kids and dirtbikes: yes or no?

[rotor]

I was recently asked about the advisability of getting an 11-year old a dirt-bike. I advised against it, proposing a street-legal ride insted.

The argument ~for~ was primarily that it is advantageous for a kid to develop his motorcycle riding skills as early as possible, earlier than he or she can legally ride one on public roads. This, in principle, is not something I would disagree with.

However, I much dislike what seems to be the "culture" of youngster dirt-bike-riding milieu. More aggressive use of terrain, more "tricks", more abuse of the machine, more and more spills made less dangerous by more and more protective gear... It is the last item btw. that bothers me most.

Instead, (and especially if money was no object) I would get the 11-year old something like Honda Cub. It is no option for city-dwellers, but in a more rural setting there are usually back roads and lanes to ride on. Awareness of traffic and road rules, defensive tactics in the company of the plentiful idiots that cohabit public roads (in every jurisdiction I know) and cooperation with good drivers and riders and understanding that there are collisions which no protective gear will make you survive should come before the maximum machine handling skills. Those that develop an itch to try real motor-cross competitions when they are old enough to understand the consequences of their endevors are of course perfectly entitled (and have my encouragement) to do so.

I would be quite interested in opposing opinions.

[Blockhead_imp]

I respectfully disagree. IMHO the argument made in your second paragraph outweighs the concerns you mention in the third paragraph. A young (11 yr old) new rider needs to master how the bike functions...shifting, clutch, brakes, terrain etc...before they learn the rules of the road and defensive riding. Of course, the age and maturity level of the rider makes a difference too.

When my son was 11 years old I started him on a Honda CRF100 to putt around on in the woods with his buddies and me. He eventually moved up to a YZ250 and is a safe, excellent rider. He’s 20 now and hasn’t decided on whether he wants something street legal or not, just really enjoys the woods and trails.

[LongRanger_imp]

I’m in agreement with Blockhead.

I live on a very quiet residential road. New neighbors moved in a few months ago and their young daughter, who’s about 8-9 years old, has a small electric Vespa. One speed, no shifting. She rides up and down our road, and sometimes beyond our neighborhood, with no helmet and no knowledge or regard for traffic signs, right of way, safety, etc. Sometimes her younger brother is riding pillion. I often wonder who would be liable if she had an unfortunate meeting with another driver by accident.

[the Ferret]

A dirt bike education is a great foundation for a safer street bike rider.

[Haystack_imp]

A dirt bike education is a great foundation for a safer street bike rider.

Agree!

[TXBikerGuy]

I'm probably biased because of my own personal experience--but I'm a big proponent of learning the mechanics of how to ride a motorcycle on a dirt bike. By the time I first rode a motorcycle in traffic, all I had to focus on were the road-related variables. Clutch, throttle and brake control were muscle-memory by that point. As were concepts like target-fixation.

I've known plenty of people who learned on the road and not everyone has the chance to learn on dirt--but all things being equal, learning on a small dirt bike has more pros than cons in my opinion.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Also agree. Dirt bikes make better street bike riders.

Just like a new driver should have a beat up stick shift car- both to learn how to drive properly, and learn to wrench, repair...and appreciate a new car later.

[Cormanus]

Having a bike and learning to ride it off road does not have to mean all the higher-risk activities you mention, rotor. The extent to which parents are willing to allow that to happen as the child gains experience is a matter for them. And it is a matter for the parents.

In my view, any experience learning and mastering the basics well away from roads and all their hazards simply has to be a good idea.

[E11even_Hunnit]

Agree. Also, dirt tends to be more forgiving for inevitable rookie mistakes that would otherwise happen on the road.

In middle school, I started on a 49cc "mini chopper" toy bike. This was due to the fact that 2 kids in their teens had just been killed on a 110cc "pocket-bike" 2 weeks prior and made the news, unfortunately that was the style I wanted. The thought was the steering radius wider and therefore more favorable on the "chopper" and also a small 49cc 2-stroke was more tame. My father was very anti-motorbikes, so it was either that or nothing..

Later learned gears and clutch on a buddy's TRX ATV. 5 Years later, and after having owned multiple manual cars, I came across a TTR125 which I would sometimes ride on the streets, without a helmet(not very smart) But the bike solidified my desire to ride and own a street legal bike

Fast forward 10 years and a handful of bikes later, and I'm one of the few young guys on this predominantly "old-guy" board

I want my kids to ride one day, or at least know how to. I truly feel it's a basic human skill to have, much like changing a tire, shooting a gun. Except, gasoline motorcycles as we know them may actually face extinction in the next 50 years. Unfortunate

[Retsel_imp]

Well, the one thing missing for dirt biking is automobiles. I think it has been said here in different ways but, the biggest threat to a new rider, is the presence of stupid and intoxicated drivers it 5,000+ vehicles that can take you out with one wrong decision or moment of distraction. You don't learn to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk next to a freeway, you learn on a quiet street or parking lot, free of moving vehicles!

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