small displacement big bike

[djw]

What are the smallest displacement full sized "standard" bikes readily available (new or fairly recent vintage) with standard manual trans (i.e. not twist-n-go like scooters)?

I have a couple of kids to teach and would like to start them out with all the twiddly bits a big bike has without eyeball jiggling power and reasonably light weight.

...and I want them to leave my bikes alone until they have been riding for 10 years or until I no longer can care :)

Thanks.

[Squeaky]

Are they of age to ride legally on the street?

I know Aprillia had/has the RS50. Weed whacker on two wheels. ;-)

[djw]

Are they of age to ride legally on the street?
)

Just old enough, but a ways from being loose on the streets, particularly on an rs50.

[dukey33]

the 250s would be about it if you want to stick with the fab four. Nighthawk, Ninja or the new to U.S. Zook TU250 would be standards and the Rebel, GZ250 and V-star are more like cruiser-style. Kawi also has a pint-sized 125 cruiser.

Otherwise there are some smaller dual-sports including ones from China.

[Bagwell]

Do you want street legal bikes or just dirt bikes that have clutch and all the standard controls? Maybe a street legal dual sport bike? Not sure how tall they are but I guess shorter folks could have a harder time on some dual sport bikes.

[djw]

They're probably more comfortable with something they can flat foot, as much as I would like a tall DS to borrow :)