DirtRider . Net MX, SX, Arena Cross, Off-Road Community

This is the text version of DirtRider.Net
Click Here for the Full Version

Pages: 1

When to move up for 11 year old???
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: DadInTx---------------------

About a year ago, I bought a Honda XR100 for my then 10 year old son. We have ridden all trails and he's done pretty darn good. Even took a large hill that scared the old man a few times. I think the bike was a good purchase and still fit's him pretty well.

My question is...what are your thoughts on moving up to a MX bike? He really wants to try his hand in racing and I thought he could try out some MX parks on his XR100. Although I know they are different animals, I wondered if that was a good idea just to get a feel.

I would really like some advice from you great people out there. Should I consider moving him to a MX type bike? What would be a good stepping stone for him? Right now, he is 11 years old, 5'4, and right about 120 lbs. He's going to be a big kid and will likely be too big to ride MX races, but I at least want to give him the opportunity to try.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

Posted by: whyzee---------------------

Steve, My lil guy has been on an XR100 for 2 years now, he's a bit smaller than your boy: 80# wet, and 4'-8" on a good day. Just put him on a new YZ85 yesterday.
Sounds like your guy (based on size & weight) is maybe ready for a 125 though. Have him ride a few and see what he thinks, at his size he has an advantage in the learning process. Young, ... less fear. Good luck.

Posted by: 01HondaCR---------------------

I'm 5'6" and 130#. I had the advantage of going to an 80 first and I think it helped. If it hadnt been for that I think that the 125 would have been too much for me. Can you race one of the CR85 Experts in the regular 85 class? If youcan you might think about that? If he rides a 125 though and likes it than yeah go ahead go for it. I would just think it would be a bit much for him.

Posted by: sluggerjoe---------------------

As you know, an XR 100 doesn't have much in common with an MXer. It would be a waste of time and money to try to make the XR racy. I would suggest going to a big wheel 85 or a KX100. You can buy a good used one for less than 2k and the are very easy to sell when he outgrows it in a few years. A 125 MXer is an option but I don't think there are many 11 year olds who are capable of making that big a move, even off off of an 85. Coming off an XR100 to a 125 MXer just sounds like a bad idea for ANY 11 year old.

One more thing, I'd try to cool him on the race talk until he has some seat time on the new bike. I'd also try to let him learn at his own pace. I've seen too many kids get hurt when they first get aboard a racing two stroke and try to do the things their peers do. Recognize that he is going to be a beginner when he hops on and don't put him in situations where other kids or yourself are pushing him to compete. That will come soon enough if he stays healthy.

Posted by: Chili---------------------

I was in a very similar position to you at this time last season. My son was 12 and we had just bought him a brand spanking new 02 TT-R125L, he was somewhat smaller than your son though because he has just now reached 5'4" and 115 lbs. After a few rides on the new TT-R he informs me that he wants to try to race MX, woulda been good info a few weeks prior to purchasing the TT-R

. We signed him up for some MX classes figuring the TT-R would be fine to use as a learner on the track but it became evident very quickly (major crash in the whoops and trip to the ER) that the bike was a hazard on the track with the stock suspension. Since he was determined to try and race I bit the bullet and sold the TT-R and picked up a 3 year old 80cc MX bike for a decent price. The season has now passed and we are preparing for race season #2 with a full on MX race addict for a son! You are at a bit of a crossroads size wise also at 5'4" unless he has an unusually short inseam he will be able to tip toe a few of the new 125's without any mods to them but I think he may be better off getting a season on an 80cc big wheel or even a KX100 rather than jumping straight from an XR100 to a 125 2 stroke race bike.

Good luck :thumb:

Posted by: beer_stud_76---------------------

it couldn't hurt to let him take a few laps on the XR at the local track. most ORV parks have a begginer-type MX track without the long sections of whoops. MXing is hard work and you'll know in aproximately 1 afternoon if he's cut out for it.

also, removing the cap on the pipe and adding a K&N air filter adds about 1 HP (going from 5 to 6 is a big jump believe it or not) and its very cheap and easy.

also, if you try this, make sure the bike is "legal" at the track (the rules vary from track to track, but many tracks do not allow kickstands, for example).

also, forget jumping from the XR to a 125 MXer. all time bad idea, unless you wish to discourage your son from racing ever again, in which case a 125 is perfect.

jeremiah

Posted by: 01HondaCR---------------------

I also thought of mentioning the KX100 but then what class would he race in if he did like it? They won't let him in with the 85's so then your still stuck with a bike that he can't race.

Posted by: whyzee---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by beer_stud_76
... also, forget jumping from the XR to a 125 MXer. all time bad idea, unless you wish to discourage your son from racing ever again, in which case a 125 is perfect.
jeremiah

I've seen some pretty awesome 5'-4" to 5'-6" 120# riders on 125's. Our local track is is packed with 'em. 125 schoolboy class as well as 125 C & D. at 5'-4" and growing, he'll be bored w/ the KX100 before the end of the year, ... my .02

Posted by: sluggerjoe---------------------

Don't forget, the kid is 11 years old and what, a 5th grader? Not even in Jr High yet and jumping on a 125? I'm all for turning kids loose but that just doesn't sound smart when you consider a big wheel 85 is cheaper to buy and probably easier to sell in a couple of years. What the heck, if he finds the 85 isn't enough you could probably sell it next season for nearly the same dough. There's quite a few 5'4" to 5'6" kids who are still on 85's at the track and alot of them are 14 years old.

Text Version Home

This is the text version of DirtRider.Net Click Here for the Full Version

When to move up for 11 year old???

This is the text version of DirtRider.Net
Click Here for the Full Version