Introducing 4-yr old into dirt-biking!

Just looking for opinions out there, should I sign-up my 4yr old into dirt-biking. They have classes for 3-17 age groups but wanted your opinions if it's not too early for him yet. Thing is he's crazy about motorcycle toys and demands we put motorcycling races/games on tv.

And what about medical insurance, do I have to get special coverage just for this?

Thanks for your feed-back..

Do you ride too? If not, maybe look into getting yourself a cheap used quad so you can take him out to a legal riding area, set up a little circuit the 2 of you can ride, and share the experience with him, watching over him on your 'chase bike'. I taught all of my kids to ride when they were little, (2 girls, 1 boy), but I'm a very experienced rider, and was always on a bike right there with them, and we set up boundaries, put them on beginner bikes, and kept speeds low, and terrain easy until they learned proper technique and safety. (And ALWAYS wear a helmet! )

A used Honda CR500 is an ideal starter bike.

Reminds me of the time we used my buddies 490 to dig trenches for sprinklers!

Forget dirt bikes - give them a rifle and a box of ammo ...


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Originally Posted by bighorns

Do you ride too? If not, maybe look into getting yourself a cheap used quad so you can take him out to a legal riding area, set up a little circuit the 2 of you can ride, and share the experience with him, watching over him on your 'chase bike'. I taught all of my kids to ride when they were little, (2 girls, 1 boy), but I'm a very experienced rider, and was always on a bike right there with them, and we set up boundaries, put them on beginner bikes, and kept speeds low, and terrain easy until they learned proper technique and safety. (And ALWAYS wear a helmet! )

Myself, I don't! That's why I was thinking of enrolling him into sessions, you know, entrusting your kid to someone and such. Maybe I should look into my own bike, hopefully I can find the time and I doubt I will be able to teach him much.

Otherwise safety-wise and the injuries, am I not setting up myself for wifey comments like "you want to kill my baby?"

Originally Posted by Paul335i

A used Honda CR500 is an ideal starter bike.

500! That would be too big for him - he hasn't even been on a 50!

Originally Posted by mawana

Otherwise safety-wise and the injuries, am I not setting up myself for wifey comments like "you want to kill my baby?"

Of course you are! That's why I was "Father Goose", there for every bump and bruise! If done right, it can be safe. My kids got far more injuries from soccer. The lessons sound like a great idea, but that sounds like it's at a track, which starts becoming competitive. I taught my kids off-road/trail riding, which was just for the pure love of getting exercise, fresh air, and fun! His first bike can be clutchless, and detuned (throttle-limited). Stay away from quads for Jr; far more dangerous. Good chase bike for you, because they are easy to ride, but if you flip one you can get seriously injured at high speeds. I've stepped off of 2-wheelers at speeds well over 60 MPH and walked away.

P.S. Just take it slow, and learn together. It will be a great bonding time. Find a couple of used bikes with 4-stroke motors, as these are low maintenance. The most important safety equipment is a good, NEW helmet, that fits properly. Any motorcycle shop can help you with this. Goggles to protect the eyes, and at the very minimum, a pair of boots.

Originally Posted by bighorns

Of course you are! That's why I was "Father Goose", there for every bump and bruise! If done right, it can be safe. My kids got far more injuries from soccer. The lessons sound like a great idea, but that sounds like it's at a track, which starts becoming competitive. I taught my kids off-road/trail riding, which was just for the pure love of getting exercise, fresh air, and fun! His first bike can be clutchless, and detuned (throttle-limited). Stay away from quads for Jr; far more dangerous. Good chase bike for you, because they are easy to ride, but if you flip one you can get seriously injured at high speeds. I've stepped off of 2-wheelers at speeds well over 60 MPH and walked away.

Originally Posted by bighorns

P.S. Just take it slow, and learn together. It will be a great bonding time. Find a couple of used bikes with 4-stroke motors, as these are low maintenance. The most important safety equipment is a good, NEW helmet, that fits properly. Any motorcycle shop can help you with this. Goggles to protect the eyes, and at the very minimum, a pair of boots.

This sounds like good idea - I just called the trainer over my lunch break and he seems cool with adults tagging along. He even has a class for adults. I just have to convince the wifey, it's *very* safe and great for father-son bonding!

Seems though I have to invest in a truck also to carry the bikes on to the meets/sessions.

Originally Posted by mawana

This sounds like good idea - I just called the trainer over my lunch break and he seems cool with adults tagging along. He even has a class for adults. I just have to convince the wifey, it's *very* safe and great for father-son bonding!

Seems though I have to invest in a truck also to carry the bikes on to the meets/sessions.

Or a hitch and small trailer.

Originally Posted by bighorns

Or a hitch and small trailer.

Good idea, we already have a hitch on the FX.

One more question, did you have to get special insurance just for this, I should probably call my provider but any changes can only be effective starting Jan 1.

I'm in California, and anything I ever towed was covered by my insured tow vehicle. Some insurance companies insure off-road bikes, but it's not mandatory, and I never insured mine. The nice thing about the trailer was I also used it for my home improvement store runs, and it was one less vehicle to insure and maintain! Plus if you scratch it, who cares!

Originally Posted by bighorns

I'm in California, and anything I ever towed was covered by my insured tow vehicle. Some insurance companies insure off-road bikes, but it's not mandatory, and I never insured mine. The nice thing about the trailer was I also used it for my home improvement store runs, and it was one less vehicle to insure and maintain! Plus if you scratch it, who cares!

Thanks a lot - you have been most helpful and eased my fears tremendously though at an additional cost - one more bike plus a trailer.

So do you still ride or you gave up now that your kids can do it on their own? Sport-bike racing, maybe?

Originally Posted by mawana

Thanks a lot - you have been most helpful and eased my fears tremendously though at an additional cost - one more bike plus a trailer.

So do you still ride or you gave up now that your kids can do it on their own? Sport-bike racing, maybe?

I had to give it up due to a lower back injury, and my age (almost 56), hence my obsession with BMW's now. Kids are all grown, and moved away, but I have years of experiences and fond memories. I would love to have a sport-bike; best horsepower to weight ratio bang for the buck, but I have a twitch in my right wrist () that might get me killed, so I'll stick with 4 wheels so I have some protection around me!

P.S. The dirtbike riding will teach you valuable skills that will transfer over well when you are driving your cars. Remember, that's how Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR # 48) got started!