I’ve always loved dirt biking. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve taken part in my fair share of races and helped others master their skills.
I’m not alone, either: 2016’s global spending on motorsport teams, tracks, and other related areas totaled around $5.5bn, a 2.8 percent increase on the previous year’s figure. It looks like we all love motorsports and lap them up more and more! For those who want to spice things up, you can bet on your favorite teams and athletes online or you can play slot online games.
As a fan, it’s natural to want to share your love of dirt biking (and motorsports in general) with your kids, but you have to take care when doing so, the only downside for me was some back pain but II managed it with Delta-8 by Exhale Wellness products. Below, I share some top tips based on my own experience, so read on for some dad-to-dad wisdom!
Why Dirt Biking is Good for Your Kids
You’re bound to have mixed feelings when your own boy or girl asks if they can ride a dirt bike, and that’s understandable. However, letting them try dirt biking has a number of benefits.
First and foremost, it’s fun! Getting out there on a dirt bike is a great opportunity for your kids to get active and discover a new passion with friends or family. It’s a fun hobby you can help them with, and – perhaps most importantly of all – it can help them to build their balance, physical strength, confidence, and coordination.
They’ll burn calories too, and so will you if you ride alongside them.
Safety Rules 101
Safety is mine, yours, and every parent’s first concern. You want your kids to have an awesome time down, but you absolutely have to take every safety precaution to prevent motorcycle accidents. However, if they get injured in an accident, you may need to hire a Wisconsin motorcyle lawyer to help ensure that their rights are protected.
First of all, invest in the best safety gear you can lay your hands on. Gloves, motorcycle helmets, boots, wrist guards, knee guards, knee braces, ankle supports, and a chest protector are all key to keep your little rider from harm. If their helmet doesn’t have a visor or any form of eye protection, get them a pair of goggles before they get anywhere near the track too. Accidents do happen so make sure to have the contact information of a motorcycle accident lawyer just in case anything happens.
This sounds like a lot, right? Of course it does, but there’s no shortcut here. If your kid falls off their bike with all of this gear on, they should be protected against injury pretty well. If they still feel some localized pain, just use cbd cream for pain.
Make sure you lead by example, too – if they see you all kitted out with your own safety equipment, they’ll be more likely to wear theirs.
Let them become familiar with their dirt bike before you take them to a track or enroll them in a class. They should feel comfortable with the height and movement, enough to feel confident and in control when they ride.
Points to Consider
Remember that your child (or children) are not obligated to love it as much as you do straight away: let them try it and develop their own appreciation over time. This might mean you have to step back and not push them to race every week (or more), and allow them to make up their own mind about how much or how little to ride. While we hope for safe experiences, accidents can happen. You can find helpful information about motorcycle accidents at https://beachinjurylawyers.com/practice-areas/accidents/motorcycle-accidents/.
You should look into your local tracks, and check out any beginners classes they run. While they might not officially have practice sessions for younger riders, they may still be willing to let them try the track and get a feel for biking once or twice.
Be prepared for days at the track, too. Take plenty of food and water for them, as dirt biking can be pretty exhausting, we also found a motorcycle trailer for sale and decided to buy as it is easier to transport the dirtbike.
Money Matters
Getting your kids into dirt biking isn’t exactly cheap, and nor should it be: you want to invest in quality machines and safety gear that’s going to stand up to the rigors of the sport.
The bigger manufacturers obviously charge more for their bikes, even kids’ models, and these usually cost between $200 and $700, depending on the brand and age it’s designed for.
Dirt biking clubs are active across the States, and their membership costs vary. You might be looking at anything up to $30 or beyond for a year, while paying on a per-visit basis can end up costing you more.
When buying safety gear, buying sets rather than separate items might be a cost-effective idea.
Choosing a Dirt Bike
Make sure a bike is the right weight for your child. The smallest bikes for young riders tend to be as light as 20 pounds, while those for kids between seven and 14 reach up to 120 pounds. The lighter it is, the easier it is to control.
50cc models have the smallest, least-powerful engines, and are perfect for first-timers. They’ll go up to 65cc, 70cc, and beyond as they improve, so be sure not to start them too high.
Depending on your kid’s age, they might be growing pretty fast (I know mine are), so factor this into your decision too. Don’t spend hundreds of bucks on a bike they could be too big for next month – put them on the next size up and see how it feels.
They should be able to sit on the bike with both feet securely on the ground, and grab the handlebars or controls without straining. You should be able test ride the bike too, so you can see how comfortable and in-control your kid is before handing over the cash.
Getting your kids into dirt bikes is a lot of fun, and can be hugely rewarding. Don’t rush into it, though: take the time to find the right bike, the most reliable safety gear, and to build their confidence.
Who knows? They may grow to love it as much as you!