ws6transam
Member
- Nov 17, 2005
- 309
- 0
My youngest son Jason wants to head off to the trails with me and I'd love to have him out there. He's been following me on our mountain bikes, and getting some air off a few of the hills, keeping up with me until I'm winded from pedaling.
So I've been looking, but haven't found the "right bike" yet. When I asked him what he wanted, he said that he wanted a Yamaha WR500 just like mine, only smaller :whoa: I replied that it would be better if we found something a bit tamer, because he's new and never ridden a motorcycle before, but that I appreciated his enthusiasm.
...Then I found a '94 YZ80 with fresh engine for $500. It looks darned near like a miniature WR500. I don't know if he fits it yet, because it's a 33 inch seat height. However I *think* seat height is when the machine is unloaded. Jason's inseam is about 25 inches. Is the YZ80 too much of a firecracker for a kid's first bike, or would afternoons of trail riding tame it enough that he could get a handle on it, and grow into it? ...or should I get a used Honda XR80 or XR100? Whatever I get, it'll probably be 10 to 15 years old.
1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
4-foot 7, about 80 pounds.
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
I imitate my dad, who is moderate, not too crazy, and really, really old. (He's 44, like the magnum.)
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
MX track, and Michigan motorcycle trail through woods
4) Do you have any riding experience?
No, just bicycle.
5) Do you think you will race ?
Not if my mom can help it, but I do want to try riding an indoor motocross course some day.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
Oh yeah!!
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
Two-stroke, like Dad has.
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
Groves Motorsports in mason, MI: Honda, Suzuki, but unfortunately not Yamaha
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?
Dad's going to spend $500 to $750 and another $350 on safety gear.
10) Do you live in California?
Thankfully, no.
11) Your age?
8 1/2, I turn 9 in November.
12) anything else that you think would help form an opinion:
My dad filled this out. I'm in third grade, I have a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I am wiry and thin, and like to run everywhere because walking is probably boring and slow.
So I've been looking, but haven't found the "right bike" yet. When I asked him what he wanted, he said that he wanted a Yamaha WR500 just like mine, only smaller :whoa: I replied that it would be better if we found something a bit tamer, because he's new and never ridden a motorcycle before, but that I appreciated his enthusiasm.
...Then I found a '94 YZ80 with fresh engine for $500. It looks darned near like a miniature WR500. I don't know if he fits it yet, because it's a 33 inch seat height. However I *think* seat height is when the machine is unloaded. Jason's inseam is about 25 inches. Is the YZ80 too much of a firecracker for a kid's first bike, or would afternoons of trail riding tame it enough that he could get a handle on it, and grow into it? ...or should I get a used Honda XR80 or XR100? Whatever I get, it'll probably be 10 to 15 years old.
1) your physical size (both height and weight are important)
4-foot 7, about 80 pounds.
2) How physical / aggressive are you ?
I imitate my dad, who is moderate, not too crazy, and really, really old. (He's 44, like the magnum.)
3) what do you plan to ride- MX/SX tracks, woods, fields with friends or ?????
MX track, and Michigan motorcycle trail through woods
4) Do you have any riding experience?
No, just bicycle.
5) Do you think you will race ?
Not if my mom can help it, but I do want to try riding an indoor motocross course some day.
6) Are you mechanically inclined and will you be doing your own bike work?
Oh yeah!!
7) Do YOU have a preferance to a brand/ motor choice (2 or 4 stroke)?
Two-stroke, like Dad has.
8) Do you have a dealer close by your home that you might use and what brand(s) does he carry?
Groves Motorsports in mason, MI: Honda, Suzuki, but unfortunately not Yamaha
9) How much ($) do you plan to spend on a bike?
Dad's going to spend $500 to $750 and another $350 on safety gear.
10) Do you live in California?
Thankfully, no.
11) Your age?
8 1/2, I turn 9 in November.
12) anything else that you think would help form an opinion:
My dad filled this out. I'm in third grade, I have a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I am wiry and thin, and like to run everywhere because walking is probably boring and slow.
