I'm sure this question has come up 100 times but I just can't quite seem to get a solid answer yet. I know there are 101 factors that go into this decision but that's why I'm looking now before I buy in 6 weeks.
My son turns 8 in 6 weeks and I'm ready to move him up from his TTR50. He's been on a PW50, he likes to ride it still (have my 3 year old on it now) because he can really toss it around and stay on the pipe.

But he's definately way too big for it and he's pretty big for the TTR50 as well. I was looking at a KX65 or KLX110. Then I started hearing that the KTM 50sr is a bike he could be on for another year or so while he grows into a KX65?
He's not a racer, he can't even tip-toe a kx65 right now. He can barely tip toe a klx110 but I'm worried about the extra 40lbs of the KLX when he's only 50lbs himself.

I haven't seen a KTM 50sr so I dont' know how tall they are but could he ride one of those for a while and go straight to a kx65 from there once he grows a bit more at say 9 1/2 or 10 years old?
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy him a KLX110 for this intermediate stage?

Honestly,

Its a tough call. I went the same path. My boy came off a crf 50 and was riding it great, so I went with a used klx 110 for him, because the 65 was way too much and after introducing him to racing, (on the 110) he moved up a few months ago to the 65.

It is still a learning process, but he has the confidence in his ability to hit the powerband pn the 65 now and in the end, he's no ricky carmichael and never will be. I just wanted him to have fun and progress. Hes doing great. First race last weekend in the 65 and he was 7th overall. Its a big transition from the auto bikes to a 6 speed clutch bike.

Just my .02

good luck

If you do not race DO NOT get the ktm 50 sr. Way to much maintenance if he is just going to be putting around.

We actually went with the klx110 for a while maybe 3 months before going with a KTM 65. My girl is a track monkey and the klx110 is a great bike just not really made for the track.

Good solid bike though!

They make lowering links for the KX65/RM65.

I'd look at the 70cc Hondas honestly. Or if you don't like the Hondas, well any 70cc 4t that's from a major manufacturer.
You can usually sell them for what you paid for them if you buy used.

Smacaroni said:

I don't think a 70 Honda is a good bike unless all he's going to be doing is riding woods and not racing or jumping. My nephew kept breaking the frame on his jumping it and he was only 6. I say kx65. Put him in a big open field to get used to it. Trust me it won't take long at all.

Did I read it wrong? I thought the OP said he won't be racing.
If he will be racing, don't listen to me. Seriously, I thought it was a non-racing bike.
This is what happens when I post before drinking coffee.

Well I did say he won't be racing. But he will be riding the tracks and jumping it a little. None of these crazy jumps they have for kids these days though. Some of these kid's tracks are insane and dare I say dangerous in some cases.
I think I'd rather go with a 110 over the 70 though because it's a little more bike and close enough to the same seat height. Plus my son is kinda hung up on Green lol!

My son went from a CRF70 to a KX65. All he rides are trail and he was immediately faster on the KX. The lighter weight and vastly superior suspension made it easier (and safer) for him to ride over all the trail junk and his confidence level went way up. And it only took him one ride to figure out the clutch.

makKX250 said:

What age did you put him on the CRF70? and what age did you move him to the 65?

don't bother with the ktm unless you like throwing good money away - they are high maintenance machines and unless you're racing, definitely NOT the right bike.
The KX/RM 65 is a great choice, learning to use a clutch is relatively easy - like stated above - big field - set him loose.
There are options that help you with height issues - lowering links cost all of 20 bucks, just order 2 of the longest dogbones listed in the microfiche - Suzuki usually has lower prices on them but they are identical. Drop the forks in teh triple clamps and you can easily drop the bike 2 inches before even thinking about shaving the seat - (another place to lower it)
My boy got his for his 8th birthday, learned to get by with basic clutching in less than 30 minutes and honed it from there as seat time allowed for it.

Honda 70's and KLX110's are heavy bikes - great trail bikes - but KX's are better trail bikes and better track bikes - they are all around great bikes!

BTW - Try telling your kid he isn't going to jump those crazy jumps - it won't work! At least if he's on the KX you'll know if he's going to do a bigger jump the bike can handle it and likely bring him back to earth in one piece.
My son went from jumping little mole hills last year to this:

That raises another question... You mentioned the KX is a better trail bike. Are you serious? The KX doesn't mind being putted around?
You don't need to worry about keeping on the pipe with it?
And what about the KTM 65 also? Are they totally different animals compared to the KX?

FiveFlat,

I have lots of experience with this, and hopefully can shed some more light on your situation.

The little KTM's are high maintenance. You've been warned.

The CRF70F and KLX110 are great Bikes. Overall very similar in size. I like the KLX110 much better, however. Your son will enjoy them immensely until he starts jumping more than a foot or two in the air. At that point, those Bikes are not going to make him too happy for too long.

The KX65 is a very capable and very light Bike. You can lower it easily and effectively using matt4x4's suggestions. Also, don't forget to consider using a 1 1/2" OD Fender Washer at the exhaust port to keep him from scaring himself off the Bike permanently. We started with a 3/8" ID on the Washer, and moved to a 1/2" ID from there.

Some little ones need a very gradual build-up to a more powerful, more capable Bike. Others don't. Better safe than sorry. Try the Washer. It can't hurt.

We have ridden our KX65 off the pipe for many hours with absolutely zero problems of any kind. We are using a 170 Main Jet and Motul 2T oils.

I hope this helps! Good luck, and have fun...

Erik

STi, thank you.
How much does that fender washer effect the powerband? I'm really liking that idea at this point!

btw - you've all convinced me to steer very clear of the KTM's... thank you!

FiveFlat,

You are very welcome.

Don't get me wrong, KTM's are great Bikes. Just not great in every circumstance. But no Bike is I suppose.

The Fender Washer with a 3/8" ID will have no 'hit' at all. It will feel like a CRF50F to your youngster.

As you move the size of the ID up, the powerband will gradually become more and more aggressive. Good stuff...

Let us know how things go on your end.

Erik

I would assume the washer will fatten it up a bit? Do you need to rejet after doing that?

I put a FWW, reed block spacer and FMF pipe and silencer (USFS approved) on the bike and it makes a great little trail bike. He was 8 and not an aggressive rider when we put him on the KX65. We used the washer mod (did not have to re-jet) for a few rides till he figured out the clutch. He had rode the CRF70F for a year prior to that. Little tires with little suspension is not a good combination. Now he just rides over the roots and rocks without getting bounced around nearly as much. He even raced his first XC race (took second place) last summer at 9 years old. And I have no issues getting him a RM/KX85 next spring since he is used to the way two strokes run.

I think you've all convinced me the KX65 is the way to go. I'm really happy to hear you all trail ride these bikes without issues as well. We won't do too much trail riding except for around our property.

Now, I've got an option to get a brand new 2008 for $2000 even. Or should I look for a 5 year used bike for 800-1000? Always thought the 2t's were pretty easy to work on so a used one might be the way to go? I don't know.

Just a little more for you. I am in the same predicament. I took my boys riding this weekend and my youngest (6) rode his brothers (8) KTM Mini Adventure. He normally rides a PW50 and loved it.

I knew that my 8 year old was ready for a bigger bike. On Monday I found a KX 60 on ebay and bought it today, but that was after looking at seat heights on the internet. The KTM SX 50 is 27", the KX 65 is 30", and the KX 60 is 28".

I decided to take him to the local KTM, Kawasaki, and Yamaha dealer to try some on. They didn't have any 65's for him to sit on, but I had him sit on a TTR110 and a KTM 50 SX. On the 110 my son was able to touch with the balls of his feet and on the 50 he was almost flat footed. Ironically the 110 seat height was 26.4 and the seat height was 26.9 on the KTM 50. I think the big difference is the width of the seat on the 110 being much wider than the 50 and it pushes his legs out.

I figure that I will be able to move my six year old up to it when my 8 year old is ready for a 65 or something else.

My personal opinion is don't buy kid's bikes new. Which if everyone followed my advice, there would be no new kids bikes and used bikes would be outrageous.
But fortunately, lots of people buy kid's bikes new, so the used market isn't very competitive and thus, used bikes are about 1/4 - 1/2 the price of new.
That's why I say buy used, depreciation is horrid.
The used market has ones that have seen no use (usually these come up in the fall, purchased new on a whim, parents realized there's no where to ride them and sell them in the fall at awesome prices) to total crap. Avoid the total crap at all costs.
KBB value is a good starting point, but by no means an absolute measure. Watch craigslist and ebay, compare the prices of the bike you want and go from there, pick something middle of the road for price, unless you're like me who's willing to do a lot of repair, avoid the bottom of the barrel. Even so, I usually don't even look at the absolute lowest price ones, often the description tells me to stay away, it's worth little unless you want it for parts.

I wrote a rant on here the a while ago about how to set a good price, because I was really getting fed up looking at "perfect" or "near-mint" bikes that take good photos, but have all sorts of problems that not only hinder riding, but some are just dangerous.
A good guide to buying a used bike is http://www.clarity.n...uying-bike.html

The best one of a "good running clean bike", I remember was I asked the kid to start it after I failed to do so.
He tried. Well, I usually bring ether along, because a dirty carb will keep a bike from running, but if it starts on starting fluid, it's probably OK - just OK. If it won't start on starting fluid, it's got severe issues.
Anyway, I lift the seat, the air cleaner is gone. I ask the kid where the air cleaner is, he says "rats ate it". I kid you not.
I'm out! I went to park the bike, since I had stepped on the brake, I found the rear brake was seized now, the wheel wouldn't move.
I ran away from that real fast.