Originally posted by brelands
I have two boys ages 10 and 8, they are 90 and 70 pounds respectively. I want to get one used bike for them to share and check out their interest/skill level. The 8 year is a very aggressive and daredevil type rider on bicycles, scooters, and anything else he gets on and usually outrides the 10 year old. So whatever would work for a beginning 10 year old I would feel comfortable putting my 8 year old on. I'd rather spend 1K now to see where they stand and then go spend the 3k apiece than put all the money up front just to find I got the wrong stuff for them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I would reccomend the Honda XR 80 as well. Honda XRs are solid, bulletproof bikes, that would be an excellent choice. Ive had one for two whole years, and never had to do ANY maintinance work besides tightening the chain, and of course changing the oil and filling it up with gas. I dont think mine ever started on more than two kicks (90% of the time just one) as well.
My advice would be to go with the XR 80 now, and I would gauruntee that within a year, at least one of them would want to go to something like a 2-stroke. (But this is why it is a great idea to go used like you said!)
I have a good example here for you: There is a 9 yr old in my neighborhood who just got a used 00' XR 80. A mere four months later now, and he now is looking for either a 65cc or 85cc 2-stroke now. While XRs are great great bikes, around here, about 100% of all of us former XR riders; now have, or want 2-strokes. So when you buy the XR-80, just be prepared to buy them a step up pretty soon, but the XR-80 IMO will be the BEST possible learning experience that the both of them could get, since it has a small seat height, good 4-stroke power, amazing reliability, great handling for a beginner, and even has a clutch, so they can learn to ride that. I wouldn't reccomend getting a 65cc or 85cc 2-stroke now, since they will be petrified of them if never riding a dirtbike before, but look out next year when they are begging you for them!
So again, I would look no further or no less for a used XR 80 that you can probably get for around your budget. Maybe a 2000 model if your lucky :)