Topic: Getting kids started riding

[Scott S]

 My very first granddaughter will be one in November. I'd really like to introduce her to motorcycling at an early age. The younger the better, right?

 What's a good way to get 'em started? I figure some Power Wheels while she a toddler. And a bicycle, of course (gotta make her pedal and exercise and learn balance).
 
 But once she's ready for a mini-bike or whatever, what's a good step-by-step, stage-by-stage way to do it? I'm know small dirt bikes are good, but I'm not into off roading and wouldn't really have a place like that to take her.

 Are those little pocket bikes good for kids? At what age? What about the traditional mini-bike with a 3-5 HP lawnmower type engine? After that, then what?

[Freaky1]

When I was 6 my dad bought a Honda Z50 from my cousins, not to fast and automatic, got me used to moving on a bike. Wish I still had that one, but oh well. I have no idea what would be an alternative to dirt bikes at a certain point, can't have kids riding around the neighborhood before the drivers license. Police don't look kindly at kids on motorized bikes on streets, I lost an old Enduro after getting caught riding around the neighborhood years ago.

[nokrome]

i think that you definitely would want to start kids out on the dirt, its a lot more forgiving when they crash (they will crash) and they will be more likely to get right back on it instead of getting freaked out and scared off.

[strynboen]

automatic are the word..i bayed a 110 china bike..but the kids first get intrerest,,when i monted a honda amigo engine..
now the boy are 8 and littel brother stayes ready for take over
problem vith pocket bikes are that noysy 2 stroke ,,,its skæring kids..elektric engines vill be good

[Grnrngr]

Taking them for rides on your bike when they get maybe 5-7 gets them interested, and +1 on starting with a bicycle. I was "BMXing" on my stingray and 10-speed in the dirt way before there was BMX, absolute best place to learn to fall, jump hills, and powerslide. Wouldn't "start" a kid on anything with a motor until they express a serious interest and have demonstrated an understanding of bicycle safety, then, in the dirt or sand even if you have to drive a ways to get there.

[Stev-o]

Moped/scooter at age 7-8 is the way to go, worked for me!

[dave500]

im with nokrome,you have to learn dirt to a degree,they will fall off,when i was a kid i was facinated by all motor bikes,then my older sister got a boyfriend with a cb450 twin,he took me for a ride,that was it,there was a hire a honda ct70(dax?) place with a beginners track and also a track for those who brought there own bike along not to far from us then and me and my mate would go ,$2.50 for half an hour,the auto clutch was good for us to learn gears,ive since spent years in the dirt and miss it now,it was a good learning curve as to what bikes can and cant do and what you can get away with once your a little more experienced,go for it and encourage them!when my son was young(hes 23 now)we got a yammy peewee50,he rode it in the back yard and there was a little mini bike club close by we went to and we camped out now and again with bikes but he lost interest,we never pushed him into bikes.

[bathcollector]

I just bought my 4 & 5 yr old kids a N.Z. made copy of the Lil Indian minibike each. They can't ride themselves yet but have been doing laps around the yard with me so only a matter of time.

[flybox1]

why not something like this....

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/mcy/1899381373.html

[nokrome]

why not something like this....

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/mcy/1899381373.html

  the first time i ever rode something with a motor and two wheels it was almost exactly like that,
     i was scared sh!tless