Posts
19
Joined
5/26/2021
Location
Camak, GA
US
Edited Date/Time
9/14/2021 6:46pm
My boy has long outgrown his CRF50. I've been keeping an eye out for a used bike to move him uo to but the market for kids bike is hot and there seems to be nothing out there.
Going to have to be a new purchase.
That said, I'm torn between moving him to a 110 4-stoke or a 65 2-stroke.
He's never been a fast kid. He rides well and has good fundamentals but he mostly stays in his comfort zone and enjoys riding the mini track.
Something like a CRF110 or TTR110 would be a comfortable natural progression for him. He fits it perfectly and he would probably enjoy that more right off the bat. However, I think this could stunt his development on the bike and he will never learn to be fast.
Something like a YZ65 would be the better long term choice I think if I want him to progress. He's just on the cusp of being too small for it but he's due for a growth spurt and he will definitely grow into it. He might have a hard time picking it up and starting it by himself until he gets a little taller. The clutch will be a challenge for him and the 2-stroke will be way different for him. I'd give him plenty of time in an open field to figure it out safely before ever putting him on the track.
He is too big for a 2-stroke 50 so he missed out on that unfortunately. Maybe a KTM 50 senior would work but I can't find one anywhere.
So, 110 or 65?
I'm leaning toward the 65 but it's almost twice the cost and I'm a little worried the 65 is too much bike for him.
I see this is kind of long so thanks in advance to anyone who read this and has a helpful opinion.
Cheers!
Going to have to be a new purchase.
That said, I'm torn between moving him to a 110 4-stoke or a 65 2-stroke.
He's never been a fast kid. He rides well and has good fundamentals but he mostly stays in his comfort zone and enjoys riding the mini track.
Something like a CRF110 or TTR110 would be a comfortable natural progression for him. He fits it perfectly and he would probably enjoy that more right off the bat. However, I think this could stunt his development on the bike and he will never learn to be fast.
Something like a YZ65 would be the better long term choice I think if I want him to progress. He's just on the cusp of being too small for it but he's due for a growth spurt and he will definitely grow into it. He might have a hard time picking it up and starting it by himself until he gets a little taller. The clutch will be a challenge for him and the 2-stroke will be way different for him. I'd give him plenty of time in an open field to figure it out safely before ever putting him on the track.
He is too big for a 2-stroke 50 so he missed out on that unfortunately. Maybe a KTM 50 senior would work but I can't find one anywhere.
So, 110 or 65?
I'm leaning toward the 65 but it's almost twice the cost and I'm a little worried the 65 is too much bike for him.
I see this is kind of long so thanks in advance to anyone who read this and has a helpful opinion.
Cheers!
I'm not going to be pushing him in that direction.
I mainly just want him to enjoy riding so it's something I can continue doing with him.
I'd say we'll be riding practice days at local tracks mostly.
If its just going to be for fun than either bike will do just fine, 65 will likely require more maintenance though.
Just my opinion.
The Shop
If you're 9 year old is aggressive and into it then go with the 65, but if he's more of a casual rider go 110.
There was a guy from PA on here that had a kx 65 with autoclutch for his little kids instead of the fast 50s because the kx is more reliable. I think he got clicked in non-moto a little while ago.
My nephew is about the same age and just moved from a crf50 to a klx140 small wheel. He's tall for his age so he can touch on it but the clutch is taking some getting used to. Smooth power and e-start help with learning it. He just rides around the yard and some trails, no track time or racing for him.
You’ve already got it figured out. I’d get a 110 for now and when the opportunity presents itself…put him on a 65.
Good Luck!
ps: check back in here if ya can’t find a bike for a reasonable price.
The 110s are more of an adult playbike, and they are quite heavy and unyielding compared to the 65.
I was a somewhat timid kid riding and when my dad got us KX 60's we weren't ready for them so they mostly sat for a few years until we felt confident riding it. If he enjoys riding and doesn't show a big interest in raing get a 110L. If he gets an interest in racing you can always get a 65 and could keep the 110 as a pit bike if you don't have to sell it.
Pit Row
Got him on a Rm65 (same as kx) and he’s riding really well..It’s a little tall for him but he has no problem riding it. Don’t even think he’s ever stalled it..Just use start blocks for gate starts when racing. I’d like to get him a yz65 but I can’t afford it for a bike he won’t be on for long and bike prices are crazy now.I just did race tech emulators in the fork, went up two teeth on rear sprocket and a moose torque plate (reed spacer) and it’s working really well..only have about 2g’s into it. Not the easiest to find a cheap one now though
He has enough to figure out with the clutch and gears without any abrubt small 2 Stroke race bike powerband.
Some kids will take to it no problem, and if your kid is like you'll usually know it without thinking about it.
The the rest of the youngsters, I'd echo the other folks saying they'd be best on something manageable, if they have fun they'll stick with it and you can upgrade when the time is right
She ended up taking a couple years off riding after a crash that scared her but the other day she told me she wanted to ride again. I was looking at a ttr110 at first but ended up buying her a new yz85. I offered to put the rag back in the air box for her first ride back and she declined, she just got straight on and rode it. She's 11 but small, my 9 year old son is nearly as tall as her
Lots of pros and cons but ultimately it comes down to the kid and they're all different.
For me the main thing is him continuing to love the sport and sticking with it for the long haul.
Still leaning towards the 65 for now. I'll circle back here and let you guys know where I landed and how it went.
Many thanks.
Also, I believe all the Japanese 65's have lowering links available. I've never done anything to reduce power, but it sounds like some good ideas on the posts above.
I would only recommend the 110 for a very non-aggressive kid who only want to trail ride slowly.
I had put a little money into his 110, I added a Fox Float shock, which made the bike much more rideable in the chop, and on the track for his 50-60 lb self.
Had I gone from the PW to the 65 we might be in a different spot now. It took him a little longer than other kids to find his confidence, but the fact that he was comfortable, on the right bike for him at the time, and no pressure from Dad has made him love riding, and turned him into an excellent rider....as in, Dad can't keep up with him anymore.
All depends on whether he wants to race or not, if you think he will want to race get him a 65, if not get him a 110. I bought my son a 65 and then he decided he didn't want to race so sold it and got a KLX110R and he is in heaven. He loves riding at the farm and even sometimes on the local track. I put him on the 65 too soon, it scared him and he would not ride it. He was big enough physically but not mentally if that makes sense.
He is out for a Sunday ride, he has been riding it for about a year and is just now getting to where he is, I feel, maxing out the suspension. He absolutely loves his 110R.
I am now debating on getting him a used KX or YZ65 and keeping his KLX110R for when he wants to ride around the farm. I feel like he is mentally stronger and would have no problem with a 65 now and I would feel he is safer with the MX suspension the 65's offer, size wise in another 2 years he will need to be on a 85 so want to make that transition smoother.
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