Starter dirt bike

[bajakirch]

#2 Son has been helping me with most of my MC maintenance ever since I got the bike last year -- sometimes of his own accord, sometimes at my urging. The other day I was helping him change the oil and asked him if he'd ever consider riding a MC. He said he might. Then I asked if he'd ride a dirt bike if we got him one. He said he'd love it.

So I got thinking about what bike would be a good starter for someone that's never ridden. I figure plenty of people here have dirt bike experience. Any suggestions?

FWIW, he's 13 and weights about 105 soaking wet. I'd be thinking about something that's pretty forgiving for a new rider. Also something that he wouldn't be outgrowing in a year. Given me our level of mechanical aptitude, something on about the same level as a NH would be preferable.

Still very early in the process, and lots of obstacles: Money, convincing SOQS it's a good idea, outfitting a growing boy with ATGATT, money again, etc. But I'm open to ideas.

[pw363]

for an easy to ride bike that is hard to break you cant beat the honda xr and you can find clean one's on the cheap too. good luck and have fun.

[hppants]

The experts will tell you to get him an 80cc bike, but the reality is that he will out grow that very quickly.  I'd look at the 125's - you can always govern them down with a cable stop or similar.

Good luck.  Anytime you can enjoy something with your kids is a good thing.

[ariwhiteboy]

How tall is he?  You might consider looking at old 80's and 90's Suzuki and Honda 125/150s since you are mechanically inclined and can usually pick one up for about $500 in running shape.

[hockeyhawk]

We have 2 small dirt bikes. The DRZ 110 is a great little bike, 3 speed semi automatic, plenty of tourqe and fun to ride, it even pulls me around pretty good. But it is now on the smallish side for both of my kids. The XR 100 is awesome, again, fun to ride, plenty of power and also pulls me with ease. My 12 year old is perfect size for it and my 14 is getting a little big for it. The bike I'd recommend would be the yamaha TTR 125 or the Suzuki DRZ 125. Both good bikes, easy to work on and will last your son a while before growing out of it.