Options for my 11 year old son

[cek]

Looking for some options for my son. He rides a TC85 but obviously there’s no kit for it. If I decide to put him on a full size bike what would be the smallest bike and kit combo out there? I’m mostly concerned about weight. If I can’t find a good combo we may be getting back into sleds.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

go TWO

I had a kit on a stock YZ 250, was light, good low end. For a light weight rider it would be hard to beat. Kick starting it might be the only drawback.

 

[Thistledoo]

Both my girls rode snow bikes this winter....there 12 and 14

I rigged a husky FE350 with a camso kit with a yeti ski, lowered it as much as possible. Recluse and what they did was amazing!! when the bike tips over yes they need help but they wouldn't be able to lift any bike. But the 350 has just enough jam if there are hills we need to get up they can no problem. I wouldn't go any smaller, if he can ride a 85 two stroke well he could get use to this bike in under 5 min !

 

[cek]

Both my girls rode snow bikes this winter....there 12 and 14

I rigged a husky FE350 with a camso kit with a yeti ski, lowered it as much as possible. Recluse and what they did was amazing!! when the bike tips over yes they need help but they wouldn't be able to lift any bike. But the 350 has just enough jam if there are hills we need to get up they can no problem. I wouldn't go any smaller, if he can ride a 85 two stroke well he could get use to this bike in under 5 min !

That's really good to know. I guess another issue I would have (now that you brought up the 350) is having 2 bikes for him. One for the dirt and one for the snow. He wouldn't be able to ride the 350 in the dirt. Lots of thinking to do I suppose.

 

[Thistledoo]

our 350 is what I ride in the summer, so works for all...keep that in mind for your choice....was very happy with the 350 and my wife even gave it a shot and her eyes were opened up a lot. We ride in the summer some just tour around on logging roads mostly but the winter thing is very cool

my girls were struggling on sleds and losing interest as the smaller sleds didn't cut it anymore, this has kept them in the game and made it fun to ride as a family again

 

[cek]

our 350 is what I ride in the summer, so works for all...keep that in mind for your choice....was very happy with the 350 and my wife even gave it a shot and her eyes were opened up a lot. We ride in the summer some just tour around on logging roads mostly but the winter thing is very cool

my girls were struggling on sleds and losing interest as the smaller sleds didn't cut it anymore, this has kept them in the game and made it fun to ride as a family again

Thanks for the input. Gives me something to think about. He would rather stick with the bike and with the lack of offerings from the snowmobile manufactures I feel the same. The new RMK EVO has peaked my interest though. Still we would get a lot more use out of the bike. Thanks again.


Hey manufactures..... Build something between the ripper and full size.

 

[isell]

I had the same dilemma for my 10 yr old. I settled on a CRF150R and a moto trax 120 kit. It has been bullet proof for us. He transitioned to a full size 450 late this season. The 150 was a great learner setup, and has made the transition to a full size bike a piece of cake. BTW, the 150 was very capable in the mountains.

 

[cek]

I had the same dilemma for my 10 yr old. I settled on a CRF150R and a moto trax 120 kit. It has been bullet proof for us. He transitioned to a full size 450 late this season. The 150 was a great learner setup, and has made the transition to a full size bike a piece of cake. BTW, the 150 was very capable in the mountains.

Really? Is the 150 a full size bike for is the 120 kit fit a smaller framed bike?

 

[CONCRETE GANGSTER]

I had heard mototrax was putting kits on 150 Honda’s. But never saw one. I bought one of their first generation scout kits and mounted it on a te150 for my daughter it works great. I actually was going to try and mate it up to a tc85 just to see how it worked it really looked like I could do it pretty easily.
I personally think that has to be the next step for snow manufacturing as the kids are the future

 

[cek]

I had heard mototrax was putting kits on 150 Honda’s. But never saw one. I bought one of their first generation scout kits and mounted it on a te150 for my daughter it works great. I actually was going to try and mate it up to a tc85 just to see how it worked it really looked like I could do it pretty easily.
I personally think that has to be the next step for snow manufacturing as the kids are the future

I’ve emailed them but haven’t heard back. Not sure the 85 will have enough grunt but I’m pretty sure he can ride a 150 year around so that might be the ticket.

 

[CONCRETE GANGSTER]

They arnt known for the quickest responses and customer service.

I would imagine with a little work a timbersled riot or any of their 120 kits could be made to fit a 150 Honda

My daughter rides a 150 Husqvarna it’s a full sized bike but very easy to ride and you’d be suprized how well it turns the track.

My son rode the same set up at 12 with no issues other than me having to help if he got real stuck.

 

[cek]

They arnt known for the quickest responses and customer service.

I would imagine with a little work a timbersled riot or any of their 120 kits could be made to fit a 150 Honda

My daughter rides a 150 Husqvarna it’s a full sized bike but very easy to ride and you’d be suprized how well it turns the track.

My son rode the same set up at 12 with no issues other than me having to help if he got real stuck.

My only issue is I would like him to have one bike for summer and winter. He won’t be able to ride a full sized bike during the summer. I think the crf150r is the ticket just because if size. I need to compare and maybe educate myself a bit more on the track kits.

 

[M5-]

Don't be fooled by the smaller engine size. My wife has a TTR230 which is basically the Yamaha version of the CRF150. Its still a heavy bike even though its air cooled. The Honda is heavy as well. Its an OK trail bike but...… The TTR and the CRF are not all that different, forks are crap lots of steel parts etc etc. they are entry level bikes at best. The nice thing about the TTR is that it is a six speed. 1st gear is ridiculously low but that might be OK on a snowbike. I think one of those play bikes would get old pretty quick for a kid.

He wont be able to pick up the 150 any easier than he would a 250 2T which he also wont be able to pick up, and it will have 1/2 the power at best and be stuck all the time if you are doing any real riding.

I hate to say it and I understand the thinking believe me but you might be looking a 2 bikes one summer and one winter. Think of it as renting, as he will out grow the summer bike in one season anyways. Buy something used then sell it when you are done in a season. My son grew a foot in less that 2 seasons he will be out of that 150 in nothing flat and there are waaaay better choices for summer. If you want him to ride well don't handicap him with a turd bike.

Kids are expensive now but just wait until they hit college these years are a bargain.

M5

 

[cek]

Don't be fooled by the smaller engine size. My wife has a TTR230 which is basically the Yamaha version of the CRF150. Its still a heavy bike even though its air cooled. The Honda is heavy as well. Its an OK trail bike but...… The TTR and the CRF are not all that different, forks are crap lots of steel parts etc etc. they are entry level bikes at best. The nice thing about the TTR is that it is a six speed. 1st gear is ridiculously low but that might be OK on a snowbike. I think one of those play bikes would get old pretty quick for a kid.

He wont be able to pick up the 150 any easier than he would a 250 2T which he also wont be able to pick up, and it will have 1/2 the power at best and be stuck all the time if you are doing any real riding.

I hate to say it and I understand the thinking believe me but you might be looking a 2 bikes one summer and one winter. Think of it as renting, as he will out grow the summer bike in one season anyways. Buy something used then sell it when you are done in a season. My son grew a foot in less that 2 seasons he will be out of that 150 in nothing flat and there are waaaay better choices for summer. If you want him to ride well don't handicap him with a turd bike.

Kids are expensive now but just wait until they hit college these years are a bargain.

M5

My understanding is the crf150r is quit a bit different than the 150f. I need to do some more investigating tho. Honda’s website lists it at 185lbs (yeah he can’t lift that either) the 150f is 233 and the Ttr is 250. I’m going to start hitting dealerships to look in person. Thanks for all of the info and recommendations I appreciate them all. Keep them coming.

 

[M5-]

I don't really follow those bikes any more as we are out of them except for my wife so I didn't realize they have 2 versions, the R looks better than the F but it still has a 33 inch seat height so it depends how tall your kid is I guess.

For snow biking I think its pretty key to have the power to climb when needed so I'm not sure the 150 is gonna cut it, it depends. If you only ride flat trail type terrain you might be fine with that R but any deep snow or steeper hills you may find it lacking. Snow eats up ALL the power, dirt not so much.


M5

 

[NEWDUCK]

I dont have kids but wouldnt the issue be not can they lift the bike but are they comfortable riding it? Kids cant get a sled unstuck by themselves so who cares if they cant pick up a tipped over bike? Or is it more of a safety issue?

 

[cek]

I dont have kids but wouldnt the issue be not can they lift the bike but are they comfortable riding it? Kids cant get a sled unstuck by themselves so who cares if they cant pick up a tipped over bike? Or is it more of a safety issue?

You're right. My concern isn't winter it's summer riding. I'm just trying to avoid having a dedicated snowbike for him and another for dirt riding. It may be my only option but I'm going to explore the crf150r before I make a decision. I can lower it to within an inch of his tc85 so if it has enough power for the snow I think I can make it work.

 

[Chadx]

Don't be fooled by the smaller engine size. My wife has a TTR230 which is basically the Yamaha version of the CRF150.

I think you are mixing up the air cooled crf_f and the liquid cooled crf_r. "Fun" bike vs. "Race" bike. The crf f series equate to the Yamaha ttr series. A crf230f and ttr230 are almost identical when you look down the specs. Or maybe you were just making the point that the crf150r is a ripper and has the get up and go of the 230cc playbikes.

The crf150f is the little play bike, but the crf150f is a ripper and I see why many have had success using them for a snowbike. Would be great to see a snowbike kit manufacturer take the extra step of making a fit kit for there existing short track kits.

 

[tillbuilt]

I will be building just what you are after this summer.

Honda CRF150R with a Yeti 120SS

The Honda has a 4" lower seat height than all full sized bikes, and offers real power. Granted, it is not big power but it is so much more than all 4 stroke 125cc's and down.

I am shooting for a complete package that will weigh in under 240 and be something that will fill this 9-14 age market, and the new to snow biking women's market. There is a huge gap here and there is a need to have something.

There have been a few of these bikes built with 120 wide kits, and the builders have said they work well. This Yeti 120SS narrow system should be perfect.

Stay tuned.

 

[cek]

I will be building just what you are after this summer.

Honda CRF150R with a Yeti 120SS

The Honda has a 4" lower seat height than all full sized bikes, and offers real power. Granted, it is not big power but it is so much more than all 4 stroke 125cc's and down.

I am shooting for a complete package that will weigh in under 240 and be something that will fill this 9-14 age market, and the new to snow biking women's market. There is a huge gap here and there is a need to have something.

There have been a few of these bikes built with 120 wide kits, and the builders have said they work well. This Yeti 120SS narrow system should be perfect.

Stay tuned.

This is exactly what I’m looking for. Maybe we should talk???