Who has kids that ride minibikes?

.OrgOwner · 10-21-2007, 8:29 PM

I have 3 girls, eldest is 11 and as yet I have not started them on bikes, they love the back of the bike but I think it's time to get them a backyard toy. So who here has kids that ride and what do they ride and what did they start on?

f1_hurricane · 10-21-2007, 8:47 PM

well i dont have kids but I started riding at 8 on a Yamaha PW 80 trail bike with metal fenders and gas tank including head and tail lights and speedo. Maxed out at 62 km/h and I never seriously hurt myself on it. Mainly because my dad stood outside and watched me to make sure I didnt do anything too stupid. then graduated to an RM 80 then to a CR 125, CR250, CR450F which i sold for the cbr

Twincam · 10-22-2007, 11:53 AM

My son was about 8 when i got him his first bike. It was called an Italjet. They are italien so are built stronger (not like them chinease motos crap).

They are fully automatic and come in different designs (twin shock, gas shocks, mono shock, off road type and street type). They are from the 80/90s and still go.

But if i looked harder, i would have probably got them a Yamaha / Honda / kawasaki 50/65/80cc bike with gears. Dont get a cheap make bike, buy once and thats it.

BDA116 · 10-22-2007, 5:13 PM

Got my son started on his XR50 late last summer. When he was 3.

.OrgOwner · 10-22-2007, 5:51 PM

Christmas is coming up so it's time I think - trying to split the 11 - 6 age range might be a problem. And who thinks a full face helmet is overkill for kids?

I have not seen an Italjet in years, I do remember them as mini motocross bikes when we were kds. I'm not keen on anything out of China. The Honda XR is what I learned to ride on so a trip to Honda might be in order.

f1_hurricane · 10-22-2007, 6:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Christmas is coming up so it's time I think - trying to split the 11 - 6 age range might be a problem. And who thinks a full face helmet is overkill for kids?

I have not seen an Italjet in years, I do remember them as mini motocross bikes when we were kds. I'm not keen on anything out of China. The Honda XR is what I learned to ride on so a trip to Honda might be in order.

are you kidding?! my parents would have whooped my ass if I wasnt wearing my motocross helmet and goggles. Not overkill, it's instilling lifelong habits.

.OrgOwner · 10-22-2007, 6:04 PM

Yeah I was thinking full face / open face. A helmet is a given, just wondering what people use these days - I started with an open face but I think a full face might be a smarter choice even for minibikes.

Twincam · 10-22-2007, 6:37 PM

Start as you mean to go on. I believe that you should invest in a childs helmet or a motocross one. Just think you can never be too safe.

I never used one, but i should have. I used to potter around on Italjets all the time, currently i have three. Funny how you never forget your childhood.

Take care

Twincam · 10-22-2007, 6:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Yeah I was thinking full face / open face. A helmet is a given, just wondering what people use these days - I started with an open face but I think a full face might be a smarter choice even for minibikes.

It also depends on where they will be using it. I would get them some gloves as i came off quite a lot, but i was quite a dare devil.

I would say go for a Honda / Kawasaki / Yamaha, you can never go wrong and you always have a good source of parts. The italjets were very small, but i can ride one now.

Ibwrenchin · 10-23-2007, 10:29 AM

I have a daughter who started riding a honda z50 when she was six. My son who is now six is starting to learn to ride it as well. You cant beat the honda reliability, starts every time first kick.

bettingpython · 10-26-2007, 9:41 AM

crf50f for my 8 year old. And MotoX helmet at the minimum. Might as well get them used to proper gear.

RiotSauce · 10-29-2007, 8:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Yeah I was thinking full face / open face. A helmet is a given, just wondering what people use these days - I started with an open face but I think a full face might be a smarter choice even for minibikes.

Yea, I would think full face is good not only cuz its the safest but your teaching good habits to your girls. No offense but I think half face's aren't that great because come crashing time, your chin will be turned into mashed potatoes

Gear em up!

.OrgOwner · 10-29-2007, 9:23 PM

Good advice thanks! One thing that is amazing is the amount of cheap minibikes out of China. And did I say cheap?

f1_hurricane · 10-29-2007, 10:25 PM

on the other hand you could always opt out of buying them a full face and give them some gnarly scars that attract guys of the stunna persuasion..they got mad skillz dad!

f1_hurricane · 10-29-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Good advice thanks! One thing that is amazing is the amount of cheap minibikes out of China. And did I say cheap?

get what you pay for..more upfront saves alot of money down the road

.OrgOwner · 10-29-2007, 10:30 PM

Yes I don't think I would buy China bikes but it's an invasion and plenty of people will buy them.

Twincam · 10-30-2007, 12:26 PM

The Chinease Crap called mini/midi motos are complete and utter crap. Believe me, dont buy one.

Tank · 10-30-2007, 5:06 PM

Yeah but don't knock em Twin. I've had loadsa fun on mine.

This one of mine has :

Stage 3 racing exhaust
Carbon fibre race reeds
Racing clutch
Bigger jets
Boost bottle
K&N air filter
And NOS.

And believe me it's quick for a small bike, I used to bank em over till the footpegs scrape. (Lay one down and see how low that is)

Don't ride em anymore tho, Laws and restrictions have put a stop to that.

Twincam · 10-30-2007, 7:09 PM

Ahh, well they are good when they are working. I was looking to get a 110cc pit bike, some look good but the quality is making me think twice

Me and my couzin have one, used to have A LOT of fun on them, well until my one finally gave up. We must have flipped them, pulled wheelies (then fell off) attempted to do endos and probably layed it down a few times. Top speed was about 30MPH without any mods and the big bore kit.

TC

Tank · 10-30-2007, 7:23 PM

Can't say I've ever had a problem with mine except the pullstart cord snapped,but engine was sweet. Must admit the build quality ain't great but for the price the're ok. The midi's are much smarter, my mate had an R1 rep all street legal for the road. But I heard the water cooled are not as reliable.

Twincam · 10-30-2007, 7:30 PM

Hmm, well i always fancied the ones with the electric start, the lights and the water cooling system. I had a problem with a little lug in the pull start mech that snapped (was made from plastic like WTF) and also the baffle went on my Go Ped.

But thats life, i enjoyed it, crashed it, got scars and a lot of fun out of it. (it did get annoying when i had to keep filling it up - 25:1)