trail bike for X'MAS. 6yr old boy.

gtfpv · 13-11-2006, 04:17 PM

i know opinions will be varied on this . i was in a bike shop today and seen a little trail bike 50 cc it had electric start, i instantly thought about buying it for my 6 year old son ( i always wanted one when i was a boy but the oldies wouldnt letme. ). i'd buy the full protection equip[ment as well .
is this too young for a boy to own a bike .
** where would he ride it anyway ???

what are members thoughts here on this subject . whats the risk ??
does anyone have any thoughts or stories to tell.
cheers in advance .

LilMissDrift · 13-11-2006, 04:22 PM

I have been riding Motorbike since I was about 5, and started MX when I was 7, with serous comps by 11... its never to young. as long as you make sure he understands what he's playing with. make sure you explain all the safety gear, and make sure u endorse he always wears it or the bike gets taken off him!

FordACE · 13-11-2006, 04:23 PM

buy it. the younger they learn to ride motorcycles and understand the limitations of a vehicle the better. My neighbours in the country (I was from Ingham prior to Brisbane), started riding their motorcycles at like 5 years old. I started driving vehicles at around that age too.

nugget378 · 13-11-2006, 04:26 PM

My nephew has been riding since he was 3,started with a 50 and has been on a 90 since he was 7.
They pick it up fairly quickly if they have an interest in it..

The Monty · 13-11-2006, 04:26 PM

I started at 7, but I havent ridden in a while now. Were some of the funnest days of my childhood on that bike. It was a KX 60 ex racing bike, lol. Went great until I seized it...

pecker73 · 13-11-2006, 04:27 PM

If you can afford one... GET IT.

One of my happiest memories as a kid.. Fanging around the back yard on the pee wee 50.

Had it chained up in the garage a couple of times - got caught without the helmet on...

No major stacks or broken bones, the odd bruise, usually a result of a punch up with neighbourhood kids who wanted to get a ride.....

Argghh the good old days...

gtfpv · 13-11-2006, 04:27 PM

i must stress i'm in suburban sydney . and wouldnt endorse riding motorcycles on the road in sydney . but it's probably irrelavent to trail; bike riding.

nugget378 · 13-11-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i must stress i'm in suburban sydney . and wouldnt endorse riding motorcycles on the road in sydney . but it's probably irrelavent to trail; bike riding.

Theres a few clubs around that are great,best to get involved with one as a start..

LilMissDrift · 13-11-2006, 04:32 PM

Thats so true, and trust me it'll help to in situations when he is older and gets his licence. out of most the p platers i know, they have crashed, and a lot of them written veichles off (i know one guy who's written 4 of his own cars off (writing 2 other cars off, and also completely stuffed his best mates vh with a 307 in it), i havent crashed (touch wood) but i believe it may have something to do with ive been ridin/driving since i was a kid, and maybe i have had a few broken bones, but its given me an idea of what can happen, instead of just takin ur kid to the RTA to get their l's and taking them driving on the road that afternoon if you get where im coming from. It teaches responsibility!

pecker73 · 13-11-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i must stress i'm in suburban sydney . and wouldnt endorse riding motorcycles on the road in sydney . but it's probably irrelavent to trail; bike riding.

I was in Melbourne.. Tore the backyard to bits, the dog lost his marbles, and for a treat, the old man would take us to the beach or out the bush...

HOON69 · 13-11-2006, 04:56 PM

i try to get my kids the stuff i never could get,when it comes time i hope they can do the same for their kids,plus your kids will love you more then ever and when it comes to retirement etc then you can hit them up big time ;) hehehe

but yeah i reckon BUY IT ;)

**FTE217** · 13-11-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i must stress i'm in suburban sydney . and wouldnt endorse riding motorcycles on the road in sydney . but it's probably irrelavent to trail; bike riding.

I grew up with them living here in Sydney but ppl were more tolerant those days hearing trail bikes go up and down and police weren't as active in the bush trails.
Living in Ryde my 2 sons ride electric ones, no noise complaints and they have a ball. My 6yr old rides it very well, shoes and helmut are a must.
I just got the 14yr old a cool electric scooter Saturday. Great for local runs for Dad to get the paper or milk lol...
Check out extremetoys.com.au for a looksy.

CAMS290 · 13-11-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i know opinions will be varied on this . i was in a bike shop today and seen a little trail bike 50 cc it had electric start, i instantly thought about buying it for my 6 year old son ( i always wanted one when i was a boy but the oldies wouldnt letme. ). i'd buy the full protection equip[ment as well .
is this too young for a boy to own a bike .
** where would he ride it anyway ???

what are members thoughts here on this subject . whats the risk ??
does anyone have any thoughts or stories to tell.
cheers in advance .

Do yourself a favour and buy one of the Jap bikes, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki or Yamaha.
It will cost you more initially, but it will be more reliable, easier to get parts for, and retain a better re sale when it is time to up date to a larger size.

Stay away from those el cheapo Chinese imports, they are cheap and nasty.

nitroman · 13-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Yep, get him riding and he'll love you for it. I've been riding scince I was 7 (Honda QA50) and still ride today(GasGas400) and I've got memories from throughout my riding career I wouldn't trade for anything. As the above has mentioned get him something decent (Honda,Yamaha,Suzuki) and you'll have a lot less greif and he will have a lot more fun!

merlin · 13-11-2006, 06:11 PM

Do it - he will love it and down the track when he is 16 he will be a MUCH better (read safer) driver for it.

My nephew started when he was 4 and absolutely loves it - he goes out with his father trail riding all the time (good bonding experience).

AC/DC · 13-11-2006, 09:59 PM

Buy it.......... 6 is old enough to ride a small dirt bike.....

That way, he will be able to handle a decent 400-500cc by the time he is about 16......

Keep him off the bitumen.

AC/DC

I have a Husky 400 for sale, but he might struggle to kick it ! ! !

LUXO_8 · 13-11-2006, 10:03 PM

why not get one of those cheap pocket bike trail's for him to get a feel for it on...
then upgrade him to a propper peewee later on
you wont loose as much cash trying to sell it if he doesnt like it, and theres less of a chance of injury to him if he stacks the slow as pocket

just my 2 bobs

MITCHAY · 13-11-2006, 10:08 PM

My next door neighbour has 3 young kids and he has had them on bikes pretty early on just riding around in the back yard.

I wouldn't of minded having one even if it was just in the back yard. Sure beats the hell out of crusing round in a pedal powered F1 POS!

The younger you learn the better you are at something generally.

turboute · 14-11-2006, 03:28 PM

Another one who started young here - think I roke my firt Motorbike at 5 - (given it was a Q50 though) then a PW 50 for a couple of years - then moved up to CR125 (older one - great for bush bashing / quarry riding though).

When I have kids they will be learning to ride motorbikes early - does wonders for self confidence and physical fitness. Also teaches them responsibility when it comes to looking after the thing.

Jeld-Wen Falcon · 14-11-2006, 07:57 PM

Yeah why not.

MotherNatureVer2 · 15-11-2006, 02:33 PM

Definatly go for it ;)

We have been tossing up the idea of getting the youngest (7 on 23rd Dec) one this year. We wanted it last year but couldnt get one in time.

My eldest started at 5 on a PW50 4 wheeler but very quickly progressed to a DX80 at 6 ......... little bugger kept on doing doughies so we knew he was ready for the upgrade ........

I know a lot of mothers would cringe but it is far better to get it now while hes young enough to listen to you still ;)

gtfpv · 09-12-2006, 01:32 PM

well i bought one . it's a pitbike . dirtbike . from extremedirtbikes.com.au. its electric start, 4 stroke, air cooled , 50 cc semi auto 4spd . with chain drive . and spoke wheels . i hope it is ok , i did inspect it and it is very solidly built . for a chinese bike . $765. hard to beat . it has all the features of a yamaha tt50 @ $2250. less $250. =$ 2000
i looked at heaps lots of crap frame wise out there . i cant comment on the engine with this one . ( ducar ) but well built . apparantely they have parts as well .anyhow feel free to comment either way. cheers .

XR6TickfordBoy · 09-12-2006, 03:06 PM

As one whom was never brought up with any sort of motorised rides, do it! If my parents let me ride motorbikes, ATV's etc... I may have realised how much I loved cars (motorised anything) alot sooner! Im sure it is a win-win situation, ur kids will learn the limits of pushing a powered vehicle (which will be invaluable when they get their P's) to knowing whether it's something their passionate about! I will buy my kids whatever I think will help them in the future and I think this is a positive step!

GXL078 · 09-12-2006, 11:39 PM

A lot of the bogan parents around here let their kids ride the trail bikes in public parks. Their attititude to life in general is "rules are made to be broken".

gtfpv · 10-12-2006, 12:08 AM

any comments on the bike i bought . anybody?????

Deadman · 10-12-2006, 12:26 AM

I hope your son enjoys it. My brother in law (who loves motorbikes) bought a motorbike for his 5yr old son for Christmas 2 years ago. I rekon it'd be lucky to have done 50 meters since then. :(

**Falcon Coupe** · 10-12-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

any comments on the bike i bought . anybody?????

You should be fine with that, my mate has the 125 pitty and i can ride it, we take all the kids for a ride sitting on the tank, just make sure you always tighten everything, things always rattle loose

atec77 · 10-12-2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

i know opinions will be varied on this . i was in a bike shop today and seen a little trail bike 50 cc it had electric start, i instantly thought about buying it for my 6 year old son ( i always wanted one when i was a boy but the oldies wouldnt letme. ). i'd buy the full protection equip[ment as well .
is this too young for a boy to own a bike .
** where would he ride it anyway ???

what are members thoughts here on this subject . whats the risk ??
does anyone have any thoughts or stories to tell.
cheers in advance .

I expect he will ove it , but your biddst problem when old enough is convincing him not to road ride , dirt is so much safer
good luck . ( the bike is not the largest expense , safety gear is)

OLDFORDNUT · 10-12-2006, 09:16 AM

great little bike, but do yourself a favour and take all nuts up to bolt shop and replace with nyluk nuts so they dont come loose,as they all fall off and on a track you will never find the missing bits which gets expensive.

SHIFTN · 04-09-2007, 07:27 AM

how's it going?