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I just bought my 11yr old son a kx85 and I'm looking at getting myself a crf150r so we can ride together. I would get a bigger bike but I'm 5'3 so I didn't feel comfortable on the 250 it just sits too high for me. I weigh 180lbs (muscle not fat and have been riding since I was my sons age. We live by a local MX track and we plan to do most of our riding on the track. I know the 150r was designed for young (lighter) riders. So will the 150r pull me around the track?. Will I need to do suspension mods or just adjust the stock suspension. Engine mods?. I haven't ridden dirt bikes since 75'. Wow have things changed!!!. Any help, tips, recommendations, etc would be appreciated.

Thanks...

One way or another you are modifying either bike to suit you. If it were me I'd go with the 250 and modify it for your height. Shave the seat, raise the pegs, lowering link etc. And you wouldn't have to touch the motor.

I don't know much about the 150r, but it seems as though you would be doing almost as much work to it to make it right for your size and weight. I would definitely have the suspension valved for your weight if you decide to go with the 150r.

My buddy and I both have 150 Rb's for our wife/gf. He has a 05 CRF450R and mine is a 08 CRF250R. Anyway we went riding yesterday and he lent his wife's CRF150Rb to another big friend who weighs 200lbs.
We were riding 4wd roads and some single track up and down hill. The 200 pound friend was able to keep up no problem on the 150.
So the 150 might work ok for you. Seems like it would fit you better.

The 150RB with the right springs for your riding weight would work. It doesn't matter what bike you buy you would probably need to swap springs, most of us have too. If you want more go you will trade up when you are ready. Otherwise the 150R would be great as a kid chaser, until they get on the 150R that is......

Sounds to me like the 150RB might be your kids' first upgrade from the KX85 in a year or so. Then you can get a new/bigger bike if you think you need it!!

That's what I am thinking.

Ok...I pulled the trigger and bought a 2012 crf150r!!! We took the bikes over to a dirt field for the first ride and I love this bike!!!. When I started it up I was amazed at how pipe'y the motor is!. It pulls me around with no problems, lots of power and the power band seems very useable. When we got home I rode wheelies up and down the block showing off for the wife. Tomorrow I will take it to the local track after the kids go to school and check it out there. I got the number of a local shop who can make the suspension mods etc once I know more about the bike.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!!!
I'm still amazed at how nice this bike rides. The last dirt bike I had was a 74' Suzuki tm125....a couple of years ago
Gonna have some fun tomorrow!!!

Congrats Mxfng!

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and took my son out this past Sunday and really had a blast. So far I'm very happy with how my bike performed off road; trails, MX track, powerlines, etc. It worked great.

Did you buy the R or the RB - Expert model?

congrats on the new ride!

ken

Oclvtrek: I bought the "R" as it fit me better.
So I took it to the track yesterday!!!. It's been a LONG TIME since Ive rode in the dirt!!!. I've been riding street bikes since 75'. Ive done some road racing, and street racing and switched to Harley's about ten yrs ago.Hitting the track was an eye opener!!!. Things have really changed since I was a kid in the 70's. The tracks are more technical, the bikes are light years better, and the riders amazing!. I live near Milestone racyway. I got there in the am right after they watered the tracks. Yesterday was a "pro" day (practice) lots of really fast guys. I unloaded the bike and headed over to the beginners track, which was wet, and got bogged down and stalled 1/2 way thru the first lap. Dumped the bike in the mud 3/4 thru the second lap (no damage). And started standing up in the chop on the 3rd lap, and made it all the way around. I then made about 30 sloppy laps, feeling my way thru the corners, riding over, or getting very little air over the jumps, and tried to get a feel for what the bike wanted to do vs what I could do. I tried to concentrate on being smooth and that helped. There were a couple of other riders for a few laps but I guess they got bored of passing me and I had the track to myself the whole time. After a water break (over 100deg by 11am) I went back and made some more laps, about 20 and the track started drying out and was easier for me to get around till the water trucks came back and I decided to call it a day. I ended up hot and tired but it was fun and can't wait to go back. I washed and PM'd the bike and adjusted the damping on the front and rear suspension to stiffen up the front and rear. Sorry for the novel but I don't have any friends who ride dirtbikes...

Mxfng wrote:Sorry for the novel but I don't have any friends who ride dirtbikes...

you now have tens of thousands of CRF friends from around the world!

We like novels here be it a utter tradgedy or a feel good type.

Hey Mxfng,

I'm a Harley guy too and it's been 19 years since I rode and raced a motocross bike so I know how you feel. I currently have my bike torn apart in the garage waiting for some parts to come in tomorrow. I have to get this bogging issue figured out and I swapped out bars and no my kill switch won't ground (damn anodized bars)!

I'm going to get my son back out on the track next weekend and I migh have a novel to write about when we get back.

-Marc

Hi Marc,
There should be plenty of info here to help you get the bogging issue resolved. I just changed out my bars also (Renthals). Next up is to get the suspension valved and re-springed for my weight (180lb). I got my son riding and we've been having a great time. He's doing ok, a little tentative as he's never ridden before. Im trying to teach him fundementals. I also got the Billy Who factory fill bottles and they have helped to speed up maintenance. Look forward to hearing your thoughts after 19yrs away from the dirt.

Mxfng wrote:Hi Marc,
There should be plenty of info here to help you get the bogging issue resolved. I just changed out my bars also (Renthals). Next up is to get the suspension valved and re-springed for my weight (180lb). I got my son riding and we've been having a great time. He's doing ok, a little tentative as he's never ridden before. Im trying to teach him fundementals. I also got the Billy Who factory fill bottles and they have helped to speed up maintenance. Look forward to hearing your thoughts after 19yrs away from the dirt.

I was able to get the bogging issue figured out. I installed the Boyesen QuickShot 3 and adjusted the leak jet to #50 according to the instructions. I also installed a #45 slow jet and have have the pilot screw 2 3/4 turns out.

We went out yesterday and the bike ran great! No bogging, strong pull all the way from the bottom and it didn't really run out on top that I noticed. I'm extremely happy with it!

I need to get my suspension set up for me too. I'm 5'5" and 140lbs. The suspension worked okay...I hit hard one time in some whoops and I didn't do any big jumps but the ones I did the suspension seemed fine.

I will tell you that I'm a little sore today but all in all it feels awesome to get back on a dirt bike. I had such a great time riding with my son and a buddy that I cant' wait to do it again!

However, my Harley is getting jealous so I need to take her out next weekend.