Which Bike for 6/7 year old

[cloleson]

I'm trying to decide which bike is going to be right for my son. He's 6 right now, and will turn 7 in February.

He's a big guy, 4'-3" and 80 llbs. He has no problem zooming around with his 85 cc Yamaha atv pinned. However, he has never been on a bike.

My first thought is that he needs to start on a 50. However I don't want to put him on something that is underpowered where he has no chance to compete. On the other hand, I don't want him on something that will scare him to death before he gets his feet on the ground.

In researching the 50's, it seems the KTM/Cobra/LEM dominates the class. From reading the various forums, it also appears that these bikes are maintenance nightmares. Will a 50 even be big enough for him? Do any of the big 4 make a competive 50? We are going to try out a friends CRF50 this weekend, so hopefully this will answer a lot of my questions.

I guess my goal is to start him on something that is just a little bit over his head, without being overwhelming. I would love to hear everyone's opinion on what I should start him on.

[bunnybuster500]

I would check in to something like a TTR90 it is a good learning bike has no clutch but you do have to shift. I perssonaly think he would grow out of a 50 real quick. The TTR is not real fast but it should lug him around pretty good.

[pragmatic393]

He is a big boy @ 4'-3" and 80lbs. Sizewise the KX/RM 65 will do just fine~some lowering links will help but probably not needed. The 65 is also a dream as far as maintenance goes. But, starting him out on a bike with real power is definitely a judgement call. As you know, he must have a certain amount of awareness and respect for the bike. If not and he's the "no Fear" type, I'd suggest starting him on the TTR KLX styles. Just plan to upgrade real quick

No, the CRF50 is not competition material and he's even a bit big for it. You mention competition and again the KX65 comes to mind and will last him a bit longer as well. I started my slightly smaller 7 year old on the KX65 with some lowering links and he did fine.

Good luck and keep us updated.

[pragmatic393]

This is an old pic of him @ almost 8 on the 65. Although this pic is a bit exaggerated on the seat height, the lowering links really help.

[cloleson]

Thanks for the input. His current 4-wheeler is manual shift with an auto clutch, so he understands shifting. He also somewhat understands clutching, as he has learned to hold up on the shift lever in order to engage the clutch and make the thing wheelie. I don't think learning to use a manual clutch will be a problem, actually I would rather him have a manual clutch.

He is most definitely a wide-open type kid. That's why I'm a little scared to put him on a 65 right off. However, at his size and growth rate, that is probably what I need to do.

How is the suspension on the TTR? Is it adequate for motocross?

Thanks again.

[pragmatic393]

Originally Posted by cloleson

How is the suspension on the TTR? Is it adequate for motocross?

Nope!

[char393]

TTR definitely not made for mx...he'll be bottoming it out in no time.

[Shoei_391]

Having rode a ttr for about 6 weeks on an mx track i will say yeah you can clear smaller jumps...but you will deff bottom out..its actually not nearly as bad as you think

but no way in hell will you win a race unless your like rc

[cloleson]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'm going to get him on the CRF50 tommorrow, and that should tell me a lot. I'll post up how it goes.

[dhighlan]

You will be making 2 purchases with in 2-3 months. He is big and sounds ready for the 65. He is shifting now and knows the clutch a little he well be able to learn the clutch faster than you or I. I put mine on a 65 this spring (75-80 lbs 7yr he was to big for his Ktm pro senior) thinking it would be forever to learn. Well put him on in 2nd and he took off. After 30 min was shifting. A day later going at it. They learn so much faster and their learning curve is vertical. Still can't believe how fast the little ones seem to get it.

[cloleson]

I got off about 1:00 PM Saturday, and went to meet my friend with the CRF50 at 3 palms.

With big eyes my son jumped on the bike, took off a little wobbly, and laid it over in the ditch. There were quite a few onlookers, so that embarrassed him. Being so used to riding a quad, I think the weight and balancing threw him off.

After the lay down, I got him just going about 25', dragging his feet and coming to a stop. The we started working on turns. I just let him feel it out, and go at his own pace.

He started to get the hang of it, so I just sat on the tailgate and told him to practice riding around the little area where we parked. I was talking to other people and trying my best not to let him notice I was watching.

Before long he was going from sitting to standing, and weaving the bike around while staying in control.

At about an hour before dark, he wanted to hit the track. He got on the track and never looked back. He went fairly slow the first lap, then a kid passed him and he picked up the pace. Believe it or not, we didn't have any get-offs on the track.

At dark I made him pull it in, and my buddy asked him if he wanted to take it home. I wish I had a picture of the grin on his face.

At any rate, he did well for his first time. This bike is my buddy's pit bike, and has 30" bars. I bought a set off ebay today that are 25", and have the graduations for narrowing even further if required. It was pretty rough on him having to hold his hands that wide. There was no way to get him in the right posture.

I'm glad we were able to try this bike, as he is definitely not ready for a 65 yet. However, I know it won't take long at all for him to be looking for more. I’m going to keep this bike for a week or so before I decide what to get.

We’re extremely fortunate to have the use of this little bike while he’s getting his feet on the ground. I’ll try to post some pics when I get home.

Thanks for everyone’s help and encouragement.

[char393]

Sounds like a great day!

Sure can't wait to see the pics

[jhendrix]

Sounds like he did better at Three Palms than i did.

[Justis]

If hes never ridden before

A ttr 90 would be GREAT! I usta be able to keep up with kids on 65's with that thing. of course a 65 is faster and i had to have the 90 pinned. but man that bikes great.
I definently think a ttr 90 would be the best fit for him not to much power to to little

I went from a pw 50 to a ttr 90 to a sx 65 to a yz 85 and now i ride my 85 and 125.

Definently go with the ttr 90.

[LTD EDT CRF250]

what about a crf 80