Bike for my boy.

[Rowdy-Yates]

I have a 13 year old son. This would be his first bike. He is 5'5" 130 lbs. What bikes do you all recommend? I was thinking a XR200 or a 2stroke 80cc. If he could handle it I would give him my 125 then I would have to get something new right hehehe.

[gwcrim]

Is he an aggressive person?  You'd really have to be fearless to start out on an 80-85cc race bike.  A Yammy RT180 is cheap and friendly.  I'd avoid 4 strokes.  They're hard to start and heavy.  But good starter bikes, none the less.

[KXcam22]

R-Y,
  I would suggest a slightly lowered KDX200.  Peppy bike that handles great. Easy to lower a few inches. Cam.

[mikesmith]

My wife is 5'2,100 or so pounds and chose a KX85.You can tame it with a fly wheel weight,carb spacer,then add power as he gets better.Or maybe a KX100?

[Rowdy-Yates]

This is his first bike! Just to say this again.
My first bike was a 1983 yammer hammer yz80.

[Rick]

The KDX would get my vote.  AT 5'5", he is too big to be comfortable for long on a mini bike, and the bigger you are, the harder it is to control a small bike (your knees get in the way of the bars).  The KDX is an easy bike to ride, and as noted above, can easily be lowered to help the boy get his sea legs.  The upside of a KDX is that as he improves, he still has a bike that will make him happy, and you don't have to take a big hit on another machine.

For my two son's, I always bought the most bike I thought I could get away with, so Ben was on an 80cc when he was 7.  I just had to lower the bike enough so he could touch the ground, and then make new dog bones as he gain height.  When it was time, I did the same with the 125, and tomorrow, he will transition to his first 250cc (since he has already put some time in on my 500, the 250 is not a problem at all).  I'm kind of looking forward to riding a 250 again, as he and I will now be able to swap bikes on trail rides.

Good luck in your search.

Rick

[Rowdy-Yates]

Well ive been looking for a while now and i have not found anything to even go look at ill just keep looking.

[Rick]

I wanted to post a followup to my early recommendation.  I had a chance to take a 2004 KDX220 out for some testing yesterday, and have changed my mind.  The KX125 is MUCH, MUCH easier to ride, primarily because of the weight difference.  The biggest problem with the KDX is in the sand and other loose terrain, as the front suspension sits too low and makes the bike want to dive in corners.  This could be fixed with new front springs, but still does not address the weight issue (The KDX feels like it weighs more than my 500, but without the power).  

My new oppinion, purchase a KX125, lower the bike to allow the boy to touch the ground (methods already discussed in other threads), and work with your son to learn how to handle the power.  

Good Luck

Rick

[gwcrim]

I've already cut over an inch out of the seat of Jesse's KX85.  Lowered the clamps down the forks maybe 3/8, too.  Once I get the engine back, I'll set the rear sag.

[Rowdy-Yates]

I think what im going to do is get my 125 together. Let him try it out and if he can handle it give it to him. It is easier for me to find a bike i can ride. Plus it would take a while to out grow a 125 being your first bike i would think.