Best 85 2 stoke?

armascott · Sep 28, 2020

So looks like my boy will need to move up to a 85cc bike next spring. We ride mostly trails / single track and am looking for a bike with good bottom end power. My son has been riding a 2014 KTM 65 with a Rekluse (which was a mistake putting on lol ). I'm not intersted in anything older than a 2015, and I'm not interested in any 4 stroke bikes becuase of the weight and crappy suspension.

Any suggestions? also anybody got one for sale?

Pedaling pete · Sep 28, 2020

Kx 85. Best kids bike in that size imo

2600$ cheaper than the ktm, leaves lots of $ for upgrades.

MP Kid · Sep 28, 2020

armascott said:
So looks like my boy will need to move up to a 85cc bike next spring. We ride mostly trails / single track and am looking for a bike with good bottom end power. My son has been riding a 2014 KTM 65 with a Rekluse (which was a mistake putting on lol ). I'm not intersted in anything older than a 2015, and I'm not interested in any 4 stroke bikes becuase of the weight and crappy suspension.

Any suggestions? also anybody got one for sale?

What’s the deal with the Rekluse being a mistake...?

Tchetek · Sep 28, 2020

Fawk all for Kawi dealerships around here anymore. It makes it a pain when you need a minor part.

My oldest broke the swing arm chain slider on his kx 65 yesterday. There is no chance of that being in stock at a local dealer. I think there is only coopers left?

I got my boy a Yammi for next year. Lots more yammi dealers around, and way more used bikes if your buying used. The YZ 85 was the same for 20 years so parts are more likely stock. I believe the newer ones 2019+ now have a new engine with power valves so they have a wider power band for the low end.

Not sure if it’s “The Best”....

sweld · Sep 28, 2020

Tchetek said:
Fawk all for Kawi dealerships around here anymore. It makes it a pain when you need a minor part.

My oldest broke the swing arm chain slider on his kx 65 yesterday. There is no chance of that being in stock at a local dealer. I think there is only coopers left?

I got my boy a Yammi for next year. Lots more yammi dealers around, and way more used bikes if your buying used. The YZ 85 was the same for 20 years so parts are more likely stock. I believe the newer ones 2019+ now have a new engine with power valves so they have a wider power band for the low end.

Not sure if it’s “The Best”....

E and S Motorsports in fort sask still carries kawi I believe.

armascott · Sep 28, 2020

The Rekluse made it too easy for him to ride, he’s not putting to much effort into trying to clutch properly. I just thought it would be a good idea since we mostly ride single track, but after seeing his buddies that ride with us learn the clutch as fast as they did I think it was a mistake. Oh well I guess he will just have to learn on the 85.

I have read that the KX seams to have the best low end power, but I am leaning towards the YZ. I was just hoping to hear from other moto parents on what bikes have worked for them. I have had the KTM 50 and 65 but have found them both to be very finicky bikes to work on, I have been told the 85’s are better but I think I want to get out of the KTM trap.

armascott · Sep 28, 2020

Tchetek said:
Fawk all for Kawi dealerships around here anymore. It makes it a pain when you need a minor part.

My oldest broke the swing arm chain slider on his kx 65 yesterday. There is no chance of that being in stock at a local dealer. I think there is only coopers left?

I got my boy a Yammi for next year. Lots more yammi dealers around, and way more used bikes if your buying used. The YZ 85 was the same for 20 years so parts are more likely stock. I believe the newer ones 2019+ now have a new engine with power valves so they have a wider power band for the low end.

Not sure if it’s “The Best”....

What year yammi did you find?

Tchetek · Sep 29, 2020

armascott said:
What year yammi did you find?

I was watching for a while before I saw the one I picked up. It’s older 2012, but absolute mint. Looks like a kid rode it one or twice and then got scared and put it away for years. Great price leaves some cash for him to pick some grips, and nice leaver, pegs, bars etc.

With my oldest 65 we bought an older one also. Stripped it down and freshened it up better than new over the winter. We will do the same with the 85. But it doesn’t need much. it was a great way for him to learn about the bike and tools, He did most of the work, I worked on some beers.

Our bikes are well used after they go through my 3 boys.

Tchetek · Sep 29, 2020

MP Kid said:
What’s the deal with the Rekluse being a mistake...?

It took my oldest about 5 minutes to catch onto using the clutch. Now he knows how to use the clutch for the cool **** too like wheelies, foot plant 180’s, Or roosting your brother!

But I have made my boys ride something like a Honda 50 with an auto clutch so they know all about gears before the move up to a clutch bike. Those 50 KTms have a plush suspension and rip but the kids don’t learn anything about shifting.

6 speed tranny in the little 2 strokes the kids can learn how to pick the right gears and keep it on the pipe.

armascott · Oct 15, 2020

Hey Tchetek I think my boy ( Seth ) and I actually rode with you a couple years ago at Bump, anyways are you planning to keep the YZ stock or are you planning to add anything to it for more bottom end?

Tchetek · Oct 16, 2020

armascott said:
Hey Tchetek I think my boy ( Seth ) and I actually rode with you a couple years ago at Bump, anyways are you planning to keep the YZ stock or are you planning to add anything to it for more bottom end?

Hmm. Don’t think it was us, but my memory is also not as good as it once was! We should meet up for a ride sometime though. Sounds like our kids are close in age/ability.

We have only been out to bump about once a year for the last few. But we did actually got out there last Friday. The 85 has only ended up donating parts so far. Had to steal the chain off it for the 65. I won’t do an o-ring chain again on the little bikes. It didn’t last, links seized up and stop bending then took out the chain slide on the swing arm.

85 is just being patient waiting it’s turn next year. As for mods: We will just start small and dream big!

Just started picking up a few parts and we will tear it down sometime over the winter.

We will worry about the low end if we have issues later. 1st gear might be geared pretty low with the six speed. Maybe add a fly wheel weight or drop a tooth on the front sprocket later.

So far we picked up

- new chain

-New rubber

-fresh top end

-pegs

-leavers

-bars/grips.

armascott · Oct 16, 2020

Oh ok, ya it would be great to meet up to ride, thanks for the response good luck with the build. On a side note man are these little 85's tough to find pre owned been watch buy and sells in bc, sask, and ab quite a bit.

Tchetek · Oct 16, 2020

armascott said:
Oh ok, ya it would be great to meet up to ride, thanks for the response good luck with the build. On a side note man are these little 85's tough to find pre owned been watch buy and sells in bc, sask, and ab quite a bit.

The right ones take a while. I watched for a few months. And then bought it a year before we need it. Let ya know if we see one

Best 85 2 stoke?

armascott

Armaguard

Pedaling pete

Active VIP Member

MP Kid

Active VIP Member

Tchetek

Active VIP Member

sweld

Active VIP Member

armascott

Armaguard

armascott

Armaguard

Tchetek

Active VIP Member

Tchetek

Active VIP Member

armascott

Armaguard

Tchetek

Active VIP Member

armascott

Armaguard

Tchetek

Active VIP Member

Similar threads