My son just started on a KTM 85 from a TTR 110. He loves it! He just turned 12 and I’m thinking about getting a big wheel kit soon.. thanks for the video!
Thanks for this video Kyle. It’s great to hear the insight about bike feel from other children a “bike step” ahead of my 11 year old. My boy is outgrowing his KTM 65 so we picked up a Suzuki 85 Big Wheel. We are doing the opposite of you and fit the 17/14 wheels onto the bike and placed the original wheel set in storage. With the Suzuki and some others, there’s more involved with a small to big wheel conversion that requires a swingarm swap, so I was planning ahead for his growth. It seems that these guys can hardly stay in the right sized boots either!
Currently in the middle of doing the same for my 100 lb 5ft wife. The 200 xcw has just been a little too heavy for her on tougher trail, so I'm excited to see how it goes with a similar conversion. Might do a video of it once we start putting it together. She will miss the button though, and trying to figure out some lights if anyone has tips. Going to use Excel rims. I've seen they have 105 conversions for these so do that and let us know if it makes a difference ;-)
You have a truing stand, you should build the wheels yourself it's not hard to do at all, those rubber rim bands for covering the spoke nipples don't work very well but Motion Pro has some that are plastic with adhesive on them and they work great and offer much better protection against flats, those wheels look great on that bike and will definitely provide much better stability and cornering, I can't believe how big Conner is getting.
Awesome . Good info . My son is approaching that same gap and I’m struggling to decide what bike will work for him until he’s ready to go to a full size . He’s currently riding a ttr 110 and a kx65. He’s almost 11 and both bikes are a touch small and under powered for his skill level . An 85 doesn’t seem like a big enough jump to be worth while, while something like a kx 100 would be a too big . I wasn’t aware of a wheel size upgrade available for the ktm 85. This might be the ticket. I sure wish someone would build a true midsize enduro bike to bridge the gap.
85 come standard with either big wheels or small wheels. It seems Kyle bought the small wheel version and is converting it to big wheel rather than buying a seperate bike. and 85 big wheel is a lot bigger than any 65
Thanks for the video Kyle and Conor. My son is 13 and now tall enough for the big wheels too.I have already converted to the 105 kit for a little extra grunt in the climbs. I’m curious how the 13/49 combination is working for you? Seems like we just got to a configuration he can work the bike up gnarly technical roots and rocks without stalling and I’m hesitant to start all over with gearing.
This category of bike is so confusing as a newbie dad, my 11 y/o son has outgrown his CRF125F but every manufacturer markets the 85 as a “rip snorting MX’er for your little McGrath”. My son isn’t interested in motorcross and dealers tell us you can’t really change these bikes into good enduro/single track bikes. I’ve been told that if your not in the pipe with these 85’s, you’ll just foul plugs and the bike will die in the technical stuff. What to do?
You can buy weighted fly wheel. This will help the bike not wrap out so fast and help it lug more. Less prone to stall going slow. Also you can go down a tooth on the front sprocket. Or up a few teeth on the rear.
That is a huge misconception just like every other 2 stroke or Mx bike, if you mess around with the suspension and jet it right and run a hotter plug 10 for example they’re great single track bikes no mods needed.
Thanks for the replies fellas, I knew there had to be a way to mod these bikes, but there’s almost too much info and to many opinions for someone new to the sport to filter through.
No way it needs a piston. KTM is super conservative on their manuals. Single track use would give you at least 140h on a top end. If it starts easy you don’t need to change anything.
I like the big wheel upgrade. But KKE wheels is definitely a DOWNGRADE. I put a set on one of my bikes because they looked good and were cheap, but the first time I hit a rock in the desert I broke 3 spokes in the front and 1 in the rear.
Fake news I run them on my 250sx riding hard hard trails rocky shit. And jumping 10-15 feet of air sometimes casing landings…. No broken spokes no egg warp or even side to side warping
@@davidbeauvais1364 this is kind of weird but I've never seen this comment before you replied too it. It says it's my account but I never wrote it. I've also never used a set of KKE wheels, or broke any spokes. I've used stock, warp 9, and dubya. I did bend my stock rear pretty bad. The only thing that sounds accurate for me is that I do ride in the desert. It is indeed fake news.
Better get rid of those back brakes asap if you race. Garbage. Worst brake of all time. Made for a 50-65cc bike or a yard bike. Cost around 900 to put big bike brakes on. Will be a 9k bike if you want to stop. Ktm hits you in the head on the 85s when it comes to the back brakes
Kids on 2 strokes, some things should never change , great stuff you guys do
My son just started on a KTM 85 from a TTR 110. He loves it! He just turned 12 and I’m thinking about getting a big wheel kit soon.. thanks for the video!
Thanks for this video Kyle. It’s great to hear the insight about bike feel from other children a “bike step” ahead of my 11 year old. My boy is outgrowing his KTM 65 so we picked up a Suzuki 85 Big Wheel. We are doing the opposite of you and fit the 17/14 wheels onto the bike and placed the original wheel set in storage. With the Suzuki and some others, there’s more involved with a small to big wheel conversion that requires a swingarm swap, so I was planning ahead for his growth. It seems that these guys can hardly stay in the right sized boots either!
I didn't use a different swing arm on my buddies small to big wheel conversion on his 07 rm85
Kids grow so fast. I've been on your channel for 6 years and your dudes are getting big.
@Dirt Bike Channel you see this scammer replying to everyone's comments?
Currently in the middle of doing the same for my 100 lb 5ft wife. The 200 xcw has just been a little too heavy for her on tougher trail, so I'm excited to see how it goes with a similar conversion. Might do a video of it once we start putting it together. She will miss the button though, and trying to figure out some lights if anyone has tips. Going to use Excel rims. I've seen they have 105 conversions for these so do that and let us know if it makes a difference ;-)
He will love this upgrade. Kyle, my son Rayce has enjoyed his 19/16. He will be moving to a 125 XC next season.
Practical up grade 👍wow your son has grown👍👍
That's great that you can upgrade. It's like two bikes in one
So Awesome! Congrats on the upgrade.
You have a truing stand, you should build the wheels yourself it's not hard to do at all, those rubber rim bands for covering the spoke nipples don't work very well but Motion Pro has some that are plastic with adhesive on them and they work great and offer much better protection against flats, those wheels look great on that bike and will definitely provide much better stability and cornering, I can't believe how big Conner is getting.
Awesome . Good info .
My son is approaching that same gap and I’m struggling to decide what bike will work for him until he’s ready to go to a full size . He’s currently riding a ttr 110 and a kx65. He’s almost 11 and both bikes are a touch small and under powered for his skill level .
An 85 doesn’t seem like a big enough jump to be worth while, while something like a kx 100 would be a too big . I wasn’t aware of a wheel size upgrade available for the ktm 85. This might be the ticket.
I sure wish someone would build a true midsize enduro bike to bridge the gap.
85 come standard with either big wheels or small wheels. It seems Kyle bought the small wheel version and is converting it to big wheel rather than buying a seperate bike. and 85 big wheel is a lot bigger than any 65
If a kx100 is too big so is a big wheels they’re both 34” seat height a small wheel sounds fine as they’re 31”~32”
That's wild, that little bike is geared pretty close to a 250/ 450
I’ve seen you can add an estart to 85s, that would be a cool addition.
Can you tell me where I could find that? Looking to add one on mine if possible to do
Thanks for the video Kyle and Conor. My son is 13 and now tall enough for the big wheels too.I have already converted to the 105 kit for a little extra grunt in the climbs. I’m curious how the 13/49 combination is working for you? Seems like we just got to a configuration he can work the bike up gnarly technical roots and rocks without stalling and I’m hesitant to start all over with gearing.
Nice video✌
Thumbs up 👍
Awesome video. Do you know if all ktm 85s can take the bigger wheels or just certain years?
So The swing arm doesn’t need an upgrade? There’s enough clearance for the bigger wheel
How is the sprocket change holding up I just picked up a 2004 85sx now setting it up for trail riding just looking for advice on sprocket sizing
Thank you for the video i have 22 125sx did u think can i swap for 19 front 16 rear
Thank u
This category of bike is so confusing as a newbie dad, my 11 y/o son has outgrown his CRF125F but every manufacturer markets the 85 as a “rip snorting MX’er for your little McGrath”. My son isn’t interested in motorcross and dealers tell us you can’t really change these bikes into good enduro/single track bikes. I’ve been told that if your not in the pipe with these 85’s, you’ll just foul plugs and the bike will die in the technical stuff. What to do?
You can buy weighted fly wheel. This will help the bike not wrap out so fast and help it lug more. Less prone to stall going slow. Also you can go down a tooth on the front sprocket. Or up a few teeth on the rear.
That is a huge misconception just like every other 2 stroke or Mx bike, if you mess around with the suspension and jet it right and run a hotter plug 10 for example they’re great single track bikes no mods needed.
If he gets used to it and knows how to ride it they are just fine for single track just like a yz250
Thanks for the replies fellas, I knew there had to be a way to mod these bikes, but there’s almost too much info and to many opinions for someone new to the sport to filter through.
Are kke wheels any good? I heard replacing bearings could be a challenge cause they’re different than oem size
What’s up boss What kick stand you have ?
Would this bike accept standard 21/18 wheel size? I want to build a lightweight woods rocket for me 5’5” 150lbs.
Are there any cheap hubs for wheel build
Did you have to change the swing are when you changed it
No you don't have too...that's why the ktm big wheel small wheel are the only true bike you can " easily " change over lol
No way it needs a piston. KTM is super conservative on their manuals. Single track use would give you at least 140h on a top end. If it starts easy you don’t need to change anything.
When we got ours the shop said will see you again at 20 hours for a new top end 😂 we’ve done 40 and the bikes running like new still
I like the big wheel upgrade. But KKE wheels is definitely a DOWNGRADE. I put a set on one of my bikes because they looked good and were cheap, but the first time I hit a rock in the desert I broke 3 spokes in the front and 1 in the rear.
Interesting…. First time I’ve heard this.
Fake news I run them on my 250sx riding hard hard trails rocky shit. And jumping 10-15 feet of air sometimes casing landings…. No broken spokes no egg warp or even side to side warping
@@davidbeauvais1364 this is kind of weird but I've never seen this comment before you replied too it. It says it's my account but I never wrote it. I've also never used a set of KKE wheels, or broke any spokes. I've used stock, warp 9, and dubya. I did bend my stock rear pretty bad. The only thing that sounds accurate for me is that I do ride in the desert. It is indeed fake news.
Better get rid of those back brakes asap if you race. Garbage. Worst brake of all time. Made for a 50-65cc bike or a yard bike. Cost around 900 to put big bike brakes on. Will be a 9k bike if you want to stop. Ktm hits you in the head on the 85s when it comes to the back brakes