Need different bike for 8 yo daughter.

[basalt]

My daughter got a 1985 Z50R for her 6th birthday. She learned quickly to ride and is a natural. The problem is the handlebars are wonkey, the throttle wonkey, the idle wonkey. All these things haven't inspired a lot of confidence in her riding. She still likes to ride and is quite good in spite of the crappy bike, but she has a long way to go still. She just doesn't want to ride this bike anymore. Instead of dumping a bunch of money into this and perhaps getting no where, I would like to get something newer and in good condition that she can really start to learn on.

 

Here is my dilemma, She is now 90 pounds and almost 4 feet tall! Ergo's wise the Z50 is almost too small, but weight wise it is too heavy. So I have been thinking I have three options: 

 

1) get something similar that is in good working order: newer ttr50, crf50, etc Will they be a big improvement? I know they will still be heavy.

 

2) Get a pw50 and let her ride the crap out of it. I just think this will be too small now.

 

3) Get a KTM 50 adventure, or junior/senior and put the Adv clutch in it. I read somewhere their weight limit is 80 pounds though! Is this true? I imagine she is close enough and it won't really matter though? Racing isn't really in the plans (but you never know).

 

Thanks

[zotis777]

I'd say a pw50, and one she grows a little more a crf80 or crf100

[ickfinger]

Either a xr/crf 70 is the next step, logically. If you can afford new, the crf110 is pretty cool too.

[basalt]

She is definitely still learning as she has only ridden a handful of times. I don't think her skills are to the point she is ready to move up, though maybe a bigger bike that fits better would be easier for her to ride. She definitely is not ready for more weight though.

[Phineas7]

PW 50 is too small, and too weak unless your riding on flat grass.

Because it has no gears, you can't go slow while having any torque.

 

A CRF70 is much lighter than a CRF110, but no e-start.

 

When you only weigh 60 or 70 lbs, and extra 24lbs of bike is a lot.

 

The KTM is light, and taller, but they're more powerful than you want.

 

I've been the PW and KTM route with my son.

 

You may think a CRF70 or 110 is too powerful, but the low end torque and slow (very) revving nature of the engine make them easy to ride.

 

IMHO there's a gap in the small bike line up. I wish they still make PW 80's. As it is, you have to jump from an 80lb bike to 150lb bike.