new bike for 10yr old...and myself

[backwaterdogs]

Finally giving in to my son for a new dirt and convinced my wife it would be safest if I rode a along with him :laugh: I'm considering 3 options, but am open to any suggestions. He is 10yrs old only about 70# and 4'6" and has only ridden an xr70 a couple of times. My choices so far are: a used suzuki 80 2stroke, a new crf80, or a new klx110.

For myself(6', 230#) ridden many years ago, so am bascially starting over. I'm considering a new CRF230, CRF250X, XR400R, or XR650R. I don't ever plan on racing, mostly trail riding with my son, but don't want to be bored in 3 months or get laughed at by my friends! What do y'all think among the honda choices, is there a better choice other than the hondas? Would you reccommend used over new? 4stroke over 2?

 

[1911shooter]

Sounds as though you are going through exactly what I did about a month ago. Only my daughter is 12, but and I have you by a couple of pounds. I chose a Kawasaki KLX 125 for her, and a CR-250 for me. There is no doubt that the four stroke is more suitable for the novice riders, and that is what I should have bought but the two stroke 250 I got for a song and a dance new. The four stroke 125 KLX is a great little bike and she loves it. I have ridden it and it is a great little machine. What I would suggest is taking your son to a couple of different dealerships and see what size bike fits him. The KLX 110 is a really short bike, he might like the CRF 80 better, but I would definetly go with the two stroke for him since he is a beginner. In regards to yourself, I talked to a lot of people about buying the 230 CRF when I was looking for myself and they tended to think it was a little weak in the power dept. The said it was fine for riding trails, but since I previously owned a XR-250 about eleven years ago and thought that it didn't have the power I felt that I wanted, they said that if I bought the CRF 230 I would be disappointed. So I would go with the XR-400, or the CRF 250. That;s just my two cents worth. Us big guys need a bike with some power.

 

[KelvinKDX]

... but I would definetly go with the two stroke for him since he is a beginner. .

Are you sure you meant 2-stroke here and not 4-stroke?? an 80cc two stroke is not realy a beginner bike.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

I'd get him either the CRF80 or CRF100 (If he can handle the 100, get it, because it will last him longer). As for you, I think the XR400R would probably fit the bill, or maybe the CRF250X. The CRF230 would definitely be too small. The XR400R will be a better put-put with your kid, but it's also no slouch, it will go fast and is a great trail bike. The CRF250X is more race/performance oriented (and more expensive, I think) but also a great choice. I guess it just comes down to whether you want super-reliable, great trail bike, or performance trail bike. Good luck, and make sure you allow money in your budget for all the gear (helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, chest protector, etc).

 

[1911shooter]

Are you sure you meant 2-stroke here and not 4-stroke?? an 80cc two stroke is not realy a beginner bike.

Oops, my mistake, I meant the four stroke.

 

[Chili]

SpeedyManiac pretty much summed up my thoughts for your son. For you good advice on the XR400 or the CRF250X, some other makes models to consider for you would be the Kawasaki KDX200/220, the Yamaha WR250/450F or the KTM EXC line of bikes.

 

[backwaterdogs]

Thanks everyone for the input....I'm narrowed down to a 250x or a 400. My friend who wants to sell me the suzuki 80 feels that the crf80 will much hotter than his 2stroke 80...no sure myself, I will my son at least ride before deciding.

One more question on the 250x vs 400...is there any adavantages/disadvantages of having a water cooled engine? I believe the 250x is liquid cooled, but the 400 is not. Is one or the other easier to maintain and get setup?

thanks again, great website!

 

[SpeedyManiac]

The only problem with liquid cooling is if you crash and crunch the radiators. The air-cooled 400 will run a little hotter, but requires way less maintenance, where as the CRF250 will require more maintenance (checking coolant levels, etc). You can buy radiator braces that will protect them from getting crunched in a crash.

 

[rollerman]

i just bought the kdx 220 im 220 5 ' 10" plenty off power ..

 

[DRZ_Dad]

Do him a favor and don't put too fast of a bike under him, You didnt say what kind of 2 stroke
but if it is a RM,CR,YZ,KX 80 those are race bikes, If he loops it, when the powerband hits he will likely be scared of it.

I would strongly recommend the CRF80 or the KLX110 or simular, and wait till he out rides it before moving up to something faster.You will know when his riding ability has surpassed the bike.

 

[shnalln]

YEa, you'll also know when his riding ability passes your's! lol...it doesn't take 'em long...My son started out on an XR100 and is a great bike to learn on. If you can, find him a used XR, CRF, whatever, and save some $$$ for when he's ready to step up in a year...

 

[sodflyer]

Well having just done this my self here 2 weeks ago...him wanting a dirt bike and then if I did that I would need one as well to.... keep up with him :) my son 12 had a few laps on a 4stroke 86 honda 80? a year ago, and can handle a powered scooter...I said what the heck? I went off to the dealer looking hard at what could fit him with room to grow so I bought him a 04 yz 85 and my self a 04 yz 250......................................did I make a mistake? yeah and no.... I preach to him before every ride about brakes,throttle management, etc. and at first he thought it was way too much bike for him but he is getting used to it and is now coming around to it and is taking it slow at the track. yeah he wrecked a few times but I knew that :). BUT my point to you is don't think those little bikes are weak :) I rode his 85 for the first time before he hopped on it and I pulled a wheelie up through 3rd gear...my thinking on this is get something that he can grow into but not toooooo much to where they cant handle it with out the proper information before riding. now my 04 yz 250 is quite a diffrent story :) I dont think I will be able to gorw into that monster....but it's fun :)

 

[sodflyer]

Forgot to say after his last wreck he was scared of it. but it was not the power that got him....it was him not paying attention around a corner...we talked about the wreck and I told him don't be scared of the bike, be scared of what you do on the bike. now he has been wreck free ( for now). Jeff.

 

[backwaterdogs]

thanks everyone for all the great input...still haven't decided yet. Though definately set on a 4 stroke and am trying understand the value/performance differences between: CRF250X, XR400, WR250 or WR450 and a KLX300. From I can gather the KLX300 seems most geared toward a novice rider, but I've been cautioned by others that they don't hold the resale value like a honda...true or not, I've read nothing but good about the KLX300. The only bad I can find on the WR450 is several complaints about the electric start (jury seems to still be out whether the problem is electrical or carburation). XR400 seems to do it, but it doesn't seem right to me that the thing isn't liquid cooled. The 250X seems a little high priced to me. Again, I'm looking for easy to ride trail bike as I'm essentially a novice at 6' and pushing 230#. Can anyone find a reason to choose any of the bikes mentioned over the others...or is the decision now to overall price and flip of coin? Thanks again!

 

[shnalln]

Don't underestimate that XR400, that bike has been around for years, and would be bulletproof. The CRF250X is a new generation of bike ment to compete with the KTMs and the WR250, so it has all of the high performance stuff that the XR does not have, hence the higher price...If your looking at a KLX300, you also may want to consider a KDX200 or 220, as the KDX is more performance driven than the KLX. At your size I'd stay in the 400+ cc 4stroke class or the 200+ cc 2stroke class of bikes. It's a tough desision...I know...If you don't think the XR400 is your bike, check out the KDX, people seem to really love those bikes...I'm about your size, and if I was in the market for a trail bike, that's what I would look at...

 

[whyzee]

You may want to look for a used XR80 or XR100. Great learner bikes for someone your sons size.
... maintenance is simple on these bikes, parts are plentiful, and you can usually sell the things after a few years use for what you paid. (can't do that with a new bike)
Plus, your young guy is going to wreck (a bunch) ya don't seem to cringe as much when the is a bit older then new... :(

As for yourself, you are going to hate the CRF230, heavy, underpowered, scant suspension. If you're looking at woods riding, the XR400 or the CRF250 would be excellent choices.
XR, older technology but very maintenance friendly.
CRF, state of the art, great smooth power, maintenance will be greater than that of a modern 2 stroke.
Good luck, been down that road myself a few years back.

 

[shnalln]

Yea, ya know, you may want to ask around about size Vs. CRF250 performance/suspension...I'm sure it would haul us bigger guys around if all you where going to do is trail ride...maybe instead of a 250X, you could price shop between that and a CRF250R, might save a couple hundred bucks....hmmm, desisions, desisions....

 

[backwaterdogs]

dang, this is a tough decision....what does everyone think of the long term value of a klx300 vs a xr400r. I'm semi convinced to go with one of these. One review I've read suggest the klx300 over the xr400 for a novice rider hands down, plus it does have electric start.

Will the klx300 haul my fat a### around?

 

[Patman]

Get the XR400 and you'll be a happy camper. The KLX is a nice bike but the XR is made for what you want to do, it will haul your "fat a####" around quite nicely (I'm 5'-10" @ 220) and has lots of hop up potential if you desire. An XR/CRF for your son sounds like a great starting point, sure he could learn on a blazing MX bike but sine the little XR/CRF's hold their resale value well what do ya' have to lose? Low maintenance and high fun!

Where am I coming from? I came off a KTM360 E/XC that was great fun on to my XR284 and my son is on an XR80 that he swapped to from a KTM 50. I've spent time riding a XR400 (my bro-in-law had one) which is one reason why I ended up doing a hopped up XR250. Now water pump or radiator is working out just fine for me and we're in central Texas!

BTW if you really like the idea of electric start I think this bike is still available. http://members.cox.net/n24wheelin/

 

[pdbainum]

I just put my 10 year old son on a Yamaha ttr125 big wheel. A little tall but he is already riding well. My 10 year old daughter started on a 1990 Yamaha rt100 2 stroke. She loves it and is doing well. I am on a RM 250 that is probably a little to much to putt around on but a blast when all the dads get away from the kids. My wife is on the crf 230 and it does better than I expected.

 

[ZR2]

I would say get a CRF250X and im sure in a couple of years if your son gets a 80cc 2-stroke that he will be able to handle a CRF250x

 

[tHePrEdAtOr]

Bah start him out on a 80.... thats what I started on and I fell in love... he will grow into it.

 

[Shig]

I'd get an XR 100 for your son, mainly because I want one for myself. There are alot of companies making aftermarket parts for these bikes to make them adult-friendly, and they are a blast to ride. An XR 100 would be the perfect pit bike, fun bike, or loaner bike. If there is any chance of getting your wife into riding, a tricked out XR 100 would be the way to do it. As your son begins to outgrow it, you could start the modification process.

Whatever brand of bike you get for your son, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the same brand for yourself. That way you would have the convenience of one-stop shopping for parts, service and accessories. I think the XR 400 is a fine bike, as is the Kawi. You really can't go wrong here.