Buying a dirt bike for my kid

if he isn't going to be racing or riding a motocross track do not buy a race bike. I raced motocross for 10 years back when I was little. my first bike was a kx80. great bikes for more experienced riders.

if he's gunna play around in the yard I suggest a Honda crf 110 or so. or any of the crf lineup. take him to the nearest dealer and size him for one. it will last forever if maintained.

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Buy the absolute best fullfaced helmet you can find.

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If I was putting an 8-year old on a dirt bike, his PPE would cost more than the bike - he'd look like a little tiny medieval knight.

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Don't go into it with the "he'll grow into it" mentality.

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Certainly not, he's a normal sized to under sized 8yo and I'm looking at the 50cc range. He's a daredevil though and I could see him racing one day, but that's down the road.

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Buy the absolute best fullfaced helmet you can find.

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That's my plan.

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Has anyone had an experience different than that?

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Other than a couple of light duty or limited purpose tools, I've never said, "I'm so happy I bought this Chinese POS."

There is a reason that Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki dominate this particular market and the Asian motorcycle market. I guess the Chinese stuff is better than nothing, but spend a little more, get a little more on resale - I think that's the best option at this point.

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Yea, I know he's going to out grow it in a few years and resell on the main brands is a lot better than a bike that cost $400 new. My only experience with those cheap bikes comes from friends whose kids had them, but are long gone now. I never heard them say a good thing about them. Has anyone had an experience different than that?

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There's alot of junk but there's also decent ones. For example the SSR brand models are ok and can usually be had for ~$700 shipped to your door. If you're looking to go that route then something like that is ok to get him started, learn the fundimentals, how to shift, work a clutch, etc. When you're done with it and ready for him to move onto something better/name brand you could resell it and only loose a couple hundred bucks or keep it for yourself as a backyard hooligan machine.

The CRF lineup from Honda is always a good starting point as well. Plenty of sizes and options for a good starting point.

For entry level, you are correct. High end the KX kicks arse. They'll scratch up a grown arse man.

Get him a Honda 70 or 80 four stroke

How old is your grandson? He looks like the perfect size for that bike, and he cant be over 5 years old. Maybe I need to look at bigger framed bikes if mines going to ride it without looking like a bear on a tricycle

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