advice on which bike for teenager

liz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Karma :

hello, Im not sure whether this is the correct forum or if I should have posted this in the beginner section.
We are looking to buy an offroad motorbike for sons 13th birthday and know nothing about what sort of bike to buy.
He will be learning from scratch (has only ridden quads) and wont be doing competitions, he will only be riding around his pals farm fields.
We are not sure difference between 'pit', 'dirt' and 'trial/trail?' bikes and which of those would be most suitable.
Cost is an issue and we hoped 400pounds would get something adequate.
Also, other than a helmet, what would he need for safety as opposed to items that can be saved up for over time?
Thank you in anticipation of any advice.

Paddy Blake · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Karma :

The first gear I would get the chest protector like the one in the link.
https://www.motoxoutlet.com/msryouthchestprotector.aspx

Check around and see where you can get one.

You might find some second hand boots/gloves and the rest of the kit.

As for bike we would need to know what hight he is so as he would be able to reach the ground with his feet when stopped.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Pit bikes come in a range of sizes and are generally based on chinese copies of the Honda cub engine in various states of tune.

They are generally easy to ride, but known to fall apart. You can get auto, semi-auto and manual versions.

Also worth considering are school boy motorcross bikes like the CR80.
These come in 'big wheel' and 'small wheel' versions. The bigger versions are pretty much adult sized, however you can add bigger wheels to the small wheel version as he grows.
These bikes can be very fast, however being sold by the major manufacturers (CR80 is Honda) tend to be put together much better.\

A trials bike is a special kind of bike for going UP things (like walls, giant cotton reels, etc.
A trail bike is a normal adult road bike that's designed for off-roading, but nothing serious. They tend to be low powered and heavier than their dedicated off-road brethren.

Second hand is going to be the way to go - I've seen some reasonable condition but tatty looking 80s for £500. Pitbikes are easily available for that money, but you need to work out if it's a decent one or not.

liz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Karma :

Firstly, when I tried to reply to this I learned that I had a red dot bad karma.
I think that this must be because I posted in the wrong place so Im very sorry.
Im not sure if I can move my post to the beginners section (computers not being my area of expertise!)
But thank you for your replies.
Im not sure what the etiquette is but I will also reply in the beginners section.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Not sure why you had red karma, but this is absolutely the right place to post Thumbs Up

.

New bikers more deals with people new to riding motorcycles on the road.

liz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Karma :

Im totally confused about what Im doing wrong here so I guess its not the place for me.
Still have a red dot beside my post.
I havent been abusive and have acknowledged I should have texted in the beginners forum.
Thank you to those who have replied with advice.
I guess this isnt for me as obviously Im still doing something wrong.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Zedxfarin · Nova Slayer Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Karma :

Yamaha TY 80cc

Fully Auto

4 Gears

Twinshock

Best starter bike you can buy

£450 - £800
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Montesa Cota 350cc, Yamaha DTr 125cc, Yamaha Timberwolf 250cc, Yamaha YZ 250cc, Kawaski kmx 125cc, Kawaski kmx 200cc, Yamaha TY80cc, 175cc Chinese Dirt Bike, Chinese Wanyge 125cc, Mini & Midi Moto 50cc - What i have owned.

drzsta · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Karma :

hi liz,

most 80-85cc bikes haul-ass - for 13, it would be perfect to learn on, just make sure you buy from know brand i.e. Honda, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki etc.

Stay away from cheaper chinese bikes because you will have so much trouble with them it negates the point of buying it cheap.

I would recommend saving up for a little more than £400, that way he can learn to ride with an up-to-date machine and will have no worries in the school boy class if he wishes to race in the future.

something like a yamaha YZ85, can keep up with my yz125 in the techincal riding and he wont be down on power.

EDIT: OH AND BLAME YOUR BAD KARMA ON "Zedxfarin" BECAUSE HE'S A DICK THAT CAN'T RIDE.
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Current Bikes - BMW S1000RR ‘17 & KTM 690 SMC-R ‘12