Kids Motorbikes

I came across an interesting article on Yahoo Answers which looked more like a parenting relationship issue but as I read on it got me thinking about whether there is a right age for a kids motorbike.

The reasons for and against having a motorbike reigned in from all over the place but most people seemed to miss the sensible limits that this lady had actually placed on the type of bike she was considering for he son. So are people looking at this objectively or are there emotions getting in the way ?

For simplicities sake it would be nice to answer this by setting a specific age limit, and as if by magic it would be the right time for all kids to consider a motorbike, however like all things, kids are ready for different things at different ages.

Maybe you should then consider the attitude of the kids, and whether it’s just some fanciful whim that will burn some more cash and keep them entertained for a while or a genuine interest in a sport that could stay with them for the rest of their lives.

It’s not just the kids though, the same thing could be said about the parents and their overall experience and commitment in this area and in general. Motorbikes require a bit of handy work every now and again so if you’re not prepared for it, then maybe you need to find a knowledgeable friend or neighbour. You also need to spend time with the kids to ensure they are treating the bike with respect (no matter how small or safe) and following some good routines like getting themselves protected to rider or selecting an appropriate place to ride.

That brings us on nicely to general safety and protective gear. Some bikes will require a certain level of protective clothing to ensure riders safety so you must consider this in the costs of your kids motorbike and not skimp and make sure they get replaced when worn or damaged.

Have you consider the access to space that your kids have to enable them too ride their motorbike without it becoming a nuisance which could be the garden or a private piece of land or even at a club if necessary. The bike should be matched to its surroundings and allow for proper use of the bike.

Lastly there is the type of bike and this is the area that I think many people get it wrong. Buying too powerful a bike for the wrong kid or situation and its a recipe for disaster no matter what it is. Couple that with all the other elements and it’s easy to see how an innocent toy or beginner bike could become a danger to its rider and others around.

Have a look at this questions about kids motorbike age to see the debate unfold that triggered these thoughts on age for kids motorbikes.