Help please for a dirt bike for a 12 year old

[jonny99]

Hi there


Hope this is the right place for this

I am looking to buy a dirt bike for my 12 year old lad for a bit of scrambling in our paddock at the back of our house (sounds more impressive than it is). Its basically a field with a bit of woods with some jumps etc.

Do you have any recommendations as to a cheap (less than £200) starter for him - only looking for 50cc or so.

Is a mini dirt bike any good or are they a bit small?

Cheers

Jonny

[stinkwheel]

Trouble is he'll be growing like crazy. You'd probably be best getting a full sized one if you can.

I'd have said get a Japanese one but at £200 you could be pushing it, you'd be looking at a pretty old/knackered one.

Quite a few people just use an old CG125 road bike with knobbly tyres on it for a 'field bike'. Surprisingly robust.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[G]

If you had a bit more money, I'd suggest a 80cc 2 stroke crosser.

The big wheel versions can take adults comfortably, while small wheel would probably be fine for a 12 year old if the big wheel isn't.
I believe you can often upgrade them.

The newer ones can be quite fast, but worse case, you could probably make a throttle restricter if it was an issue.
However, you'd have to be lucky to find one in reasonable nick for that price.

If you can get 'em to fit on it, a DT50, TS50 or similar would do the trick for messing about on, but not so great for stuff on track etc.

For competitive, you could also consider a pit bikes, as plenty of stuff caters for them now. You can get them for £200 second hand, though it'll probably be a cheap chinese one that won't stay in one piece that long with out attention.

I suspect the 50cc mini dirt bikes will be a bit too small for a 12 year old - take five years off and that's about right I think.

[stinkwheel]

You do see an odd MTX 50 about still. Have the advantage that they'll take the H100 and MTX125 engines if you want to upgrade.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[jonny99]

Cheers for the advice guys.

Problem is I dont really want to spend more than £200 for something he will only use in our back garden (albeit a fair sized one)

He wont be going in for comps or anything - I may go and try him on a mini dirt bike and see what he thinks

J

[G]

When you said 'scrambling', I presumed you meant something a bit more serious.

If it's just your back garden, I would look at either the 50cc trail style road bikes (usually ones no longer on the road, of course) or pit bikes, which ever he fits on best.

As an adult riding a pit bike I found it quite frustrating; riding a full sized off roader after that was definitely a lot more fun.
So, I suspect riding the even smaller mini-dirt bikes will be frustrating for someone smaller; you can't quite stand up properly as you're crouched down and the bars are really close to your knees.

[yankeedoodle]

if its jus for messing around in the garden on then a pitbike would be a good idea. 50cc. or maybe a 110? there's the xports which are good bikes, or if you want a cheaper option then some of the less well known makes which have Lifan engines in are ok jus for basic use
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Bandit 600

[leeves]

i suggest a honda 75CC pitbike... i picked mine up for 250 in second hand but in mint contition!! it is small but im 6foot and 14stone and it pulls me around the fields and a stupidly fast speed and doesnt make me look like a giant!! pretty scary! its a 4 stroke with 4 gears and does the trick really (has a front disk brake too). id say it was ideal for your son! where are you located because a small bike shop near me has another in for 230 a bit more tatty than mine but still looks the business and sounds great. let me know.

-Levi
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>> Honda VFR750 [1995]
>> Honda CBR 600 [1996]

[Willenium]

I'd try a DT125LC as they have a fairly low seat height and are not too vicious to learn on.