What bike to give my kids a go on a bike?

[Asian Boss]

Maybe even get them enthused and started properly. They're 13 and 8 (I think!). Both boys.

I could let them lose on my XL but I'm slightly precious about it now bizarrely.

There's a load of waste land very near my house, ideal for giving them a go on a bike, get them used to a clutch etc. I think the older one is ready now, the younger one may not be for a few more years.

There's a Honda CRF100 on ebay which looks tidy. Two grand though. My kids may only use it for 5 minutes before deciding they prefer computer games so it feels like a bit of a gamble. I guess you have to just go for it. Is there a more suitable bike? I did look into pit bikes and field bikes but they're all fucked.

[KungFooBob]

Panigale.

[Rockburner]

What budget?

Fwiw my first bike was a Puch Magnum X with a semi-auto 3 speed (iirc), i was 9, Rev Fred was 7 when we got it for xmas.
(we've still got it!)

No idea what the modern equivalent would be.

[Asian Boss]

What budget?

Fwiw my first bike was a Puch Magnum X with a semi-auto 3 speed (iirc), i was 9, Rev Fred was 7 when we got it for xmas.
(we've still got it!)

No idea what the modern equivalent would be.

The less I can spend the better. Hopefully there's a way to do it for less than 2k. Because it may turn out to be a five minute thing.

I remember when you could buy a functional dirt bike for a few hundred quid. Not any more it seems unless I've missed something.

[Rockburner]

What budget?

Fwiw my first bike was a Puch Magnum X with a semi-auto 3 speed (iirc), i was 9, Rev Fred was 7 when we got it for xmas.
(we've still got it!)

No idea what the modern equivalent would be.

The less I can spend the better. Hopefully there's a way to do it for less than 2k. Because it may turn out to be a five minute thing.

I remember when you could buy a functional dirt bike for a few hundred quid. Not any more it seems unless I've missed something.

Let them have a go on one of yours first? My first ever ride on a bike was on an RD400, just pootling around in first. My dad didn't tell me how to change gear until i could be relied upon to stay upright, and stop safely!

[Bigyin]

First one my dad put me on when i was 11 was an Italjet with a twist and go engine . After that i was on a TS50 Suzuki field bike when i was about 14. wanged it about off road with a few mates and we all fell off it but knew how to pull away and use the clutch and gears in a basic fashion with bugger all slow speed control

[Yorick]

Panigale.

I was gonna post that, then I decided it wasn't very funny.

[Yorick]

What budget?

Fwiw my first bike was a Puch Magnum X with a semi-auto 3 speed (iirc), i was 9, Rev Fred was 7 when we got it for xmas.
(we've still got it!)

No idea what the modern equivalent would be.

The less I can spend the better. Hopefully there's a way to do it for less than 2k. Because it may turn out to be a five minute thing.

I remember when you could buy a functional dirt bike for a few hundred quid. Not any more it seems unless I've missed something.

Let them have a go on one of yours first? My first ever ride on a bike was on an RD400, just pootling around in first. My dad didn't tell me how to change gear until i could be relied upon to stay upright, and stop safely!

I've taught a few kids to ride on the Beta 300. Didn't show them how to change gear straight away

[cheb]

Whatever you can twoc quickly.

[Skub]

Give them a go on whatever you don't care about. That way everyone will have a good time.

[Tarmacsurfer]

I would recommend you get them a super moto pitbike and go down to the local kart track.
Once they gain some experience they could enter some BMB rounds.

[Asian Boss]

Maybe I should just take the side panels off the XL and use that. It seems crazy to buy a two grand bike to stop them damaging a (roughly) two grand bike.

[KungFooBob]

Get them a twoc'd pit bike off the Gum Tree for £150.

[Asian Boss]

I did look at pit bikes but they all seem to be fucked and fundamentally flawed. But for my potential five-minute needs, that might work ok.

[KungFooBob]

Not all pitbikes are the same.

There's a very popular race series for supermoto stylee pitbikes.. ridden mainly by fully grown men.



The bikes are quite trick.

[Potter]

Have you tried asking them..?

1) Do you want to try riding a motorcycle?
2) What sort would you like to try? I'll show you some pictures and we'll talk about your preferences.

IME what you want and what they want might not be aligned.

[Scotsrich]

What about an old twist n go scooter?

No gears but easy to ride and will give them hours of fun. And not much to damage if they fall off.

There’s a few on eBay for £400ish or look on Facebook marketplace.

[Trinity765]

If I was a kid I'd want a Grom with an Akrapovic and short levers.

[formula400]

Panigale.

I was going to post that but you beat me too it

[Asian Boss]

I think unless you want to fuck about with Chinese pit bikes is to accept a half decent kids bike of £1500-2000 and you'll probably get most of that back when you sell it.

I'd have a bid on this but I'm busy for the next week or so and would struggle collecting it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294137824397 ... SwmllggcxB