Just found this website . . . been looking for a mini-bike forum to get some advice concerning what to get my 13 yr old son. He currently has one of those 2 cycle 43cc chinese-made junk bikes that he has outgrown (in terms of both size and HP/speed). This bike - and the next one - is strictly for buzzing around the neighborhood street (illegally, I know) . . .

Trying to stay below $500.

I know of a used Honda 80 CC dirt bike (the shop, supposedly reputable) wants $595 for it.
The only other option I've been thinking about is a mini-bike; something I might be able to string together through a combination of maybe used parts/engine, etc. for close to $500 total . . .

What do you all thinK? Is this the right forum for this topic? If not, got any suggestions? If yes, then what do you all think about my options? Suggestions? Places to buy this stuff cheap? ANY help you could give would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

at 13 he;d probably like the 80 better, it seems once you get older ( i'm 29) you start to get the "mini-bug" at 13 he probably want the abillity to go faster and have a bigger cooler looking bike in general'
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some other mini bike forums are

www.fiddylife.com
www.planetminis.com
www.thumpertalk.com - look for the 50 section

piecing together a mini for under 500 would be harder than finding a used one for the same price.. you should be able to find a mid 80's early 90's Z50 for that price...i've also seen some stock CRF's going for around 5 hundy in some places too.

i guess it mostly depends on what kind of thoughts your son has about what he wants...minis are jsut so much more fun than bigger bikes for tons of reasons, but like i said at his age he might want something bigger, more manly looking

 

I guess maybe I should say that by "mini-bike" I mean the little lawnmover engine-powered thing (like a 6 or 7 HP Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh, etc. engine. No gears, slab seat, very basic machine . . .

Is my definition of a 'mini-bike' the same as that used on this forum??

 

you dont' wanna get him one of those, he will grow bored of that FAST, if nothing else try and offer the dealer 500 for thyat 80cc...not only will it last him longer, but have a better re-sale value and be easier to sell if need be.

by mini bike or pit bike, i am refering to the small honda 50cc four stroke 3 speed bikes, the Z50, xr50, crf50 they are fun untill you're too old to walk or ride them