if little to no experience, it would be best to start him off on a mild 4 stroke trail bike, like a Honda CRF80/100/150F (not R) or a Yamaha TTR90/110 or a Kawasaki KLX90/110 if those aren't too small for him. or if he is taller, CRF230 or TTR230 which are mid sized height wise but tend to be on the heavier side. these are all air cooled, older designed and bullet proof engines with moderate (at best) brakes & suspension but great bikes to learn how to ride on.
if he has some experience and is more agressive, something like a CR, KX, RM, YZ 80/85/100 or CRF 150R small wheel or expert (depending on his height) which will have all the performance upgrades including suspension & brakes.
if he is 5'6" or taller, he might be able to fit a full size bike…
again, little to no experience, XR, KLX, WR, CRFX 250
or if some experience and/or agressive, CRF, YZF, RMZ, KXF 250…
I would advise to start off used to save yourself some money as he might quickly outgrow or loose interest… then once he finds what really fits him, then you can always upgrade to newer…
Any alternatives?
I use a 24 oz. bottle up to about 90 min efforts in the winter, 40f. Summer one bottle per hour, or about 24oz/hour.
I also like Platypus bladders and hose and use my own luggage; shoulder or hip pack. I have a 70oz and 100oz.
Nashbar frequently hydration systems for less than $20
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=60001088&category=6000125&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Hydration%20Systems
Unless your are a very experienced rider Don't plan on using a MB for a "jump bike", you'll spend more $$$ fixing it than what the bike costs.
I've seen this kind of thing happen before when I worked at a bike shop. Use a MB for cross county off road riding and get yourself a BMX 20" wheel bike, with lots of spokes, for jumping. It will be cheaper in the long run.
Plus as far as MB's go I like good steel frames, full Cromoly.
They're cheaper and steel is twice as strong as anything else in your price range. Plus a steel frame MB will usually always have better parts on it than a aluminum frame MB. And for jumping wide rims for either BMX or MB's.
Finally. Change your handle bar to a very strong heat treated one, even on a new bike. DON"T be cheap here! If that thing brakes on landing… OUCH! … and prepare for major dentist bills. Lots of jumping, change handlebar every year.
also what to look out for when buying one
If it were me, I'd get a late-model four-stroke. The power delivery is smoother and they're easier to ride. Check out the Honda CRF250 (or at least the CRF230). Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and KTM all make excellent bikes. Some people only buy certain brands (mine are Honda and KTM), but they are all such advanced machines that any of them will be more than enough bike for you. Get at least a 230cc, but only if you're willing to need to buy a bigger bike in a year.
For the record, I ride a 2003 CRF450. If I had bought a smaller bike, it simply would not have been powerful enough, and I'd have had to buy a bigger bike. But I've been riding for over 20 years, and so I knew I needed a big bike.
Good luck anyway
thanks
better off with a 2stage foam filter, keeps out mud more.
Also handy if you clean your carb, special unleaded can help with this, also other products, as someone else said, might have a bad batch of fuel.
Make sure your choke is off.
If its a 2 stroke, make sure you have the right petrol and oil mixture.
If its 4 stroke, make sure theres some good 4st oil in the engine
