What bike for the kids?

[grotto]

I'm thinking about getting my a kids a new (second hand) bike, as they've mastered the PW80 and I think it's time they learnt to deal with a clutch.
My son is just turned 8, my daughter is 9 going on 10, (but still prefers the PW50).
Most of the riding is around the garden, with the odd trip to Woodhill or relations farms. No intention to enter competitions

Budget is $500 - $950.
It needs to be geared with a clutch.
I've seen Suzuki DS80's & Honda XR80's which look OK, but don't know anyone who's actually had one.
Anyone's kids had one of these?
Any recommendations?

Thanks

[crazyhorse]

We had a XR100 - bit tall for them when they first starting riding at 7 and 9, but soon learnt how to put one foot on ground, or stop nearby something to make it easier on them. Couldn't get them off it in the end.....

[mfordy]

JR80's are a great geared bike that may just fit in your budget (late 90's model). There's a couple of kids that thrash them around the mini-track at Harrisville in the trail class and do pretty well.

[grotto]

JR80's are a bit above my price range (seem to be $1,200 up)
I can't work out what the difference between a JR & a DS is?
Looking at the spec.s on google, they look almost identical (weight, wheelbase, height, etc.)
Did JR's just replace the DS in 2000, or was there an improvement other than styling?

[scott411]

jr'S AND ds'a are mecahincally identical, just the body wrk is different,
2000 was the last ds's, 01 the first JR,

just body work different, and they got rid of the lights,