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mnoble0902
8/21/2017 9:55am
8/21/2017 9:55am
My friend's son wants to get into MX. He is 10 years old, just under 5 foot and weighs about 65lbs. He has never been on a dirt bike before. Any suggestions as to what he should start with? Typically kids start on 50s, but I'm thinking he's too big for one. I was thinking a CRF110 since he's never been on a dirt bike before. Thoughts? Thank you!
My first bike at age 11 was a 1992 Yamaha RT100. Kick ass little oil injected 2 stroke (with clutch) that is super easy to learn on; well known as being the perfect beginner bike. Yamaha made them from like '90-2000ish. These bikes are also bulletproof and I usually see them selling for $400-500.
https://youtu.be/ug1kTkbD6Ow
He is too old for a 110 if he wants to progress into riding motocross in my opinion. Start him out on a trail bike that he can tippy toe and has a clutch.
The Shop
Any of the 110's will be great starter bikes. The Honda, Yamaha, or Kawi. The CRF 70 would be a bit small for him. A CRF 80 adds a manual clutch, not sure if you want to start him with a manual clutch or not. It's enough to learn riding a bike, throwing the clutch in adds another level. However, kids are fast learners. My kid rode for 2 months before I moved him to a bike with a clutch. It took us about 30 minutes for him to learn to start and stop without stalling it. Now using the clutch effectively for power delivery is a continuous progression and takes a bit more time.
Go to a dealer and let him sit on a few different bikes. See what fits him well. Remember, you want something he will be able to pick up off the ground on his own but also leaves room for him to grow. You also don't want to buy a bike that he's going to be too big for in 4-6 months.
Any 4 stroke 80/100/110. No 2 strokes of any kind.
An XR80 might be great to learn on, but a KX65 isn't going to be too fast for him rolling around in 2nd or 3rd gear under half throttle.
My nephew rides a 65 and puts around on it since he doesn't have much seat time. At 9 and 10 it was a good fit. But at 11, in my opinion the bike is already too small for him.
You can ride a fast bike slow.
I would buy him an 85 if it were me. I'm reading on other sites that there are ways to de-tune a bit if that's what's needed, 2 base gaskets, etc...
Get the kid a CRF80 or 100...a bike that he can flat foot easily.
Once he has been riding that bike for a few months and begins asking for more power, then get him a 65 or 80 2 stroke.
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