mini bike for kids

[Mark_S]

I don’t seem to have permissions to post to the 'font of all wisdom' forum and I'm not sure this is the correct category to post this, however here goes.
I am thinking of buying my daughter (who is mad about bikes ever since she went pillion on by 12GS) an off road dirt bike. She is just over 5 foot tall and we will only ride on private land. Searching on ebay has thrown up various bikes.

1. Has anyone bought any such bike, what are the pitfalls.
2. Can anyone recommend one.
3. Any one know of one for sale, I live in Wilts
4. I see there is a dealer in Berlin selling (Enduro Cross Bike BFD-125A 125cc), does anyone have any experience in buying from dealers outside UK? Or for that matter what about using the UK dealers?


Sorry for all the questions, but there seems to be a wealth of knowledge on the forums, maybe someone can help.

 

[Humbug]

I was buying these in lots of 5 or more from this guy in Portsmouth, building them and selling them locally.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/125cc-AWESOME...goryZ424QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I sold quite a lot of bikes and all of them bar none have been 100% reliable in the engine dept. However there are major weaknesses:-

The spokes frequently come loose and if not periodically tightened (ie after every ride) - break easily - I have had many wheels completely collapse!

The swingarm/suspension bushes appear to be made of jelly and fall apart.

Some of the welding is poor/weak and I have had battery boxes break away, causing the battery to fall out and jam in the wheel!

Initially spares were easy to obtain but then became progressively harder and harder to get - especially simple things like brake levers. One such part took nearly six months to arrive and when it did it was the wrong one. I even tried to obtain spares direct from the manufacturer but they had given 'exclusive' rights to some of these cowboys and they refused to supply direct.

In the end I had to give up.

My advice would be to stay well clear - especially if you wish to use it off road - it will fall apart very quickly!

Andy

 

[alexw]

I don’t seem to have permissions to post to the 'font of all wisdom' forum and I'm not sure this is the correct category to post this, however here goes.
I am thinking of buying my daughter (who is mad about bikes ever since she went pillion on by 12GS) an off road dirt bike. She is just over 5 foot tall and we will only ride on private land. Searching on ebay has thrown up various bikes.

1. Has anyone bought any such bike, what are the pitfalls.
2. Can anyone recommend one.
3. Any one know of one for sale, I live in Wilts
4. I see there is a dealer in Berlin selling (Enduro Cross Bike BFD-125A 125cc), does anyone have any experience in buying from dealers outside UK? Or for that matter what about using the UK dealers?


Sorry for all the questions, but there seems to be a wealth of knowledge on the forums, maybe someone can help.

Personnaly I would stay away from anything that is not a recognised name. I have had friend who have bought these things from e-bay but there is a reason they are cheap. My friend bought a trial bike and within 4 weeks it rustes very badly. Parts are impossible to get and often you cannot get them at all.
I would get an old honda or yamaha 100 or 125 or at least something recognisable, it will pay you in the end.

 

[Phil Clarke]

Try and pick up an aircooled yam ty80 kids trials bike - you often see them in tmx for not much money and will allow your daughter to learn balance and skill rather than just wizzing about in circles. Agree with the above avoid all the cheapo mini motos. Everyone I know who has had or encountered one has had it go terminally and / or dangerously wrong.

 

[Mark_S]

thanks for all the gen guys. its another case of you get what you pay for.