Suggestions or advice on kids' bikes

[gsp0702]

In conjunction with my earlier post regarding my 7 year olds interest in getting a dirt bike most probably for trail riding, I would obviously need to have a suitable bike to accompany him on, as such i would be interested in getting some idea of the pros and cons of 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. And suitable bikes i feel that for size lightness etc max of 250cc would be best and if there is any advantage to going dual purpose and having something i can use on the road?

Anyway thanks in advance.

Andy

[scott411]

something like a Suzuki DRZ250 road legal would be good, quite hard to find good second hand 250cc road legal trail bikes, KLX250 Kawasaki, XR250 Honda or TTR250 yamaha also good choices,
if you have not done much dirt riding 4 stroke is much easier to ride,

[oldguy]

if your thinking of getting a bike for your little one, and one for yourself, you may be able to work a deal with your local bike shop, if you say buy a DRZ250 for yourself and a JR80 2stroke or DRZ70 4stroke you may be able to work some sort of deal, I think Suzuki are running there summer fest on there range of bikes.
But as Scott said you can't go wrong with any of the bikes he mentioned for yourself.
For your 7 year old, well, the 2 as mentioned above and Honda XR70, I think they are now called CRF70, Kawasaki/Suzuki KLX / DRZ 110.

good luck

cheers John

[FROSTY:Me]

Only Advice I can give is from my own recent experience following my clan around. KDX 200 with a FACTORY pipe.
I was supplied mine (actually a 220) with a hot pipe/reed setup and it went really well but not so good for slogging along at slow speed.
I just rode one with the factory setup and bingo heaps fatter feeling down low and much much easier to ride at kid pace.
BTW--from my (and I must say limited ) experience you might be best to borrow a pw50 or a jr50 and get your lad out just twisting the throttle getting used to cause n effect before putting him on something with real gears and clutch n stuff to worry about.

[crazyxr250rider]

TT-R250 for you XR70 for the 7 Y.O.

[Jorja]

Yamaha TTR225. Too tall for me but electric start and four stroke.

[crazyxr250rider]

XT225 Do you mean? Admitedly the TTR230 Might as well be a 225 (Same engine).

[mattwood]

if you are goin for lightness for your own bike u might want to look at sum sort of 125cc 2stroke? its not really a learner freindly bike but even so u can still putt around in the low revs till u get used to it, thats if ur not looking for a electric start though. Plus once u get used to riding u might be keen to do a bit of motorcross or racing.

for the little dude, u cant really go wrong with any old XR, maybe a 70 or a 100.

[gsp0702]

Thanks guys you are confirming what i was thinking certainly for the bigger bike, and the lads i was nt sure about clutch or clutchless but was thinking might be better with one less thing to worry about to start with.
Only concern would be there seat height most with clutchless change have a seat height lower than his push bike dont know till we try him i guess.

[Jorja]

Have a look at the pictures of us in the"best grandad in the world " thread.
The boys vary in height between 1.25 and 1.35m and are on the PW80's
They all fit them propperly.
The PW's have 3 gears but no clutch.We started the boys out by starting them with just second gear and letting them ride the bike. They diddnt have any worries.
How tall is your boy?

[awayatc]

You definitely want a fourstroke, since you need to keep an eye on the kid, not on your own riding....also electric start and a stand you can use with ease when you have to rush over and help the boy....
(been there done that)
Also he will grow real quick into the next size up.....real quick.
Clutchless gears are great to learn, ...most important part of bike for young one is well protected exhaust!!!!!( found that out the hard way...)
Enjoy the fun, you will both be able to upgrade as age and skill improve

[gsp0702]

In answer to Jorja's question he is 131cm tall, so from what has been previously said the likes of PW80/CRF70 should fit fine to start. And thanks for the pm as well but i think i have an idea of what way to go on this now, just a case of keeping an eye on Trademe.


Cheers

Andy