An 80cc for a beginner?

[Wish]

I've been getting mixed opinions about what to get for my sons first dirtbike. He's 11 years old and 5', 100lbs. Hes been on snowmobiles since he was 3 so he does understand the machines are not toys. I'm just curious how many think an 80/85 is too much? I lean toward the 2 stroke mostly because mechaniclly our family knows them better than four stroke...that and trying to chose a bike his dad will be happy with since he'll be involved in taking him riding as well. Thanks for your input :)

 

[ktmdad]

I'd recommend the RM85 first, then the KX85. Both motors have a powervalve which gives them more low end vs. the YZ or CR 85's. My son is 5'1 or 5'2 and touches on the RM85 with no problems. As he gets more confidence the RM will remain competitive against the others. Many a beginner has started on the RM without a problem.

If your just looking for a bike for trail riding, take a look at the Suzuki DRZ125, Yamaha TTR125 and the Honda CRF150. They're heavier than an 85 mx'er, but would all make excellent trail/play bikes.

 

[bdf112]

i would say a crf150 its a perfect beginner and the fourstroke is easy to mantain

 

[Red Rider 53]

80/85 2 strokes are pretty agressive for beginners. But they can be manageable. I would just sudjest that if you are going to get one to stay away from the Honda's and Yamaha's, they are very agressive for 85's.

 

[KXaggerator]

Another angle is that you do not have to worry about the kids mixing their own gas if you get a four-stroke. And kids will try to mix their own fuel if there is no pre-mix available.

 

[burchdogs]

my son is 11 and has a CR85 that fits great but he learned on a XR100 and he finds the power very manageable. IF he has any plans of riding on a track the 85's are going to be a much better choice then a CRF150.

 

[nikki]

As already mentioned, the type of riding you plan on doing makes a big difference. If motocross tracks, then I would definaelty recommend a KX/RM 80/85. If no tracks and just trails, then one of the smaller 4-strokes (TTR125, XR100, CRF150) would be a good first bike.

 

[CR500rrocks]

It depends on the kid but some are beginners but learn REAL fast. My 11 year old was on an XR70 6 months ago...to then go to a KX65 running one racing series(taking 2nd in 65cc Open for the series) to a new '04 CR85 last month. He's already a completely different rider on the 85.
So...I giave you that brief expo to show that just because he's a "beginner" now, you may be surprised how they improve with seat time. I know I'm surprised at improvements every time we go out riding.

I would not be afraid to get him an 85 for trail riding either. We do trails, big hills and MX tracks. The 85 seems OK everywhere.
And I can tell you alot of kids we run into on 4-stroke "trail bikes" are envious and wish they had an 85 two-stroke. They say so when Dad's not looking...LOL

Heck...they're FAST and what kid doesn't like that.

 

[mud hole]

I bought my 10 year old a 98 RM80 and found that was a little to much.( considering it will lift the front end off the groud with me on it). I ended up bying a new KX65 for him and he loves it. He's 5' wieghts 120# but he's not scared of the motors like he was on his 80. :thumb:

 

[drk98]

If your still looking at 80's I have a '97 RM80 for sale. Never raced-EXC condition. $1200 in So. Illinois. Post a reply if your interested.

 

[jeddclampette]

Jr80

THe ideal 80cc I can think of for a a beginner teen of yours, w/ the 2 stroke engine is the Suzuki JR80.

Seat height is 27", which will fit a child who's 5' high nicely. Child will have feet almost flat on the ground, which is safer for someone starting out.

The bike is SUPER light, 125 lbs with a decent suspension, enough to absorb just about everything a kid starting out would find interest doing. The 2 stroke engine is not pipey, it's a low rpm puller, which makes the powerband closer to a 4 stroke than the MX racing bikes.

The bike has a manual clutch and five gears, so it's
not a "mini"

Check it out, before you commit to a racing MX bike or a fourstroke.

 

[Snowsk5054]

Go with the 80. I have a YZ 80, and love racing it. Got some pep to it.

 

[pyrofreak]

Let him try some out first.

 

[DEAYZ400F]

I have an 01 JR80 for my 9 yr old. It is not the best bike in the world to have. The suspension sucks!! Kids learn and adapt to these machines at an alarming rate. They also are nearly fearless to begin with. My JR80 is ok to put it best. I seriously wish that I had more to give him. I had an 03 CR250 and I could not ride the trails with him comfortably due to the speed of my first gear.

 

[xsnrg]

You can do a few things to make the 2strokes more manageable for a beginner, like a weighted flywheel, changing the gearing, etc.

If maintenance is your main reason, the CRF150 or TTR125 are about as close to maintenance free as you can get. I rode an XR100 for several years just about every day there was not snow on the ground and I don't think we ever had the head off of it. Just changed the oil and plug occasionally and kept the chain and sprockets in order and cleaned the air filter. Always started in a kick or two.

 

[breezeair]

11 year old

I'm 11 and I started on a CRF 80 at Christmas and I go a KX85 about a month or so ago and the power is managable and it can rip.I would definrtly recommend this bike it can do trails,hills and track ride so whatever you like it can do.

 

[kawicam125]

definetly shoot for an 85. as big as he is, he'll be able to handle an 85 very well. id go for the kx85 or rm85 considering that they have a powervalve which will give the bike more low-end.

 

[chevy383cid]

My son just turned 9 and is on a kx80 and really loves it(and handles it very well)!! We ride some pretty tough trails(every sunday). He likes the suspension, and the quick snap of the two stroke. But he's coming off a modified xr80,that he grew tired of fast!! My vote goes for a kx/rm 85-If he's aggressive,Or a honda crf 100 if he's rather tame!!

 

[nsxxtreme]

I would choose the 80 2 stoke. Do you want a bike he will grow into or out of?

Once you learn a 2 stoke you can ride anything.

 

[robwbright]

If he's rode snowmobiles since age 3, I'd guess he'll adapt just fine.

80/85s have a killer power/weight ratio, and they tend to be very peaky, but they're not that hard to learn to ride. From what I've seen, kids sometimes have trouble transferring from a 4 stroke trail bike to a 2 stroke MX'er.

Might as well get him started on the MX'er. . .

 

[Cody305]

THe ideal 80cc I can think of for a a beginner teen of yours, w/ the 2 stroke engine is the Suzuki JR80.

Seat height is 27", which will fit a child who's 5' high nicely. Child will have feet almost flat on the ground, which is safer for someone starting out.

The bike is SUPER light, 125 lbs with a decent suspension, enough to absorb just about everything a kid starting out would find interest doing. The 2 stroke engine is not pipey, it's a low rpm puller, which makes the powerband closer to a 4 stroke than the MX racing bikes.

The bike has a manual clutch and five gears, so it's
not a "mini"

Check it out, before you commit to a racing MX bike or a fourstroke.

Not to sound like I know everything lol, but do NOT put a 5' tall kid on a JR80.
1. This bike is to small for him.
2. He will outgrow the power in about... 15 minutes
3. If he rides with friends that have 80/85cc bikes, they will be brutal on him. (kids say what they think, before thinking about what they say) haha...seriously...put him on a 85 and let him learn how to control the power vs. putting him on a bike that has no power or suspension. You will be surprised how fast he will adapt to the 2-stroke.
And for all the Honda haters (jk) The 05-06 CR85 is not a light switch. It has very usable lowend power, but the KX is better suited for beginners. (tamer power delivery)

 

[Chili]

And for all the Honda haters (jk) The 05-06 CR85 is not a light switch.

Given this thread is 2 years old I'd say the advice about the CR was applicable to the 04 and previous models.