First Bike for a 16 year old

[adam cool dude]

My daughter will be 16 in 6 months time and looking for a little project to tinker with her. I am more than handy with the spanners so buying something with a blown engine etc wouldn't be a problem. Don't want to spend a load either £500-700 all in for the bike.

In my day the Yamaha DT50MX was the go to bike because you could buy one for a packet of fags but now it seems they have become classics so out of touch really as I haven't rode a bike since I was 16 some 20 years ago now!

Aprilia SR50 and Peugeot Speedfight were the daddies in the twist and go but there just seems so much selection now.

Not bothered about brands and such but something we can work on together and have a bit of fun with really?

 

[adam cool dude]

Avoid Chinese - no matter how good you are with the spanners, the incessant stripped bolts / failed electrics / seized calipers / etc will quickly turn your daughter away from the hobby.

The 50s nowadays are all 4 strokes and couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, that leaves you with going for an older 2 stroke (not ULEZ compliant, if that matters) or getting "creative".

Plenty bargains to be had if you learn to look carefully. I bought a Benelli K2 100cc for £49.80 a few months ago, will get it running in the next few weeks.

Geared or not geared?

ULEZ doesn't bother me as I live in the countryside. Would prefer a geared bike tbh.

 

[adam cool dude]

Unless the law has changed a 16yo can only ride a bike that goes 29mph so no 2 strokes or derestricted bikes. I would suggest just getting something cheap and reliable like a honda scooter, let them ride for a year and get some road sense and when they're 17 then look at getting a proper bike.

I had a Yamaha DT50MX at 16 and that was 2 stroke. It did have restrictors in though. It didn't stay like that for long though.