Ok, my first posting.
Son has been riding since 3, rode the wheels off an XR50. We finally upgraded him to a CRF100 which he rode for a year and a half.
His info.
1) 11 1/2 years old, 5'2", 95 pounds.
2) Not the most aggressive kid in the world, but isn't the type to cruise in first gear, just putting along...ran the CRF pretty hard, but didn't destroy it.
3) We ride trails - period. We have about 15 acres of trails to ride on, with a small pitbike track. Land is fairly flat, but we do run down into creeks, up and out, up and down...typical riding ya know?
4) He's been riding since 3, I've been riding for 20+ years - couple dirtbikes, couple quads, streetbikes, Harley's, etc.
5) His friend has a fullblown mx track but he's only been on it a couple times...seriously doubt if we ever actually race.
6) I am mechanically inclined, but as for a complete bike build or engine overhaul, I would need help. I have zero experience with 2 strokes, other than riding my friends.
7) We've always ridden Suzuki and Honda.
8) One dealer near me and they are horrible, however I can access parts.
Well a few of his friends have 85cc 2 strokes. 1 is a serious MX'er (RM), the other a serious GNCC'er (KTM). He's rode their bikes, loved them, rode them well but honestly never kept it in the powerband too much, preferred the RM.
He was timid on the track and in the woods never really had the room to keep it in the powerband...which is fine, the bikes ran well still and he was comfortable...that's what matters most.
Well we thought at the time we'd sell the CRF, get him a 2 stroke. The CRF sold in no time, and I've spent a while locating a good deal on a used RM85 which is what he wanted (tight budget).
Now I'm concerned. For where we ride, the conditions we rode in, I'm thinking of should've kept the CRF, added some minor mods, and let him ride it to death for a while longer. I don't think he'll ever use the RM in the manner it is meant or can be used. Plus, it would've been fun to do a little mod project (minor stuff) with him on the CRF.
He has some other friends which have sold their KX85's and moved back to 125 - 4 strokes. Personally I prefer the CRF100 over the DRZ/KLX 125's.
Not sure what to do now...of course he says he wants the bada** mx'er...I don't know if he'll be happy in the long run, and I know my wife won't be happy if I keep buying and selling bikes!
I would appreciate any input from people in the same boat or were in the same boat.
Thanks!
Son has been riding since 3, rode the wheels off an XR50. We finally upgraded him to a CRF100 which he rode for a year and a half.
His info.
1) 11 1/2 years old, 5'2", 95 pounds.
2) Not the most aggressive kid in the world, but isn't the type to cruise in first gear, just putting along...ran the CRF pretty hard, but didn't destroy it.
3) We ride trails - period. We have about 15 acres of trails to ride on, with a small pitbike track. Land is fairly flat, but we do run down into creeks, up and out, up and down...typical riding ya know?
4) He's been riding since 3, I've been riding for 20+ years - couple dirtbikes, couple quads, streetbikes, Harley's, etc.
5) His friend has a fullblown mx track but he's only been on it a couple times...seriously doubt if we ever actually race.
6) I am mechanically inclined, but as for a complete bike build or engine overhaul, I would need help. I have zero experience with 2 strokes, other than riding my friends.
7) We've always ridden Suzuki and Honda.
8) One dealer near me and they are horrible, however I can access parts.
Well a few of his friends have 85cc 2 strokes. 1 is a serious MX'er (RM), the other a serious GNCC'er (KTM). He's rode their bikes, loved them, rode them well but honestly never kept it in the powerband too much, preferred the RM.
He was timid on the track and in the woods never really had the room to keep it in the powerband...which is fine, the bikes ran well still and he was comfortable...that's what matters most.
Well we thought at the time we'd sell the CRF, get him a 2 stroke. The CRF sold in no time, and I've spent a while locating a good deal on a used RM85 which is what he wanted (tight budget).
Now I'm concerned. For where we ride, the conditions we rode in, I'm thinking of should've kept the CRF, added some minor mods, and let him ride it to death for a while longer. I don't think he'll ever use the RM in the manner it is meant or can be used. Plus, it would've been fun to do a little mod project (minor stuff) with him on the CRF.
He has some other friends which have sold their KX85's and moved back to 125 - 4 strokes. Personally I prefer the CRF100 over the DRZ/KLX 125's.
Not sure what to do now...of course he says he wants the bada** mx'er...I don't know if he'll be happy in the long run, and I know my wife won't be happy if I keep buying and selling bikes!
I would appreciate any input from people in the same boat or were in the same boat.
Thanks!
