WTB: 200cc motor, '05+
- Thread starter GMP
- Start date
GMP
Active member
Girard,
This is a project motor/bike for my son to ride, maybe sooner than later. He will be too big for even a super mini soon. My 250 is in excellent shape, and I have a lot of spares, but a 250 is too much bike. A 200 in the frame, with the 2K-3 from the '12, should be a good start on a full size bike. It will also be the cheapest way. Then I'll have a good 250 motor as a spare or to swap back in later.
This is a project motor/bike for my son to ride, maybe sooner than later. He will be too big for even a super mini soon. My 250 is in excellent shape, and I have a lot of spares, but a 250 is too much bike. A 200 in the frame, with the 2K-3 from the '12, should be a good start on a full size bike. It will also be the cheapest way. Then I'll have a good 250 motor as a spare or to swap back in later.
Glenn,
My oldest sons (who are now 20 and 18) went from a KX100 to a GasGas XC300 when they were about 13 years old. We ride technical woods trails. They very quickly learned throttle control and did just fine.
Learing both ends of the spectrum has been good for them - pipey KX that requires a lot of throttle & clutch control to a GG 300 that has massive torque.
My oldest sons (who are now 20 and 18) went from a KX100 to a GasGas XC300 when they were about 13 years old. We ride technical woods trails. They very quickly learned throttle control and did just fine.
Learing both ends of the spectrum has been good for them - pipey KX that requires a lot of throttle & clutch control to a GG 300 that has massive torque.
GMP
Active member
Eric,
Problem I have with my son is he uses his size as a crutch for less than ideal skills. On the 85, he'll just spin the tire and paddle his feet rather than find the right friction point of the clutch to regain traction. Not enough riding practice, spreading himself too thin with other sports. For this reason I'm afraid the 250 will be a bad idea. Something more tame, but larger should be good until his skills and hopefully focus develop. He will be on the 85 for awhile this year anyway.
Problem I have with my son is he uses his size as a crutch for less than ideal skills. On the 85, he'll just spin the tire and paddle his feet rather than find the right friction point of the clutch to regain traction. Not enough riding practice, spreading himself too thin with other sports. For this reason I'm afraid the 250 will be a bad idea. Something more tame, but larger should be good until his skills and hopefully focus develop. He will be on the 85 for awhile this year anyway.
firffighter
New member
I'll just share our experience with 3 boys who ride. I started them all off on Honda thumpers when they were little. They then progressed up to the KX 65's and then the 85's/100's.
My oldest is now 15 and rode a KDX200 last year as his first full sized bike. What a perfect bike to go with as a first full size. I had a EC300 and EC250 that I rode over the past couple of years and he would hop on and try them from time to time. He "could" ride the EC250, but it did intimidate him, it is just too quick reving. Then last year he rode the EC300 quite a bit and he did really well on it. He said it was easier to ride than his KDX.
I found him a '99 EC200 for him this Fall and picked it up for him to transition from the KDX. He has only ridden it once, but is in love. A bit more pipey then the 300, but feels a lot lighter and is very manageable.
BTW, he's 5'9" 150lbs. and is a very good trail rider. He would race in the B class if he raced.
My oldest is now 15 and rode a KDX200 last year as his first full sized bike. What a perfect bike to go with as a first full size. I had a EC300 and EC250 that I rode over the past couple of years and he would hop on and try them from time to time. He "could" ride the EC250, but it did intimidate him, it is just too quick reving. Then last year he rode the EC300 quite a bit and he did really well on it. He said it was easier to ride than his KDX.
I found him a '99 EC200 for him this Fall and picked it up for him to transition from the KDX. He has only ridden it once, but is in love. A bit more pipey then the 300, but feels a lot lighter and is very manageable.
BTW, he's 5'9" 150lbs. and is a very good trail rider. He would race in the B class if he raced.
GMP
Active member
I have everything I need to make my 250 a perfect 200 for him except the motor. He is not even 13 yet and about 5'8" now but only 125lbs, not filled out yet. Good basketball and lacross player. He also has to demonstrate that he can basically handle the weight of a full size bike first in typical situations. We are still some months away from this, just planning, and buying larger and larger gear. Anyone have a set of size 12 boots?
djroggen
New member
I have everything I need to make my 250 a perfect 200 for him except the motor. He is not even 13 yet and about 5'8" now but only 125lbs, not filled out yet. Good basketball and lacross player. He also has to demonstrate that he can basically handle the weight of a full size bike first in typical situations. We are still some months away from this, just planning, and buying larger and larger gear. Anyone have a set of size 12 boots?
I have an older set of Fox 3's I think, otherwise a set of white Tech 8's they are in decent shape.
Glenn,
I understand your situation.
Try this one yourself and see how it works...
Install a steel washer between exhaust flange & pipe. I would start with a 2" OD x 1.2" ID washer. You may have to grind down the OD a bit to get it to fit in the pipe. This will give approximately 50% area reduction. I have experimented with this on my EC300 a few years ago. The engine will run fine. The power delivery is markedly softened.
I first used this mod on my son's KX65. The hit scared him and so I put a washer between the cylinder and pipe creating a restriction. It made the power very linear and mellow. I would increase the ID of the washer in small increments over time, gradually increasing the power as his skills improved. Dirt cheap and works great.
I understand your situation.
Try this one yourself and see how it works...
Install a steel washer between exhaust flange & pipe. I would start with a 2" OD x 1.2" ID washer. You may have to grind down the OD a bit to get it to fit in the pipe. This will give approximately 50% area reduction. I have experimented with this on my EC300 a few years ago. The engine will run fine. The power delivery is markedly softened.
I first used this mod on my son's KX65. The hit scared him and so I put a washer between the cylinder and pipe creating a restriction. It made the power very linear and mellow. I would increase the ID of the washer in small increments over time, gradually increasing the power as his skills improved. Dirt cheap and works great.
Fred1956
New member
I have everything I need to make my 250 a perfect 200 for him except the motor. He is not even 13 yet and about 5'8" now but only 125lbs, not filled out yet. Good basketball and lacross player. He also has to demonstrate that he can basically handle the weight of a full size bike first in typical situations. We are still some months away from this, just planning, and buying larger and larger gear. Anyone have a set of size 12 boots?
I just might have some boots, I'll check when I get home
