Hey, we're trying to get a dirtbike for my little brother (10 years old), what would you guys recommend. we were thinkning along the lines of a honda xr70, or a yamaha yz80, he weighs about 110 pounds. He insists on getting a dirtbike, not a quad like the rest of us...

 

What about an xr100? they are a little bit bigger but not that much, and he'll have room to grow. Those suckers can take one h#ll of a beating.. I bought a new one a couple of years ago and beat it hard (it was like a pedal bike for me) fun though.. never had a problem and I rode it hard W.O.T. everywhere..

 

My parents just bought my 10 year old brother a YZ80 for his BDay. The bike is awesome. 18HP!! and is really light. It is a perfect starter bike and will not outgrow for many years. I would not recomend the XR because they lack power compared to the 2 stroke bikes.

 

You guys kill me! A YZ80 for a first timer? Have any of you guys ever ridden one of these things? 80cc MX bikes are not for beginners! I like the idea of the XR for a first bike, but he has to have a race bike take a look at a used KX65, and for Pete's sake make him wear ALL the gear!!

 

I had an xr 100 from the age of 12-14 and always had a blast, i jumped that thing and rode is very hard, only problem i had was didnt change the oil in it once (actually my friend rode it while i was gone and ruined it) but that thing was great. Only problem was when you do get on straightaways with people on banshess and stuff, they eat you alive. I wouldnt reccomend an 80 2-stroke yet, they are fast and scary if you arent used to it.

 

I have an XR80 (1986) I started on it but now I'm too big for it so it is just collecting dust..you interested?

 

sorry double post

 

He will handle the 80yz!!
That was my first bike (an 80kx with the small wheels), and never had a problem...it just took me 2-3 years to discover the powerband. I kept it for 4 years, then switched for a 80kx big wheels, for 2 years, and then a 125kx (my dad's).

I actually think bikes are safer than the xr line, because the yz/kx/cr/rm are NOT toys!! You can get hurt bad...and if he's smart enough to get this, he will have blast. It's a shame seeing kids doing crazy stuff on their xr (or peewees) - and then they crash bad because they don't understand that the new bike they got is fast, powerful...etc. I think the first times you ride make everything. If you ride a difficult bike, you will be careful, i fyou ride an xr, you'll stay wide open all the time, and when you get a normal one, you won't understand what happens and have the bad behavior.
The bike should NEVER be the limit to the rider (that's when you stop learning...and god knows xr potential is very low).

my .02

 

I have an rm80 Im 15 and weigh to much for it but they are really fast.But if your a beginner the clutch is hard to get used to on a 2 stroke and the maintence sucks.