Help - Motorcycles & kids

Ok -

So, I've got 2 boys - 7 & 5 years old, and 7 acres of land (rolling, some trees, a couple creeks, nice place!). The older really wants a dirt bike. I've been eyeing the Honda 50cc bike (auto tranny 3 speed). Both boys will need helmets, gloves, boots, goggles, etc, etc.

So - am I nuts for wanting to provide the boys with this? Honda has a 2 day (4 hrs a day) class for new riders - bring the bike & equipment. Anyone done this? Class is provided with the purchase of the bike and there is a $100 rebate when the class is completed (how can you lose?).

I've never been on a motorcycle. My father's best friend was killed in a street bike accident, so motorcycles were strictly off limits.

Help!!! Any advice (positive or negative) is welcome.

-ridgeln

Maybe you could consider 4-wheelers. They are a lot of fun, too.

Oh, how I have debated on responding to this or not........

First off, let me say that I am a mother of 2 boys, now 17 and 15 and step-mom to 2 boys, 21 and 19. I also live where there are thousands and thousands of acres of fun space. When we left Texas to move back here we sold our 400 acre ranch in Texas that was a paradise for motorcycles, 4 wheelers, etc. Lastly, I was a CT Tech in a Level 1 Trauma Center for a number of years, and am now a Hospital Administrator in a different Level 1 Trauma Center.

I understand the need for fun!!!! I understand the attraction of what you and your boys want to do. But, I have also seen the very careful people become my patient or come into the hospital and they are either DOA, die from their injuries sustained in accidents or are paralyzed. I have seen grown adults with helmets on die and/or suffer horrible spinal cord injuries. I have seen grieving parents pain because their child's life is stolen too soon or is altered forever. But, not all accidents are serious and certainly there aren't that many accidents. What I have seen at work is the worst of the worst. Obviously, there is a lot of fun to be had on those vehicles. But, I know a lady that is one of the most careful people on earth and yet she hit a rock and was thrown.... it was just one of those things (she is ok).

There were a couple of things that I vowed long ago while working at Univ of Pittsburgh Med Ctr and one was that my children would never have bunk beds (saw a tragedy from a fall on a 6 year old) and that they would never have a motorcycle or 4 wheeler as long as I could help it.

Only you can answer your own question as to if this is right for your family. I am sure that you will make the right decision. Whatever you decide, I hope that you and your family enjoy many years of fun activities together! I am so sad that my boys are almost grown!!! I got the very last class schedule to sign for my oldest today, it had his name and Grade 12 on it. I burst into tears! My son laughed, my hubby said that I was such a girl. I know that I will always be his Mom, but I can't believe that it is going to be over so soon and he will be leaving to go to college.

Smoky <~~~ a very reflective Mom tonight

Wow Smoky - You've sure given us a lot to think about both from your experience in a trauma unit, and just as importantly, as a mom. Us dads tend to see things from a different perspective. I think we're only able to use half our brain or something like that.

I totally respect your perspective and strong feelings on this topic. On the other hand, life is short. If we spend our lives holding back because of the fear of what might be, then we begin shut ourselves off from opportunities and to the richness that life should bring.

When we're young we think we're invincible, or that bad things happen to others but not us. A very naive view...
As we get a bit older we think about opportunities that have passed that we didn't act on for whatever reason - what might have been...

When it comes to the health and welfare of our kids it's a difficult path to navigate and becomes a very personal thing that each of us needs to grapple with carefully and thoughtfully.

Just my personal preference - I'd rather hike and fish and simply enjoy the land. I own a small parcel in rural palm beach county, florida and it really bothers me to find atv tracks on my property. I like to go there just for the peacefulness of it all, and it's really just a building site (couple acres) not a nice, country lot with a creek! I'm going to put my new house on this lot and use it as my little retreat from the daily hustle and bustle. My kids are grown, but if they were young I'd want to teach them to enjoy the land without having to roar around on a motorized vehicle. I'm probably in a minority here, but that's how I feel about it. I'm now looking for 5 to 10 acres in the Northwoods in Wisconsin so I can retire to some peace and quiet some day. Oh, dreams are fun, aren't they!? :)

Well the 4 wheeler is a good idea but Honda recommends their smallest, the TRX90 (http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/sport/model.asp?ModelName=TRX90&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=TRX906) for riders of 16 years or older.

The CR50F (http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/off-road/model.asp?ModelName=CRF50F&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=CRF50F6) is the same basic bike (motor and tranny) they have been making for over 30 years. However now it looks like its big brothers with the front scoops and inverted forks. Very cool!

Well Frank, after reading SmokyMtnRidger’s comments I wanted to just sit here and think about what she had said and now I have to agree with her assessment. What she is saying is true because I have witnessed these “dark times” first hand and have seen them happen to a few of our very closest friends. (I don’t ride street any longer.)

On the other hand. As a kid I remember our whole family growing up in the California desert riding and racing almost every weekend. Our mom & dad rode as did my sister, bother and I. My brother and I also grew up racing karts, quarter midgets, minibikes and on to motorcycles. Along the way it taught us responsibility (We were responsible for keeping the bikes in working order) It was a family affair! (My mom and sister washed them and my brother and I cleaned the chains and air cleaners in the solvent tank and then oiled them for the next race) It was also the ‘spark” that started our desire to gain the mechanical knowledge and aptitude to want to know how and why these things worked. Which I now believe has actually helped me in my job much latter in life. At this point in our lives I can look back and thank my mom & dad for getting us involved in the sport and to also give thanks to the Good Lord for keeping our family safe all these years. Finally, I’ve got to tell you it has to be your call and it’s not an easy or cheap one!

I'll tell you this much! I'm way over the hill and my new dirt bike has become my new "fountain of youth"

I hope my “old guy” babble is of some help.

Ron (5S Dude)

Maybe this is my own quest for a fountain of youth - I always swore I wasn't going to be "one of THOSE Dads.." - you know the one - who lives vicariously through their kids...

As a long time first aid trainer, lifeguard, water safety instructor, and (now showing my aquatic age) adapted aquatics instructor, I, too, have seen my fair share of tragedy - although mine have all been around water. I also have done ice diving, cave & cavern diving, wreck, decompression, zero-visibility, rescue, and am a dive master. To me, these were/are all very safe and are dependent on knowing your equipment and being prepared not for the "what if" but the "when." You own all your own equipment, maintained it, and ONLY dive with those who did the same as you did/do.

I DON'T want my boys to ever ride motorcycles on the road. Too many experiences with wrecks and tragedies - been there, seen that, cleaned up the blood, gone to the funerals... thankfully, not mine nor any family members.

Living in the country, the desire and access are there to a lot of things. I will teach my boys how to hunt safely and gun safety - hand guns, rifles, and shot guns. Why? Because I want to make damn sure that they know how to properly handle a gun WHEN they see it. I own some of these, and will borrow others. Respect and knowledge go a long way. I guess I am feeling the same way about the motorcycles and dirt bike riding.

Ok - so I turned 40 today - maybe this is part of it. I totally respect and appreciate everyone's candor on this topic. I have not spent a dime, nor promised anything. But please know I respect everyone's opinion and knowledge on this topic.

long post. sorry. but thanks for being here. ROC on!

-ridgeln

Ridgeln -

Happy Birthday!!!!!!! I turned 40 last summer and I understand what you are going through!!!!

You sound like a wonderful parent. Your boys are lucky to have you as their Dad, no doubt!!

By the way, my husband and his dad owned a gun and knife shop in Texas and we have a virtual arsenal here - so I totally understand the gun safety thing. At one point when we were moving we had so much ammo sitting in the garage that I wasn't afraid of the actual shot as much as I was from tripping and falling over the cases!!! LOL My father in law taught gun safety classes for years. And also, my sons are both PADI divers, one is also a Nitrox diver and has advanced diver certification.

Life is short, so life your life to the fullest extent that you wish to. As much as you respect our opinions, likewise I respect your decision.

Happy Birthday to you!!!!

Smoky

Ridgeln -

Happy Birthday!!!!!!! I turned 40 last summer and I understand what you are going through!!!!

You sound like a wonderful parent. Your boys are lucky to have you as their Dad, no doubt!!

By the way, my husband and his dad owned a gun and knife shop in Texas and we have a virtual arsenal here - so I totally understand the gun safety thing. At one point when we were moving we had so much ammo sitting in the garage that I wasn't afraid of the actual shot as much as I was from tripping and falling over the cases!!! LOL My father in law taught gun safety classes for years. And also, my sons are both PADI divers, one is also a Nitrox diver and has advanced diver certification.

Life is short, so life your life to the fullest extent that you wish to. As much as you respect our opinions, likewise I respect your decision.

Happy Birthday to you!!!!

Smoky

Again, I must concur with Smoky's thoughts on this topic as I feel the same exact way! Also, "Happy Birthday" my good friend! You are a great father!

By the way, the photos are of my 18 year old daughter's new bike. We ride together with my brother almost every weekend after a 10 year absence we are back in the saddle again.

I hate seeing small children on motorized bikes or 4 wheelers. They just don't have the judgement and co-ordination to operate the things safely. There is a reason beyond size why you have to wait until 16 at the very least to drive a car.

Recently, our neighbouring province put an age restriction of 14 on 4 wheelers unless on a closed track. About time, I think. Too many kids have been hurt and killed on those things.

What ever happened to the joy of bombing around on your bicycle??? Much more environmentally friendly anyway. ;)

I guess I'll offer my opinion too...as a dad of a 13 year old girl and a ten year old boy...and as a guy who has ridden all types of bikes throughout my 42 years of life.

First:
I think 7 and 5 years old are too young. I would wait until 12 or 13 years old to even start with a motorized bike. Coordination and judgement are not so good before then, not to mention physical size and strength.

Second:
With respect to Smokey's views, you can get hurt or killed doing anything! Yes, the risks are greater riding a motorcycle than walking down stairs, but if trained properly and used under supervision with the right safety equipment, motorcycles can be fun and can give the family something to do together.

Third:
Do my kids ride? No, and they have never expressed a desire to do so. We live in an area where four wheelers and dirt bikes are commonplace and a lot of kids have them. I made a concious decision early on in my kids life to expose them to the outdoors and to organized sport. They both have excelled at soccer, track and basketball, so that does not leave much time to do anything else. Speaking of soccer, that is the #1 sport for injuries and trips to the emergency room in America, or so the statistics tell me. Should my kids quit playing because of that? I don't think so. They both play on travel teams and they are trained by professionals. Because of that, they know the importance of stretching, of proper slide tackles, etc, and hopefully because of that they will not be as prone to injury, much like a trained rider vs an untrained rider.

Fourth:
By waiting until later on to ride, your kids may not want to ride motorcycles. If my kids would want to ride, I would have no problems with that. I would sit them down and explain it to them this way..."If you want to ride motorcycles, I'll go out and get them for you. But first, you have to decide what you want to give up. Since you will ride on the weekends, you can't play travel soccer. Since motorcycles require lots of maintenance, you will do that during the weekdays in the evening so basketball and track are out too." I think they would give up that idea pretty fast since they love the other sports. Kids choose over time what to do because that is what interests them. Some kids love motorcycles, some kids love soccer, etc, and thats ok by me.

Fifth:
I started riding when I was 12 with a suzuki RM125. This graduated to a 250 and then into 3 wheelers. I raced a Honda 250R 3 wheeler when I was 14 and 15. I then graduated into 4 wheelers (3 wheelers took so much skill to ride they quit making them because they were too dangerous for most people). I had 2 different four wheelers before I graduated into street bikes. (First one was at 17. At 19 I laid a Honda 1000R (the "R" stands for Racing) down at 65mph. A car didn't see me and pulled out right in front of me. I laid the bike down and slid and tumbled a few hundred feet (wet roads) and ended up in a ditch. Luckily I was wearing my helmet and leathers so all I had was road rash. I picked little gravels out of my hand and hip for a few weeks after that. I fixed the bike, sold it and have not owned one since. I have ridden friend's bikes and enjoyed it, but that last crash took all the fun out of it for me. I just didn't get the same thrill out of it as I had before. I still ride my bicycle though and every time I get on it I am ten years old again. My son and I ride together every chance we get in the summer. We race and jump and ride through the mud and have a really good time doing it.

So, would I let them ride? Sure, but not until later and made sure they knew all it entails and had the time necessary to do it right. Time is key here, and riding and owning a motorcycle takes up a lot of time. It's really hard when your kids want to do everything. Hope this helps.

You know where I stand Frank.
Give your kids the right tools ( and I don't mean just wrenches :rolleyes: )and safety, safety, safety.

You are a great father....you'll do only what's best I am sure. :)

ppssssttt:I have a used kart chassis sitting in my garage. Just needs a motor. :D

Coming in on this late but anyways. Have the kids take the course and then see what they think. 4-wheel ATV's seem safe but you can tip them in the blink of an eye. A motorcycle is going to be "safer" if you can call it that. Give the kids the experiences and help them learn the skills to deal with them. Otherwise when they hit their teens and are out of the house they'll be pulling every stunt that was banned without a thought.

Hi ridgein I am 56 and have been riding the street for 40 years my two sons are 30& 29 and they have been riding with there father sence they were 2 the riding course is good and well worth the time 15623