New Rider

[96blaster]

what do you think would be the best bike for a kinda new rider? He is debating between a Yamaha YZ85 and a Honda CR80. any info is very helpful.

[Faded]

Originally posted by 96blaster
any info is very helpful.

The feeling is mutual, how big is this rider, what is his/her skill level, what terrain will he/she be riding... No need to be shy.

And, Welcome to ATM!!

[Racer#857]

Welcome! And for a beginner, look more into the kx85 or rm85. they have power valves and are much more user friendly. even the kx100 (which i have and can vouch that it is an AWSOME bike!) if he is a bigger rider 5'1"-5'6". 5' and below stay 85. Or if he/she plans on racing 85, bc of the more classes available.

As Faded said, what are the stats of the soon to be rider?

[Racer#857]

oh and as for the yz and cr, it's really what feels best and most comfortable to sit on. The Cr's are very fast, but the yz's are also. the yz's are a little more for experts though.

[MotoMan]

I agree if you give us a little more info on the rider, we can give you a wider variety of bike choices.

[ddfh_4_life]

The '03 and '04 cr 95s are supposed to be excellent, Some guy in a mah said he was pulling better lap times on that then his cr125...I started riding dirtbikes on my friends 02 yz85. That thing was fast, and then I got an 02 cr80rb. You have to race supermini, but its a bad *** bike. Dont worry, the bikes will only put you on your butts if you dont respect em. Any 80 is good really.

[scmotomadness]

I have a few friends that are just learning to ride and they are really into their CRF 150's. I rode one once and it seems like the perfect learning bike. The suspension's nice and soft too. My buddy's are also tricking them out with better pipes and bars ect.

[Dell30rb]

Both the yamaha and the honda are very similar in charichteristcs, and handling. I have personally owned an 02 CR80, I came off of an xr80, and I was adjusted to it within a few weeks.

If he is going to be riding on motocross tracks, the no-powervalve cr or yz 80's will be the best choice. If he is riding more trails, with mabye some harescramble stuff and a few jumps, the kx and rm80's would be the best choice. They both have powervalves, and as a result a heftier mid-range and lowend powerband.

[CRacer]

Yes, go to a harescramble race and there are much more RM80/85 and KX80/85 than the YZs or CRs. I've spent a couple of hours on a YZ85 and that bike had a scary hit. I'm sure any other 85 is good but from what I know the RM/KX 85s will probably be easier to learn on due to the increased low end of the powervalve motor.

[Yardpro393]

we have several 85 racers here that origionally bought the rm's cuase of a good deal a local dealer was giving on them. they al had alot of problems with them. to ripped the transmissions apart, and they had to put on new rear pads every weekend. Two have switched to honda and havee had no problems ( one had to go with a higher psi rad cap)

[Racer#857]

well then kx, yz, or cr. the kx's are excellent bikes, dispite what mags and a lot of people say. Just as reliable as any other bike, so don't count them out. And they will be a lot more fun to h/s or playride on. The perimeter frame, has a more solid and stable feel too it too, so for high speed situations.

[96blaster]

He is about 5'7, 110lbs, he has riddin before on an rm 70 and it was too small for him, he would be ridding on alot of tracks and dunes with me and my friends...

[MotoMan]

I would say that any of the late model 80 or 85cc mx machines would do him well. Most of the guys around here seam to be going with KTM and YZ's from what I can tell at the tracks.

[96blaster]

thanx alot for the help

[Racer#857]

witht he size of him and the fact htat he'll be riding dunes. I say go with a 125 or 250f. they have a lot better power for the deep sand. the kx100 will also be better in the sand, but if he want's an 80/85 and can fit one comfortably, then i say kx for the situation.