lower seat height. Can I just buy the forks and shock and insert. No - that’s against ama rules in a Ltd class. Can I go the other way and buy a P3 and put JR forks/shock/insert? No that’s also against the rules. Ok so no we’re up to 4 bikes. But wait there’s also a 4-6 e bike class. So you need a KTM, husky, gas gas e 5 and a generator to charge it. But wait I can’t fit all that in my truck so I need a trailer.

So what started with a 10in Stacyc in 2018 at age 3 has ended up in 2021 with a 6 year old that has $20k in bikes and dad doesn’t have a 2021 crf450!

Mod PW - $2500
Ama stock PW - $3500
Cobra P3 - $3500
Cobra JR with Tyson AMA package - $4300
KTM e5 - $5000

Welcome to the wonderful world of the ama making motocross more accessible to everyone.




Sounds complicated, why not go hit some desert races where you can run what ya' brung, get more ride time for less money, hang out with better people and have all around less stress over a hobby that is supposed to be FUN!
Bennett59
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Bennett59 1/26/2021 9:16am
1/26/2021 9:16am Edited Date/Time 1/26/2021 9:18am
kapaa10 wrote:
oset 12.5 racing or the gasgas/torrot e10
We have 3 Stacyc unfortunately there all down at the moment, the 12 lasted for 2 years, 16 husky edition brushless made it month and half and motor went bad, and we got a second 16 just a brushed one that’s lasted awhile but motor it’s just getting tired and need to replace. We got a gas gas torrent and he’s been to short and scared to ride it but after all the stacyc are down at the moment he went ahead and gave it a shot and loves it.
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steve.t
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steve.t 1/26/2021 10:08am
1/26/2021 10:08am
We own both. Had the pw right from the hop, and picked up a Stacyc this fall living in the city. Loves both but way. easier to just get on the electric and go. Huge benefits in the stacyc aside from being able to rip them anywhere, i find they translate perfectly to the pw, alot of learning throttle control and standing up! I would honestly suggest making your kids learn peddle bikes first though, the coordination needed makes teaching throttle and brakes 10000 times easier and when they crash its not nearly as gnarly haha!
Denn700
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Denn700 1/26/2021 11:46am
1/26/2021 11:46am
109 wrote:
That’s not an either or. That’s a start with a Stacyc then move on to a PW. A Stacyc is a toy to ride around the...
That’s not an either or. That’s a start with a Stacyc then move on to a PW. A Stacyc is a toy to ride around the pits or pump track. A PW is a motocross bike. But be careful we started with a 10in Stacyc now I have a stock and a brushless Stacyc for each kid.
But it doesn’t stop there. We started with a stock PW, then modded a PW. But you can’t race a mod PW in AMA and a regular stock pw isn’t competitive so you need an AMA stock PW (races only).
But there’s multiple 4-6 classes depending which events you go to. So you also need a cobra JR for 4-6 Ltd, but wait there’s also special Ltd so you need a cobra P3. What’s that, it’s a JR with a smaller carb insert shorter shock and forks for 2inch lower seat height. Can I just buy the forks and shock and insert. No - that’s against ama rules in a Ltd class. Can I go the other way and buy a P3 and put JR forks/shock/insert? No that’s also against the rules. Ok so no we’re up to 4 bikes. But wait there’s also a 4-6 e bike class. So you need a KTM, husky, gas gas e 5 and a generator to charge it. But wait I can’t fit all that in my truck so I need a trailer.

So what started with a 10in Stacyc in 2018 at age 3 has ended up in 2021 with a 6 year old that has $20k in bikes and dad doesn’t have a 2021 crf450!

Mod PW - $2500
Ama stock PW - $3500
Cobra P3 - $3500
Cobra JR with Tyson AMA package - $4300
KTM e5 - $5000

Welcome to the wonderful world of the ama making motocross more accessible to everyone.




I’m with you.
We have 16 inch StacyC , 16 Brushless, PW50, CRF50 because they are allowed to race against PW’s at some tracks in my area and I want my son to learn to shift. KTM 50 SX Mini and KTM Mini E.
We are ditching the PW soon and getting a cobra JR.

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