Dirt Bikes

Hey Everyone,

My 9 year old has been tooling around on his CRF 50 for a while now and he can barely fit on it. I'm thinking of getting him a used CRF110 and want to get myself something too so we can ride together. This will just be for casual trail riding - I don't envision us ever hitting the track. I know how to ride from my teenage years, though I never owned anything personally. I'm 6'1" / 185 lbs. I'm leaning towards a used CRF 230. I realize this is a smaller bike, but I like the low maintenance aspect of it and really don't need something super fast. Any CRF 230 owners out there? Am I crazy with this idea or should I step up to the 250?

Thanks,
Tim

 

The 230 is a fully capable, user friendly machine that you should get years of fun out of. You can go as slow as you want and it'll still go fast enough to make you hurt.

When you 2 are riding together, keep in mind the wheel size differences when you encounter obstacles. Your bike will handle them easier than the little bike. I got my 2 youngest going on an xr 50, an xr 100 and my old 73 xl 175. It's alot of fun but my youngest on the 50 had some challenges with the small wheel sizes. Now both boys are in their 20's and very capable riders.

 

My son and I do this also. He is 14 on his third bike. The 230 is a great bike as far as dependably goes, and a great trail bike if you ride easy, but if you want to ride very hard you may find it lacking in size, power, suspension and brakes. Best would be to try one out and see. You should be able to run a 230 for years for very little money and a little maintenance. What ever you chose be safe and have fun.

 

Appreciate the input. I agree with test riding the 230 first to see how it feels. Honestly though, I doubt I'll be getting out of 3rd gear very often.

With your 14 Y/O, how did he progress on the size bikes? My son has had the 50 since he was 6. It's WAY too small for him now. I was initially thinking of getting him him a CRF 70 next, but I think it will be too small. Honda is pushing the 110 as the next size now after the 50.

 

My youngest went xr50, crf80, xr100, but I don't know if they still make the 80. 80 has a manual clutch. Don't be afraid of the Yamaha or kawasaki. All 3 are about even on reliability, just find the size that he can gain confidence and experience and grow into.

 

He went from a crf 50 age 3-8, to a kx65 age 8-11 and then a kx85. It is more bike than he needs but he makes out good but does not use all of the power but it is fun for me around the yard.