Kids and dirtbikes, any advice or insight?

[flipwils11]

So we are about to let my son ride a gas-powered dirtbike this weekend for the first time. It's up at my mother-in-law's place where there's room to run it vs the suburbs where we live. It's a 2007 Yamaha TTR-50 so it has 3 gears, and I would like to install a governor for the throttle so he can stay at low speeds for a while. We bought him a motorcross type full face helmet at a reputable motorcycle store nearby, gloves, and I want to get him a chest plate (need to order it, the store didn't have his size last night). Also he has knee and elbow pads to wear.

I was hoping to find a grass area he can try it on first rather than going on pavement or dirt. Other than that, any input is appreciated since I never had one of these as a kid. I want him to have fun and not live in a bubble, but I don't want him to seriously injure himself either! He is 50 pounds, 6 1/2 years old but above average height and build for his age, and mountain bikes with me already so he's very good at handling a 2 wheeler. Plus, there's an electric road type motorcycle (called a "Pocket-rocket", it came from walmart) that was a hand-me-down from nephews who are now teenagers and he has ridden that a lot this summer with only a few minor spills thankfully.

[slotcarrod]

There is a throttle stop screw (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelfeatures/478/0/features.aspx) on that bike to limit speed, but judging from what you are saying about mountain bike skill, he will be just fine unrestricted! Just find a grassy field to start on and let him go! Did you say you have boots? Make sure you get him boots if you don't. Kids grow like weeds and it can get expensive trying to keep up with new gear as they grow. So find used kids gear at your local track, kijiji or buysell!

[flipwils11]

Oh right! Very good point about the boots, hadn't thought of that.

[Coelacanth]

6.5 years old seems wayyy too young. Back in the day when I was a kid, I think you had to be at least 14. If the motorbike or ATV is one of those single-geared, clutchless kind, it would be safer. This is your kid's health & safety you're potentially compromising...what's the rush?

EDIT: I did a bit of research...you should download this PDF file, which is a guide of regulations here in Alberta, Canada regarding motor vehicle operation:

http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/small_vehicle_booklet_final.pdf

A child should be 12 before they operate a "power bicycle", which requires no license. Even to ride a moped requires a Class 7 license, insurance and 14 years of age; a motorcycle requires a Class 6 license and 16 years of age (this is because motorcycles can be driven on streets). I think the definition of your motorbike in this example would be an "Off-Highway Vehicle", which requires 14 years of age, registration & insurance. There's a reason for these guidelines; children much younger than this simply don't have the motor skills or intellectual judgment to do the right thing if they lose control.

I'm trying not to sound too parental, but one wrong move by your son and everything could change in both of your lives...it's just not worth it, IMHO.

[jwscab]

if you can start him out with a minibike or go-kart of under 3hp, you will be better off for sure. The problem isn't so much staying on two wheels, just the weight of the bike is new, and the mental capacity to realize to get off the throttle. I'm the oldest of 6, lots of cousins and couple nephews, we tried to get them into minibike go-kart around 9-ish, even the older ones 'freeze' up and we've had to chase them down the field with the throttle open.

if there is a slightly larger bike you can both ride, and let him man the controls for the most part before you let him go solo (let him ride in the front and use the throttle and brake), that is also a good option.

[Charlie don't surf]

Oh right! Very good point about the boots, hadn't thought of that.

Here is a little bit more insight, #1 no age is to young- the sooner they want to start the more comfortable they will be Boot's like Rod said are a must, they protect the shins and ankles tremendously.


One thing that parents forget is how excited/scared kids can get. The most common "fall" for a toddler on a dirt bike is a "low side" fall, especially since they are not used to the vehicle weight decelerating the motorcycle as fast (unlike their bicyocle) and they forget to throttle up to keep upright or crack the throttle abruptly and throw themselves off balance and fall over with the hot, heavy and loud bike falling on top of them- not enough to hurt them......but enough to scare them too much to have fun for the rest of the experience (and possibly the rest of their childhood). Walk next to them as they ride, just behind the inside rear of their heel so that your out of the view (boosting their confedence) and right there to help them as soon as they loose their balance (boosting their confedence in you )

I have a bit of time teaching toddlers how to ride-

IMAG1806.jpg

(me on the KLX110) 3 year old on the PW50 to my right and a 4 year old on the KTM to my left (check out the form through the whoops!!! )


And before anyone challenges my manhood for being on the 110- My old 03' 450f

IMAG1811-1.jpg

[flipwils11]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I swear I'm not trying to cherrypick the answers I want, so words of warning and encouragement are both considered equally. I want to stress that in no way will my son be "let loose" on this thing as I'm in general very protective of this sort of thing and cautious. We will let him ride it but starting out will be as controlled and detuned on the throttle as we can safely get to so he is comfortable.

I, too, was warned on the new experience of deceleration and the weight of the bike by my brother in law so thanks for the reminder on that.

[longboardnj]

make him kick start the bike (i think that bike has a elec start and kicker) old rule of thumb if you can kick start it you can ride it.. this works many ways..

protective gear is a must i broke my toe about 20 years ago riding with work boots instead of mx boots.. that toe still bothers me ..
i always used helmet, goggles, mx boots, mx belt, mxgloves, and sometimes chest protector ..

[kaiser]

ttr50 is a nice mild bike, it's an auto so he just needs to concentrate on riding.
my buddy has one (with bigger bars and a few mods) that we beat on from time to time, before the bar kit his 6yr old nephew used to ride it all the time.

[Dirtdiver]

I'd start him out driving something motorized with four wheels (atv, lawn mower, etc) to see if he can master the the throttle and steering concept. If he can handle that no problem than let him step up to a motorcycle.

My only childhood horror stories involved my father's Rupp Black Widow. When I was ~8 yrs old, I burned my hand shutting off the gas valve as it was next to the exhaust pipe (early 70's design) and I once had the throttle stick wide open going around my parent's yard. Luckily, I was smart enough to hit the killswitch to stop it.

[klavy69]

I was 7 when I got my first honda trail 50. He'll do fine. If he wants to ride he will. I got my daughter her first quad at 8 and she handled the throttle situations very well. Caught on quick. I know the quad doesn't have a twist throttle but the 2nd quad did and she figured it out faster than her mom did...mom ran into the back of her Explorer and said no more so that one went down the road with the honda ct 70. A little practice and you won't be able to get him off of it .

Todd

p.s. helmet and boots are a must for a bike IMHO and would be the bare minimum for what safety gear to get...

[askbob]

I now know why I've never seen young tikes riding motorbikes when watching the Tarrence and Phillip show...

I can vividly recall riding the heck out of my Honda 50 2-speed around about the third grade. I'll have to dig up that 80's pic somewhere. I'm quite sure ALL of the neighbors grew tired of hearing that Honda.

One thing I've observed/learned over years of riding is that there is somewhat of a false idea of ATVs being safer than dirtbikes due to having 4 wheels(in most cases). A two wheeled dirtbike will usually allow you to 'get away' from it in the event you lay it down. On the other hand ATVs tend to take you along for the ride and/or end up on top of you. Not that either one is gonna hurt less, I've seen both.

[slotcarrod]

I taught both my kids on a CRF100, that has a clutch. My son at the time could not touch both sides with his feet. What I did was explain all the features, how things worked and what not to touch like hot mufflers and heads, moving parts like sprockets (when on stand), etc! Then I would double up and sit behind them with my hands on the bars and their hands on top of mine. This would give them a feel for the clutch (not an issue with your auto bike), brake and throttle control. After a while I would let them put their hands on the controls with mine on top. After a bit of time on the bike like this, they would try on their own. They would stall the odd time because of the clutch but throttle control was never an issue. This method seemed to work very well for me. I too used the kick start rule: If you can't pick up the bike and kick start it, you can't ride it! I would think you could double up on that 50, it may be a little uncomfortable, but it may be well worth it!

[longboardnj]

I too used the kick start rule: If you can't pick up the bike and kick start it, you can't ride it!

this was always the story with 500 two strokes. kids would want to try these bikes and owners would say if you can start it you can ride it.. i love cr500s and yz490s/wr500s but they are way to much of a pain to start so i dont own one.. just another reason why i love my banshee, power of a 500 single but since its a twin it starts like a 125..

I would think you could double up on that 50, it may be a little uncomfortable, but it may be well worth it!

yea thats not goin to happen on a 50 double up on a bigger bike thats what my dad did. then let em loose on the 50

[dldiaz]

I got a Suzuki JR-50, a couple months after my 4th birthday - very similar to the little Yamaha and it should be fine for a six yr. old.

Have Fun!!!