Best kids bike?

[GDOBSSOR]

Hi,

What is a good starter kids bike ? The boys are not even 5 yet but they are telling me they want a motorbike like daddys one!

Twin boys .. sheesh!!

Still I'm game, told them they have to get better at their peddle bikes, save their pocket money, and then maybe when they are a bit bigger we can take a look :-)

My ex partner's starter bike was a Yamaha AG 200. He was about 12 or 13 at the time.

[FROSTY:Me]

Stranded my honest suggestion for you is to start them on an LT50 quad. My reasoning being that the throttle can be restricted and the bike can be killed by you if you tie a short rope on the back during their first few rides and then used as a landyard kill for them once they gain confidence.
WHEN they get tired they let go of the throttle and just coast to a stop.-this means you aren't forever chasing after them to get the bike kicked back into life.
An LT will sell for pretty much exactly what you paid for it

[cave weta]

Hi,

What is a good starter kids bike ? The boys are not even 5 yet but they are telling me they want a motorbike like daddys one!

OK- here we are in the 21st century- will you people stop LT50ing and Pee Weeing!- there is better stuff out there now.

those dinosaurs still run cable operated drum brakes and shite suspension.

Forza have two excellent little learner bikes that are $699 ( FMX70 auto clutch 4speed) or $799 Warrior 70 Kids full auto Quad.

FORZA FMX70 2011 - 70cc Pit bike, the closest bike to Honda CRF50.This faithful replica has all the safety features and dependability of the old Honda without the $2500 price tag.


Why would you buy your child an expensive starter bike they are going to grow out of within 2 years? The FORZA junior dirt bike has all of the reliability of the Honda CRF50 at under literally 1/3 the cost. It has the classic Honda semi-auto system for kids to learn how to change gear and how to ride motorbike.
http://www.overthetopadventures.co.n...s/forza-fmx70/
Model: FMX70
Engine Type: 4-Stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder
Displacement: 70cc
Max Output KW/HP: 4KW/4.5HP
Transmission: 4-Speed, Semi-Automatic
Starting System: Kick Start
Frame: Steel Frame, Honda CRF50 pattern
Suspension Front: Oil Suspension
Suspension Rear: Mono Oil Suspension
Swing Arm: Heavy duty triangle
Wheel/Tyre: Steel Wheel, 10"
Chain: KMC chain
Brake Front: Cable Drum/Hand Lever
Brake Rear:
Cable Drum/Foot Lever
Length: 1350mm
Width: 770mm
Height: 770mm
Seat Height: 590mm
Wheelbase: 950mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 2.5L
GW/NW: 70/65kg
Max Speed: Approx. 40km/h
Max Load: 50kg



The Warrior 70 ATV Quad is designed for adult-supervised riders aged 6 years and older. With an attractive camouflage colour scheme, in pink camo or green camo. This quad is certain to catch the eye of Kiwi kids.

The four-stroke engine is tuned for smooth, controllable acceleration and lots of torque, so the Warrior70 is loaded with features that let beginning riders focus on developing their skills. This new model brings you more added features, such as a full suspension system with grease nipples on all pivots, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, heavy duty crash resistant polymer bodywork. loud horn, brake light, H4 halogen headlight with high and low beam. Plus it still has the great features from years past, such as an electric start, 2 safety kill switches, and a throttle governor. ($55 buys a 200m range radio control remote off switch.) The 70cc Warrior has a 60kg max limit

http://www.overthetopadventures.co.n...warrior-quads/

I operate these Quads commercially. "The Quad Squad" runs all summer long on Coromandel and east coast beaches. The bikes are trouble free and reliable. Also Im currently selling 4-5 a week in the run up to Christmas. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=534718404

[FROSTY:Me]

Im sorry CW but I couldn't disagree more strongly. The LT50 and PW50 have several BIG advantages over your product
Before you jump in just bear with me.
Starting with the LT50. --Other than those abismal jokes with go kart wheels powered by chainsaw motors NOTHING fits a little kid better than an LT50. This is the point missed by so many people.
A quad bike by its very desighn is really easy to get moving.The issues start when the 3/4/5 year old gets moving at a bit of pace.They find they can't reach the brakes.They struggle to turn this big heavy device.
The lack of suspension and fancy(easilly clogged up) brakes is part of the apeal to parents.
That and an LT will fit in just about anything from mid sized station wagon up AND is so light a reasonably fit person can lift it into and out of a wagon.
Even the safety devices fitted are seriously effective and because ofg their simplicity simple to use.-Screw in throttle restrictor to keep things slow.Rear fitted tether kill so at first you can walk behind the kid and pull it out if they get outa control.Later they can have it on their wrist in case they fall off. The simple pull start is too hard for the kid to get going themselves so they can't take off when your backs turned. The (rarely used in NZ) flag means you can see your kids location if they head up n over a rise.
The PW50 is the next step-why?
Learning to ride at a young age is IMO about steps. Most have ridden a bicycle.
Transfering to a PW means first off a really low seat height so feet can go on the ground for those first wobbly days.
Second--it has a shaft drive so no chain to get tangled up in when they fall off-and they do
Third the brakes are in the familiar place from bicycle riding.
Fourth being twist and go theres no clutch or gears to worry about.
Fifth-again small and lightweight so easy to toss in a wagon.


Don't get me wrong -Once the child is big enough or even arguably COMPETANT enough to ride the LT or PW then Im not really concerned.

[cave weta]

Im sorry CW but I couldn't disagree more strongly.

Then I think you are disagreeing for disagreeing sake.... Highlighted below are Things that you have overlooked:

"The LT50 and PW50 have several BIG advantages over your product
Before you jump in just bear with me.
Starting with the LT50. --Other than those abismal jokes with go kart wheels powered by chainsaw motors NOTHING fits a little kid better than an LT50. This is the point missed by so many people. Size and weight are virtually identical- price is under 1/3 of Suzuki

A quad bike by its very design is really easy to get moving.The issues start when the 3/4/5 year old gets moving at a bit of pace.They find they can't reach the brakes.They struggle to turn this big heavy device. Size and weight are virtually identical- price is under 1/3 of Suzuki

The lack of suspension and fancy(easilly clogged up) brakes is part of the appeal to parents. WTF!? - Ive seen none of these issues, and lack of suspension means easier to roll!

That and an LT will fit in just about anything from mid sized station wagon up AND is so light a reasonably fit person can lift it into and out of a wagon. They fit into a Subaru Legacy S/W and a Mitsubishi Libero S/W. Size and weight are virtually identical- price is under 1/3 of Suzuki

Even the safety devices fitted are seriously effective and because of their simplicity simple to use.-Screw in throttle restrictor to keep things slow.Rear fitted tether kill so at first you can walk behind the kid and pull it out if they get outa control.Later they can have it on their wrist in case they fall off. The simple pull start is too hard for the kid to get going themselves so they can't take off when your backs turned. The (rarely used in NZ) flag means you can see your kids location if they head up n over a rise. Safety devices are identical- also the flag- plus they have the optional radio controlled 200m remote off for $55.00. Oh and did I say that the price is under 1/3 of Suzuki?

The PW50 is the next step-why?
Learning to ride at a young age is IMO about steps. Most have ridden a bicycle.
Transferring to a PW means first off a really low seat height so feet can go on the ground for those first wobbly days. Seat Height is identical to CRF50- plus can be adjusted, meaning that the bike is suitable from four years to about 9 years old- CRF50 cant - Size and weight are virtually identical- price is under 1/3 of Honda and 1/2 the Yamaha- warranty is the same

Second--it has a shaft drive so no chain to get tangled up in when they fall off-and they do Good Point - excellent feature- shame its a stinky twostroke though

Third the brakes are in the familiar place from bicycle riding. Well hows that gonnahelp when you are trying to teach em about motorbikes

Fourth being twist and go theres no clutch or gears to worry about. Same as the Forza- plus the Forza has four gears for when they are ready for them

Fifth-again small and lightweight so easy to toss in a wagon. Same again - same weight and size as a Honda CRF50 - oh and did I say that they are just 1/3 of the price?


Great points though- now that Im operating The Quad Squad ride business Im seeng that kids need a safe and controlled environment to learn in.
But from your post it does seem that you have not actually seen the Forza Warrior Kid's Quad or the Forza FMX70?

[FROSTY:Me]

CW-matee I have better things to do than argue with you for the sake of it I promise.
I"ve seen the forsa stuff and it is definitely bigger than the LT50 in every dimension.
Are you sure you aren't thinking of the LTA50 or the LTZ 50?
I hafta tell ya I can't recall ever seeing one of my kids roll an LT50 and for that matter I havent seen one roll on the days I ran for any kids to try riding.-Ive seen some doozie stuff happen at the mini MX but thats a race situation.
The PW is a LOT lower that the XL/crf 50 --( in our world not a big issue ) but for kids theres a 50-75mm difference.
Keep in mind too -I see stuff after years of abuse whereas you are washing the bikes regularly and they are all nearly new.

[cave weta]

Yaaaawn.....



LT50s were made last century- why are we even discussing them? Lets talk about what is currently available.

From Wikipedia "Suzuki was a leader in the development of four-wheeled ATVs. It sold the first model, the 1982 QuadRunner LT125, which was a recreational machine for beginners. Suzuki sold the first four-wheeled mini ATV, the LT50, from 1984 to 1987. After the LT50, Suzuki sold the first ATV with a CVT transmission, the LT80, from 1987 to 2006."

Lighter- Shorter-Narrower-Cheaper.....

Specifications

Model: Warrior 70
Engine Type: 4-Stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder
Displacement: 70cc
Bore and Stroke: 47.0x 41.4 mm
Compression: 8.8:1
Transmission: Auto Centrifugal
Starting System: Electric Start
Ignition: Electronic Ignition (CDI)
Fuel: 91 Petrol
Suspension Front: Double A arm spring shocks
Suspension Rear: Large Shock Absorber
Front Suspension Travel: 70mm
Rear Suspension Travel: 70mm
Front Tyre Size: 145/70-6
Rear Tyre Size: 145/70-6
Brake Front: Disc
Brake Rear:
Disc
Length: 1200mm
Width: 750mm
Height: 880mm
Wheelbase: 830mm
Wheeltrack: 580mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 2.3L
Seat Height: 600mm
Net Weight: 68kg
Ground Clearance: 150mm
Max Speed: 45km/h+
Max Load: 70kg
Colours: Camo Green, Camo Pink

Specifications Suzuki LTA50
SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONS AND DRY MASS
Overall length 1260 mm (49.6 in)
Overall width 760 mm (29.9 in)
Overall height 745 mm (29.3 in)
Wheelbase 825 mm (32.5 in)
Front track 575 mm (22.6 in)
Rear track 575 mm (22.6 in)
Ground clearance 120 mm (4.7 in)
Seat height 535 mm (21.1 in)
Dry mass 71 kg (156 lbs)

ENGINE
Type Two-stroke, air-cooled
Number of cylinders 1
Bore x Stroke 41.0 x 37.8 mm (1.61 x 1.49 in)
Displacement 49 CM3 (3.0 cu. in)
Corrected Compression ratio 5.6: 1
Carburetor MIKUNI VIV112SC, single
Air cleaner Polyurethane foam element

TRANSMISSION
Transmission 2.416 (29/12)
Primary reduction 2.650 (53/20)
Final reduction ratio (Chain) 3.700 (37/10)
Driven chain D.I.D. 420 or RK 420, 78 links

CHASSIS
Front brake Drum brake
Rear brake Drum brake
Front tire size AT1 6 x 8-7 Tubless
Rear tire size AT1 6 x 8-7 Tubeless

ELECTRICAL
Ignition type Electronic ignition (CDI)
Spark plug NGK BPR-4H

CAPACITIES
Fuel tank 2.6 L (0.7 US gal)
Engine oil tank 0.5 L (0.5 US qt)
Transmission oil 500 ml (16.9 US oz)