It happened. He grew.
I have 2 boys, now 5 & 7, well, 6 in Jan and 8 in Mar. I got them a pw50 last year for x-mas to start on and share. This worked with enough even tho I knew my 7yo would outgrow the pw quickly. We didnt get out as much with the family as I would have liked, talk to the wife about that :| , so they only got 2 trips for riding before last weekend. Now my 7yo, DJ, has grown a bunch over the summer and riding this last weekend is obvious he is too big for the little pw. He is doing really well, is not super aggressive but tries really hard. He needs to step up to a bigger bike but not necessarily more advanced. I believe I can move him up to something manual shift but auto clutch and something with mellow power.
As much as I hate to consider it, I am considering one of those chinese cheapo bikes. I know that it will have about zero resale, but if it can make it thru DJ's and his little brothers growth, it would have served its $600 price tag and then I will have something to give to friends with yet younger kids. It is either that or buying something like a pw80 used, ~$900, or ???? then have something to sell for about $300 in 4 years time???
I dont know. Im sure some have advice that have been down this road before........................