Your kids disinterested in Moto?

Preston412
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Saint Augustine, FL US
Fantasy
1/10/2021 4:18pm
I am not disappointed or sad. I bought him a 4 Wheeler to get comfortable then a 50cc dirt bike to get him slinging dirt. After a few rides, he told me he wasn’t ready to ride a dirt bike fast and wanted to try karate.
Now, he is 10 and two belts away from a black belt and one kick ass football player.
I am a second generation racer so it maybe in his blood or it may not.
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1/10/2021 4:30pm
I got the kids a pw50 then remembered how dangerous this sport is... so I'm more than good if they want nothing to do with it
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brocster
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Aliso Viejo, CA US
1/10/2021 6:26pm
My son had dirttbikes since 2 years old. Had been out to the track many of times and would only do a moto or two then takes off to find some jump somewhere on his bmx bike. I never forced him but it was always in front of him but he had little to no interest. He was an action sports kid. Skateboard, bmx, scooter. He developed a lot of skill on his bmx bike and at around 11 years old, wanted a high end bmx bike. Told him I would have to sell his RM80 to purchase the bike and he let it go. I rode MX most weekends while he stayed home honed his bmx skills and on contest or skatepark trips we would go as a family. He has taken that to the highest level currently but also in the last 4 years he found the love for dirt bikes and he and I ride whenever he gets a chance. He is now a die hard fan of the sport and loves to burn up the tracks. He and I rode Day In the Dirt together this past Thanksgiving. We started together and crossed the finish line together. It was awesome!

OP don’t fret, your boy may come around like mine did albeit a 12 year hiatus. Stopped at 11 (basically joy riding) and picked back up at 24 and all he wants to do is hit the tracks when he is not working on a bmx project or on a bmx trip.

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duckdog77
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Laotto, IN US
1/10/2021 6:27pm
Definitely a good read...

My son is just a little over a year. So far Ive told my wife he’s going to be an Mx racer, a wrestler, soccer player, hockey player, and just tonight was the real good one... a professional bull rider! She was not on board with that! Truth is I want him to be into those things but the reality is he may not be. He can be anything he wants. Do anything he wants. Hell he might do me one better and grow up to change the world for the better.

I know one thing whatever road he chooses to follow I’ll be there.
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The Shop

brocster
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1/10/2021 6:35pm
duckdog77 wrote:
Definitely a good read... My son is just a little over a year. So far Ive told my wife he’s going to be an Mx racer...
Definitely a good read...

My son is just a little over a year. So far Ive told my wife he’s going to be an Mx racer, a wrestler, soccer player, hockey player, and just tonight was the real good one... a professional bull rider! She was not on board with that! Truth is I want him to be into those things but the reality is he may not be. He can be anything he wants. Do anything he wants. Hell he might do me one better and grow up to change the world for the better.

I know one thing whatever road he chooses to follow I’ll be there.
Yes! Follow your kids dreams, not your own...

Had my son’s back all the way through, baseball, soccer, etc. lucky for me he ended up doing well in something that I excelled in as a kid,teenage, young man so it was easy for me. We still ride bmx together as well.
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sandtrack315
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Philadelphia, PA US
1/10/2021 7:12pm
I will be happy if my son is interested enough to ride for fun and be proficient on a dirt bike but not wild enough to want to race.

I’d also be totally okay if he’d rather play soccer. It will be hard if he’s not into any outdoors activities.
xrmark
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Lake Elsinore, CA US
1/10/2021 8:43pm
What do you do if the roles are reversed?? Can’t get my dad to get on a bike for the life of me. Grew up at the track racing every weekend. Whole family did it. Dude wants nothing to do with a bike now ha crazy
Timo
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Wichita, KS US
1/10/2021 9:11pm
My 4 year old has a bike, but he isn't going to be riding a track anytime soon. I've seen too many crazy parents that make kids jump things that they themselves would never attempt. I didn't ride motocross until I was 17, been riding off-road since 10 though. Most of my really good memories riding are on trail rides, the hospital trips are from moto.
Ryan625
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Lynnwood, WA US
1/10/2021 9:16pm
Taotech wrote:
Bottom line is with how dangerous the sport has gotten. If your kids are super into it get them bikes and take them racing. If your...
Bottom line is with how dangerous the sport has gotten. If your kids are super into it get them bikes and take them racing. If your kids aren’t into it and you force them into it and one of them winds up paralyzed you’re gonna blow your freaking brains out. You’re either born a dirt biker or you’re not.
The last line is where the truth lies. My dad rode and actually didn’t want me to, I hounded him relentlessly until I finally got one at 6. No one could change my mind, my parents tell me I was obsessed.

My daughter doesn’t show the same interest and I’m indifferent. She has a stacyc and the opportunity, but if she winds up a ballerina, I’ll go full “moto dad” for whatever she ends up loving.
HazemG
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LA, CA US
1/10/2021 9:23pm
STLSharky wrote:
Every parent that has kids lives through their kids until they grow up.
Every parent has kids
9
btroxler
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Saltillo, MS US
1/11/2021 11:02am
Here is my $.02 for what its worth..

I have two boys 9 and 10. When my 10 year old was less than a year old I bought a PW50 and spent a couple of years getting it up to snuff. He wouldn't even sit on it when it was in the garage and to this day could absolutely care less about dirt bikes, if it is not football, his hoverboard or bicycle he doesn't care. Won't even get on one.

I tucked the P-Dub over in the corner and when my 9 year old was old enough to walk he would come out into the garage with me and one day he found it and started climbing all over it, making motorcycle noises etc and I thought to myself he is the one to ride if either do.

At 3.5 years old I put him on the P-Dub and away he went. He rode a couple times a week until he was about 5 and dropped it like a rock in a lake. He didn't mention it or show any interested until he turned 7 and he wanted to race. We raced a few times that year and then again like the rock, he lost interest. I had just purchased him a KTM 50SX to let him start riding and get ready for the bigger bike, needless to say we sold it and for the last year and a half he hadn't mentioned dirt bikes. This summer after my annual trip to Loretta's he told me he wanted to ride again and wanted to go the Pro Nationals at Loretta's to watch and play in the creek so away we went. He spent 5 hrs in the creek and about 30' watching the actual races. He enjoyed the creek 10x over the actual race, but none the less we came, we watched and we had a great time.

He stayed on me for about 2 months wanting to ride, I looked around and ended up finding a new KLX110R. He has ridden it 3 times since I purchased it in October. He started football this year and really enjoyed that but when the weather is nice and I can break free he still wants to go ride. This may last a year or it could last 15.

I will say this I will enjoy it and will never push him to race unless it is his choice. I fell in love with this sport at an early age and enjoy it more today at 38 than I probably ever have. I have a couple of bikes and ride when I can but again priority for me is to spend time with them doing what they love whatever it is. So for now its outside activities, football games and a little dirt bike riding every now and then.

Best of luck and who knows your kids my decide as they get older they want to ride.

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peltier626
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LA US
1/11/2021 1:54pm Edited Date/Time 1/11/2021 1:55pm
Old thread, great info. I originally posted in this tread over two years ago. This past weekend my son entered his first race, as I watched him shiver on the starting line my eyes teared up. It's something us moto parents dream about but I understand it is totally his choice no matter what his hobbies are. Thankfully five of his friends all ride so when we go to the track it's a fun outing. I do realize that moto is not his passion and enjoy the time spent with him more than anything. Over the last couple years soccer has become his thing and we will support and spend time with him in whatever hobbies he chooses. Love and support them kids cause they grow up quick.
Adam43
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WF
1/11/2021 2:42pm
Appreciate everyone's perspectives.

We have our own tracks and a shop full of bikes, I live for the stuff, but it's good to remember that passions aren't always inherited.

My little guy just turned two and already rips on his Strider and loves working on the big bikes with me. I won't push him hard towards it, but I have to admit I'd be a little dejected if he doesn't have some interest.
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AE448
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GB
1/13/2021 6:52am Edited Date/Time 1/13/2021 6:56am
I have a 17 month old daughter so she isn't old enough yet and I currently am not riding although I plan to start again this year. I have thought about what I would say if she showed interest and wanted to ride. I guess I wouldn't stop her, although I may tell her the harsh truths about the dark side of riding. Kids that age don't listen to the negatives though. If I had a son it would be different, I think I would quite support him if he showed interest. I also mountain bike - steep, technical riding and jumps. I wouldn't mind her doing that, in fact I would 100% encourage her to get into riding MTB although it's still a dangerous sport in itself. I think as a parent you get caught in 2 worlds - one which wants to encourage your kids to live life to the absolute full and race MX and live the way you did, and another which says "well I know how brutal this sport can be, the bad injuries I've seen, I don't want that to happen to my kid". So I will neither push my daughter or put her off too much if she showed interest. If she rides then she does, if not then I will still (hopefully) have a supporter with me at the races! The best times of my life have been racing week in/week out with my dad. He always says he doesn't want to see me hurt yet I tell him it's always been my choice to race and I'm so thankful that he gave me the opportunity to live a fantastic life.

What pains me more than anything is the thought of my daughter sitting on the sofa watching hours and hours of TV each day, or with a screen in front of her face.
Holigan
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Dallas, TX US
1/13/2021 8:25am
Brad Lackey said in an interview that his kids would be golf and tennis pros. He said that he was going to buy them motorcycles and make them ride and train everyday. Brad said he was going to hide golf clubs and tennis rackets under a bunch of junk in his garage. He said that he would bet money that they end up in golf and tennis and never want to race,
hubbardmx50
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
1/13/2021 8:38am
Don’t have any kids yet, but my friends could care less about Moto and think it’s lame. They’re all into the RZR’s now. They always want me to come along but I won’t give up a weekend of riding to sit in one of those things. Four wheels just isn’t something I’m passionate about
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Jardo
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Visalia, CA US
Fantasy
1/13/2021 9:01am
I have 4 boys, oldest is 7. They've always loved dirt bike toys and are all great on bicycles.

They were not crazy about the XR50 I got them.. They liked sitting on it but seemed scared once that engine started.

I bought this stupid little electric motorcycle called a burromax (thing looks stupid). They LOVED it. So I bought another cheap electric bike, this time a Razor brand. Ive seen them literally punch each other over who's turn it is to ride.

So now they have a PW50, an XR50 and two cheap electric bikes. And now they all have the same addiction that their dad has.

Who knows if they will stick with it, but I secretly love when they sneak outside to go rip their dirt bike.
Rad76
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Elk Grove Village, IL US
1/13/2021 9:08am
lostboy819 wrote:
I am glad my boys don't have any interest in it because it was my passion not theirs. Cool
Same.
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r.sal923
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CA
1/13/2021 9:09am
I asked my 3 year old last night if he was excited to ride in the spring. He said “no , I would rather play with my dinosaurs” I picked him up , started rocking him and I started crying , like one of them old western films when the person passes away in your arms.
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kapaa10
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Vista, CA US
1/13/2021 9:10am
Holigan wrote:
Brad Lackey said in an interview that his kids would be golf and tennis pros. He said that he was going to buy them motorcycles and...
Brad Lackey said in an interview that his kids would be golf and tennis pros. He said that he was going to buy them motorcycles and make them ride and train everyday. Brad said he was going to hide golf clubs and tennis rackets under a bunch of junk in his garage. He said that he would bet money that they end up in golf and tennis and never want to race,
Oddly enough lot of former racers won't let their kids even ride and the kids are very good tennis players. I use to coach Mika decoster tennis and he ended playing tennis at UCI. Both of Danny laportes kids were good so cal players also and ended up playing college. Those guys didn't want their kids injured. Smart kids can get scholarships.
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Tracktor
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The RTF/Amboy, WA US
1/13/2021 2:48pm
I can't relate - Both my boys have been obsessed with moto since before they could ride. Well the two boys my oldest (daughter) jumps horses instead. We have been to quite a few hospitals over the years. My youngest started riding a PW50 at about 2.5 because he wanted to be like his older brother. Now they are 15 & 19 andpush each other to go faster, whip flatter, etc. We just got back from a 7 day riding trip to CA. On the last day, after 6 straight days of riding my youngest was pissed because DT1 didn't run one last moto.

It's all fun & games until they start going faster & jumping the big stuff. I've never pushed them if anything I make them think about the risk/reward ratio. Running up on your kid after a crash and he saying he can't feel his legs is fucking scary (he ended up being fine just impact shock)..........
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fins227
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Chillicothe, OH US
1/13/2021 2:59pm
My kid will ride when he can ride with his cousins. If it’s kids he doesn’t know he’s out.
Yzf916
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MS US
1/13/2021 3:08pm
Don’t fret. My son rode a Honda XR50 for a year or so when he was little. Gave it up entirely to play travel basketball and baseball from age 5-10. Then middle and high school ball. Then to my surprise, at age 23, he told me he was thinking about getting a bike. We found him a nice KTM350SXF. And ride every chance we get. He is 26 now and still riding. Although my shift work and his new career doesn’t allow it as much as we’d like. It is cherished time together when most that age are trending away from their parents.
AE448
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GB
1/13/2021 3:28pm
Tracktor wrote:
I can't relate - Both my boys have been obsessed with moto since before they could ride. Well the two boys my oldest (daughter) jumps horses...
I can't relate - Both my boys have been obsessed with moto since before they could ride. Well the two boys my oldest (daughter) jumps horses instead. We have been to quite a few hospitals over the years. My youngest started riding a PW50 at about 2.5 because he wanted to be like his older brother. Now they are 15 & 19 andpush each other to go faster, whip flatter, etc. We just got back from a 7 day riding trip to CA. On the last day, after 6 straight days of riding my youngest was pissed because DT1 didn't run one last moto.

It's all fun & games until they start going faster & jumping the big stuff. I've never pushed them if anything I make them think about the risk/reward ratio. Running up on your kid after a crash and he saying he can't feel his legs is fucking scary (he ended up being fine just impact shock)..........
I hear you on your last point. My dad was stewarding for the first time at a meeting where we witnessed a lad crash in front of us. He broke his back and subsequently was paralysed...he knew it right away and the look in his eyes said it all. Ever since then it made my dad think twice about why he got me into the sport because I was the same age as the kid at the time. So for those parents who are reluctant to let their kids ride, there's nothing wrong with that.
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1/13/2021 4:09pm
I bought my son several bikes from the age of 3 years up, however he just didn't get it & didn't want to ride them, it was me trying to impart my love of MX on him.
Eventually he was too much of a thinker & it dawned on me that I was wasting my money & time, so let him channel his mind elsewhere, he became an accountant now works in London stock market trading oils & petroleum.

I think he was too smart for motocross & could see the dangers too much, however he did take up boxing for a few years & surprised me with that choice.

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Bigshow
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Jerusalem, OH US
1/13/2021 5:50pm
I will be 48 in a few days, my son is 4. I got him powers wheels SxS for his 3rd birthday and he rides the wheels off of it. He has had a strider since he was one. He can really fly on and go down long hills without touching his feet. Builds jumps and jumps it. His mother my ex ruined him, before I could get him riding a bicycle or a dirt bike she stuck him on training wheels. He will still ride the strider like mad, but he has a break down if I try to put him on his bicycle I have with out the training wheels. I even talked to her about not putting him on training wheels. She just shut me out about it. I talked to him about a dirtbike last spring and he said he wanted a couch. So for Christmas I got him a TRX90. When he uncovered he said he wanted a toy 4 wheeler from Walmart. lol I have gotten him to rife it around the yard enough he knows how to make it go and stop it. Good news I have caught him sitting on it in the garage playing like he likes it. As you guys know I started out on bike and then took up quads and have rode both since. Wanted to start him on bikes because I think being decent on bikes makes you a better rider rather bike or couch. I have a Canned Ham Maverick and mounted a car seat in it and modified it so he can wear a MX helmet in it. He loves buggy rides, not a fan of getting muddy though for some reason. But I will support him in whatever he wants to pursue. People ask if I am going to make him race, no way. I get up everyday and my body hurts from crashing. That has to be his want.
JWACK
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NM US
1/13/2021 6:01pm
If my kids weren’t into Moto...





Lucky for them they are into riding. 😂
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Zesiger 112
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Galveston, TX US
1/14/2021 5:54am
Seek their stuff and put the money into your own bike
oceantrav
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Location
Tarpon Springs, FL US
1/14/2021 6:42am
My 13 year old has raced since 4. He didn’t get obsessed till he was about 8 years old. He’s not on the gas though which is cool, doesn’t wreck or get hurt much. Times when he was younger I had to force him to Come ride or else I would
Get shit from my wife for riding my self and leaving her
With my younger kids.

My 7 year old has been racing since he was 4 and been obsessed since day one. Went to Loretta’s last year.

My 9 year old daughter rides some, dont put any pressure since I have two boys.

Would Deffinitly suck to have boys that didn’t want to ride. Everytime I see a dad with a fast girl, I think to myself
That he must not have any sons lol
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Stevo683
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12/20/2018
Location
Westerville, OH US
1/14/2021 6:57am
ama530 wrote:
It is a different generation and mindset. When we were kids, everybody wanted a dirtbike and go riding. Kids could care less about it now and...
It is a different generation and mindset. When we were kids, everybody wanted a dirtbike and go riding. Kids could care less about it now and it shows in the turnout at the local tracks. I have 2 boys. 11 & 16. I thought we would be the typical moto family. Didn't happen. But my wife and I never pushed or pressured them to race or get into anything they were not comfortable with. We wanted to give them the opportunity to make their own choices. They chose to play baseball and do other things and we supported them. We still love trail riding together and we get out on a regular basis, but the racing is pretty much out of the question. Actually, I am good with that. We have more fun going out and hitting the trails than any day sitting at the mx track. My oldest is very intelligent and wants to be a neurologist. He is also a brilliant jazz musician. Trade that for mx. No way! My youngest is a very good athlete and is an up-and-coming musician also. Let your kids be who they want to be. Don't try to live your dreams through your kids and become a moto-dad. We have enough of those idiots out there already thinking they have the next GOAT. Support them in their decisions and enjoy watching them chase their dreams.
Well said! Its easy to want to push them into what you are passionate about. The key is for them to find something they are passionate about...
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