CRF50F vs CRF70F for a 6 year old

[Spicy McHaggis]

Couple of questions...we are buying our son either a Honda CRF50F or CRF70F for Christmas.

He's sat on both. The 50 he can flat-foot and the bike already looks a little small for him. The 70 looks right but is too tall - he's got a couple of inches on both sides before he can flat-foot, and the weight makes it difficult for him to stop and put a foot down without feeling like he's gonna tip over.

So...should we get the 50 and let him ride it for a few years (maybe add bar risers, etc. to make it a bit better fit) so he's comfortable with riding, or should we get the 70, and work with him so he can grow into it?

I'm thinking the 50 would be best...I want to build his confidence with riding - and being able to start and stop on his own would be great.

Anyone out there with experience with this dilemma? He's 6 years old, and about 49" tall with about a 21" inseam.

Thanks!

Spicy

[zbnutcase]

Spicy, I would do the 50 and make it fit him as he grows. Heck, ADULTS ride them! 'nutcase

[cagaroni]

get the 50, you can always add a 88 BBK, high rise bars & high rise seat later. ?

[yance]

Getting a bike that fits him will help the confidence. My old man threw me on a xr75 when I was 7 and it was too tall for me. It took me a long time to feel comfortable on a bike. When it came time to introduce my wife into riding motorcycles, I wanted something that she felt good on. So I went with a crf70 for now, she is short at 5'1".

Beauty of these little hondas, is they are a honda. They are tough and easy to sell down the road. There will be another mom and dad looking for something when your son out grows it. So my advice is get something he feels good on. Upgrade or sell down the road.

[RCWSO]

Spicy,

I had the exact same dilemma for my 7 year old this Christmas. I had him sit on a 50, which he could flat foot and then some. Then I had him sit on the 70 which he can tip-toe. He had never ridden before on a dirtbike. 4 wheelers, yes, but not bikes. Over Thanksgiving I was able to get him to actually ride a 50 that a friend of mine owns. Even though it does seem a bit small for him I could tell that he would be more comfortable on the 50. He was hesitant and trying to learn as he did his few laps around the block. Even though I know he is going to grow out of it really fast, the 50 is a great place to start for confidence. I am in a unique situation where I am actually getting a 50 and a 70. I have two other little ones coming up behind my 7 year old and I have a 9 year old. It wasn't my intention to end up with both bikes but with 4 kids soon to be riding I bit the bullet and decided to stop the fights and get more on bikes sooner. I am sure all will start on the 50 for some general learning. Yes, the 50 has a ton of upgrades and ability for it to grow with the kids with some great mods but I cannot afford to mod the 50 for one child with others quick on the heals needing a little bike to ride. I am sure I will get years of use out of my two little bikes. Who knows, I may end up with a couple of more in the near future. Don't tell my wife.

Hope you all enjoy the bike and that you have a great holiday.

RCWSO (sorry for being long winded, I am just so excited for Christmas day and I enjoy talking about this so much.)

[doopsx3]

Get the 50..I got a 50 for my daughter when she was 4...she is 9 now and races the thing at Barona Oaks....yeah she is starting to get too tall for it but I am putting XR70 forks, swingarm, and a Fox Float shock plus warming over the engine a bit. With the tall seat it is almost as tall as a XR70 and she is accustomed to the bike already.....Oh and DAD can ride it too.

[ssonnier]

Same situation as some of you guys - 2 kids (6 and 8). Ended up getting a 50 and a 70 for them this XMAS...in a matter of fact just picked them up from the dealer.

The 50 looks like it will be fun for all including me! Couldn't go wrong with buying it for my 6y.o.

[dfesmire99]

I'm 52 & ride a CRF50F all the time around the house/farm. They're just a great little bike.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Thanks everyone.

Picked up a brand spankin' new CRF50F for the little dude. Just a few more days!!!

[doopsx3]

Thanks everyone.

Picked up a brand spankin' new CRF50F for the little dude. Just a few more days!!!

well if he does not know how to ride yet, make sure you get the training wheels that mount under the footpegs...they are more stable than the ones that mount on the rear axle....and also remember to adjust the throttle stop so the little guy does not take off full throttle on his maiden voyage.....it is located on the throttle housing forward:ride:

[RED BIG]

I just bought a 50 for my 4 year old. He is tall and fits it well. I can't wait till Christmas morning. Jim

[superd1]

I have two boys who I started on a 50 at the same time.They learned to ride and the small bike built up their confidence. You can't go wrong with a 50. I think every child learning to ride should start on that bike. And they're fun for Dad too.

[RCWSO]

Well, I went out with my boys today for their first rides on their bikes from Christmas. I brought out both the 50 and 70 for them to ride. One boy is almost 4 so he was on the 50 with training wheels. He knows how to ride a bicycle like a champ to include at skate parks on the ramps etc. He is just WAY too short for the 50. His legs hit the pegs and not much more. Unfortunately, he scared himself a bit today by giving it a full grip of throttle and didn't let go. And yes, I had the throttle limiter turned to not go full power. It jerked him back a little and he screamed, held on and ended up in the bushes. I have to say that I remember those days and I had to chuckle inside but when he came running over and wanted a hug I felt bad. I got him back on later though. A few more times out and he will be good.

Now onto the 50 versus the 70. My 7 year old started the day on the 50. He did great. Fell a few times, tipped it over and even tried to endo once or twice hitting the bumps a little fast. He was able to control it and pick it back up when he went down. He can start it like a champ and did really well. He sticks it in 2nd or 3rd and leaves it there for the most part. Shifting lesson is coming up in a few more rides. Same with learning what the back break is. He loves the fist full of front break. Hey, it stops.

Later in the day we jumped up to the 70 just to see how he did. He did really well. He liked the ride a bit better because he fits on it better. Although, because he can barely touch the ground he doesn't like the fact that he really can't just stop and go. He hasn't learned how to lean to one side and get a foot off and stand up like that. I taught him the short guy trick, which I am short and tip toe my 250R, on how to stop next to a small slope and put the uphill foot down. He caught on to that.

At the end of the day, he rode both well. He likes the 50 more right now because he can control it more and can stop and go as he pleases from anywhere. We will keep the 70 in the mix to let him ride a bit faster at times. He is full open throttle on the 50 no matter the gear.

All in all, I am glad we have the 50 for confidence. I could really see that. I am also glad I have the 70 because I think he will be on that pretty soon.

Long story to say that a 50 is a great idea. This is from someone who has both right now. Can't go wrong when they have a grin from ear to ear, even after laying it down. It was a great day in the sun, cold, snow at times, mud and dirt.

RCWSO

[ssonnier]

CONGRATS RCWSO....

Same Situation!

Kids came home today and got to open their presents....boy were they suprised. We loaded em up on the trailer and headed to the BIGGEST field I could find around my house. They are naturals! The 8 year old rode the 50 and well, he wanted to be on the 70. I hesitated but all those years of having a pocket bike paid off......

The 6 year old had the most spills and falls. And even ended up in 3rd full throttle, loosing it in the loose grass/mud and flew over the handlebars!

Needless to say we are going get chest protectors and a few other odds and ends for safety tomorrow

Now I need to find one for myself...

[RCWSO]

ssonnier,

It sure is awesome to see the smiles. Here are a couple of pics of my kids out yesterday. It was cold, snowing at times, but smiles from ear to ear. As we get more happy snaps we will post the progress and fun.

Enjoy your rides.