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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Longview, Wa
Posts: 417
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Dirt bike
Thinking about getting my son a dirt bike. I never had one, I'm not sure what size would be a good first bike for a 160lbs 5ft 8in 16 year old? The local shop here has a new left over 04 Yamaha 125 for $1995. Any suggestions?
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08-07-2009, 10:14 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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If he has never ridden and you looking at a full on dirt bike not an enduro I would back down to an 80 to start off on. Its easy to scare yourself on a 125. I learned on a 60 but I was 12....
You might not keep the 80 long but it may save a few broken bones. |
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08-07-2009, 10:19 PM
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An 80cc bike for a 5'8" 160 lb. kid (young adult, actually)?!? That's way too small.
A 125 is the perfect starter bike for a 16 y/o. But, I'd go vintage if it were my kid... 
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08-07-2009, 10:29 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Have you ridden some of these modern 125s? They haul balls. Serious injury quickly. Take him into the dealer and see how the bikes fit him. If he can't sit his feet flat on the ground sitting on the bike then it is too tall.
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08-07-2009, 10:34 PM
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08-07-2009, 10:36 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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I never broke anything on me...
The bikes are a different story. |
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08-07-2009, 10:43 PM
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Quote:
 So then how can you advise as to "broken bones"?
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08-07-2009, 10:45 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Just saying that if he learns smaller he won't have as many wrecks. By lessening the chance for wrecks the chance for breaks goes down.
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08-07-2009, 10:47 PM
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Location: Fullerton,Ca
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How agresive is he? what other sports does he play?
If he's just going to trail ride get him an enduro If he's a talented BMXer or boardsport kid he'll outride most of the trail bikes quickly! (I broke my right ankle in two places and crushed T-10 to 1/2 of it's height 2 1/2 years ago on my KX250 at age 40!)
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08-07-2009, 10:56 PM
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08-07-2009, 10:56 PM
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I really want a dirt bike too. But if I don't get one that's street legal and highway capable, I'll also need a truck to carry it to the trails.
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08-07-2009, 11:02 PM
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08-07-2009, 11:10 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Buddy of mine had a 450 KTM enduro that he swore would lift the wheel at 60+. He wimped out and sold it for a zx6r that he just crashed
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08-07-2009, 11:32 PM
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08-07-2009, 11:46 PM
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KTM is way out of my price range. I'm looking for $1500 max.
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08-08-2009, 12:34 AM
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My 11 YO has a small wheel 125. I started with a 125 at 12. If he rides a lot he will grow out of an 80 fast. Which model 125 does the shop have, if its a racer it may not be suitable for a beginner.
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08-08-2009, 01:13 AM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
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That just might be the ugliest motorcycle I have ever seen.
Quote:
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08-08-2009, 01:36 AM
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I started both of my sons at about the same age on a Yamaha TTR-250. It's not as difficult to ride as a full-on motocross bike and yet it isn't boring after he aquires a little skill. Whatever you get, I'd suggest that it be a four stroke and something in the 250cc range, as the smaller bikes just aren't going to have the horsepower to haul around an adult-sized person, which is what he will be in a year or two. Send him through an MSF rider course and he'll be fine.
JR |
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08-08-2009, 05:26 AM
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08-08-2009, 06:43 AM
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Bill is Dead.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alaska.
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My first motorcycle, at age 7, was a 1974 Honda MR50. Brand new. Got it for Christmas.
I rode it until about age 13. Like this, but this is not mine:  My next dirt bike was a Yamana RT360. It was WAAAY too much bike for me at the time, but I learned and adapted. Over the years I went through a lot of bikes, including a YZ490 that I raced in motocross. But guess what I have now: a Yamaha DT360. (almost the same as the RT, but with different exhaust routing) Anyway, to your question... You said this will be a FIRST bike; a learner. So, IMO, if you are going with a vintage bike, get him a 125 - maybe even a 250. Modern bikes have a lot more power than the older ones do, so if you are going with a modern bike I would get a cheap, used 80cc to learn on then switch him up to a 125 as soon as he has the basics down. He's 16. He's not going to want that 80 for long. If you think he is exceptionally mature and responsible with the throttle, maybe start him on the 125. A modern 250 has more power than my old 360. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Unless Obama tells me to change.
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08-08-2009, 07:08 AM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
Only Porsche
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93/88 Porsche 964 Turbo/911 3.2 3.6 Turbo/3.2
