OT dirt bikes and teenagers

I wan"t "watched" by my father the way I watch my own kids, but he did teach me the right way to do things...but a young boy will find a way to do stupid things...especially drive too fast.

Something is gonna happen sooner or later and in many ways it will teach most kids some valuable lessons.

Can"t control everything for ever and you need to keep them safe, maybe try a go cart first, the roll cage is a plus and they are more stable.

Kids will be kids...but when they make a mistake on a piece of equipment that you let them use, you are to blame...not easy but that is part of being a parent...when they are 18 that"s a different story.

Ramrod

I hate the things.

Dirt bikes are very dangerous yet can be a tremendous amount of fun. I rode them when I was younger and naturally graduated to street bikes when I got my license. I had my share of close calls but my reflexes and my defensive driving skills were really sharpened by those motorcycle days. I have survived some tight situations in cars by being able to avoid accidents and I know that"s a skill that I developed on two wheels.

You have to decide if your kids are resposible enough to respect your wishes and the power of the machine. A 4-wheeler is probably safer then 2 but anything with a motor can get you hurt or killed. If you want to go 2-wheel then I would suggest a small Honda like an XR-100 or even better, an old CT-90 trail bike. These have relatively low seats and are easier for smaller folks to ride. There"s a multitude of 4-wheel choices out there so it will really take a trip to the dealer to sort things out.

Safety is really important. Good helmet, gloves and boots are all things that your dealer can help you out with. Don"t scrimp here.

I loved the dirt bike days of my youth. They are some of my best memories.

Kids will go wild when they get the chance to take control of a motor vehicle... Would you prefer that they go through this stage under your supervision on your property, or in your car on the highway while you're at home wondering?

As a kid, I begged for years for a dirtbike, but never was able to convince mom. When I was old enough, I bought my own (& a streetbike) and went out and rode like a madman and was probably lucky to survive the first year. I firmly believe that learning at a younger age with parental supervision and guidance would've been far safer than going about it on my own as an indestructable (or so I thought) teenager.

Do a bit of research and you'll find that far more children are injured annually participating in school sports vs. riding dirt bikes. Would you allow your children to play sports at school? The point being that while dirt bikes are dangerous, they aren't more dangerous than some things that we all don't even blink an eye at.

Certainly dirt bikes are dangerous, but so are many things in life. Being obese and spending your life on the couch is proven to be very bad for you... will dirtbikes keep your kids off of the couch?

Quads are NOT safer. Initially it would seem so, since it seems more stable, but the difference becomes very clear when your kid is trapped under the quad after crashing. Kids WILL crash at some point. Also, the quad may install a false sense of security and the kids will be going faster sooner... and crashing harder.

Proper gear is very important. Please consider the cost of gear when factoring in what it will cost for the bike... Figure on another ~$200+ for a helmet, boots, knee & elbow pads and a chest protector for each of the kids.

Avoid the cheapo Chinese bikes that you'll find at auto parts stores and such. They're cheaper up front, but resale value is terrible and parts/service are an issue and the quality is not even close to that of the major brands. A small "big four" bike will work great and hold it's value very well. The Honda CRF (formerly XR) line is well known for reliability and holding value.

Get a small dirtbike, purchase the proper protective gear and help them learn to ride properly and safely and you will be introducing your kids to a wonderful family sport that they can enjoy for a lifetime. While you're at it, get one for yourself so you can enjoy the sport together.

Hope that helps some,
Craig

Lotsa money for that.. but then a couple dirt bikes will have some cost as well.. and this just seems sooooo much safer.

My next idea would be one of those cheqp chinese 2wd 20hp tractors. They come in at 3999.. or at rural king for a tad less with a new credit account.. etc.

Then you have an extra tractor. One passanger.. but could pull a trailer.. etc. Has rops.. etc..safe(er) way to teach the kids to 'tractor', without leting on the old 8n with no rops.. no live pto or hyds.. etc good brakes.. ... ( plus you would have a second tractor! and who doesn't need a second tractor...)

Soundguy

Soundguy

John

Pooh Bear