So my oldest son turns five in July. I wanted to buy him this:
Two problems though: the seat does not adjust, and it is sold out.
So I was thinking I could find a nice 16" bike and add on the dirt bike bits myself. I may even be able to find some real motorcycle bits that fit. I was hoping some of the folks here may have suggestions on what parts I should look for.
Not that I'm a lot of help, but can I make a suggestion? Buy him the 20" bike now. They make them in narrow enough geometry that he should fit without an issue, and it will last him a whole lot longer for your investment.
Beyond that, start looking for factory takeoff pit bike parts. Lots of dudes want to pimp the chinese 110's and take em to the local gokart track, and there's parts galore of you look.
why not just skip straight to a real dirt bike? should be able to find a 50cc KTM pretty cheap.. they are about the same size as a 16" pedal bike...
novaderrik wrote: why not just skip straight to a real dirt bike? should be able to find a 50cc KTM pretty cheap.. they are about the same size as a 16" pedal bike...
Nowhere to ride it and no way to get it somewhere to ride it.
Although you did just bring up a thought. I wonder if he'd be disappointed that it WASN'T a dirt bike when he saw it. Maybe we start with it looking like a bike, and he and I can make it look like a dirt bike if he wants to.
He's on a 12" bike right now without training wheels. Next time we are at Wally World I'll have him try a 20" bike.
Does he crash a lot on his 12" bike? My son got off training wheels on his 12" bike and he would crash for no reason all the time. we were se to buy him a bigger bike, and the day before we planned to go, he crashed and knocked two teeth out with the end of the handlebar.
We moved him up to a 16", but my wife found a web site that said that alot of the 12" bikes are not meant to be ridden witout training wheels - the geometry is off.
I agree with the real dirtbike thing. we have a TTR50 and a PW50 for the kids. Get a nice (not Wallyworld) bicyle also if you can. I got my kids Specialized Hardrocks, and they are SO much nicer.
or - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-YAMAHA-BMX-MOTO-BIKE-16-INCH-BOYS-W-TRAINING-WHEELS-AGES-4-8-NEW-OTHER-/380867214602
Can you fab up brackets to mount these?
Appleseed wrote: Can you fab up brackets to mount these? CRF 50 Plastics
Okay that is very cool and WAY cheap. I'm thinking some brackets wouldn't be too hard either.
At lunch today I scoped out the different bike sizes. He's not big enough for the 20" bike yet, plus it would make it hard for my wife to take his bike to the park. I have no problem buying him a bigger bike when he needs it, his little brother will just use it next.
I found some used 16" bikes on Craigslist around town for dirt cheap. His current bike was from the side of the road (he and I fixed it up) so I don't feel the need for this one to be brand spanking new.
Rusnak_322 wrote: Does he crash a lot on his 12" bike? My son got off training wheels on his 12" bike and he would crash for no reason all the time. we were se to buy him a bigger bike, and the day before we planned to go, he crashed and knocked two teeth out with the end of the handlebar. We moved him up to a 16", but my wife found a web site that said that alot of the 12" bikes are not meant to be ridden witout training wheels - the geometry is off. I agree with the real dirtbike thing. we have a TTR50 and a PW50 for the kids. Get a nice (not Wallyworld) bicyle also if you can. I got my kids Specialized Hardrocks, and they are SO much nicer.
Hmm, maybe we won't wait til his birthday then. I noticed his little bike wobbles sometimes. He doesn't crash it much though which impresses me.
Still no go on the gas powered dirt bike. I live in the ghetto with a small yard. We go to various local parks all the time and that is where he rides his bike.
My son had a nearly identical bike as his first bike. The motorcycle style seat is good for beginners, but he out grew it very quickly.
mndsm wrote: Not that I'm a lot of help, but can I make a suggestion? Buy him the 20" bike now. They make them in narrow enough geometry that he should fit without an issue, and it will last him a whole lot longer for your investment.
I have to disagree with this. My daughter had clearly outgrown her 12" bike and I bought her a 20" with training wheels for her fifth birthday. She can ride it, but a year later, it's still too big for her to ride without the training wheels.
I also picked up a nice little 16" bike and she learned to ride it immediately without training wheels. It really is the perfect size for kids 5-7.
Bonus: She assembled the entire bike herself with my supervision!
i'm with the guys on keeping with the proper size and stepping up as needed... also I suggest keeping your eyes open on CL... or just o the side of the road... I found both my kiddos 16" bike on the side of the road with a "FREE" sign on it... there where 3, one complete and the others in various stats of missing a few things... I had room to store stuff, my daughter got use of hers and outgrew hers about the time my son was ready for his... I had to pick and pull parts (swap forks, wheels etc) and use a bit of spraypaint to clean up the bike.
my newest buy was for under $100... picked my son up a nice 24" trek and my daughter an XS 26" diamondback and another POS walmart mongoose bike (package deal)... a few tweaks on her bike and some new cables and tweaks on his and we'll be good for a few years... to go down and pick up the 24" from a dealer would be almost $400 alone...
novaderrik wrote: why not just skip straight to a real dirt bike? should be able to find a 50cc KTM pretty cheap.. they are about the same size as a 16" pedal bike...
Because, Kids need to develop a healthy exercise attitude. Bicycles, then motorcycles on the side. (My wife won't allow for the kids :( )
Split the difference. 18". $60 at Wally World
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