My son surprised me !

Buy a KX 100 or CRF 150 R Big Wheel. If they are to small, buy a KTM, Husky or YZ 125.

Have you considered a 125?

125 or big wheel 85 if you can find one.

5'6"? Get him a yz125 it'll last a year or two before he is too big. Perfect bike for a kid that age

Kx125rider wrote:

Have you considered a 125?

Didn't expect such quick feed back guys , guess i could always take him to the dealer and compare on some sizes that idea just popped in my head .

Yeah i considered a 125 , I have one , and it just seems like its a tad on the big side for him especially just getting on 2 wheels .

Thanks MAVERICK , And BD!

As far as physical size goes im not sure there’s much between an 85 and 125 besides a big wheel or maybe a trail bike of some sort

Kx125rider wrote:

Have you considered a 125?

Tryhard wrote:

Didn't expect such quick feed back guys , guess i could always take him to the dealer and compare on some sizes that idea just popped in my head .

Yeah i considered a 125 , I have one , and it just seems like its a tad on the big side for him especially just getting on 2 wheels .

Thanks MAVERICK , And BD!

5'6 woould be perfect for a 125. Intimidating at first for the both of you but the he will be fine and that bike will last him quite a while!

X1000 for a 125

125 is good. Light, easy to start, easy to maintain.
My opinion is the yz125 is quite tall (same size as the yz250 I believe)
For 5.6 I’d look at a kx125 in the “m” series (last model series). They are smaller, real nice 125 for shorter people. I’m short by the way...lol

Get a 125, lower it if it’s too high and he will be set!

125 if you want him to learn how to ride properly

It's bad enough you already let him think 4 wheels is even an option..

I really think crf150r is a good move. Dont wanna make it too intimidating too fast and lose him back to quads or games.

hoppsan wrote:

(I have no input of value besides this)

Emphasizing a statement .....

yz133rider wrote:

I really think crf150r is a good move. Dont wanna make it too intimidating too fast and lose him back to quads or games.

Yeah I may even entertain a mid size trail bike untill he feels like he is comfortable jumping it . He has watched me rip my 125 over the years and is completely intimidated by it at this point . But i think putting him on something with a much more mild power band but faster and bigger maybe the key to getting him there . Thank all of you for your suggestions .

Crf150r is a full blown mx bike but still smoother and lighter than a 125

When I was 15 I had a klx110 too than decided to start racing so I got an rm125 rode that for a couple months than got an rmz 250, which was way easier to ride so as long he takes it easy he should be ok. I was way smaller than your son at that age so he could fit a full sized bike. First couple times he might be a lil nervous but once he gets comfortable I’m sure he’ll love not being cramp up on a small bike.

A klx 110 is easy a 125 i think would be intimidating until he gets more skill on a bigger bike i wouldn't consider a 125 mx bike. Maybe not even a mx bike at this point.

I’m 5’6” on a good day 2-stroke 125 will be perfect, if needed lower it temporarily then raise it back up later. Buy a used one and support the industry and learn basic mechanical skills in the process.

SmokinJoe439 wrote:

A klx 110 is easy a 125 i think would be intimidating until he gets more skill on a bigger bike i wouldn't consider a 125 mx bike. Maybe not even a mx bike at this point.

Yeah im leaning more on the crf150rb or a mid size trail bike for the time being , when he is ready to move up he will tell me , and as for the guy who said support the industry , I plan on buying used , and i always do my own work . Thanks again guys !

KX100. A 125 is a full size adult bike, he doesnt need one.

SmokinJoe439 wrote:

A klx 110 is easy a 125 i think would be intimidating until he gets more skill on a bigger bike i wouldn't consider a 125 mx bike. Maybe not even a mx bike at this point.

Tryhard wrote:

Yeah im leaning more on the crf150rb or a mid size trail bike for the time being , when he is ready to move up he will tell me , and as for the guy who said support the industry , I plan on buying used , and i always do my own work . Thanks again guys !

I’d lean more towards a ttr or Xr 230, he’s going to have to learn the clutch moving up from the 110. The 230 is a lot more rider friendly and a lot easier to ride than the 150.

Get a 125. If you think it’s too aggressive put the biggest flywheel weight you can find to same it down some.

OP I know this isn’t the question but this is for anyone considering lowering bikes as a few of you suggested. If you decide at some point to lower any bike (which in my opinion is a huge step in the wrong direction for many reasons) be ready to do a whole lot more than just throwing a lowering link in the linkage. That’ll lower the rear end but will leave the front end raised. Make sure you additionally lower the front end by raising the forks within the triple clamps. If you just lower the rear end it’ll throw off all of the geometry and you’ll lose a ton of front end feel, and the bike will essentially ride like a chopper and the rider will learn the incorrect way to ride and everything will be more difficult. Additionally, make sure your sag is adjusted properly. IMO your best route is to leave the bike the height it is. The engineers have spent thousands of hours designing a bike that will that will work well, and throwing a lowering link in the mix messes up everything those engineers have done. Way off topic but I see it a lot.

Loganbd wrote:

OP I know this isn’t the question but this is for anyone considering lowering bikes as a few of you suggested. If you decide at some point to lower any bike (which in my opinion is a huge step in the wrong direction for many reasons) be ready to do a whole lot more than just throwing a lowering link in the linkage. That’ll lower the rear end but will leave the front end raised. Make sure you additionally lower the front end by raising the forks within the triple clamps. If you just lower the rear end it’ll throw off all of the geometry and you’ll lose a ton of front end feel, and the bike will essentially ride like a chopper and the rider will learn the incorrect way to ride and everything will be more difficult. Additionally, make sure your sag is adjusted properly. IMO your best route is to leave the bike the height it is. The engineers have spent thousands of hours designing a bike that will that will work well, and throwing a lowering link in the mix messes up everything those engineers have done. Way off topic but I see it a lot.

True. That’s why I don’t recommend the YZ for shorter riders. I know it feels tall, as I’m short. People say, once you’re on the bike, it doesn’t matter.. but it does.

SmokinJoe439 wrote:

A klx 110 is easy a 125 i think would be intimidating until he gets more skill on a bigger bike i wouldn't consider a 125 mx bike. Maybe not even a mx bike at this point.

Tryhard wrote:

Yeah im leaning more on the crf150rb or a mid size trail bike for the time being , when he is ready to move up he will tell me , and as for the guy who said support the industry , I plan on buying used , and i always do my own work . Thanks again guys !

TallonT911 wrote:

I’d lean more towards a ttr or Xr 230, he’s going to have to learn the clutch moving up from the 110. The 230 is a lot more rider friendly and a lot easier to ride than the 150.

And you won't have to worry about him being distracted by girls if they see him on a 230

Probably already some great suggestion's on bikes , but just wanted to say " HELL YES!! " on getting him onto 2 wheel's , instead of 4!

If your son can get a 125 that fits him...and the YZ can be tailored to fit, he will for sure remind you all throughout life that the 125 was the most fun he ever had on a dirt bike. I'm a firm believer that the buck and a quarter is the greatest learning tool in the garage. Look at the KTM and Honda also. Best of luck.