Planet Minis

JustinF

Hi all. I'm planning on getting my son a small dirt bike soon and would like to tap into your collective expertise. He won't be motocrossing, just riding on trails and such. My budget is a paltry $500-$550 shipped. I know that for that price I won't be getting anything too great, but that's fine with me...as long as he can get a couple easy-riding years out of it. Another requirement is that it must have a semi-automatic clutch. So far in my searching I've narrowed it down to the following three bikes. Any advice as far as which one may be the better of the three is appreciated, or if you know of a better bike for $500 I'm all ears.

Thanks!
-Justin

DB-J016:
70cc Dirt Bike

Sunl SLD-110XT:
ATV Discounter - Call 817-717-7000 - Product Info: DB-12

Sunl SL146:
ATV Discounter - Call 817-717-7000 - Product Info: (DB-02)

stevos50nuts

how olds your son? This looks solid $599 shipped from Pitster...search the vender forum, last week

JustinF

He'll be 8 in December and right now weighs 70 pounds. He's one of the taller kids for his age...not huge, but slightly taller than average. I'm planning on this being a Christmas present. I live in Nebraska so we do have a winter...he probably won't start riding until next February/March, depending on snowfall.

stevos50nuts

those other bikes sux. At least this one the parts are honda crf compatible

honda426

that bike is going to be your best bet for the money. I was going to post it as stevos did.

SUZUKIRM12594

I say maybe like a used ttr90 or crf70...you should be able to find one around your price range and theyre no china POS...IMO, dont get chinese...If youre talkin about lasting for a few "years", even if you have to drop the extra coin, a Jap bike will pay off within the time it takes to get a china bike to break.

MAZZ77X

If he's 8 and 70lbs already your not gonna get much time out of a 50 style bike. I'd search for a used 110. They are a dime a dozen and the best bike for a kid of that size.
My son 8 is 55lbs and rides a 110 and the 50. He prefers the 110 for everything but doing wheelies. He says it's easier to ride

stevos50nuts

my sons 8 and still on his crf 50...great beginner bike...fun for dad too

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JustinF

That DB-J016 I posted a link to says all over the page how CRF compatible it is...I figured I'd be safe there.

I've been monitoring Craigslist for a while now and am having problems finding any of the Japanese bikes, let alone in my price range. Luckily I have a little while yet before I have to decide. I was hoping to get this done and over with sooner rather than later though.

JustinF

The ones I've been looking at have a seat height closer to a CRF70F (which he fit good on) than a CRF50F, won't that be fine? Or am I missing something.

MAZZ77X

This is my take on the 110/50 bikes. If the kid can pick the bike up and start it on his own the bigger bike will be better than the 50. The 50 suspension flat out sucks and makes it harder to ride for kids. The 110 handles 10 times better than a 50, soaks up bumps and jumps great (with an actual kid on it) and will be easier to ride anywhere except really slow tight areas (not beginner land anyway).
The TTR90E and CRF 70 are all the same basic size and weight as the 110. It's just the 110 is a better bike than those other 2, but that's just my $.02

If your kid is tall and 70lbs he will be fine on the 110 size bikes.

MAZZ77X

The problem with the China bikes is that most are sprung for an adult not a kid, and they are just a constant PIA.

I have one and a KLX110 and a CRF 50.
The two Jap bikes get ridden and washed. The China bike is always on the lift. It's one of the best China bikes but still a China bike. The cheaper ones are not a good choice and will only disappoint your son when it's sitting there broken while you wait by the mail box for parts.

JustinF

You know, I went and sat on a Baja Dirt Runner 70 at a local Tractor Supply store and noticed how stiff the thing was. With a 70 pound kid sitting on it it would be like riding a hard-tail...so I can see what you're saying there.

Am I safe in assuming then that the $599 Pitster referenced above may be a better quality China bike, but a China bike nonetheless? Same basic negatives that as the other three I was looking at?

Oh, and thanks a ton for everyone's responses! I'm a little bummed, but I'm starting to realize that I just may be better off spending some extra cash. I just didn't want to...I'm cheap.

SUZUKIRM12594

cycle trader??? PM classifieds? Im sure theres someone out there thats willing to ship if you cant find any in your area...

90x2

just bide your time and wait for a good deal on a GOOD used bike.you will be much happier and closer to your 550$ range in the long run.i waited 2 years to get my wood hauling truck fixed but i got a great deal on parts for my patince.

rippin x3

We just bought 2 of these from Pitster. Great little bikes. The Lifan 88 is a good motor. They are well put together and run real nice. They will need tires and taller bars for a bigger rider.

chiro972b

sunl and baja and anything you get from an auto parts or tractor supply store is going to be crap and you won't be able to find parts when it breaks (and it will)

Stick to something that you can get support on.

boonacka

I find used xr/crf50's on craigslist for around $500 everyday. If you can find a used ttr50 that would even better since it has e-start for the kid. for the sole purpose you mentioned, these would be great bikes for the long haul. plus parts and aftermarket is abundant.

tysonb

my vote is the 110 style, then you can upgrade it rather cheaply as his size and skill increase.

JustinF

Yeah, I've seen some 50's around here, too...they're almost a dime a dozen. The problem is that I don't want a 50, it was too small for him. The crf70/klx110 fit him MUCH better. Those are the ones I'm having problems finding.

I have a little thinking to do I guess. It sounds like a couple people would recommend that one above from Pitster. It may be a viable choice for me depending on the size. If I have to go out and get tires and handlebars right away I might as well just pass on it. Thanks again for everyone's input!