What bike for a 9 year old?

[peteremsley]

I'm thinking of getting my 9 year old a bike over the winter in time for next season. He is about 4'9, and 85 lbs at the moment, so I guess he'll be close to 5' by spring.

I'm leaning towards an XR70, as they are pretty abundant, and its a Honda. He hasn't ridden before, and I thought the semi-automatic would be good for starting out. I'm just a little worried that it will either be too small for him, or he will outgrow it very quickly. That said, I certainly don't want to put him on a bike that is too big or will scare him.

Any suggestions?

thanks,
peter.

[txrc51fatboy]

xr70 great choice

[Buddau]

XR70 is a great choice for a starter bike. I think he may out grow it by the end of next summer. Starting out on clutchless bikes is the best way to go. All though you could get him a XR80 and teach him the clutch. Kids learn quickly, it's just the 1st month or so that you will have to be very patient. We spent lots of time in the front yard practicing starts.
I started my kids out at 8 y/o and 5 y/o on a XR50, then moved them up to a TTR90 and now the oldest is on a XR80.
I would suggest getting a used one. These little bikes seem to never loose their value

[BigE]

Definitely go with something he can handle now and don't worry about outgrowing it. Getting a too big bike he can grow into will be a bike that sits after he scares himself the first time. Besides XR70 (and 50's for that matter) are fun no matter how old/big you are

[Toxicgirl]

My son has a PW80 and he is 9 and its perfect for him. I have a YZ80 that hopefully he will grow into.
Yes, 50's are fun, but super squirrly I think. But good for the big kids! ha ha
Don't forget 50cc bike show and cake walk at the scavenger hunt.

[peteremsley]

... Besides XR70 (and 50's for that matter) are fun no matter how old/big you are

Thats kinda what I was thinking

Let the search begin...

[Suki]

we started my son out on a PW80 when he was about 9 and he did great on it. After i think 2 years he upgraded to a KLX110.

[eklew]

Peter, I would say start out on a 50 or 70 from Honda. Once he does out grow it, you can sell it for a decent price as they tend to hold their value pretty well.

[gsxrscott]

I got my son an xr 50 for his first bike and when he outgrew it, I made it street legal, registered it as a motorized bicycle and commuted to work on it, and I'm 6'1".

[guessinthe2000]

Just get him on a 600. JK

[peteremsley]

already have 3 600+ bikes... don't think it will work

[dragos13]

Hey Peter, if you want him to test out an XR50 you could bring him by my house and he could take the pitbike for a spin. Just to size him up on it. Let me know.

[eklew]

Or he could ride my death machine!!!!!!

[peteremsley]

Hey Peter, if you want him to test out an XR50 you could bring him by my house and he could take the pitbike for a spin. Just to size him up on it. Let me know.

Thanks Casey, I might just take you up on that.

[dragos13]

Thanks Casey, I might just take you up on that.

For sure Peter, let me know when!