His Kx100 engine is toast top to bottom. He is 14 and just about too big for it anyway. He weighs about 140 pounds and is growing fast, he's still a little short on the gasser, he can just touch his tiptoes. I'm thinking of letting him ride my old bike a(1999 300xc) but I'm concerned about the weight of the bike. I think power delivery wlll be controllable for him, but the change in weight from a 155 pound KX to a 235 pound GG may prove to be too much to have any fun with. The power jump is pretty big as well. My second choice would be a KDX220, little lighter, lot lest power, rock solid bike. Not nearly the bike the Gasser is, but would you Dad's out there put your boy coming off a KX100 right onto a big Gasser 300??? Am I'm setting him up for disaster?
So would you put your kid on a 300?
- Thread starter MarkGable
- Start date
skid jackson
New member
not a dad but ....
any trees in your neck of the woods?? Im 47 yrs old and weigh about 200lbs geared up and ride an 06 de 300. I'm looking to downgrade to a 200 or if my husky 144 works out I'll ride that and sell the 300. I ride tight technical woods and find the 300 is just a bit too much. If he gets tired or slips up a bit and grabs a big hand full of throttle my 300 would and rocket his ass into the trees. I know thats what it has done to me on occasion. whats he riding?? woods, mx, sandpits?? For woods I'd put him on a husky wr 125 or a kdx or gas gas 200. Maybe a yammie or husky 144 if it came up. A dirtbike isn't a toy and your kid is still a kid ... not the tough as nails bad ass you might like to think he his ... a 300 is a mans motorcycle. Your boy isn't a man yet ......
any trees in your neck of the woods?? Im 47 yrs old and weigh about 200lbs geared up and ride an 06 de 300. I'm looking to downgrade to a 200 or if my husky 144 works out I'll ride that and sell the 300. I ride tight technical woods and find the 300 is just a bit too much. If he gets tired or slips up a bit and grabs a big hand full of throttle my 300 would and rocket his ass into the trees. I know thats what it has done to me on occasion. whats he riding?? woods, mx, sandpits?? For woods I'd put him on a husky wr 125 or a kdx or gas gas 200. Maybe a yammie or husky 144 if it came up. A dirtbike isn't a toy and your kid is still a kid ... not the tough as nails bad ass you might like to think he his ... a 300 is a mans motorcycle. Your boy isn't a man yet ......
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
I considered moving my son onto my 300. He's only 12, and not ready yet. He's on a TR 125. My plan was to move the forks up in the clamp 'till they hit the bar, then back the preload off on the shock pretty much all the way. I was also going to put a long pull throttle on so he couldn't easily "whisky throttle" it. I'm sure he'd have done just fine on it, but... I sold the bike. I still would not be afraid to let him try it. Before you drop cash on a new bike, I'd let him try it in a safe place. If he doesn't like it, cool. A 125 two stroke is pretty easy to buy cheap these days, and at 140 pounds, it should have plenty of power.
marjastaja
New member
I'm 17 and 270 pounds riding on a 250 Gasser. I started this summer with a 125 2-stroke.
My dad (age 47 and weights 250 pounds) is still on that 125 Yz. And sometimes it has too much power for him. Only thing he wants more is the bottom torque.
If he's that small I would say a 125 2-stroke, or 150 bigbore.
My dad (age 47 and weights 250 pounds) is still on that 125 Yz. And sometimes it has too much power for him. Only thing he wants more is the bottom torque.
If he's that small I would say a 125 2-stroke, or 150 bigbore.
Riding a powerful bike is more a matter of mental actitude, skills and experience than weight or age. If your kid feels comfortable on it, do it. If you have concerns about the power delivery, it is very easy to limit the throttle travel using a suitable limiter inside the carb. I have done it using the metal part of this kind of wire connectors.
placing it on top of the the valve with the cable inside, you can easily adjust the travel length.
As an alternative, find a throttle limiter, they are quite common on kids bikes.
have fun,
j.
placing it on top of the the valve with the cable inside, you can easily adjust the travel length.
As an alternative, find a throttle limiter, they are quite common on kids bikes.
have fun,
j.
GasGas
New member
My daughter started riding a 125 two years ago. 13 then. She had been riding since she was 5 and her skills are very good. She can beat most of the boys on the mx track. She tried a 250 2 stroke this summerm and found that a bit of a hand full. I would try a 125 2 stroke personally. It's the next natural step anyway and alot safer progression.
My oldest son and I started trading off riding a KX100 and GasGas 300 when he turned 13 and weighed about 110 lbs. He could barely reach one foot to the ground on the GasGas.
He took to the GasGas 300 like a duck takes to water. We started on easy stuff and readily worked up to the tough, technical steep stuff.
Now at 18 and 6 ft+ he is so fast on the GasGas 300 he makes everyone else look slow. (This is good since he has to wait for me, I don't have to wait for him.) He still likes to ride the KX100 because it is so easy to ride the GasGas up the steep technical hills.
He took to the GasGas 300 like a duck takes to water. We started on easy stuff and readily worked up to the tough, technical steep stuff.
Now at 18 and 6 ft+ he is so fast on the GasGas 300 he makes everyone else look slow. (This is good since he has to wait for me, I don't have to wait for him.) He still likes to ride the KX100 because it is so easy to ride the GasGas up the steep technical hills.
REVERUP
Gold Level Site Supporter
Only you really know your sons character.
The first and main question I would ask myself if I was in your shoes... does he scare easily. That typically is what tends to make kids suddenly lose interest, too much bike.
Is his riding ability above what the KX100 can put out now.
Does he adapt well to different bikes.
Does he show desire to ride a larger full size motorcycle like his dad. I did as a kid when I was 14 I too was at that age of growth spurt.
They only really had 125s back then as the step up transitional bike from the 80cc class. 125s of course were full size but not as powerful or as heavy as the big bores. I wanted one.
My father was like hell no, you will out grow that 125 motor, your not getting one. Your uncles got a nice 81, YZ 465 he'll take it in trade straight across for your 82' CR80 for your younger cousin to ride. So that was my transition 80cc to 465cc.
It really depends on the individual. Good luck!
Roscoe
The first and main question I would ask myself if I was in your shoes... does he scare easily. That typically is what tends to make kids suddenly lose interest, too much bike.
Is his riding ability above what the KX100 can put out now.
Does he adapt well to different bikes.
Does he show desire to ride a larger full size motorcycle like his dad. I did as a kid when I was 14 I too was at that age of growth spurt.
They only really had 125s back then as the step up transitional bike from the 80cc class. 125s of course were full size but not as powerful or as heavy as the big bores. I wanted one.
My father was like hell no, you will out grow that 125 motor, your not getting one. Your uncles got a nice 81, YZ 465 he'll take it in trade straight across for your 82' CR80 for your younger cousin to ride. So that was my transition 80cc to 465cc.
It really depends on the individual. Good luck!
Roscoe
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my opinion(i'm not a dad but a 16 yr old with a 300 gasser
In my opinion if he rly wants to move up to a big bike I would suggest moving up onto a gasser 200 b/c it was a smooth transition for me from a yamaha 125. the gasgas200 really lit my fire for riding so much that i ride almsot consistently each sunday for a good 8 hr's. The only thing bad i've really noticed about the 300 is that it has tons of power and it will spinn unless he has advanced throttle control and I've noticed to get the best performance out of the bike you always have to be on top of it or it will spit you off*learned this from personnel experience*. i would suggest move him up too a gasgas200 it has good power but not too much power and it's not a leap from a 100kx to a gasser 300. I ride really tight technical A/AA rider terrain and I love the gasser in it all ,but without advanced throttle control technical stuff will be exetremly hard if he has the gas it and don't let go mentality.
-Bondo Jr.-
In my opinion if he rly wants to move up to a big bike I would suggest moving up onto a gasser 200 b/c it was a smooth transition for me from a yamaha 125. the gasgas200 really lit my fire for riding so much that i ride almsot consistently each sunday for a good 8 hr's. The only thing bad i've really noticed about the 300 is that it has tons of power and it will spinn unless he has advanced throttle control and I've noticed to get the best performance out of the bike you always have to be on top of it or it will spit you off*learned this from personnel experience*. i would suggest move him up too a gasgas200 it has good power but not too much power and it's not a leap from a 100kx to a gasser 300. I ride really tight technical A/AA rider terrain and I love the gasser in it all ,but without advanced throttle control technical stuff will be exetremly hard if he has the gas it and don't let go mentality.
-Bondo Jr.-
HydroDog
Gold Level Site Supporter
At age 12 I had a Briggs@Stratton minibike. By 14 I was riding a 73' yamaha mx 360. At 16 I was riding a 74' yamaha SC 500. I have watched many of kids go from a small 4 -stroke to a 125 2-stroke. The problem is the 125 has no low end torque and if you are riding trails you have to be on the pipe to get any power out of them which makes them hard to ride unless you have experience. The bigger bore 2-strokes are more like the 4-strokes on the low end; very good grunt easy to ride. Yes there needs to be some throttle control to be learned but believe me that will come quickly.You could always put on a G2 throttle tube to help mellow out the response and or make a throttle stop above the carb slide to limit full throttle.
Second if the suspension is to tall you could have it lowered to suit his height and as he grows return it back to full height.
You already have the bike and if you sell it it's not worth much, if you buy a KDX 220 what are you going to save weight wise, 10 pounds.
Just my 2 Cents but only you know your sons riding skills
Second if the suspension is to tall you could have it lowered to suit his height and as he grows return it back to full height.
You already have the bike and if you sell it it's not worth much, if you buy a KDX 220 what are you going to save weight wise, 10 pounds.
Just my 2 Cents but only you know your sons riding skills
roostafish
Gold Level Site Supporter
A KDX weighs 235 pounds, no gas. Gas Gas 300, no gas......... 235 pounds. My old Husky 125, no gas= 205 pounds.
Great responses and thanks for the input. He is an average rider, he handles the 100 very well and I am confident he can ride the 300. My main concern is the technical stuff like some of you mentioned. I'm not so much worried about him getting hurt or the bike being to much power for him, but I just know what a PIA it is to fight a big bike in the mud and slop. We ride in North Georgia mainly and we are almost always in the mud and tight single track. When he drops it in the twisties, I'm sure he going to feel like I did back on the old XR600 in the mud....almost make you want to quit the sport!!
Another concern, is that parts are getting harder and harder to find for that particular bike/year. I was told that the 1999 models were the last year before some major changes and I don't know if that included the motor parts. Anyone know? I need crank seals, rear wheel bearings, some plastic, and i'm sure it will need a top end before long.
Another concern, is that parts are getting harder and harder to find for that particular bike/year. I was told that the 1999 models were the last year before some major changes and I don't know if that included the motor parts. Anyone know? I need crank seals, rear wheel bearings, some plastic, and i'm sure it will need a top end before long.
marjastaja
New member
1999 was the last year when gasser had normal forks.
2000 was a shifting year, some models came with the usd Marzocchi
2000 was a shifting year, some models came with the usd Marzocchi
dank
New member
hey im 17, 150, and i ride an ec 250, an that is more bike than i know how to ride at my talent level. when i was buying my first bike, i had a friend of mine do some research on the kdx models. the 200 works very well, besides being rather clumsey, and that the 220 has a flaw in the engine design that caused the cylinder wall to crack. so i would say no to the 220. look at the ec 200. enough power to haul him around, nimble, and forgiving.
gasser
New member
The tank and plastics are different but easy to find used. Motor is practically the same and most if not all the updates will fit the older motors. Wheels are the same except the new bikes wheels are lighter and have bigger bearings in the front wheel to accommodate a larger axle. Brakes are now Nissan but the Brembo pads are a common size and easy to find as are the wheel and linkage bearings. I find it a lot easier to get parts for my 99 gasser than any jap bike I've ever owned and I've owned them all in my 44 years of riding.
When my son was 14 (last summer) he was outgrowing his crf230. He didn't really want a 2T but I didn't want to have a high maintenance 4T around. I got him a EC250 and he fell in love. Funny thing I have a 300 and he hates it. He loves the hit of the 250. It also feels much smaller than the 300. My nephew has a KTM200 and I hate that thing, so don't go that route as some have suggested. It is way harder to ride than a 250/300, its just too pipey. We ride in KY, so its woods and 4 wheeler trails. He can smoke me on open stuff already (kids know no fear!). Bottom line, if he was handling the 100 well, he shouldn't have any troubles, and sometimes larger bikes are easier than smaller bikes to ride if you ride in the woods.
firffighter
New member
Hey, realize this an older thread, but I have a 14 year old who has progressed up throught the XR70, KX60, XR100, KX100 ranks.
He currently rides the KX100 set up for woods and we ride mostly tight, technical terrain here in Oregon.
He is not quite ready to move up to a full sized bike yet, but I have put a lot of thought into what that next bike will be. I have thought about the 125 modded for woods, a KDX, a 250 thumper and a 300 2-stroke.
125: too much throttle, clutch, gas. Yes, it is light, but it is just as tall as a 300 and the hit on the power band is too agressive for woods riding.
KDX: great bike, easy to ride, but outdated ergos and suspension.
250 thumper: E-start would be nice for the kid, good power delivery, nice suspension, but too heavy.
200/250 smoker: Just too much hit.
IMO, a 300 2-stroke, especially the gasgas is the perfect fit. If a youngerster knows throttle control and has been riding for several years, the transition should be fine. What better bike to move up to then one that can lug down to nothing, ride 2 gears high if needed and is much lighter than a thumper.
I am planning on picking one up for him next season. It will take some time to transition, but I am sure he will pick it up just fine.
For crying out loud, my first real sized bike was a '76 Honda XL250! What a heavy beast that thing was. But, I rode the crap out of it and didnt know any better. Kids these days are lucky, they have it easy compared to us old farts.
He currently rides the KX100 set up for woods and we ride mostly tight, technical terrain here in Oregon.
He is not quite ready to move up to a full sized bike yet, but I have put a lot of thought into what that next bike will be. I have thought about the 125 modded for woods, a KDX, a 250 thumper and a 300 2-stroke.
125: too much throttle, clutch, gas. Yes, it is light, but it is just as tall as a 300 and the hit on the power band is too agressive for woods riding.
KDX: great bike, easy to ride, but outdated ergos and suspension.
250 thumper: E-start would be nice for the kid, good power delivery, nice suspension, but too heavy.
200/250 smoker: Just too much hit.
IMO, a 300 2-stroke, especially the gasgas is the perfect fit. If a youngerster knows throttle control and has been riding for several years, the transition should be fine. What better bike to move up to then one that can lug down to nothing, ride 2 gears high if needed and is much lighter than a thumper.
I am planning on picking one up for him next season. It will take some time to transition, but I am sure he will pick it up just fine.
For crying out loud, my first real sized bike was a '76 Honda XL250! What a heavy beast that thing was. But, I rode the crap out of it and didnt know any better. Kids these days are lucky, they have it easy compared to us old farts.
GasGas
New member
Modern 125's make all kinds of bottom end power. I rode a gasgas mc 125 and I was over 200 lbs. It's a great woods bike. I'm still riding mine, but now it's a 144. Works even better now that I have the jetting sorted. Lots of bottom, mid and top. A EC 125 would be even better. I would take a look at the wr/cr 125 Husqvarna,s too. Very nice bikes and my daughter loves her's. That 300 can be a monster when you grab a little too much throttle by mistake.
dank
New member
if you jet a 250 and put a set of throttle cams on it, its pretty easy to throw around IMO. i love mine, and its the only bike i have ever ridden. (except my girlfriends exc200. scared the crap out of me an i never did it again. man did it snap!) min runs like a tractor down low. if hes been good on a 100 2 smoke, he should have no problem on a 250. i will give that it will get away from me if i get really clumsy with the twist, but only when im REALLY clumsy. i keep the 200x throttle cam in, so there alot of forgiveness in it.
