new bike for 12 year old

[Quad723]

I am looking and doing research for a new bike for a 12 year old. Right now he is riding a cheap 110 4stroke chinese made bike, it has very little suspenion and his skill level is way pass this bikes capability. I am wanting something that he can race some local races on for a few months and then possibly going to nationals next year. i really dont know nuch about race bikes for kids but I do know he needs something faster and better. I would preffer a 4-stroke but i am open to any suggestions. He can use a clutch and manual transmission so that is not a problem. Thanks for any help.

[HondaRacing83]

Though i was riding a 400ex at 12, lol i had a raptor 250 at 12 too. Im just a very tall kid at 6'1" at 14 i outgrew quads quick. Choice is easy, either a 300ex, raptor 250 or blaster. xc or mx racing? my raptor was an amazing performing quad. its built with alot of yfz parts like the massive footpegs

[Quad723]

Im sorry, i failed to say MX racing. I had acually thought about a 300ex but like i said im not very familiar with racing on kids bikes, i know a 300 is a tough machine and easy to get parts for, and plus im a honda guy so i had really looked into that a little.

[HondaRacing83]

if you want a 4 stroke 300ex or 250 raptor would be your best choice. both very competitive. a blaster is 2stroke, BUT very easy to get parts for. any would ne a good choice.

[Quad723]

ok thanks for the opinion. i was going to get something that was easy to get parts for so either one of those should be good

[extremeblastr]

the 300ex is by far the most popular choice in his age group, between parts availability, price, ease of maintenance and the many bolt on options to take it beyond what upgraded 300 parts are capable of. lot of bigger bike stuff bolts right on without changing anything major.

[Quad723]

I had actually heard that. i know where some 450 stuff is that could be got reasonable

[HondaRacing83]

yeah if your a honda guy a 300ex would be a good choice

[extremeblastr]

Originally posted by Quad723
I had actually heard that. i know where some 450 stuff is that could be got reasonable

i can't remember about 450 stuff but i know some fits, i know for sure 400ex a-arms and shocks fit and that you can run long travel 400ex shocks with a bolt on bracket that can be found. this also opens up the options of cannondale a-arms which fit with a slight bit of grinding, had walsh cdale a-arms on a 400 i had once upon a time and loved them.

[Quad723]

i like the idea of a new bike but it would be cheaper to buy a used 300. but still the building of the bike is the expensive part. ive prices the raptor 250s and really havnt seen a 300 that looks in good enough shape to really try to deal with.

[MX MaNiAc 06]

I'd say get a 400ex because he is going to want a 450 in a year or two. The crappy thing about them is in our local series I don't know what class you would race? You couldn't be competitive in C class because everybody's got 450s. There is a class for 300ex tho.

[TimSr]

I would not look at anything until I checked the rules and available classes at the track he will be racing. Most have some kinds of limitations on what classes, and size bikes a 12 year old can race, and you don't want to get a machine that puts him in a class where the majority ride way beyond his ability.

You also made no mention of his size/weight which are critical factors.

[blaster12s]

the 300 ex is the only option if serious about racing.

[edwardsp&b]

Not hitting on any of these guys opinions, but if my kid was 12 I would be looking at a mod bike for my kid. I dont think you can run Nationals at 12 on a 300ex. I would be looking for a used mod bike, with Lorrettas this weekend, next week you will see a bunch of quads up for sale. You can usually get a quad thats built for alot cheaper than building yourself.
My son is 11 and he is riding a cobra and a JB mod. I would go with a JB mod even though its a little expensive. Most have 85 dirtbike motors in them, in a few years you can go with a 150 motor and run him in supermini. The ages at Nationals for the classes are
90 mod jr 8-11
90 mod sr 12-15
supermini 13-15

Make note that the last two classes are really fast, experienced riders. These guys from the middle of the pack up are all great riders. There are schoolboy classes for the 300ex to race in but I think the ages are a little older than your boy. Hope this helps.
Bryan

[HondaRacing83]

Geez, If thats the case what do they do about the larger kids because I know i was about 5'7"-8" when I was 12 and no way I could ride a mod

[Quad723]

thanks guys, you are giving me a lot of good advice. this was why i asked the question to begin with. i have also thought about a mod but thats where i am lost at. i have no clue what to look for or anyhting to do with them. and TimSr he is a small 12 year old. he is approx 4'7"- 4'8" and approx 70-75 pounds. I was a little concerend about a 250 raptor or 300ex being to big for him to handle during a race, but like i said i really do know much about a youth size bikes like mods. As far as a 250-300, he would be fine as far as rules in our local series,but i would like to take him to some nationals before he turns 16 and could ride a 450.