2016 Yz 85 or keep 2015 kx 85

Mungusman
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1/24/2016 7:15pm Edited Date/Time 2/1/2016 11:42am
My son who is 9, had a 2008 Yz 85 after coming off 65's. He loved it. He had no problem keeping it on the pipe, even knowing it doesn't have a power valve. I told him I would get him a new 85 this year to start racing the 85 9-11 class in 2016. Well I thought for sure he'd choose the Yz 85, but he chose the kx 85. Now he wishes he'd stuck with Yamaha. Says the kx is fat, turns crappy, and loved the hard hitting power of the Yz. Says he made a mistake, in getting the kx. Wishes now he would've listened to me, and got the Yz. Well I don't see it that way, I think the kx can be made to work. Just trying to justify getting the Yz, I know the Yz hasn't been changed for years, except for graphics, and new plastics. The kx had a mild update in 2014. Not into the husky or KTM till he races a year or so on one of these Japanese 85's. Well just looking for opinions, cause I don't want him to race and be unhappy, but then again we have a new one, that can be made to work. Thanx guys!!!!!
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mb
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1/24/2016 8:20pm
Did you already get rid of the 08? Switching brands can be hard for anyone, don't know if any mods to the KX will take the thought of the YZ out of the back of his mind. You could pick up another used YZ or if you have the one you have now and spend the winter restoring/getting the bike race ready. Something that I loved doing as a kid with my dad.
Mungusman
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1/24/2016 8:46pm
Ya we got rid of the 08, and used the money towards the new kx 85,
731chopper
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1/24/2016 9:11pm
The bike probably feels "fat" to him because of the two shrouds on the KX compared to just the one on the YZ. Just tell him it will make it easier to transition to a big bike in a few years.

How long has he been on the KX? He probably just needs some time to get use to it.

Don't feel bad if you can't always give him what he wants. Especially when you just bought him a new bike that he chose. I had a KX80 and wanted a CR80 at one point really bad. My dad never got me one but life went on just fine (he did later get me the new 2001 KX85 when it came out though!).
Mungusman
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1/24/2016 10:31pm
He's only had the kx since September, I agree he needs more time on it. I haven't had the suspension done yet, cause I wanted to wait, and see where his weight was at in March right before riding season, to have it set up which I think will be a huge difference in the way the bike feels. It's plenty fast, and I think he rides it fine. But he says its a no go with it. He rode the hell outta his Yz and got really used to it. Just want him to be compfortable for racing season.

The Shop

walent215
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1/25/2016 8:05am
That's a tough one as my main objective is to keep my son as comfortable as possible with whatever he is riding.....imo he will be more safe while riding simply because he isn't thinking negatively towards the bike and can just concentrate on riding. Which in turn builds confidence which equals more speed! However, I am not in your shoes so I can't tell you what to do but if you can afford it I'd get him what he's most comfortable on.
Tracktor
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1/25/2016 10:44am
Same for us. Older boy was on YZ85's and youngest is just going on to 85's. Since he is smaller & the KX was just "updated" I decided to sell all the YZ's and get a KX. Big mistake. The "updated" KX is still technologically behind the "same old" YZ85 from 2003. Plus they are a total nightmare to work on.. Just a poorly thought out bike. The KTM/Husky or the Yamaha will be what we go to when he moves onto 85's full time...............
sgrimmxdad
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1/25/2016 2:01pm
Any local kids that would let him ride the yz? There are a few mods you could do to get that same snap, or at least close to it. What did he ride while on 65's?
Mungusman
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1/25/2016 8:06pm Edited Date/Time 1/25/2016 8:19pm
He rode KTM 65's it was a 2011, he's already ridden the yz's and says he loves them, but like I said we already have the kx.
brocsdad
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1/25/2016 9:03pm Edited Date/Time 1/25/2016 9:03pm
Most kids like the handling of the KX. Suspension and linkage is a must on the kawi and there are a few Mods you can do to really wake the KX up The stock KX is about 4hp over the YZ. I'm not sure of all the changes but Yamaha's 2stroke line will be new in 17 and not just BNG.
racerx317
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1/25/2016 9:19pm
Brand changes are tough sometimes. Once the Kawi suspension is set up its pretty awesome. If you don't get the pull rods for the linkage to drop the rear end down a little it will not turn or handle correctly. So, I'd give the bike a chance after its set up correctly. My son actually preferred the Kawi over any other 85 after it was set up.... The handling and turning was amazing. We did send the motor out to Barr's Competition to move the power around a little... My son wanted the hit in a little different location in the range so Bobby Barr fixed that as well. Our bikes were rippers to say the least. Bobby knows how to make the Kawis shred!

Mungusman
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1/25/2016 9:20pm
Ya, I was thinking about that, I also heard about all new yz's in 2017. Might just make him do this year on the kx85, and see what is all new with the Yz, and go from there, and get the updated Yz. Once this kx is properly set up for him, he might love it. A lot of kids are winning on the green bikes. Just can't come to grips for paying 5,600.00 for a KTM or husky. When kids are beating them on the Japanese brands.
Mungusman
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1/25/2016 9:25pm
racerx317 wrote:
Brand changes are tough sometimes. Once the Kawi suspension is set up its pretty awesome. If you don't get the pull rods for the linkage to...
Brand changes are tough sometimes. Once the Kawi suspension is set up its pretty awesome. If you don't get the pull rods for the linkage to drop the rear end down a little it will not turn or handle correctly. So, I'd give the bike a chance after its set up correctly. My son actually preferred the Kawi over any other 85 after it was set up.... The handling and turning was amazing. We did send the motor out to Barr's Competition to move the power around a little... My son wanted the hit in a little different location in the range so Bobby Barr fixed that as well. Our bikes were rippers to say the least. Bobby knows how to make the Kawis shred!

We had the pull rods on the kx, and my boy said he thought it handled worse so we went back to stock, set sag and he says it's better with stock links. But time will tell.
sgrimmxdad
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1/26/2016 6:29am
Have you done the suspension? One of our local kids rides the KTM 65 and has a new KX85. Rides the snot out of both of them back to back. His brother has a YZ85 and he doesn't like the YZ.

As racerx317 said if he doesn't like the hit send it to Bobby, he can make them do amazing things. He built our KX109 and a YZ144 for us. Absolutely the strongest 2 strokes we have had...
Mungusman
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Williamsport, PA US
1/26/2016 7:20am
It's mostly that he says its fat and heavy feeing he doesn't like, I'm doing the suspension right before racing season, to see where his weights at. I know the suspension will make a difference, but the yz's suspension wasn't done either, and he said the bike just felt better. But I'm gonna wait and do up the kx and see where it's at then. If he don't like it then, I'll think about a switch.
Mungusman
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1/29/2016 9:51am
Well I'd like to thank everybody for there help, I've decided to get a 2016 Yz 85. That's what he really wants, and had his heart set on. Like the one guy said they have to be on, what there happiest on to be compfortable. Anybody looking for a 2015 kx 85 with only 15 hours on it. Still looks showroom shape.
olympiamann
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2/1/2016 11:42am Edited Date/Time 2/1/2016 11:53am
Should have told him to get a job or ride the Kawi.mine loves his when i can get him off the couch....Whistling

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