Wanna hear about Dad's rides, adult rides

[bb5999]

I'm an old desert racer dad, who's kids are, FINALLY, old enough, and interested enough, to start riding.



Over the last couple of weeks I bought, craigslist finds, a nice CRF100 for my son (9 yrs old) and a CRF50 for my daughter (6 yrs. old). Both are bone stock, first bikes for each kid. We have gone riding twice, needless to say, they are loving it.



90% of what we do will be trail riding, the other 10, a track visit will eventually happen.



I want to get myself a mini as well. I think it will be a blast riding with the kids, on similar motos, wrenching and modding the bikes as the kids grow.



What route should I take?

- Used 110, then add basic mods to beef up suspension and maybe give it a bit more grunt?

- New China bike, SSR 150tx or the likes?

- Something else?



I'd like to keep initial costs below 2k. I am 6' and weigh in just under 200lbs.



If I went the 110 route, there is an 06 KLX for sale near by, what will I need to do to get it ready for me? Would fork springs, budget shock, tall seat, tall bars, pipe and pod filter do it, make it fun AND comfortable for me?



Thanks in advance for input!



Happy Dad

[PlanetMinis.com]

[settintrendz]

Welcome Dad!



I'm not quite as experienced in the fatherhood department as you, but I too am a dad. Two girls, ages 3yrs and 1.5months.



Here's my input...



While there are many killer 110s and a huge aftermarket for them, in my opinion, they're just too small for me. Although I own a modded 110, and like it, I rarely ride it. I just keep it around as an extra.



Trust me when I say that you will not be disapointed with my suggestion...



Build a conversion! CR85/XR100, KLX125/KX85, TTR125/YZ85, etc.



Here's a few pics of conversions I've built. By far, the most fun I've ever had on a mini.



2003 CR85 chassis with 2006 CRF100 motor















Modified 2006 CRF100 chassis with 1998 XR100 motor, custom, one-off swingarm



















Modified 2006 KLX125 chassis and motor with 2003 KX85 suspension, wheels, brakes, etc.

[settintrendz]

Action shots on our minimoto test track...

[XLr8r]

The Kawasakazuki's KLX & DRZ 110's seem to be easier to find parts that you know will work, and fit properly without additional fabrication. Next question is how much do you want to spend on fork & shock mods?



There's numerous ways to go;

Stock swingarm with slightly longer than OEM shock,

A-style longer (+1/+2) swingarms with slightly longer than OEM shock,

A-style longer (+3/+4) swingarms with 14" long travel shock,

Big-Bike style longer (+3/+4) swingarms,

Stock forks with HD springs/Damper Rods,

KX60 forks with HD springs (longer than stock, same clamps, same wheel),

KX65 forks with HD springs (longer than stock, KX65 clamps, disk brake, different wheel)

KTM 65SX forks with HD springs (longer than stock + inverted, KTM clamps, disk brake, different wheel)

Marzocchi Shiver 35 forks with HD springs (longer than stock + inverted, Marzocchi clamps, disk brake, KTM/KX65/Marzocchi wheels, fully adjustable)

Check my album for pics of my budget build for ideas. Most all of it either came from PlanetMini's classifieds, or from ebay. I'm 6'3" 175lbs, and have plenty of legroom. (As long as I stay out of the big rutts....)

[XLr8r]

Wow, nice bikes settintrendz.... I like the bigger midsizers, seems like they'de definitely be better for us tall guys. What size wheels are you running on those? 14/17's?

[bb5999]

Thanks for the feedback.



settintrendz - wow, those bikes are something else. I'd have a hard time getting any of my dirtbikes that clean, let alone building them up to have such a great factory look.



I took the CRF100 for a trail ride the other day, had fun on it, could see doing a CR conversion, but would think it would get costly quick. And that to simply beef up my toy. If I want to rip it up, I think I'll ride a full size bike. Remember, I want something to just cruise with the kids, for now.



Keep the ideas coming!

Eric

[Luckystar64]

I'm 41, and have a bunch of bikes. 3 110's, a KX65 pit bike, a KX85/100, RM125, road racer, BUT.... my all time favorite pit bike is my bone stock '05 CRF150F!! The bike is cheap, and fun as hell! I was going to do a 150R conversion with the motor, but one day when all my other pit bikes were in some state of disassembly-- I took this bike out to my local pit bike track and loved it just the way it came stock. You can ride it like a big bike, but it's still fun like a mini bike.



I'm planning on a Fox shock, emulators and springs in the forks, and the power up kit, which consists of carb jets, and a needle-- you pull the baffle out of the stock pipe, and the snorkel out of the airbox. Then a better flowing air filter too. Then calling it done.



Aside from my stocker 110-- I'm finished with them. The 150F is cheaper, and more fun IMO! Have fun with whatever you decide to get though. ---L*64

[JOHN NIEMEYER]

I just sold my 250f and got a klx 110 to ride with my 5 year old . the 110 is fun on mini & peewee track but i think a bigger bike would by better. also you will need something with a kickstand . trust me on the kickstand.

[Luckystar64]

CRF150F- kickstand? Yes indeed! Gotta love that! Hahaha! --L*64

[bb5999]

Rode the heck out of the crf100 today, on a makeshift track in the desert north of Reno. My son tooled around on the 50, he's getting the hang of shifting, can't wait to go again next weekend. Great how much fun these smaller bikes are, and great practice as well.



Still thinking through all kinds of ideas, likin' all the feedback. Thanks!

[110rider]

You could get a 110 for your 9 year old and upgrade the CRF100 for you. You would not have to do a thing to the 110 for your son.



If you decide to go with a 110 for yourself. Build it over time in the following order:



1. Longer pegmount screws

2. Bigger bars

3. Fox air shock (rear). Stock forks with HD springs and damper rods

4. Taller seat

5. Manual clutch

6. Pod air filter and bigger main jet

7. New upper triple clamp



All other speed mods are based upon how much you want to spend

[T Bolt USA]

Welcome Dad!

really cool conversions man



but i would have to recommend CRF150R if you dont feel like tinkering



but if your into it KLX110, or SSR160R , LXR 160 Pit bikes



let me know if we can help

[bb5999]

Looked at a nice 110 today, but did not pull the trigger.



I wanna hear more about the China bikes. T - bolt, thanks for speaking up, why not a ssr 140 or 150? +/- $500 difference compared to the 160, for someone that is not all that serious, just wants a little play bike, is tough to justify.



Any of you dads/older riders have experience with the china bikes?



thanks!

[T Bolt USA]

well the TX bikes are out of stock right now, should be back in a few weeks

actually the latest TX bikes are very nice and a good value

let me know if you need help

[Special~K]

Im 28 years old, 5'11, 160lbs. I have been riding/racing motocross for16 years now, and I ride a Medina (Medinaminisx.com) Most of the high end China bikes I have found to be generally the same. I looked into Medina because of their reputation and their price. Ive been riding my Gen 3 klx linkage bike for a while now and I love it! This weekend I will be testing the new Gen 4....which is gonna be 1 heck of a bike. These guys took the Gen 3, made re-enforcements to the frame, beefed everything up....and are sending their own version to china to be copied. NO ONE will have a bike close to the new Gen 4 imho. At first site it may look like every other china bike, but when you take a closer look....you just may like what you find Wanna see a china bike (in stock form as will be avalible) take 50-70 foot doubles, step ups, tables ALL DAY LONG? Dont take my word for it.....watch the videos coming and all for under $1700.00 China bikes are sweet because after the initial cost of buying one...they are relativly cheap to maintain/mod. If built right (lock tight, and a little common sense) they can last just as long as any. Its gonna take a whole lota $$$ to get a stocker on the same level with a good china bike. Hope this helps.......good luck!

[LookOutRossi]

I'd say pick up another 100 and put some stiffer springs on it. 5 gears, decent size, honda reliability, and CHEAP. Sounds like just what you need. They're also a bit bigger than the 110's stock and are just plain fun. Good luck!

[rippin x3]

I wanna hear more about the China bikes.

Any of you dads/older riders have experience with the china bikes?

I'm 43 and also have two kids riding. We mostly ride tracks and I just bought the new Piranah with crf 70 styling, Daytona 150, Marzocchi forks and Elka shock. By far the nicest pit bike I've owned (and I've owned a lot of them). They have a base model for around 1400 (nice bike also). Check them out at Wholesale Cycle.

[warrendavis]

My other ride is a 2010 KTM530R. The BBR mini is still way more fun. I just found out there is going to be a Grand Prix on Catalina Island in December so the KTM is going to get well abused. That race has not been run since 52 years ago. Finally California is all about fun again.