When to go from 65 to 85?

[davidbrannen357]

My 11yr old wants an 85 but im trying to decide whether to leave him on the 65 for another season or move him up? Any advice? Oh and hes been racing since age 4

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by davidbrannen357

My 11yr old wants an 85 but im trying to decide whether to leave him on the 65 for another season or move him up? Any advice? Oh and hes been racing since age 4

He's ready at that age and with his expierance, over here we have 9-11 age small wheel 85, and then 12-15 age big wheel 85. Also most 65 riders are on the up well before they hit 11 What type of 85 are you looking at getting? I highly recommend the Yamaha, i have had 3 boy's do their apprenticeships on them, and all of them have been great bikes.

[DRGSin393]

When he can wring the snot out of the 65 he's ready. If he's riding it timidly instead of being in the powerband, then Id wait.

[char393]

I moved my daughter up to an 85 recently because she was just too big for the 65. She wasn't wringing the snot out of it, but she sure wasn't comfortable on it. The 85 is a better bike for her.

[DRGSin393]

Yea, I guess if size is an issue, there isnt a choice. My second son was just beginning to get comfortable on his 50 and I pushed him to the 65, which was a bad move. After tossing out a few pairs of boxers, he regressed and now has no interest at all.

[davidbrannen357]

Thanks for the help guys...If we do get another 85 it will definitely be a yz...thats what his 13 yr old brother rides.

[dklassen]

My son faces the same issue but it's his size that limits him. He's small for 11 and he just barely breaks 60 lbs on the scale. He can't touch the ground on a 85 even on tip toes. I brought home a KTM 85 last year and after he tried to sit on it in the garage he refused to even try it. He hasn't grown that much in the past year so I'm keeping him on his 65 for this season. If something happens and he grows a lot he can have a 85. I have seen a 10 yr old at our local track that weighs over 120 lbs and he's on a CRF150R. At his size the 65 would be too small. I believe that it really boils down to height and weight more than ability. If the child is banging his knees on the bars and bottoming the suspension he should move up.

[Silver_Fox]

I agree, it's more of a size issue than a question of ability. The 85 is actually easier to ride than a 65 as it is less pipey and the larger wheels handle small bumps and ruts better.

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by Silver_Fox

I agree, it's more of a size issue than a question of ability. The 85 is actually easier to ride than a 65 as it is less pipey and the larger wheels handle small bumps and ruts better.

I see your point, to a point. I agree with the bigger wheels, etc... but theres a ton of power there which can be very intimidating if lets say, whisky throttle comes into play.

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by dklassen

My son faces the same issue but it's his size that limits him. He's small for 11 and he just barely breaks 60 lbs on the scale. He can't touch the ground on a 85 even on tip toes. I brought home a KTM 85 last year and after he tried to sit on it in the garage he refused to even try it. He hasn't grown that much in the past year so I'm keeping him on his 65 for this season. If something happens and he grows a lot he can have a 85. I have seen a 10 yr old at our local track that weighs over 120 lbs and he's on a CRF150R. At his size the 65 would be too small. I believe that it really boils down to height and weight more than ability. If the child is banging his knees on the bars and bottoming the suspension he should move up.

Iv have seen plenty of kids who can ride a 85 without touching the ground, as long as they have the ability. I sold a bike to one such kid who still races on a 65 as well, and he is a very small boy, he fronts up to the line with his start blocks and of he goes. Don't hold them back just on size only, if their good enough size doesn't matter, just ask RC!

[Silver_Fox]

Originally Posted by DRGSin393

I see your point, to a point. I agree with the bigger wheels, etc... but theres a ton of power there which can be very intimidating if lets say, whisky throttle comes into play.

I see your point as well, but when whisky throttle comes into play the 65 is no less wicked. They come on like a light switch, where as the 85 has what I feel more of a controlable powerband even though there is more power. My daughter raced the 65 for 3 years then I put her on the 85 for just one weekend I couldn't believe how much easier it was for her to ride and stay in the power compared to the 65. In the end I got her the crf150r and it suits her the best for her level of aggression, staying on the pipe is no longer a concern.

[char393]

From our experience with the kx65 and the ktm85, the 65 definitely hits harder. Anna made that comment this weekend. That's the reason I was a bit leery of switching John from the ttr50 to the 65, it's a pretty big jump. He seems to have handled it well thus far, but he's a pretty laid back kid anyway.

On the other hand, davidbrannen's boy has been racing since he was 4. Perhaps none of this is an issue?

[SikspakD]

Sounds like he has the experience to move up. I rode a 125 when I was 13, and a CR500 when I was 16 and 17 and won the state championship in the open class two years in a row. I have to agree with DRG, when he is hitting big doubles and spankin' the class or out grows the bike he should move up.

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by SikspakD

Sounds like he has the experience to move up. I rode a 125 when I was 13, and a CR500 when I was 16 and 17 and won the state championship in the open class two years in a row. I have to agree with DRG, when he is hitting big doubles and spankin' the class or out grows the bike he should move up.

SiksPakD, you will have to hook up with those Indy boy's and give them some ole school lessons!

[SikspakD]

lol Im working on it, its been a while