2002 ktm 65 sx for the little guy... it gets a rekluse tomorrow which should help him learn the clutch ( make it easier). He's coming off a ttr 90 hoping this works....
I'd say a well-respected member of CH just bought a new bike for his kid and its pretty stoked about it and wants to share the good news. He probably would have preferred a Husky if there were one available, but there isn't. Congrats to the little guy, Kevin WoodsChick
thanks guys.... I'm a little nervous .. first clutch , first 2 stroke... I'm hoping the rekluse will make it easier for him to learn and make up for my lack of patience (and teaching skils) and I do wish we could catch a whiff of the CR65 over here... if anyone has tips on teaching clutch usage...Please share..
Congrats Kevin! My little guy (4yrs old) saw the picture and freaked out as he has been wanting an "orange" motorcycle for the last couple of months. He even went upstairs and literally cracked his piggy bank (in two) this morning to start counting his money. What ya gonna do? Maybe a suggestion about teaching clutch: save the rekluse till later, practice in a big open area ( I learned in a hay field), 1st-2nd gear only for awhile. Try and teach clutch control first, after that, shifting power usage, ect may come alot easier. I cut my teeth on 2-strokes and it took me a summer to really learn how to get my 80lb butt to ride a 71 KE175. Lotsa practice and lotsa spills After the first few spills/stalls he'll probably get the hang of it.
I was in the same boat last month. My son's been riding an XR80 and I was hoping to keep him on that another year til he fits on my Husqcagiva 125. Couldn't wait any longer so ended up with the KTM 85. He wanted a husky like dad but there's nothing his size out there. Aside from the 50, has husky ever gone with anything smaller than a 125? I'd just skip the autoclutch unless you see your son getting big time discouraged. Discouragement is the devil's best tool. It'll be hard for dad to hold back signs of frustration so its easier to keep your helmet on and a bike running nearby so no F bombs can be heard. Let him know that some stalling will be expected and that it will take some time to get used to. He needs to picture himself riding the snot out of it in about a months time but realize thats not gonna happen right now. I taught 4 boys how ride with clutches last year and they've all become real good trail riders. Your patience will be required. We're taking them to their first poker run this weekend. I'm stoked for these little guys, no matter what they ride, as long as they ride. I'm sure I'll have to help them in some spots but its part of the process of getting a riding buddy for life. I don't care what color bike is following me down that trail, as long as my son is on it.
I'd teach him the engagement point of the clutch first. Have him sit there with his feet on the ground, ease out the clutch 'til he starts rolling forward, then squeeze it back in, repeat. That way he'll at least know when the bike is going to start moving.
Tell me about it! Just two years ago I taught my son how to manage a clutch on a kx65 and now he is on a KX85 and discovered girls. Hopefully the girls won't get in the way of his riding.
Watch out, next thing you know the little bugger will be leaving you in roost. Nice little bike, It is great riding with your kids (at least untill they beat you-circa 10 years of age) Carpe Diem
Sweet ride for a little guy. Things have sure changed from the Hodaka 90 that I learned on. Good luck with teaching him the basics of the clutch. The slipper is a great idea after he learns to basics. Congrats to your riding buddy.
Let me know how the clutch training goes.... Logan and I just went to Milestone MX track today and he had his moments on his CRF50.... finally just walked away ( no one else on the track) and told him he was on his own.... miraculously he figured out how to pick up his bike, get it out of gear and get it started all on his own.... I'm sure he was throwing child type "F" bombs at me....but he did it and started his bike on his own for the rest of the day.... the KX 65 is being refurbished right now so clutch training is ahead in my future as well.... Great looking bike....great article on the ProCircuit Hop ups for it in this months Dirt Rider !! T
just got the rekluse on it and he'll ride it for the first time tomorrow... gonna let him fall in love with it first to break in the zstart and then when he's had fun we'll start working on the engagement point. I figure he'll have a hard enough time going from 1st or second to neutral and having 6 speeds instead of 3 up and neutral down like on his TTR 90... We're only triail riding anyway....
took him out and he had a blast... still hasn't mastered the clutch and it needs to break in anyway (rekluse replaces the whole shooting match ..basket friction disks..) Likes it alot better than his TTR90 Now if I can find some way to get a kickstand on this thing I'll be alright.. I think I'll find the holy grail or an honest politician before that happens though
These are great posts, just sold my sons ttr 50 last night and moving him to a ttr 90, because its the only next size that fits him too small for the 110's and a 65 but too big for the 50. So here we go, my plan is exactly yours Kevin then to move him to a 65. Good Luck I just watched my friend teach his son the clutch and points of engagement are definitely the way to go! By the end the day his was riding around the field trails!
I started both my kids on a CRF100 with a clutch. They are tall for their age and it took them 1 day to get the hang of the clutch, at least to keep from stalling. It happens quick and before you know it they are gone... Enjoy this time and great looking bike!
