Newbies Forum

yzwoods:
Never get a YZ 85 for a first bike!!!! EVER.
My advice stands after 30 years of riding and owned these bikes.

i never said to. i said when he feels he can handle it. and i know you are talking to me woods. you have got on me with this before that would be why i said in a few years or when he feels his kid is ready for it.  
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Ride 2 strokes, buy 2 strokes, save the 2 stroke.

1998 cr125
2002 cr80

dont mind me, just cleaning up after myself.  
______________________________
Ride 2 strokes, buy 2 strokes, save the 2 stroke.

1998 cr125
2002 cr80

I think the operative word is FIRST bike.  I wouldn't recommend a YZ85 as a first bike for any kid - way too violent!
Believe it or not, a YZ125 is LESS violent than a YZ85, due to the broader powerband.  The little 85 is just plain vicious - I should know, I own one  
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Here we go again!

Another quick question, is there a cheat sheet that I can refer to, to tell me the difference between the cr, crf, yz, wz, kx, klx and all of the other prefixes out there on these bikes. Man this is getting confusing. Also, could ya'll direct me to another for sale site comparable to craigs list that I could shop as well. I'm not having much luck finding one.  

sorry man there isnt.

ok honda's two strokes are labeled as cr, and their four strokes are crf. now they have 2 models. a crf250r and crf250x. the crf250r is a race bike and you dont want them because they are money pits. the crf250x is a trails bike that is extremely reliable. now this only goes for their 250's and 450's. their other models are just crf and they are reliable but they are heavy.

yamaha 2 strokes are yz. their 4 strokes are wr. a pw50 and pw80 is a 2 stroke that runs like a 4 stroke. the pw80 is smaller then a yz85. a yz-f is the race 4 stroke, which is another money pit.

kx=kawasaki 2 stroke.
klx=is similar to the trails 4 stroke that honda has.
kx-f=kawasaki racing 4 stroke, in other words a money pit.

you can just check out their websites too.
honda.com (they dont have any 2 strokes on it anymore though)
yamaha.com
ktm.com
suzuki.com
kawasaki.com  
______________________________
Ride 2 strokes, buy 2 strokes, save the 2 stroke.

1998 cr125
2002 cr80

Yes Your Yamaha dealer. Ask them about what i just suggested.  
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Ruff!

And Elk ask me on a PM so not to confuse.  
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Ruff!

Lets give the best advice we know as this is importent.  
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Ruff!

About your bike... My dad has ridden a KX250 since I was about 6 and I was riding a pw50. We do mostly trails and it's been fine for him waitin up for me and my brothers and helpin us when we wreck. When we ride my dad spends half his time waiting up for my brother on his xr100r. I also recommend the ktm 200exc. It's a 2stroke so It's bigger than a 125 but just a little bit smaller than a 250. It is a 100% trail bike and It's bigger and faster than a 250f so it will get you where you need to go. As far as your kids go, I think you've got the right idea, get them cheaper smaller bikes so if thy're not really into it you can upgrade them. Dirt bikes are a great way to have fun and spend time with ur family so have fun.  
1998 KTM 200 EXC
1996 KX250
1993 XR100r
NORTH CENTRAL H.S. FOOTBALL FOR LIFE! GO INDIANS!!!!!

If the bikes scare you or your kids, you and your boys will not be comfortable riding.

Do as Woods suggests, and keep your kids on beginners bikes.

You are gonna want a bike that is happy puttin along w/ your boys.  
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Nobody's gonna hurt anybody. We're gonna be like little Fonzies here. And what's Fonzie like? Come on what's Fonzie like?

Whatever bike you choose for yourself.  Be sure to install a kick stand.  When I ride with my kids it is the one thing I wish I had.  

Bill H. 2000 CR250R

Ya'll have been great. Any thoughts on the Cobras for my boys? I'm not familiar with this brand at all. I'm guessing all of you would tell me to stay away from the chinese bikes as well?  

That would be a HUGE mistake!!!!!  
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Ruff!

Cobras are pure race bikes.  Your kids would be better off on trail bike as they learn how to operate a motorcycle.  My first bike was an XR80.  I rode that for a few years before moving up to an XR100 at age 12.  They are very reliable and require very little maintenance on your part.  TTRs, KLXs, and DRs are all built along those lines.  I would still have a lot of fun on an XR100 today.  

Bill H. 2000 CR250R

Get ur 11 yr. old an xr100r. I rode that when I was that age. I got mine for $800  
1998 KTM 200 EXC
1996 KX250
1993 XR100r
NORTH CENTRAL H.S. FOOTBALL FOR LIFE! GO INDIANS!!!!!