CR80 or XR100R for beginner?

**oldskool** · 30th October 2008, 15:57

It's time to upgrade the kid's DS80. I have a choice of a '86 CR80 or a '88 XR100R, they're about the same price.
? on the XR because it hasn't been started for some time. CR has front disc brake and is supposedly a good runner.
Kids are 10 and 12. They're non aggressive but highly capable.
Can the CR burble around the track or would it oil up? I hear they are gutless in low revs but are kickarse up high. They're slightly lighter than the XR100. Are they just as reliable? Will I have no end of problems with the motor/cooling system? Would it be suitable for beginners or should I go with the XR100?
Any pearls of wisdom anyone?

**honda_power** · 30th October 2008, 16:30

cr80s a mx bike. def the 100 if they are begginners. no way the cr is as reliable as the xr, it will need piston changes, filter cleans every ride, gearbox oil all the time etc just like any mx bike. the 100 will hardly need any work at all. front disc isnt a big deal.

the suspension on the cr is a big deal though. if they are starting to try jumping or anything like that then go with the cr if you dont mind doing regular maintanace

**oldskool** · 30th October 2008, 16:53

Hey thanks for that Honda_Power,
In my insanity I was thinking of using the CR as is until it died and then doing a 4st motor conversion on it. The other mad reasoning I had was I could have a bit of fun on it too, hp close to my XR200R (+/-20hp) but the CR hitting yah in one big rush.
But I think you're right even tho the CR prob handles better on a MX track most/all of our riding would be bush.
I'll have to make sure the XR100R starts first up!

**cheese** · 30th October 2008, 19:31

They will be able to do more on teh CR, but as its a MX bike and its age its probably been thrashed.

**oldskool** · 30th October 2008, 21:33

They will be able to do more on teh CR, but as its a MX bike and its age its probably been thrashed.

Yeah it's a hard one. I just passed up the chance to buy a KX80 '98 for $800, again MX and prolly been caned. Seat height of 820mm and kids are prolly a wee bit young (shorter). Ideally a seat height of 720mm would be sweet. I think the XR100 is around 740ish so even then may have to somehow lower the rear shocky anyhows.

**Reckless** · 30th October 2008, 21:51

From what I can guess? It entirely depends on your aims or more to the point the kids dreams.

1/- If they have MX posters all over their rooms of guys doing jumps and racing. Get the MX bike and join RMCC and do their club days etc. Still treat it as no pressure fun time but guide him towards his dream.

2/- If they just enjoy a poodle with dad at the sandpit or Mr moto rides get the XR!

Depends if they are twist of the wrist type kids that don't mind paying the price of going fast or jumping with a fall! or are happy with the challenge of X country!
Is he ringing the shit outa that DS80 or has he just outgrown it?? Your the best judge!

**oldskool** · 31st October 2008, 07:24

I think I'm swinging around to the Reliability over Performance way of thinking.
His posters on wall are hollywood action blockbusters and rock bands. It's actually his younger sister that is keener, she's right into horses and riding anything that moves. He'd be more comfortable laid back on a cruiser. She's more likely to try for more air. Yeah XR100 I reckon.

**B0000M** · 31st October 2008, 08:42

to me, remembering back with me and my mates, some of us had XR100s, some had DS80s, they are more or less a match for eachother, so in my view a XR100 is just a move sideways in that your neither upgrading or downgrading from the DS.

my suggestion- keep the DS for now as they are a perfectly capable bike and maybe save for a while and get a 85cc MX bike or a CRF150 or something newer.

1 thing ive learnt with bikes, is the newer the better. less things wearing means less to spend.

**Ktmboy** · 31st October 2008, 08:49

Originally Posted by oldskool

It's time to upgrade the kid's DS80. I have a choice of a '86 CR80 or a '88 XR100R, they're about the same price.
? on the XR because it hasn't been started for some time. CR has front disc brake and is supposedly a good runner.
Kids are 10 and 12. They're non aggressive but highly capable.
Can the CR burble around the track or would it oil up? I hear they are gutless in low revs but are kickarse up high. They're slightly lighter than the XR100. Are they just as reliable? Will I have no end of problems with the motor/cooling system? Would it be suitable for beginners or should I go with the XR100?
Any pearls of wisdom anyone?

Sounds like your Kids are riding already. The next step up(if they want to go forward) would be an MX bike.

The CR80 do not have a power valve and therefore are very aggressive on the power band.

My choice from experience would be a Kawasaki KX85 (and you can get big or small wheel) as they are quite smooth compared to a CR80 and have a good bottom end that allows you to potter around all day if need be.

Basically the same model from the early 2000's so they are proven.

Rupecop will back this up as well as he has gone down this path.

**oldskool** · 31st October 2008, 08:59

Good points BOOOOM,

The DS is fine but he's dragging his feet a lot and not leaving them on the pegs. I'm figuring he's too big for it now. I'm not 100% but I think the XR100 is slightly taller.
The DS is fine for her but I was thinking about usable power in the lower end, my thinking was the XR100 may have a broader range extending lower. But you're speaking from experience... do you reckon they are about the same at the lower end?
I read somewhere that the CRF100 frame and motor are the same as the XR100 and it's just a plastics kit pimping it up, my wife had a go on a CRF100 and liked it so yeah, plenty of thoughts going into the mix.

**clmintie** · 31st October 2008, 09:06

Originally Posted by oldskool

I think I'm swinging around to the Reliability over Performance way of thinking.
His posters on wall are hollywood action blockbusters and rock bands. It's actually his younger sister that is keener, she's right into horses and riding anything that moves. He'd be more comfortable laid back on a cruiser. She's more likely to try for more air. Yeah XR100 I reckon.

She'll be right at home on the Glen Murray trail ride then... Taken last year...

**oldskool** · 31st October 2008, 09:24

She'll be right at home on the Glen Murray trail ride then... Taken last year...

YES, she'd want to ride the horse and the bike if she were there!

**oldskool** · 31st October 2008, 09:27

My choice from experience would be a Kawasaki KX85 (and you can get big or small wheel) as they are quite smooth compared to a CR80 and have a good bottom end that allows you to potter around all day if need be.

Bugger maybe I should have got this KX80 for $815 when I had the chance last night?
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