Coolster 125
 

thinking of this for my grandson. semi auto. 125cc 14/12 tires.

https://www.killermotorsports.com/co...dirt-bike.html

he's slightly under height for 11 years old, but weighs 110 pounds, so above average there. not a lot of riding experience, hence the semi-auto instead of manual.

am I on the right track?

32 inch seat height might be a bit tall, but that doesn't make it unrideable. I think that would be a good way to start, the semi auto would get him familiar with shifting, but eliminates the clutch variable. Personally, I think even a full manual would be ok. Clutch control is one of the most important skills for riding, so the sooner he figures it out, the better.

Interesting...Height to Seat says 32.28". further down, Seat Height 27.5". I think it's a Chinese disinformation program. but there's also a video of a 10 year old on it. he doesn't seem anywhere near tall enough for a 32 inch inseam.

regarding the clutch, I was thinking the same, but at the same time, he does not have a lot of riding experience, so I don't want to throw too much at him at one time. I'm sure it's a debate either way you think of it. My boys didn't get the chance to learn to ride until they were about 20, so they learned on my Suzuki VX800. by then, they were already familiar with the clutch in my pickup with the 5 speed.

I learned how to ride and use a clutch on a 1974 Yamaha GT80 when I was twelve. Two years later I got a 1981 Honda XL185S and my motorcycle permit after I turned 14.

I never drove a car with a clutch before I took drivers education and behind the wheel in 9th grade. If you are a driving instructor never drive a 15 year kid out to a dirt road for his manual transmission drive. That instructor call me an aggressive driver...

I would go manual transmission but not with a GT80 because neutral was at the bottom with 4 gears up.

Pitbikes are usually like this also.

It's a Honda Z50 thing.

https://youtu.be/4iteP-zLsN8

Hey may not have a lot of riding experience, but unlike us old folks, kids pick stuff up a lot quicker. I learned to ride at about the same age as he did, full manual transmission, on a 1988 cr125r - a 2 stroke. I went from not knowing what a clutch or a shifter was to ripping around pretty good in the same day. I had good instruction from my uncle, who owned the bike, and started off with a lot of the same basic stuff they teach in the MSF Course for new riders. learning the controls, finding where the clutch engagement was, walking the bike with the clutch, a bit of scooting around in first, then working on first to second gear and back, slow turns etc. I was never the same since :tup:

In regards to the other comments about most pit bikes having a N-1-2-3-4 pattern. This is true, but there are a few out there that have the 1-N-2-3-4. This is one of them. http://www.powersportsmax.com/produc...G6XBoCOaXw_wcB