I need a little help. My son is 12 and has been riding for about 6 months. He is 5', 90lbs. We do mostly woods and he follows me at Trials events, but at the last event he got on the Motocross track and had a blast. I don't see him racing motocross (mom would have heart attack) but he would like to be able to play on one occaisionally. He currently has a 73 Yamaha GT80 (2 stroke about the size of a PW80). Has gotten pretty good on the GT80 and has started getting some air, so I figured it was time to move up as his bike is severely suspension challenged.
We were considering the TTR125L but the dealers are all out of the L's and only have the electric start model which weigh about 13 lbs more (185lbs). He is tip toe on the TTR125LE and there is virtually no suspension adjustment as the fork clickers come right up under the bars. The LE cost about $2300 out the door.
The other option that I found today is a 96 KX100 with a flywheel weight. The KX weighs about 146lbs. It is all stock and in pretty good shape, just a couple small dings in the pipe. I know the guy by reputation and he takes good care of his stuff. It has a new front tire and newer rear. Comes with an extra front fender and a new graphics kit. The KX has alot of suspension adjustability. We could raise the forks and install longer suspension rods and shave the seat (I guess we could shave the TTR's seat too) until he got better/taller, then raise it back up. The KX is only $1200 and has a new top end and lower seals, etc with 1 hour on them. This was professionally done by a local shop.
Here's the question: Could a newbie like my son ride a KX100 or would it be way too radical even with a fly wheel weight? I don't what too scare him off. He wants to go look at it tomorrow. Give me some pros and cons. Can the KX be mellowed futher until he is ready to handle it?
Thanks,
Tom