help

bree53 1 post 30-Nov-2007 8:41 PM	i was looking at 50's for a 7 year old but with many out there could someone give me advice? im looking between king cobra 50 ktm pro sr 50 lem 50 polini 50 i'd like to know about reliablity,quickness,handleing,and race readyness. any help would be great.
ktm mom 46 post s 1-Dec-2007 5:58 AM	There are MANY different opinions on this subject. Bottom line... no matter what you get, they are all money pits!!! Depending on where you live, parts availability may be an issue. KTM dealers are rampant. The other manufacturer's have limited dealerships in the Carolinas. If you're ok with ordering parts, any brand will do. You'll find more trackside help from other mini parents with the Cobra and KTM because you don't see as many Polini and LEM. It's rare to go to any local track and not see a Cobra or KTM. Polini is gaining more popularity and seems to be a solid performer, but for now they have limited showings in this area. Some parts will be interchangeable between brands, but very few. Bottom line... it's what you kid is comfortable on. If he isn't wide open throttle and still looking for speed, it doesn't really matter. Get a good deal on something and do your research. Logan Stokes, who is super fast, went from KTM to Cobra, hated the Cobra, and went back to KTM. Cameron Cannon, who is super fast, went from KTM to Cobra and got faster. Christopher Venditi, who is super fast, rides Polini and loves it. It' what THEY are comfortable on. Last tidbit of wisdom, don't buy one brand new, especially if this is his and your first 50. Find someone who has taken good care of the bike and already changed all the "out of the box" stuff: bars, chain, sprockets, jets, frame brace, silencer welds, clutch washers, etc. Buy one from someone who knows how to stack a clutch. That way, you'll know how it is supposed to be. A dealer will tell you they are all race ready right out of the box, just put gas in it and go. Yes, you can do that, but #1- it's not as competitive as it can be (suspension, jetting, gearing, and clutch hit may not be appropriate for your area and/or kid) and #2- all the crappy stock parts that haven't been replaced will break during Little Johnny's race Last Edited on 1-Dec-2007 6:10 AM
Logansdad#7 86 post s 1-Dec-2007 4:56 PM	I've got a Cobra King and a KTM pro senior for sale here on the classifieds....this is Logan Stokes dad. Both have been well maintained and would be great bikes to start "Little Johnny" on....We have tons of spare parts for the Cobra.... see the classifieds and call if you want to see them...KTM moms right though, they are all money pits but we just grin and bear it :) If it isn't new shocks than it's gears, plastics, brakes, clutches, top ends etc...Ask any 50cc parent and they'll tell you the same. Jason Last Edited on 1-Dec-2007 5:01 PM
JMX Racing 389 post s 2-Dec-2007 7:55 AM	Good advice from both replies
424 23 post s 3-Dec-2007 6:46 AM	If this will be his first bike, I'd say get him a PW50 or similar bike. Even if he only rides it six months to a year it would be better for learning and building confidence. He could run a shaft drive class. If he has no experience and jumps right in the "Cobra class" that's like throwing him to a pack of wolves. He'll get lapped get discouraged and you won't get your money's worth.
mini41 60 post s 3-Dec-2007 5:12 PM	This is Christopher Venditti's mom - we ride the Polini X3 and love the bike. We have not put a lot of $$ into the bike compared to friends on other brands, however we DO NOT ever practice the bike at all - only ride during race times and only practice the 65. This is the only way to keep a 50cc bike fresh and not have a lot of problems. Personally - unless you plan to race nationals or try for Lorettas, I would skip the 50s all together and get a 65. The 2001 and older KX models are shorter - the same height as a Senior 50 with a lot more reliablility. You can lower the new 65s if he is not jumping alot. You will be on the bike for 4 years versus 2 with the 50. If you want a 50 then I totally agree, let him ride all the brands you can and let him make the decision. Christopher did not like the feel of the KTM in the corners, liked the Cobra alright but was not a big fan of the hard hit of the clutch, did not like the feel of PRC and loved the Polini & the LEM. LEM was not readily available as the distributor was sick so we went blue and have loved every minute of it. If you would like to test ride the Polini please give us a call and we can arrange it as well as possilby arranging you to ride other brands as well. Also have KX65s (01 & 06) as well as Polini 65 he can ride. Our number is 803-370-0108 - we are in Fort Mill and have a track here at the house. Good Luck in whatever you decide.
Williv235 2 post s 4-Dec-2007 3:52 AM	Everyone is right, it depends on the child and what he/she is comfortable on, and here's the view from a rookie's standpoint. Our son (who just turned 8 a couple of weeks ago) had NEVER been on a dirtbike until we got him a mini last Christmas, but soon thereafter we realized that it was waaaay too small for him and got a KTM Pro Sr. He started racing in March and by June or July he was on a Cobra, and he loves it for the speed. Christopher's mom is right about the older KX 65s, we got Will an '01 so he could learn to change gears, and it was just the right size for him to get comfortable with it. And not a bad "lesson horse" either -- he's won the rookie classes he's been in and now he's getting a KTM 65 this week to start racing next year. I would say it really depends on the size of the child -- spend a lot of time trying out different bikes and go from there, because a lot of your success will come from finding "just the right one." Last Edited on 4-Dec-2007 4:50 AM
mxdad83 31 post s 13-Dec-2007 2:43 PM	POLINI We had shane's x3 for a year and a half.The bike got raced,practiced on and somedays play riden for hours and I never had any trouble out of it.Other than tires,oils and reg stuff I prob didn't spend $100 bucks on parts the whole time I had it.I would say it was as cheap to race as our 85's and way cheaper than KTM 65's.I wish all my bikes were built as good as the Polini. p.s. I have had them all-ktm,cobra,lem,yamaha,suzuki,& kawi I think the polini was cheaper to maintain then the PW's

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