Advice please on next kids bike

**FROSTY:Me** · 9th November 2008, 19:15

My oldest lad is now almost 5 foot tall-1.43 to be precise.
Hes ridden the pw80 to its limit near as I can tell--Now hes on a TY80 trials bike so he can ride a clutch bike.
Im now looking for the next bike up for him.
Thinking KX80 but Im not sure size wise.
What do you folks advise?

**DELLORTO** · 9th November 2008, 19:35

get him a drz125 with pro circuit pipe like ive got! unless he wants to get into motorcross...........

**oldguy** · 9th November 2008, 21:27

Hey Frosty KX85 check trade me, if he wants to go racing, or +1 for the DRZ125 Big wheel.

**trumpy** · 9th November 2008, 21:34

My son had a KX85 small wheel at about that size, loved it. Did Desert Storm, Alpine Express, Trail Blazers etc no problems (mind you he did do those on his Kx65 as well). Go on, get him one.......

**A&R** · 9th November 2008, 21:35

yep reckon oldguys spot on maybe look at a crf150 if you've got the dough,
although i would still go for a kx85 probably big wheel even if doing trails :- trademe or scott at mr motorcycles.

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th November 2008, 07:52

KX85 big wheel--will he fit it?

**fatzx10r** · 10th November 2008, 08:36

how about a kx 500....... i mean klx110?

**scott411** · 10th November 2008, 13:25

you can go 2 ways, one is the 85cc motocrosser, he would be close to fitting a big wheel but a little wheel would be easier on him, they are pretty fast bikes but can be toned down a bit,

other option is a trail bike, like a DRZ125, CRF150F or a KLX140, four stroke, easy maitence, a whole lot more quieter, give me a pm or a phone call if you want to talk about it,

cheers

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th November 2008, 13:52

Originally Posted by fatzx10r

how about a kx 500....... i mean klx110?

The KLX is basicly a four stroke version of what he's recently stepped off ot (pw80) --but thanks anyhoo--ane re 500--dont give him ideas awright?

Originally Posted by scott411

you can go 2 ways, one is the 85cc motocrosser, he would be close to fitting a big wheel but a little wheel would be easier on him, they are pretty fast bikes but can be toned down a bit,

other option is a trail bike, like a DRZ125, CRF150F or a KLX140, four stroke, easy maitence, a whole lot more quieter, give me a pm or a phone call if you want to talk about it,

cheers

Thanks Scott.-Im seriously torn on this one --of all the kids he's showing the most competance but I've taken the slow and gentle aproach-.
I think he'd go Ok on a stroker but I just don't KNOW --if ya know what I mean. Silly question mate--if I get him a small wheel can you get wheels and convert it to big wheel or is it a case of different forks and swingarm ?

**mazz1972** · 10th November 2008, 14:49

My nephew just got a CRF150 (I'm sure big wheel). He's 11½, I don't know his height but he's about average for his age.

He had a 50cc bike till he was about 7, then was riding a quad for the last 3+ years. He's coping fine with the 150.

Some pics attached.

Good luck!

**scott411** · 10th November 2008, 14:51

the kawasaki has a different frame and swingarm, and the cost of wheels makes it not really practical,

it also depends on what you want to do, if you want to get into racing the 85 is the only way to go, but trail riding only the four strokes are the go, and they will last though to the other kids,

**Reckless** · 10th November 2008, 15:48

I just bought an 06 CRf 150 last Friday Frosty!
I choose it because it was a bit taller than the 140 for general use, fitted the family better. The 140 is reputed to have better suspension etc though but I didn't want to spend the extra money to get one. I went for an 06 CRF as that's the year they revised the engine and added the electric start. It looks like its never been ridden, there's not even any boot wear on the frame. It was one of two I was negotiating with, so if your interested I can give you the number of the other one in Tauranga if you want.
The all on, or all off the KX85 didn't suit my lad. So much so I'm not to sure if I'll get him on the 150. He's decided its not for him but I gotta try anyway! Hate leaving him at home when we go out! Mind you I think the KX85 I had may have been a bit worked as well, so it may have been a bad one for what we wanted. Bonus with a CRF150 or KLX140 is the rest of the family (wife and daughter) are more likely to enjoy it as well. With the the KX85 I was a bit reluctant to let anyone have a fang as it was a bloody fast bike. But in saying that if your gonna join a club and race the CRF150 won't be in the hunt get the 85!

**cheese** · 10th November 2008, 16:18

I thought your son was loving it Rick. He seemed to be giving it heaps at the Kimmys xmass BBQ last year!

Hey that just reminded me, should we do it again this year? Kimmys again or Thunder??

**oldskool** · 10th November 2008, 17:32

I went through the same process last week and had the opportunity to buy a CR80 '98 model for a very very reasonable price, and if my kids were at a more advanced level I would have probably bought it. Advice on here steered me away and it seems the KX85 post 2000 is the bike/model of choice for its broad powerband.

However I decided on a trail/enduro bike with the XR100R. My kids are 10 and 12 and they are very happy with the decision.
In the weekend we went to the Sandpit and we all had a blat on it, mum included! It was quite neat and it took my weight gamely too.

My little one came off 5 times but this was mostly on a homeward bound yellow track. Halfway through the home track a KTM fell on her, very apologetic fellow and after a bit of a cry she jumped back on and off we went again! This is her 5th ride on a bike so it was a good effort.

It cost me $750 bucks and is in really good mechanical nick so I'm not too concerned about how many times it's gonna get stacked. So anyway I reckon this should do them for a season or two, maybe they'll end up riding my XR200 and I could get myself a big barrel again!