When introducing a kid to dirt biking, there are many mistakes you may make as a parent. Sometimes, the mere thought of watching your 8-year old child ride a dirt bike can cloud your judgment. To help you make the right choice, here are some of the factors you must consider:
Electric or Gas powered
There is no correct answer to this question. It all depends on your preference. The gas-powered bikes are the traditional bikes, while electric-powered bikes are a step towards the future. If you want to minimize the noise from the bikes while also saving money on maintenance and fuel, then the electric bikes are excellent.
On the other hand, you can get higher speeds and torque with the gas bikes. Having kids learn on a gas bike is usually a better option since they tend to provide better stability.
Seat Height
To ensure the kid can place the ball of their foot on the ground, you must carefully consider the seat height of the bike. It shouldn’t be too tall that they are unsteady while riding the bike. The perfect seat height will make it possible for your kid to stop and get off the bike without crashing all the time.
Tire sizes
A crucial factor to consider when selecting a dirt bike for kids is the size of the tires. You can go for the larger or smaller tires. With larger tires, it is easier to steer the bike around obstacles, but they usually have smaller holes.
These holes affect how well the kids can control the bike when riding. On the other hand, smaller tires allow the kids to stop the bike with ease and avoid falling since they can place their foot on the ground. The tires also have a lower weight and offer better control due to their lower center of gravity.
Throttle Limiter
A throttle limiter is a form of safety feature you can find on certain dirt bikes for kids. Dirt bikes and most other bikes have an engine displacement in numbers written as CCs (cubic centimeters). A bike that can produce high speeds with a motor that delivers high power usually has a high CC.
When choosing a bike for your kids, one with a low CC is best. These bikes usually feature a smaller design and the throttle limiter for safety. As a parent, you must know the maximum speed your kid can attain while riding the bike.
The engine of the bike usually has a redline. This is the operational limit of the engine specified by the manufacturer. The throttle limiter prevents the engine from going past this limit to avoid engine damage.
Brand reliability
There are several manufacturers of dirt bikes around the world. Among these numerous manufacturers, there are specific names that are well-known for being reliable. These are the brands you want to work with when purchasing a dirt bike for your kids.
The brand is an essential consideration since the safety of your kids is crucial. You should not compromise on the brand reliability in your pursuit of a powerful bike. It is vital you also stick to a single brand.
This will help your child learn about the various bikes the company has to offer. They also learn about the unique characteristics of the bikes the company produces. Since they become familiar with these characteristics on their first bike, they will have no issue moving on to a bigger bike.
Buying decisions also become much easier when you become loyal to a particular brand. The difference when changing from a Yamaha 50cc bike to a Yamaha 150cc bike is the power it produces. Features like handling characteristics and overall design will be similar.
Cost and resale value
Dirt biking might be an activity you love, but are you 100% sure your child will love it? As parents, we try to involve our kids in so many activities that they end up hating. This will often lead to storage full of equipment that no one in your family uses.
You should consider this possibility when buying a dirt bike for kids. Although this may not be the case, you must act carefully. Your best form of protection is to consider the resale value of the bike you’re buying.
Most high-quality dirt bikes and gear usually cost a lot of money. You must know how much you can get if you have to resell, and where you can do this.
Making Dirt Biking Enjoyable for Kids
Picking the right bike for your kids won’t matter much if they don’t enjoy dirt biking. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure they become dedicated dirt bikers in the future. Here are some of the steps to take:
Purchase high-quality safety gear
You must invest in high-quality safety gear if you want your kids to enjoy dirt biking. Kids will crash more often than you will expect, and these can lead to bruises on their knees and elbows. Dirt biking won’t be so much fun for them if they keep ending up with injuries.
The safety gear should consist of gloves, helmet, goggles, boots, elbow pads, roost protector, and knee pads. You can never go wrong with too many pads. Their safety remains a priority during this activity.
Pick the right time for dirt biking
This is a simple step you must take to make dirt biking enjoyable for kids. Go out at a time when it is not too hot, and remember to take cold water and snacks. Some kids will waste a lot of time wearing their safety gear on hot days, and you must learn to be patient with them.
When you pick a time of the day that is convenient for the kids to ride, you allow them to have fun. This is crucial if you are introducing the kids to this activity. As they grow accustomed to dirt biking, they will become more dedicated.
Let them make a choice
You can get different colors when purchasing the safety gear and dirt bike. The least you can do is to let the kids pick out their favorite color or design before you make the purchase. When kids make this choice, they can be proud of their dirt bike and gear anytime they are out riding.
Letting them pick a decal or number to put on the bike is another excellent idea.
Start on a flat, straight dirt road.
Your kids will keep crashing and falling off their bikes if you take them to a popular dirt bike spot to learn. These spots usually have many ruts that keep tipping their bikes. As beginners, this can be frustrating.
To make the learning process more enjoyable, take them to a dirt road that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. This should be a flat, straight road that they can ride on smoothly. After riding on this road for a while, you can take them to other popular spots to see how well they have improved.