which bike for 10 year old?

[agent 86]

what bike for my 10 year old son has been riding a Yamaha PW80. We were thinking about Yamaha TT125 or HondaXR 100?

AND LOVING IT!

 

[crkid]

first of all, by the bikes you've been thinking of i assume he'll be riding trails. but next question is, how big is he and his experience level? BTW i recommend the xr100, a lot of kids around here have them and they seem to run forever without problems.

 

[justql]

TTR125L would be my choice. It's a little more modern than the Hondas.

 

[Wild Hare]

I went throught this last year. I liked the TTR, only down side to the TTR-125 is weight, they go something like 180! My boy told me "Dad this bike feels heavy!". He didn't like the weight after sitting on YZ and CR 80's. You want to be sure he can move it around easily and pick it up if he drops it. Hard to go wrong with the XR's but as noted above, older design....

But after checking them all out we bought an KX-85. It was lighter(about 140), made good power. The power valve motor is very novice friendly. He's also ridden the new YZ85. It is a very nice bike you may want to check it out as well.

 

[gifty]

My son justed moved from a PW80 to a KTM65. He was getting to the point where the PW wasn't enough bike but was unable to fit an XR100 or TTR125. The transition has worked real well. Excellent power, much better suspension, and he fits it great.

 

[HiG4s]

Used XR100s are plentiful, dependable, and reasonable. If he out grows it quickly they don't lose there value as fast as a 65cc 0r 80cc MX bike. Of course once he has the skills, he problably won't be happy with anything less than the right size MX bike.

My son rode his used XR100 for 3 months then I got him a new YZ85.

 

[agent 86]

Thanks CR KID,JUSTQL,WILD HARE,GIFTY

thanks for the info I was leaning to the TTR125 but we'll see if its to heavy.Cant go wrong with XR100.We will look into the KX85 and the YZ85. I was concerned that the KX and YZ would have to much pop for him to handle.

 

[HiG4s]

The new YZ85 is not near as peaky as the 80 or the CR80, the KX and the RM both have power valves to make them better down low and easier to ride for some one that short shifts. The big thing to think about before going to an MXer is how much restraint does your child have. If they are the kind that will ease into things they should have no problem going right to an MX bike. If they are the type that will go for the gas without thinking about whether they have the skills yet or not, the XR may be better. Oh and the 80/85 MX bikes are actually a little lighter, but a littler taller than an XR100.

 

[KTM Aviator]

If you live in the Midwest. I am looking for a good condition pw80 to buy..

 

[Okiewan]

bump

 

[dirtbikeguy]

I was concerned that the KX and YZ would have to much pop for him to handle.

Well, like CRkid said, it depends on his size, experience level and what type of riding you do. There's a 13 year old kid in my neighborhood that just moved up to CR80 and it fits him well. He has little experience and small stature. My 9 year old has been riding for 2 years now and has a RM80.

An XR 100 is also a very good choice, very dependable bike. You may want to have him try a few bikes out to see what he likes.

 

[Optik]

10.. That'd be grade 4 or 5 right? I got my rm 80 in grade 5. It was big for the first year but it was fine. Id recommend that, or maybe a kx65, I think ktm makes a 65 too, not sure tho.

 

[bake]

My 10 yr old is ridding a XR100 and I like it for it's low maintance and rideability on the trails here.

 

[Honda Rippin']

I'm gonna have to agree, the XR100 is a good bike to at least take a look at. We went shopping looking for a bike for my sister (looking for a PW 50) and I saw the TT-R 125. So I just checked it out and dang was it heavy. I used to have an XR 100, but then I sold it to trad up for my CR and that TT-R was way heavy compared to my XR100. Altough, with some things done to them, a CR 80 would be a good choice if your son is tall enough. They're great bikes, just drop a 14 tooth primary and you can almost lug them, I'm sure a 13 would. It's definately something to check out.

 

[BenjaminPQ]

I just can't say enough about the TT-R125L, what a cool bike. I rode one that was set up for a woman rider and it was way more fun then any bike I have ever rode. The power was soft but consistent, and enough to get even me up hills. Plus, there are so many aftermarket parts for that bike that you should be able to stretch out how long he has it with stuff like bar raisers and tall seat form, and how much power you want. I guess you might be considering if you should get the L model or not. I would go ahead and just get the L model because even though it will be slightly taller you get the front disk brake. You don't get that on any of the little XR's. Plus it reminds me of a little 426 :) And don't forget how much fun you could have on it! Check out www.TTR124L.com for all the info.

 

[BenjaminPQ]

Weight Seat Height
TT-R125L 172 lbs. 31 in.
XR100 165 lbs. 30 in.
PW80 126 lbs. 25 in.
YZ85 146 lbs. 34 in.

Just a few more thoughts. I have a 15 year old brother who I have bought several bikes for. His first was a Yamaha MX80, very similar to a PW80. he was fine on that just putted around in the woods with me. Well, the time flew by and he needed a new bike. Well, I made the mistake of thinking that the best bike would be a MX bike so I got him a RM80. He hated it in the woods, he didn't want to ride after that. It just didn't have the low end for the woods. So my point is that unless he is going to be racing MX get the kid a woods bike. In my opinion, the best mini woods bike is hands down a TT-R125L. The other companies just haven't matched it.

 

[needsprayer]

I started both my wife (5' tall) and my son (who just turned 12 and is already taller than his mother) on a KX100.

Heck, I even had some fun on it. :p

I looked at alot of bikes and for the money the KX100 had the best equipment. It is rock solid and is easy to handle (156 lbs).

It does require regular spark plug cleaning because it is a 2 stroke. This is the only reason I would consider a small 4 stroke, but then you give up so much power if you keep engine displacement the same.