Topic: May get a bike for my boy - What to lookout for

[bridgecity]

I am go to look at a couple of dirt bikes for my oldest son.  Both are Honda XR50s, one is a 2001 and the other is a 2003.  What should I look out for? I've got a few things on my list, such as the condition of the rear tire, sprocket, front leaky forks, brakes.  Anything else?  Obviously, this isn't a huge purchase but would like to hear from the experts. 

I would have liked to get something slightly newer, but there isn't much on the market right now in my area.  I've only found a few XR50s, and one Yamaha TT-R50 that looked like its been abused.  I was hoping to find a newer CRF-50F. Maybe I should wait until the spring?  On the other hand, the one guy with the 2001 XR50 instantly dropped his price from $900 to $750 when I asked if his price is firm.

Honda has $500 off new CRF-50F's right now, but they are still $1300+pdi+tax, so pushing $1700.  I'm sure if I buy one of these older Hondas, let my two boys grow through and abuse them for 5 years, I'll still get $500 for it.

I open to other suggestions of makes, but keep in mind I've ruled out 2-strokes.

[rrocket]

You seem to know pretty much what you're looking for.  Shame two strokes are off the list.  The are exceptionally easy to maintain/rebuild and offer more power in a similar size.

How old is the boy??

[PJungnitsch]

Check the oil. I bought a dirtbike once that had a lot of metal in the oil (pretty!), only I didn't notice until later. That bike didn't last very long.

Bent/broken frame can be an issue as well, can be hard to see unless the bodywork is off. Bent forks is another one.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Head races/bearings come to mind. Not sure it it would be an issue on bikes this size.

Check to see if there is any sloppiness. Take the weight off the front end and give the fork a shake.

[articsteve]

Observe the surroundings of the seller.  If it's a farm and the place is a mess and the drive sheds are a mess then thats the way the bike will be.

Specifically:

if it blows any blue smoke the cylinder is shot.

I don't have any experience with 50cc bikes.  They're auto shifters I assume.

[bridgecity]

@ rrocket:  My oldest is 5, but will be six by the time spring rolls around.  Power delivery of two strokes is peaky, which I don't want for his first bike.  Maybe for his second bike a 2-stroke would work.  It won't be long before he outgrows this one, as he's very tall and lanky for his age.

@ Artic:  The XR50's are 3 speeds, no clutch.  Most of these bikes are from farms, with the exception of the one I'm trying to line up for tonight.  The guy lives in town, and says the bike went through his two girls.  Makes me wonder if they were tracked.  However, a little 50cc ridden on a track was probably maintained well.  I get what you're saying about from a farm.  I've got an uncle who farms and his vehicles/toys are abused and maintained poorly.

Thanks all for the suggestions. 

[mrthompson]

A dirt bike for a 5 (almost 6) year old?  Your son must be more advanced than mine, who is about the same age.  My son still has plenty of fun with his battery powered ATV.  I reckon he's another coupe of years away from something gas powered. 

[bridgecity]

A dirt bike for a 5 (almost 6) year old?  Your son must be more advanced than mine, who is about the same age.  My son still has plenty of fun with his battery powered ATV.  I reckon he's another coupe of years away from something gas powered. 

I figured I'd get a response like this, which is fine, I don't take offence to it.  I don't know if I'd call him advanced, maybe he is.  He's well over 4 feet tall and 65lbs, so ya, he's big (which I know has nothing to do with maturity).  He's been riding without training wheels on his pedal bike before he was 4.  He doesn't have an interest in the battery toys, as he knows he can move faster and have more fun on his pedal bike.  I've actually never bought him a battery powered car/ATV, and maybe that's the reason he took so quickly to a pedal bike.  He's also very cautious.  I would be a lot more nervous with younger boy on a bike at 5 or 6, as he's totally reckless, very opposite of his older brother.

For what its worth, I started on a Honda 50 when I was 6.

One other caveat; the XR's have throttle limiters, so starting out I'll have it set fairly low, he'll probably be able to run as fast.

[Thinking Out Loud]

A dirt bike for a 5 (almost 6) year old?  Your son must be more advanced than mine, who is about the same age.  My son still has plenty of fun with his battery powered ATV.  I reckon he's another coupe of years away from something gas powered. 

We had our two boys (9 and 6) out at a riding centre for a half-day course.  The older one was RIGHT into it, the younger one did well for about 3 hours then was just physcially exhausted...both from the ride and the (obvious) amount of effort focusing he was putting into it, to ride.

I'm interested in this thread as I've been having the same thoughts about getting them rides....especially since daddy does!

We have a friend with a 7 year old lad that still rides with training wheels....      .....but he is afraid of EVERYTHING.

[bridgecity]

the younger one did well for about 3 hours then was just physcially exhausted...both from the ride and the (obvious) amount of effort focusing he was putting into it, to ride.

Riding can be very physically demanding.  I have a friend who trail rides, and is in very good shape, and that's all the exercize he gets.

[bridgecity]

Maybe I am jumping the gun here, but I don't think so... I have a feeling that those who ride will say my son isn't too young to start, and those who have little experience with bikes will say he is too young. 

Opinions on this topic are welcome.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Maybe I am jumping the gun here, but I don't think so... I have a feeling that those who ride will say my son isn't too young to start, and those who have little experience with bikes will say he is too young. 

Opinions on this topic are welcome.

Do a half-day course and see if he is even interested before investing in a bike.  ~$150 all in and they have bikes and gear for 'little ones', and my 6 year old's bike tipped and he was tossed once.  Only issue is helping them get the bike upright 'cause the bikes are heavy for their size.

He said he had fun but would NEVER do it again....but next year he'll likely give it another go. 

[bridgecity]

Do a half-day course and see if he is even interested before investing in a bike.  

I'm 100% positive he'll love it, but a course is a good idea nonetheless.  I'd have to wait till spring in our area, but it would be good as far as safety/skills go.  If he doesn't love it, there's no doubt I could get my money back by reselling.

[rrocket]

I started when I was 5, and was racing soon after.  And the bike I had used a conventional clutch to boot.

I suppose it depends on the individual.


FWIW, the KTM50SX are 2 strokes, but (obviously) don't have a wicked 2 stroke hit.  And they have an auto tranny to boot.

[bridgecity]

FWIW, the KTM50SX are 2 strokes, but (obviously) don't have a wicked 2 stroke hit.  And they have an auto tranny to boot.

I've looked into the KTM50SX.  Very race oriented, and from what I've seen, seem like high maintenance.  Most ads seem to say "clutch replaced, top-end rebuilt", as if thats a good thing.  Additionally, the seat height is more than 5" higher than the Honda and asking prices are usually double.  Maybe they are worth double, but at this point, I don't think it would be the right decision.

Don't worry rrocket, there will be a 2-stroke in his future  .  Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated.

[articsteve]

I don't there is an age that is too young to start. 

Like I said before, there isn't really much you can do to guarantee that you're buying a good unit other than the environment/attitude of the previous owner and whether or not it blows blue smoke.  One thing is for sure it's better to go large on the cost because one repair and you're screwed.

Hondas are pretty stout.  If the oil has been changed your good to go.

I started my kid on a 1978 Yamaha GT80 2-stroke for $500 in 1992.  Thing drove me crazy because I was always stopping on the trail farting with it.  But I got $500. for it.  Next was a Kawasaki 100 that was $700. and looked new, but year 2 the crank seized.     After that I went 4 stroke, but this time around I laid out much more dough and was problem free which is everything.  Lost only about $300 bucks after 2 years so the gas cost me more than the actual machine.

[rrocket]

FWIW, the KTM50SX are 2 strokes, but (obviously) don't have a wicked 2 stroke hit.  And they have an auto tranny to boot.

I've looked into the KTM50SX.  Very race oriented, and from what I've seen, seem like high maintenance.  Most ads seem to say "clutch replaced, top-end rebuilt", as if thats a good thing.  Additionally, the seat height is more than 5" higher than the Honda and asking prices are usually double.  Maybe they are worth double, but at this point, I don't think it would be the right decision.

Don't worry rrocket, there will be a 2-stroke in his future  .  Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated.

They are worth more.  The quality of the unit is very high.  They have real suspensions, and will not be outgrown nearly as quickly as the Honda, which could save you money in the long run.  Replacing the top end is an easy, minor thing.  All a "top end rebuild" consists of is replacing piston, ring, circlip and wrist pin.  Comes in a kit.  Easy to do as well.  I was able to do it on my own as a 7-8 year old.  Remove head, slip off cylinder, undo circlip and pop on new piston.  Total cost?  $40.  Total time?  About an hour.  I used to do it yearly.

But yea..if entry cost is a consideration it may give you pause.


**Edit**  The 50SX comes in 2 models.  The "Pro Sr." is the one with the taller seat.  The regular 50SX (sometimes called " Pro Junior") is similar in seat height to the Honda.

[safristi]

,,buy one of these and save up for the tickets........... ...........

[bridgecity]

FWIW, the KTM50SX are 2 strokes, but (obviously) don't have a wicked 2 stroke hit.  And they have an auto tranny to boot.

I've looked into the KTM50SX.  Very race oriented, and from what I've seen, seem like high maintenance.  Most ads seem to say "clutch replaced, top-end rebuilt", as if thats a good thing.  Additionally, the seat height is more than 5" higher than the Honda and asking prices are usually double.  Maybe they are worth double, but at this point, I don't think it would be the right decision.

Don't worry rrocket, there will be a 2-stroke in his future  .  Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated.

They are worth more.  The quality of the unit is very high.  They have real suspensions, and will not be outgrown nearly as quickly as the Honda, which could save you money in the long run.  Replacing the top end is an easy, minor thing.  All a "top end rebuild" consists of is replacing piston, ring, circlip and wrist pin.  Comes in a kit.  Easy to do as well.  I was able to do it on my own as a 7-8 year old.  Remove head, slip off cylinder, undo circlip and pop on new piston.  Total cost?  $40.  Total time?  About an hour.  I used to do it yearly.

But yea..if entry cost is a consideration it may give you pause.


**Edit**  The 50SX comes in 2 models.  The "Pro Sr." is the one with the taller seat.  The regular 50SX (sometimes called " Pro Junior") is similar in seat height to the Honda.

Well rrocket, you have me convinced to look into the KTM some more  .  I'm pretty sure the seat height on the junior is 5" higher than the Honda, but like I said, I'll look into it. 

I was supposed to look at the 2001 XR last night, but the seller ended up working late, so its going to have to wait until Sunday or Monday as I'm busy until then.  He said he'd hold it for me, and I told him not to bother becasue theres no guarantee I'll buy it.  He said no worries, he'll hold it until I see it.  Nice guy and seems like a straight shooter.  Driven by his girls and not used for the past two years, which may not be a good thing. 

[ktm525]

Go for two stroke. They are quieter than the small 4's. They don't really have "peaky" power, this is not a CR125. Removeable exhaust insert allows you to reduce or increase power. Most importantly the maintainence on these are almost nil AND they are LIGHT. When this thing tips over on your kid they will be able to push it off with ease.

Regularly go on sale for under $1k. Drive this thing for 3-4 years and sell for $800.

PW 50  FTW!

http://yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3875&class=81&group=M|&LANG=en