Small dirt bike question

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wingrider
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Small dirt bike question

#1

Post by wingrider »

So, my Dad and I went together a couple years ago and bought a Jeep Wrangler to run up at our lake place. There are many great roads up there that are known as low maintenance, or logging roads that are a hoot to tool down...some of the sites are amazing. This Heep was a mudder before I bought it, so it is set up more for off-road than others.

My folks are going to be summering at the lake place, and would like to strap a small motorized bike to the back...in case of breaking down, they would have another way of getting out of the wilderness. There is no cell service, and it can be a long time before someone drives past.

I have been thinking about what to hang off the rear...figure a name brand would be better than a Chinese style. Was sort of thinking getting a little Honda 50 and convert it for bigger people to ride, but then thought about the old Honda Trails...knew there was a few different sizes of them, and wondered if something like that might be a better option vs the 50.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Thanks for any suggestions! :-D
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todd54219
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#2

Post by todd54219 »

I would recommend the Trail 70 over the mini trail 50. The 50 is small, yes, but it is difficult for full grown adults to ride, especially on un-even terrain. The 70 is much easier to ride.

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robin1731
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#3

Post by robin1731 »

The 70 would be a better choice over the 50. But even that is a bit small for two adults. Something along the lines of a 125-175cc dirt bike would be better. Still on the small side for two yet light enough to not be a pain to load and unload. How big your parents are also will play in to how big of a bike to get.

You could probably get a 175cc dirt bike for less money than an old trail 70. Those are starting to bring some good money.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#4

Post by Lucien Harpress »

My old trail 90 is awesome. If you're off-roading at all, the 90 would fit right in.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
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brianinpa
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#5

Post by brianinpa »

There are a couple of dirt bikes that have big tires that are capable of two up riding and would provide better stability off raod in that situation: Yamaha TW200 and the Honda Fat Cat (this one isn't going to be comfortable for longer distances of two up riding).

The Yamaha is still made today and is street legal.
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wingrider
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#6

Post by wingrider »

Thanks for the replies so far! I am almost thinking that the folks thought only one would ride out, and then come back with another vehicle to pick the other up. I do need to clarify with them what they are thinking before I purchase anything.

The thought about the Trails came to mind due to the fact that my grandparents used to have a pair of 90's, and used to tour around all the time.
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zman
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#7

Post by zman »

Lately I have been going through some old MC magazines, seems everyone made those little "PIT" bikes, least that`s what we called them cause they would run around the pits at races...Seems there were fat tire types probably more suited to woods and muddy environments.
You need to broaden a search unless your stuck on it being Honda.
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#8

Post by Bugdaddy66 »

Hard to beat a trial 90. We used them surveying, couldn't kill them. I think you can fix them with a sharp stick and a rock. Also if you find one and keep it in good shape, they seem to continue to increase in value. It would be useful for other trips also other than just a spare in case something broke.
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#9

Post by wingrider »

zman wrote: snip... You need to broaden a search unless your stuck on it being Honda.
Not stuck on Honda, but do feel we need to stick with one of the bigger companies. I only bring up those models because I am some what familiar with them. :-D
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#10

Post by zman »

wingrider wrote:
zman wrote: snip... You need to broaden a search unless your stuck on it being Honda.
Not stuck on Honda, but do feel we need to stick with one of the bigger companies. I only bring up those models because I am some what familiar with them. :-D
If it were me I would do a general search on a CL search engine like searchtempest and type in pit bike/mini bike/trail bike type of search words , I think your needing a 4 cycle instead of 2, you wont have to worry about pre mix or the noise.
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#11

Post by wingrider »

Well, spoke with the folks...their thought was that only one will ride out, and the other would stay with the Heep, so that does open up a bit of options.

Dad kind of likes the idea of a trail 90...so we might be in the market for one. We will keep an eye out for any small type of bikes, and see what pops up. Worse comes to worse, I can always throw my wife's XR100 on the back for a bit. :)
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#12

Post by robin1731 »

The xr would be a good choice. And yes, with just one of them on you have more options for a smaller bike.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
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1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#13

Post by wingrider »

The wife did say that we should use it, being that she is somewhat scared to ride it...something about laughing and dumping the clutch and riding out the wheelie freaked her out a bit. :-D
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#14

Post by HOTT »

These folks are less than a mile from my house. They restore the small bores full time.
I see them test riding to & from the gas station all the time. Very nice work. Probably a good part source too.
http://www.cttrailbikes.com/index.html

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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Small dirt bike question

#15

Post by Lucien Harpress »

You might find the cost of a CT90 is a bit high (they're pretty collectable), but once you have one the price of parts and maintenance is dirt cheap. Parts are everywhere.

They will also climb like a mountain goat. Pop it into low, and there's nothing it won't run up. And with no clutch to worry about, they're a breeze to ride.

(I'm debating redoing the top end on mine. The rings didn't seat well enough last time, so it smokes like a chimney. $20 for a full engine gasket set, about that for rings. I could probably re-do it in an afternoon. They're dead simple to work on.)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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