Need Mortorcycle (Dirt Bike) advice for DS
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion Archive: Archive March 2006:
Need Mortorcycle (Dirt Bike) advice for DS
Billy and Dylan watch Dirt Mortorcycle riding on TV all the time and Dylan has been asking for one for a while now. Billy has a friend selling a small kid size dirt bike and the whole outfit/helmet that goes with it. I guess there are alot of kids that start riding at 5 and 6. DS is 5 and we have the lower part of our backyard where he can ride and DH plans on taking him to a track as well as having DS take a safety class and lessons.
I am still not sure if this is a good idea or not. Have any of you bought your small (5 or 6 year old) child a Dirt Bike? If so what was your experiance with it.
TIA! 
My DH bought our DS a honda 50 for his 4th birthday. The worst part is that he wants to ride it constantly. Does your DH have a dirt bike?
This works out fairly well for us because we have a 4-wheeler. We can follow behind/ride next to DS. We live in a fairly rural area, so we can ride on dirt roads and through fields. It came with training wheels, but once he got the hang of how to stop and go, we were able to take those off. He had already been riding his regular bike without training wheels.
We don't have the riding outfit. Just the helmet. He usually just wears jeans and a jacket.
I was so super against this to begin with. I just new it would be too dangerous. But, it's actually cute, and it's been fun for him. Now I worry that he'll want to venture out more as he gets older.
Oh man. This is my area. We have our own dirt bike track in our backyard. My DD and DS are awesome riders. We have a Honda 70 and the Kawasaki 110.
What brand dirt bike and size of bike is it? You should probably start with a 50cc. Suzuki makes a good starter one as does Yamaha. They tend to be a little shorter than the Hondas, but Honda is still a good choice. Just taller. You want one that is automatic meaning they don't have to worry about doing the clutch or shifting gears.
On some, you can set the throttle so they don't go fast. Some of the newer ones have remote kill switches. Don't buy a dirt bike that "they will grow into". You want one that is right for their size. Make sure he can touch on it and can lift it off of him if it falls over.
Also, what year is the bike? VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure the muffler has a shield over it so your son won't get burned if it falls over on him. I am speaking from experience on that one. Third degree burn when he was 5. Long story and DH and I are to blame. It was a bike from like 1980 though. Very old.
For helmets, don't skimp. Get a good one. And, again, very important, get a chest protector. Even at this age, that should be a must.
Our rule in our house is you must have your long pants, goggles, boots, helmet, long sleeve shirt, motorcycle gloves, and chest protector on or you don't ride. No exceptions. The bike goes up for the day if these rules are broken.
I didnt read all posts yet... On my way out door.
We have 4-wheelers. Blake has a 50CC knock off brand (kazuma meerkat or something like that)... It is getting passed down to my nephew. Blake would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a dirt bike but my dh wont give in yet (we are wearing him down lol). argh I grew up riding dirt bikes and my EX dh raced dirt bikes for yrs. We do have 4-wheelers and Brandon does too. We haul them diff places and ride and we ride at our property. The kids have a small track they ride around and dh dumped dirt in 2 spots so they could have a bump to hop over. lol Its fun
If your dh is willing for your ds to get it then go for it! They are built for kids (the little ones like you are looking at). You can set them to stay in the same gear (slow) at first. So dont stress about that. Does it have a kill switch? Blakes 4- wh does. I dont know about the dirt bikes having them? DEFINITLY buy all the safety equipment.
My EX will tell you its not a matter of if you get hurt or wreck- its a matter of WHEN. So just be safe by always wearing all of the protective gear. One of his best friends is good enough that he is sponsored too race and gets a bike provided. Something to consider if your ds gets really into it.
It is alot of FUN!! It is also a great *family* activity. You can all ride together if you and your dd decide to do that at some point...
I would buy a Yamaha or a Honda... If you are interrested. LOL We have Honda's- but did look at getting Blake a Yamaha for his next 4-wh...
Andi, at age 5, as a recreational rider, if he does wreck, it probably won't too bad. Bumps and bruises, that sort of thing. Especially if he isn't riding in a pack of people. Now, if he starts racing, different story. That gets pretty intense.
Conni - you'll love this. My neighbor and I left our DHs home alone one weekend. They had a case of beer, lots of dirt, and a Bobcat/skid loader to play with. Hours and many beers later, we ended up with a dirtbike track between our 2 houses. We now find sitters for those two if we are leaving for any length of time.
Thank you guys so much! Looks like we are going to look at some dirt bikes this weekend and if Dylan still thinks it something he wants to try we will look into buying the used one.
Dh said the used one is only 2 years old and was only used a couple of times so it's still in excellent condition!
I will keep you all posted! Thanks again.
Sorry to be the downer, but I have seen so many horrible head injuries from motorcycle accidents when I worked rehab--even seemingly "minor" accidents that caused great brain damage that no member of my immediate family will ever own a motorcycle while living in my house. When you add a small child into the mix with a motorized vehicle, poor judgment and cause-effect understanding, etc. it is a recipe for disaster. And like Conni said, it's not a matter of if they have an accident, but when. The thought of these young kids on motorcycles and dirtbikes terrifies me to no end. 
Do not allow any child to bike near areas with guy wires or wire fencing. I know of two kids who were killed running into invisible wires while on cycles.
Pam, I'm so glad you posted. I have been having the same feelings. I personally think that children don't have the kind of judgment needed to handle a motorized vehicle safely, especially ATVs. I know a lot of states allow children from age 6 up to ride them off road, with adult supervision, but I think it is unreasonably dangerous and would never have allowed one of my sons to have one. Heck, they had enough accidents on just bicycles to tell me that they probably wouldn't be safe on anything that went faster than they could pedal.
I did not comment on this at first. But, honestly I would not allow my children to ride one. Ginny is right, I dont care how much supervison is there, kids dont have the kind of judgement needed for a motorized vehicle.My son is 11 1/2 and I would never allow him to ride one. But, I am overly cautious about a lot of things. I am sure many children have rode them and have been ok.
My kids have the kind with the rechargeable batteries! LOL!
Yeah, what really shocks me about this is that some moms are so stringent about car seat safety and then allow kids to ride motorcycles. This risk of accident on a motorcyle, dirtbike, or ATV is MUCH greater than the risk of a car wreck and the injuries sustained as a result happen more often and are more serious because there is NO protection from a seatbelt, airbag, or even the "cushioning" of doors to lessen the impact. FYI, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children younger than 16 should never ride a motorized vehicle alone (inc. riding lawnmowers) due to poor judgment and motor skill development.
Interesting note from the AAP, Pam. My 12 year dd was just talking about learing to mow with the riding mower. Said she wanted to try to drive it without the blade on..LOL. Maybe we will wait awhile.
I have had the same feeling's and of course I don't want anything to happen to my child. I also know that my DH did this when he was young and is very excited that our DS wants to try it.
Of course we would only ride where it is safe and He is going to take a safety course geard towards children his age if we decide to do this.
I do understand all the points of views and that is why I posted on here so I could see what you all thought. Your opinions mean alot to me and I am grateful that you are all so honest.
We are going to go look at them today and I will know more tonight.
If we decide(and we haven't decided yet) to get him a bike this is the bike Dh is looking at for DS.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/40/home.aspx
I don't know if i would get one... Do you know Valentino Rossi? He started in one of those, and now he is the best motorcycle rider there is. I think he even downgraded motorcycles because he was too good on the good one!
Valentino Rossi
Like you said, you have to be sure he rides on a safe place with all the same gear. I have seen some teenagers in London (on the main road!) and it scares me to dead.
Good luck with your decision.
That's a good starter bike for him, Andi. I would definitely do the safety course and stick to your guns on the rules.
Yes, there is a risk of injury but I've also seen my kids go faster on water skis or tubing, snow skiing, and horses than on the dirt bikes.
That will be a great bike for your ds!
We have friends that bought the little Yamaha ATV for their little man and they have not been disappointed with the quality of the Yamaha. This little Kazuma Meerkat we got Blake was used and it was super cheap. It has been a real *piece*. I am trying to be nice. LOL Dh has had to work on it several times now and the kid doesnt even go fast on it?? So, you get what you pay for. (as with most things)
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