Used Honda CR50 dirtbikes

[motowebmaster]

I'm not an experienced dirtbike buyer, but am considering a 50cc for my boy. One of the Honda Dealers in my area was making an aggressive offer, but I was surprised by the MSRP of a new model. I was quoted $1800.00 initially.

Although it was a positive experience, I am wondering what a good used alternative would run.

On eBay, 1-2 year old models are still around $800 - $900. I'll admit that Honda is synonymous with good resale value, but does that seem realistic?

Below is an example:

[SidecarFlip]

Shawn...

Get him a Kawasaki. Green is way better than red anyday. You can get him an 80, when he gets a few years under his belt, graduate him to a KL 250 (which is the smaller brother to the KLR and then, in the end, buy a KLR 650 so that you and he can share it....That is, if you can get it away from him. You might get stuck with the 250.

[motowebmaster]

Dunno Man, my VFR has been trouble-free since the day I bought it. The only thing mechanics do to it is routine maintenance.

However, your comments about a slightly larger engine size are worth considering.

The Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki Dealer is just a few blocks from my house. I'll check them out next weekend. They carry KTM as well.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by motowebmaster

Dunno Man, my VFR has been trouble-free since the day I bought it. The only thing mechanics do to it is routine maintenance.

However, your comments about a slightly larger engine size are worth considering.

The Kawasaki/Yamaha/Suzuki Dealer is just a few blocks from my house. I'll check them out next weekend. They carry KTM as well.

Shawn...

Look around your area at the dualsports. Ignore the GS 1200 Beemers and the KTM's. They have one thing in common...big price tags.

When I was in ES this summer, the one dualsport I saw in large numbers was the KLR and it's little brother the 250 KLX.

They are just like your Honda. Bullet proof, reliable and miserly on gas...my 650 gets almost 60mpg....20 more than the Rocket and 15 more than my Bonnie. The 250 is about 5-10 mpg better than the 650. You have to ride it or the gas gets stale....

The one thing that I don't want you to do is get discouraged if you get on one. The sit in height is tall, very tall. My 650 was so tall that I the only way I could touch the ground at a stop was on my tip toes...That's easily fixed. The design of the parallel lever rear monoshock suspension makes it easy to changeout parallel links and longer links lower the rear suspension without compromising ride comfort or tractability in any way.

I believe I'll go to the Kawasaki forum and download some pictures for your enjoyment....

[motowebmaster]

Either way, I think a small cc motorcycle is a better alternative to a mini-4-wheeler. The cost will be less, and I think it will teach my boy a better sense of control and balance. He doesn't have an appreciation for controlling vehicles yet, which should be easier to overcome on a motorcycle.

I've also learned that he doesn't like loud exhausts. So we'll try to start up some small cc bikes to see how he responds.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by motowebmaster

Either way, I think a small cc motorcycle is a better alternative to a mini-4-wheeler. The cost will be less, and I think it will teach my boy a better sense of control and balance. He doesn't have an appreciation for controlling vehicles yet, which should be easier to overcome on a motorcycle.

I've also learned that he doesn't like loud exhausts. So we'll try to start up some small cc bikes to see how he responds.

I have a quad as well. Honda Foreman 4x4 and you are 100% correct on control and balance. I have a sound short movie/sound clip I made of the KLR. I tried to post it in the album but it's obviously a little tooo large. If you want, I'll send it to you. It gives you a real good idea just how loud a KLR is, or should I say a good idea of just how close the KLR sounds like your lawnmower....

It's extremely quiet, sort of pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft....which, in my opinion, a dualsport should sound like. You don't need to scare all the wildlife away for 20 miles when you are in the woods.....tread lightly and quietly.