what would be a good starter bike for my son?

I don't have kids, but an XR80 sounds pretty good. I'd go used if you can find it.

XR 80 would be a great choice. When he's wringing that thing out, wait 2-3 more months, and then think about the 65. He'll be a better rider for it.

MR

XR80

Kaw 110

I vote for the xr 80 also .

I vote for the xr 80 also .

XR 80 or TT-R 110 if you wanna start w/o a clutch

Depends on the size of the kid. Many 10 year olds are pretty small. If he is, I'd opt for a KLX or TTR 110. They are fun, inexpensive, easy to maintain. If he turns out to really like riding, then you can go ahead with a race bike (65 or 85), but keep the 110. They are the primo pit bikes. Whether for actually getting around the pits, or turning into a mini racer. 80 riders spend all the daylight hours after a Saturday race burning it up on 110's.

get yourself... oh wait... get your kid a pit bike! (any 110/70/whatever) then if he gets into it put him on a 65 or 85.

[quote="uptite":4mv71ldj]I Have a 10 year old son who is good at sports but has never shown any intrest in riding, he has never ridin a motorcycle. Well this year I took him to a race and he got to meet a few people, had his picture taken with RC and now realizes that I do know the people I claim to and thinks the whole scene is cool. Its kinda neat being the cool dad now.

Since I know nothing about the mini scene I dont know what a good starter bike would be. I was looking at a kx 65 but I dont know if that would be to much for him. I was thinking an xr 80 and if he liked it move him up from there but if he doesnt I will have a play bike. Anyway I know there is endless knowlegde here so I am asking for input, Thanks.[/quote:4mv71ldj]

From a promoters point of view can I tell you what not to buy ?? these bikes are one of's and such a pain in the ass to have a Beginner kid ride and they are always being protested:

Kawasaki Big wheel
Honda 150

Nothing but grief for me at the races, just buy him a regular ol 85cc motorcycle !

S

Depends on the size of the kid! When I was 10, my dad bought me a CR80r, scared the SH*& out of me for a while, then I learned to ride it.

If he is the size a TTR 125 would be great, front disc and BULLETPROOF (my wifes first bike). Then if hes into it, id say a CRF150R just to get used to 4-strokes, because he will be ready for a big bike by the time he is.... 14ish? I think thats when i got my first 125... but i was a little taller than most for my age.

I have three guys and the old PW80 is perfect. Cheap to buy, cheaper to upkeep and easy to learn on. The others recommended above are great too, but I'm a 2 stroke guy, so they ride what I can fix...ha ha

Screw the bike! Buy that kid a set of golf clubs.

RMZ-450 - just put a throttle lock on it.

KLX110 without a doubt.

We have taught all the little ones in my family how to ride on our KLX110. Easy to maintain, very easy to ride and is not intimidating at all.

Best part is there are so many aftermarket parts for it, you can grow the bike as your child grows. And when he does grow out of it...you now have yourself an awesome pit bike!

I like the XR 80 or 100 because it will teach them to use a clutch. Even though its a 4 stroke it is a great bike and dependable as a hammer. Plus you can sell it around Christmas time for just a few hundred less than you bought it new.

I dont know much about the 110s but I do know every kid I grew up with learned on an old XR80. Except me, I had to learn on a CR80 and it was a long tough road. I would suggest going ahead and get him used to the clutch at that age. He should have no problems.

[quote:1etlyvgu]Service Honda CR500AF

From what I've learned here on motodrive, it's the absolute perfect bike for every situation![/quote:1etlyvgu]

Man, you beat me to that one!!!!

I'd say either the XR80 or the XR100 depending on his height. There are used ones out there for some great deals at times.

[color=#0000FF:3e8ne02k]Like others have said, it depends a lot on the size of the kid. I got mine an 07 CRF 70 this time last year (he was 9 at the time), & he is just getting to the point where he is out-growing it, but he has come a loooong way on it. He rode a buddy's kx65 last week & that will likely be his next ride. The 70 is great because it is mellow so not intimidating, 3 speed, no clutch, but it gets him used to shifting & learning to keep his power up. Plus, they're bulletproof & as has already been said, they make great pit bikes when he is ready to move on. I already have a KLX 110 for me, but we will keep the 70 as another pit bike when he moves up. Good luck with whatever you get. The time I've spent riding with my boy in the last year is the best time I've ever had riding, seriously...//TJ[/color:3e8ne02k]

Anyone want to buy a 2002 XR100? I'm thinking of letting her go.....

Go with the KLX140L. A 110 will be too small in a couple years, plus the 140 has the manual clutch/disc brakes.

I would get him an 80/85 two stroke motocross bike. It might be a little big and intimidating at first but he will grow into it. Remember kids grow like weeds and most are fast learners. I remember when I was that age my dad bought me an xr100 which was great at first, then all my friends had YZ80’s and I really wanted one but our family couldn’t afford to be buying bike every couple years. None the less my next bike wasn’t until high school when I bought myself an YZ125.

[quote="varagon":333e77un]I would get him an 80/85 two stroke motocross bike. It might be a little big and intimidating at first but he will grow into it. Remember kids grow like weeds and most are fast learners. I remember when I was that age my dad bought me an xr100 which was great at first, then all my friends had YZ80’s and I really wanted one but our family couldn’t afford to be buying bike every couple years. None the less my next bike wasn’t until high school when I bought myself an YZ125.[/quote:333e77un]


Buying a new bike every couple of years would get expensive, but if you buy a used one you aren't going to lose much money on it unless you really, really trash it. Those things hold their values pretty steady.

Absolutely cannot go wrong with an XR80. There are drawbacks with other choices, but none with that bike.

Definitely a four stroke playbike or XR. He needs to enjoy riding before he needs to get good at it. Stick him on a small smoker, and it'll very possibly just scare the bejeezus out of him.

If you end up deciding to go with an 85 smoker, consider the KX85 or RM85 over the others. The power valve makes the bottom end power on the yellow and green bikes much more manageable.

Does he want to Race or just Ride? If he wants to race don't mess with any bike that is an automatic, if he wants to race and is on the smaller side Kawasaki KX 65, if he is on the larger side Honda CR 85 W/ a 55 tooth rear sprocket easier starts, easier on the clutch, pulls out of corners easier, you loose a little on top but that is not what you are looking for anyway. Both of these bikes are cheap to buy and maintain and you can find a Honda or Kawasaki dealer almost anywhere. 10 years of my kid racing if I knew then what I know now I would have put HER on a 65 as soon as she was big enough.

[quote="jtomasik":10k6he91]Definitely a four stroke playbike or XR. He needs to enjoy riding before he needs to get good at it. Stick him on a small smoker, and it'll very possibly just scare the bejeezus out of him.[/quote:10k6he91]
And whats wrong with that? You didnt loop out yer first ride on a smoker? Oops- Brraaaaaaaaaaaaap !

Rite of passage.