What bike for a new rider?

[jker]

I've just gotten into this habit known as "Motocross riding". I never ever rode anything with two wheels in the 36 year's I've been on this rock, until that day in January, when I took out a friends RMZ250 (Which I wound up buying), and got totally hooked.

Now that I'm comfortable on it, and spend more time upright than staring down at a bike laying on it's side in the dirt, I figure it's time to get my son involved.

So, what do you guys think is a good choice, for a 13 year old, who has not ridden a two wheeled, clutched machine? I don't want him getting too far in over his head, as riding, shifting, and turning will be difficult enough without having a machine that will wheelie at the drop of a hat. That said, I don;t want hime to outgrow it in a couple of months....

We (Meaning me, my friends, and hopefully my son...) all ride tracks, with maybe 1% trail riding..... so moto is what I'm leaning towards....

Any advice? Ideas? Thanks, and sorry for the novel....

-John

[crfjedi393]

Originally Posted by jker

That said, I don;t want hime to outgrow it in a couple of months....

There's your dilemma. You want him to start on something manageable and I totally agree with you. However, at his age the learning curve goes FAST. You most likely need to face the fact that you will be buying him at least two bikes within the next 6 months to a year. He will outgrow or "outride" the first one pretty soon. When that happens, let him ride yours for a short lap and get his input on what he thinks is safe. And be sure to explain to him that he will break some bones now and then in this sport. It's just how it is.

[crdude]

Getting a bike that wont wheelie and that he wont outgrow dont exacly go together.

you will either

A. buy somthing slow, which he will outgrow very fast and you will end up having to buy another bike in a short amount of time. if this is the route you want to take, I'd get somthing like a crf150 or ttr125.

or

B. buy him somthing propper, like an 80/85 MX'r or even a bigger bike if he's big for his age and just warn him not to ride over his head.

at his age, pretty much any bike that fits him will have a clutch, so thats somthing he will just have to learn.
how tall/heavy is your son?

[kwmotocrosspunk]

what are the stats of your boy? height? weight? any thing else that might help him with learning to ride?

i hate to say this but maybe a honda CRF 150R

[jker]

He's about 5'7", around 130Lbs.

[jum]

honda XR100R. thats what my dad started me out on and i still love riding it to this day!! im 17 and am 5"4 and its perfect for me still!

[Shoei_391]

I just started out again on a YZ 125. Even though I do not use all of its potential its still fun. Also, I dont really feel the big "hit" everyone is talking about

[spartanbiker_117]

Since he's a pretty big kid for his age, I wouldn't recommend getting the crf 150/ttr-125 that has been suggested. I would get him either a cr 85 expert or maybe a kx/rm 100. Probably the best thing to do though is to look for used bikes that aren't in perfect shape since he will be wrecking quite a bit at first. Also looking at used bikes will give you and your son a general idea of what power is right for him. Good luck on finding the right bike

[cowasaki1]

Originally Posted by dirtbikekid1337

I just started out again on a YZ 125. Even though I do not use all of its potential its still fun. Also, I dont really feel the big "hit" everyone is talking about

yeah i dont know about that "hit" either i would say a 125 but since he doesnt know how to shift thats a different story.

[Shoei_391]

Especially taking off would be hard as Hell. He would have to rev it high (no bottom end) The sound can be imtimidating (sp?)

[cowasaki1]

either a hard stall, or he would have to learn how to ride a wheelie really fast cause that bike would flip over on em

[Shoei_391]

Just has to learn how to let go of the clutch SLOWY with giving it gas. Thats what I dont umderstand. How can you pull holeshot if you let out the clutch so slow?

[cowasaki1]

what i do at the gate is i get a little farther back from the gate as some peple not much only like 3-4 inches. and when he turnes the 30 second board i let my clutch out very slowly so im just inching forward. and by the time the gate drops you can pop the clutch and you wont ride a wheelie.
IMO
cowasaki1

[pragmatic393]

A first time rider needs to be cautiuos and supervised no matter what bike he / she is riding. Whats with all the advice on changing bikes and then commenting on the short learning curves?
Get the bike you plan on riding for awhile. At that age and height, a 125 pinger or 250F will suffice for MX and Trails ~ pick your color.

[schwen_108]

I would suggest a new 85cc machine. Honda or whatever. I have found good reliablity from all my honda's.

Or if he's going to race, and his skills improve with every waking moment (and you have the money) you could get him a CRF150R

[YZ 250 RIDER]

If he is short and light don't by all means get him a ttr that was the first bike that I owned and he will outgrow it very quickly also after you get used to it which won't take he will get used to the power and think it sluggish. If he is average size get him a 2-stroke 85 or if he is bigger than average get him a 2-stroke 125.

[gchild1212]

kx 100's are great bikes and shouldnt be to hard to learn on or you could go 4 stroke race so that might be a little easyer to get used too at first

[Billyboypaints]

i outgrew my ttr 125 real fast,i would look at the 85s And 100s(2 stroke) 0r 150r (4stroke) take him to the shop and see which one he fits on best and start from there......all three bikes ive mentioned are good for trails or track

[Shoei_391]

Well im 14 and i started out on a 125 in april...yeah it seems big and a lot of power, but i think it was the best choice. I wont need a bigger bike for a while ...unless i want a 250f