Dads....No Time To Ride?

bsward423
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OH US

I'm 38 (almost 39) with two kids, 4 and 6. They are both at the age where they are riding without my help. I tried to take them trail riding at a piece of property we have. They did great, but I'm basically idling around on a KX250F spewing coolant all over the place. With that said, I've been thinking about selling my race bike and getting a trail bike so that I can putt around with the kids in the woods without overheating every time I have to stop and hear a story about the mud puddle they just went through (which I'm happy to do). 

Anyone else go through this phase?

I never race anymore anyways, so my bike is just collecting dust. I've ridden it a total of 10 hours in the last 5 years. It's borderline dangerous for me to even get on the thing and try to ride like I use to. I've come to really love vintage bikes and pit bikes over the last handful of years too, due to their low seat height and manageable power. I'm really thinking like I would enjoy a new KLX230r or CRF250F or CRF300F. Smooth power, long maintenance intervals, air cooled, fuel injected. If I want to get my racing fix, I can go race a local hare scramble on one and do just fine.

Anyone have any experiences they would like to share in this department?

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8/19/2025 5:52am Edited Date/Time 8/19/2025 6:12am

There’s several threads around the same topic but it’s a phase. It’s tough. You are fortunate enough to have a place close to ride. 

For now, get an air cooled CRF/KLX and call it a day. 

I will say they are getting to the age of riding faster is a possibility so maybe keep the puking KXF?

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1
hard2kill
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Flag Pond, TN US
8/19/2025 6:16am

I bought a Surron several years ago for just this purpose and it was fantastic. Also made it easy to talk to the kids while riding, and if they were having trouble on a hill or something I could easily and quickly lay the surron down and help them. Still have it and now my kids rip it around as a pitbike 

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2
bsward423
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OH US
8/19/2025 11:10am
There’s several threads around the same topic but it’s a phase. It’s tough. You are fortunate enough to have a place close to ride. For now, get...

There’s several threads around the same topic but it’s a phase. It’s tough. You are fortunate enough to have a place close to ride. 

For now, get an air cooled CRF/KLX and call it a day. 

I will say they are getting to the age of riding faster is a possibility so maybe keep the puking KXF?

I still lean towards the air cooled trail bikes for now. Basically, a glorified full size pit bike. I'm hoping someone else has done the same thing so that I can see how they got by.

1
bsward423
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OH US
8/19/2025 11:11am
hard2kill wrote:
I bought a Surron several years ago for just this purpose and it was fantastic. Also made it easy to talk to the kids while riding...

I bought a Surron several years ago for just this purpose and it was fantastic. Also made it easy to talk to the kids while riding, and if they were having trouble on a hill or something I could easily and quickly lay the surron down and help them. Still have it and now my kids rip it around as a pitbike 

A Surron is an interesting idea. It would be perfect honestly. I just struggle pulling the trigger on electric bikes. It's still a decent chunk of change for something that needs charged. Idk. I like that idea though.

1
5

The Shop

Red141
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Clermont, FL US
8/19/2025 11:24am

I went through that and waited until both boys decided... that riding wasn't their thing.  So I am stuck with a very low hour CRF250R whose value has dropped to almost nothing that I should have sold years ago.

4
2
Timo
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Wichita, KS US
8/19/2025 12:00pm

I've been looking at the crf300f, I think a dual sport conversion would be a sweet camping bike!

1
2
bodycast
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Monroe, NC US
8/19/2025 12:06pm

I only get twice a month if everything goes right.  Its part of having kids.  All thier stuff is more important right now.  Until they are older or get quicker on the bike my best advice is go get a dual sport if you can.  

The 350 excf is the tits.  Best of all worlds.

6
chasetwo79
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Truckee, CA, CA US
8/19/2025 12:10pm

42 and my kids are 11 and 14 and both girls. One likes to trail ride sometimes but I tried to get them both into moto, but it never stuck. When they were younger it was harder to find time but now I am riding more than I ever have. 

You are at the stage in parenting where kids take the absolute most energy and focus. You're building them into semi autonomous and eventually full autonomous people at this stage. The only way out is through and in 5-7 years you'll have more time. 

9
r.sal923
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CA
8/19/2025 12:19pm

I have a 6 and 8 year old. I never take my bike to track for mid week ride days and focus on them. Then every Sunday I load 4 bikes, get to the track and unload 4 bikes, prep them,. I get 2 - 20 min sessions, then load up 4 bikes, go home and unload 4 bikes and wash them. I kinda want to get rid of mine just so it is less work. I think it is worth it but it burns me out by end of summer.

3
8/19/2025 12:29pm

I second the dual sport. Started on an XR650L then upgraded to a DRZ400.

2
2
Lasse
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DK
8/19/2025 1:41pm

I bring the wife and friends to the track, that helps out a lot. 

2
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA US
8/19/2025 2:47pm

I missed a few 50 mile loops on these weekends, but I'd sure regret not having the moments like this. Everyone has to find your own balance, but you can't buy back time with your kids at any stage of their lives.

F5A0262.jpg?VersionId=sT.Bjs3VuYjxtKSAJ8RZ
32
8/19/2025 2:53pm

47.  Kids 9 and 4. When the older one was 4 he started on a PW50 and I had a Beta 300race edition.  Same experience as you described above. His mom kept racing her Beta 300xtrainer. She now races a FC250.I bought a TW200 for tooling around with him and sold the Beta.  I'm not saying buy a TW, I am saying the pit bike/trail bike/surron type of bike is more fun for these days.   I'll make a note about why the Surron can be helpful here in a second.  

Now I ride a stark as the older one has moved up and raced KTM50s,  65s.  That's been nice because I don't have to do anything to maintain my bike besides the chain and tires. Leaving me free to spend every waking hour keeping the clutches, pistons, carbs, brake pads, motor oil, and filters on the mini bikes alive. And doing the relatively simple maintenance on the FC250.  The Stark and the TW are allergic to tools so I never work on them.  The 4 year old is just getting going on the PW.  That bike sits in the never needs anything category as well, thankfully.  

I'm not a preacher for electronic power, I think the mixed garage kinda demonstrates that. I enjoy spending zero time working on that bike, so I can keep on top of the others.

 

1
Lowlander
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Location
Perth AU
8/19/2025 3:35pm
bsward423 wrote:
I'm 38 (almost 39) with two kids, 4 and 6. They are both at the age where they are riding without my help. I tried to...

I'm 38 (almost 39) with two kids, 4 and 6. They are both at the age where they are riding without my help. I tried to take them trail riding at a piece of property we have. They did great, but I'm basically idling around on a KX250F spewing coolant all over the place. With that said, I've been thinking about selling my race bike and getting a trail bike so that I can putt around with the kids in the woods without overheating every time I have to stop and hear a story about the mud puddle they just went through (which I'm happy to do). 

Anyone else go through this phase?

I never race anymore anyways, so my bike is just collecting dust. I've ridden it a total of 10 hours in the last 5 years. It's borderline dangerous for me to even get on the thing and try to ride like I use to. I've come to really love vintage bikes and pit bikes over the last handful of years too, due to their low seat height and manageable power. I'm really thinking like I would enjoy a new KLX230r or CRF250F or CRF300F. Smooth power, long maintenance intervals, air cooled, fuel injected. If I want to get my racing fix, I can go race a local hare scramble on one and do just fine.

Anyone have any experiences they would like to share in this department?

The air cooled bikes are fun. If your wanting a bike that can go slow but still have fun. Look at a small bore 2 stroke xc-w bike and stick a radiator fan on it. 

 

Can be run around at a few mph all day with the kids, is fast enough to enjoy when on your own and has suspension that can cope with fun moto without pushing too hard.

 

I highly recommend the xcw150 family or the 125 if you can find one.

1
OriginMX
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MADISON, WI US
8/19/2025 4:14pm

59 with 2 kids early 30’s and step son early 20’s.  We are all on current year 450’s.  Track days only. Life is great.

5
8/19/2025 5:15pm

I’d either goon a ttr125 or just buy an Austrian enduro bike. My TBI 300 will putt putt all day until it’s time to let her eat

2
early
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University Heights, OH US
8/19/2025 5:41pm

A plated xr250 or 400, or a tw200 make a fun second bike to have for riding with the kids and scooting around on the road, depending on where you live. 

2
j368
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Location
Tulsa, OK US
8/19/2025 5:53pm
I missed a few 50 mile loops on these weekends, but I'd sure regret not having the moments like this. Everyone has to find your own...

I missed a few 50 mile loops on these weekends, but I'd sure regret not having the moments like this. Everyone has to find your own balance, but you can't buy back time with your kids at any stage of their lives.

F5A0262.jpg?VersionId=sT.Bjs3VuYjxtKSAJ8RZ

I sure hope you have that picture up on a wall somewhere. Priceless. 

3
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA US
8/19/2025 6:32pm
I missed a few 50 mile loops on these weekends, but I'd sure regret not having the moments like this. Everyone has to find your own...

I missed a few 50 mile loops on these weekends, but I'd sure regret not having the moments like this. Everyone has to find your own balance, but you can't buy back time with your kids at any stage of their lives.

F5A0262.jpg?VersionId=sT.Bjs3VuYjxtKSAJ8RZ
j368 wrote:

I sure hope you have that picture up on a wall somewhere. Priceless. 

🙂 Couple years later he was on those loops.  Fortunate that all our three kids rode for a bit and that we got to do it together.  This was all post transplant, so I really savored it.

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Boxvan446
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Burlington, WI US
8/19/2025 6:41pm

I just turned 40 this year.  4 kids, 14g, 13b, 11g, 10b. The value of time (or lack of) has never been higher. All the kids ride, but the boys are definitely more into it than the girls.  We are fortunate we have a small track at the house.  The boys ride a lot.  I've got a Honda 450 that I didn't ride at all last year, and have only ridden twice this year.   I did get a Honda CRF150 (air cooled) to ride with them.  It's a ton of fun being on a smaller bike and riding around with them.  They are basically bullet proof and take little maintenance.  Long story short, get yourself an air cooled 125-250cc bike.  You're still super cool in your kids eyes everytime you go ride with them. 

3
Hyperlite211
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Location
Sharpsville, PA US
8/19/2025 6:55pm

I’m 38 with kids 12 & 9. We are just weekend warriors. My son (9), has been riding/racing a pdub all the way to 65 now. In the beginning I got a 110 to chase them. Once my son got a little quicker I got a klx140. Having a kick stand also comes in handy to pick them up off the ground.  Eventually the kids started riding the 110 and 140, so they will get many years of use. 

2
bsward423
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Location
OH US
8/20/2025 6:03am

Man. I did not expect that many replies. I really appreciate it. It sounds like from all of you, I'm on the right track. I do like the electric idea, but I also still like the air cooled trail bike idea too. I had not considered a two stroke xcw-type bike with a cooling fan. I feel like that is a solid idea as well. I appreciate all of the encouragement. I'll try to update everyone once I get my race bike sold.

1
Spooner
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Kansas City, MO US
8/20/2025 6:20am

I second the austrian 2 stroke mention.  I also have a TBI 300 and it idles along all day and never gets hot on me and is super easy to ride slow, has a kick stand, etc.  Plus you can still easily race in the woods and even ride MX if you get a few days a year in at the track.  Resale is pretty good too.

3
Bearuno
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AU
8/20/2025 6:40am

A Fan and a Quiet pipe on his KX250F could be the cheapest way for the OP - while retaining a bike that can be raced at the level he's been at. Evans coolant can be useful, but, I didn't start using until well after I put Fans on my CRE500 ( didn't want to just  'hide' the boiling problem)   - and then only because it suddenly appeared in my local Auto store, for a reasonable price. 

Though, 'Foo Foo' bikes are quite fun. And, can be kept in the Family, for others use / your youngsters use as they grow up. 

1
Timo
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Wichita, KS US
8/20/2025 7:36am

Race bikes will never be as fun to ride slow as an air cooled trail bike. I have a ttr-225 and a Chinese crf50 clone that I ride around with my kid while he's on his crf110. To me at least it's way more fun and the suspension and low ground clearance keeps me from getting too dumb while playing riding. If I'm on my 450 I get board and always end up doing something stupid, I've had worse crashes riding slow than racing 😅.

2
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
8/20/2025 7:59am

Some of the best days of my life have been spent watching them ride. I spun laps while they were resting and eating uncrustables. 😉

CC-Pala.jpg?VersionId=C and me.jpg?VersionId=w2SPEoQ9BhHPhykB%26CB.jpg?VersionId=jrrf3MMCZi8RzNs

 

20
8/20/2025 9:26am

Keep the big bike. I'm regretting getting rid of mine... My kids are both on 65's now at 11 and 9 yrs old and are riding the big tracks already.

Get a KLX 110 RL (the taller one with clutch) to follow them around the house for now. It doubled as our pit bike for races until AMA outlawed anything with a throttle this year though...SMH

1
DUCati227
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Location
Sutherlin, OR US
8/20/2025 9:57am Edited Date/Time 8/20/2025 9:58am

Beta 200rr. You can putt around all day if needed. Electric start. Kick stand. Super light..... this all matters when you're on and off your bike every 5 minutes. Yet, if you have time to grab a handful... it's still a blast.

1
snillum
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Location
Greer, SC US
Fantasy
8/20/2025 12:42pm

I have a KLX110L and some days I wish I had a CRF125L or KLX125 just for the slightly larger frame. I'm short and the KLX110L is fun to ride/race but my legs cramp just sitting around going slow/ trail riding on it. 

I also built an electric full size bike using Electro and Company kit. Kind of expensive but its silent, runs forever just creeping around. It's quiet and a full sized bike. Easily my favorite play bike now. 

1
j368
Posts
570
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Location
Tulsa, OK US
8/20/2025 4:59pm
Falcon wrote:
Some of the best days of my life have been spent watching them ride. I spun laps while they were resting and eating uncrustables. 😉  

Some of the best days of my life have been spent watching them ride. I spun laps while they were resting and eating uncrustables. 😉

CC-Pala.jpg?VersionId=C and me.jpg?VersionId=w2SPEoQ9BhHPhykB%26CB.jpg?VersionId=jrrf3MMCZi8RzNs

 

And some of their best days too, even if they don’t know it yet. 

1

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