Asia D
I want to purchase a pocket bike, mini dirt bike, or mini quad for my nephew's graduation present. He is 6 years old, about 60 lbs, average Height. I want to know the best thing to get him, if there are any with speed lock-outs or remote shut offs. A few good name brands would be awesome. I also need something I can get training wheels for. I'm looking to spend no more than 500. Please no comments about how he doesn't need one or that he needs to be supervised he is well taken care and we understand this isn't a toy. I just need advice on what to buy. Thank you!
Answer
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.
With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.
Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.
If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.
The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.
When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.
If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.
This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.
Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.
If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.
With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.
Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.
If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.
The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.
When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.
If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.
This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.
Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.
If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.
Need good, affordable bike for support and comfort, pulling a child trailer.?
Amy K
I am 5'4,110lbs,F. Need good, affordable bike for support and comfort, pulling a child trailer.
I was looking at the cheapest women's bike with Kettler. Then saw some at Target.com. I have tried bikes at Performance and REI, but they seem awful expensive for me at this time. The trailer I just got was $399. I was hoping not to spend more than $250 tops. I've been looking on Craigslist, too, but not sure. Bike suggestions?
Answer
Generally, the more expensive the bike the lighter and better quality it will be. Target, Walmart, etc. sell lots of very inexpensive bikes, but they tend to be heavy and pretty low quality.
Pulling a trailer and a kid or two is pretty hard work. The lighter the bike, the further you are going to be able to haul your kids. Also, the least expensive bikes available have only a single speed. Frankly, gears are a godsend when pulling kids in a trailer.
If you get a bike from a discount retailer, you should plan on having to get another one in a year or two. Also, discount retailers tend to have noone who can fit you and get the bike set up for you. Thus, you run a good chance of getting the wrong size bike or not getting the seat height and handlebar height correct.
Performance and REI carry a wide variety of bikes to meet nearly all price points except the very lowest. You can count on these bikes to be a nice step up in quality. Furthermore, the sales people should take time to work with you to be sure the bike fits you properly.
Your local bike store may be even better. You aren't going to want to go to a "racing" oriented shop, though. Just one than sells a variety of bikes that should suit your needs.
I suggest you try out a mountain bike, a hybrid and a cruizer with gears. I am sure one of these will be perfect for you and will fit your budget. I also recommend you take your kid and trailer with you. Plan on taking an hour, or so, test ride with each bike. Buy the one that is most comfortable for you. Don't buy a bike on the basis of a 10 minute ride around the parking lot. That just isn't enough time to determine if the bike is really comfortable.
Hope this helps.
Generally, the more expensive the bike the lighter and better quality it will be. Target, Walmart, etc. sell lots of very inexpensive bikes, but they tend to be heavy and pretty low quality.
Pulling a trailer and a kid or two is pretty hard work. The lighter the bike, the further you are going to be able to haul your kids. Also, the least expensive bikes available have only a single speed. Frankly, gears are a godsend when pulling kids in a trailer.
If you get a bike from a discount retailer, you should plan on having to get another one in a year or two. Also, discount retailers tend to have noone who can fit you and get the bike set up for you. Thus, you run a good chance of getting the wrong size bike or not getting the seat height and handlebar height correct.
Performance and REI carry a wide variety of bikes to meet nearly all price points except the very lowest. You can count on these bikes to be a nice step up in quality. Furthermore, the sales people should take time to work with you to be sure the bike fits you properly.
Your local bike store may be even better. You aren't going to want to go to a "racing" oriented shop, though. Just one than sells a variety of bikes that should suit your needs.
I suggest you try out a mountain bike, a hybrid and a cruizer with gears. I am sure one of these will be perfect for you and will fit your budget. I also recommend you take your kid and trailer with you. Plan on taking an hour, or so, test ride with each bike. Buy the one that is most comfortable for you. Don't buy a bike on the basis of a 10 minute ride around the parking lot. That just isn't enough time to determine if the bike is really comfortable.
Hope this helps.
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Title Post: Best pocket bike for kids?
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Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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