My son has just started riding again, on a 2001 KX65. This is his first bike with a clutch/gears, and he seem to be a little intimidated by the way the power hits. Would low tension reeds smooth the power out noticeably? I would like to make the engine more tourquey and easier to ride if that is possible on a 65. Any suggestions?
My little guy is in the same situation on the same bike. We race hare scrambles and do some pretty technical trail riding. I bought a 10 oz. flywheel weight from steahly and it really works well. They sell a 8 oz.,10 oz and 12 oz. I chose the 10 oz because I figured as he gets better and wants some more hit, I can have some weight machined off. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the weight. They even include the 3 flywheel cover gaskets reguired for the weight to clear. Good Luck!
I'm now wondering if I made a mistake by getting the KX instead of the KLX110. I think he would actually enjoy riding the four stroke better than the KX. I'm going to try the reeds probably first, and see how it goes. I may just sell it and find a KLX or TTR90. I live in Edmonton, about 90 minutes west of London. I've been up to Daniel Boone MX a few times.
How do you like the KX250F? I saw your posts on Thumper Talk about the new bike. Is the engine as strong as the YZ250F's? I checked one out at the dealership Saturday- very nice looking bikes.
How do you like the KX250F? I saw your posts on Thumper Talk about the new bike. Is the engine as strong as the YZ250F's? I checked one out at the dealership Saturday- very nice looking bikes.
I agree with eswan. The KLX has crap suspension and is really only good for a pit bike. It will take time but just let your little one get used tot he kx. It took my son the better part of 3 months to get used to our 65 but it has paid dividens...especially with his 50 racing. He is a lot faster on the 50 now.
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Just this week I bought my 9-year-old son a KX65 (for his birthday) to replace his XR70. Saturday was his first ride on the bike.
I figured I’d take it out just to warm it up for him. I got the thing on the long straight on our home track, opened the throttle in third gear, and when the bike came on the pipe the front wheel came right off the ground and I rode a nice 200 foot wheelie. Holly crap, this thing makes some nice power!
What’s fun for 180 pound dad can be very bad for a 70 pound boy coming off a 4 HP auto clutch bike, now trying to learn how to use a clutch.
When I got back to the garage, Connor says “nice wheelie Dad”. I say to Connor “we gotta talk”. In short I put the fear of God into Connor; “avoid revving this thing out, don’t even explore the power band just to see what it’s like”.
Connor takes to the clutch real well and is (short) shifting in no time, but riding much slower than he ever did on his XR70. So what do I do now? Do I let him explore the power band and learn all about a 2-strokes hit, or do I try to tame this beast? On one hand I’d hate for him to have a bad experience and not ride the bike to its (or his) full potential; but on the other hand I don’t want to water-down the bike if I don’t have to (it will cost $500 to do all of the recommended mods – low-tension reeds, FMF Fatty/Turbine Core II, flywheel weight, intake spacer…).
Thoughts or suggestions please.
I figured I’d take it out just to warm it up for him. I got the thing on the long straight on our home track, opened the throttle in third gear, and when the bike came on the pipe the front wheel came right off the ground and I rode a nice 200 foot wheelie. Holly crap, this thing makes some nice power!
What’s fun for 180 pound dad can be very bad for a 70 pound boy coming off a 4 HP auto clutch bike, now trying to learn how to use a clutch.
When I got back to the garage, Connor says “nice wheelie Dad”. I say to Connor “we gotta talk”. In short I put the fear of God into Connor; “avoid revving this thing out, don’t even explore the power band just to see what it’s like”.
Connor takes to the clutch real well and is (short) shifting in no time, but riding much slower than he ever did on his XR70. So what do I do now? Do I let him explore the power band and learn all about a 2-strokes hit, or do I try to tame this beast? On one hand I’d hate for him to have a bad experience and not ride the bike to its (or his) full potential; but on the other hand I don’t want to water-down the bike if I don’t have to (it will cost $500 to do all of the recommended mods – low-tension reeds, FMF Fatty/Turbine Core II, flywheel weight, intake spacer…).
Thoughts or suggestions please.
I say let him do it! Give him the spill about sitting up high on the gas tank and leaning over the bars....he'll figure it out. You can spend a lot of money putting all of these aftermarket parts on to protect him, then spend all your time taking them off in order to allom him to transition slowely. Or, you can teach him the proper body positioning and allow him to decide how fast he wants to go.
