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Edited Date/Time
3/24/2016 1:39am
I don't have any of my own but I just recently became a great uncle and wanted to get the little bugger going ASAP.
How old do these things have to be before they can hold their head up with a helmet on?
He's about 5 months old now(two if you don't count the three-months prematuredness). I was about four years when I ran wide-open into the back of my first parked car and didn't get another motorcycle til about five years later. That really sucked(the not getting another bike part) and I don't plan on putting this kid through that. He doesn't know it yet but he's in it to win it. Don't tell his mom.
Is it too soon for a 4arm Strong ?
There are older kids in the family but they're girls so, yeah, might as well throw money in a pile and burn it..lol j/k
Seriously now though: Just doing a survey. Wondering how old your (pro
)kids were when you started them riding and what bikes you started them on. BMX first? And any other tips you might wanna offer up would be great. I plan on having a works 50 together for him by the time he's four so... times' a wastin'!
Thanks
How old do these things have to be before they can hold their head up with a helmet on?
He's about 5 months old now(two if you don't count the three-months prematuredness). I was about four years when I ran wide-open into the back of my first parked car and didn't get another motorcycle til about five years later. That really sucked(the not getting another bike part) and I don't plan on putting this kid through that. He doesn't know it yet but he's in it to win it. Don't tell his mom.
Is it too soon for a 4arm Strong ?
There are older kids in the family but they're girls so, yeah, might as well throw money in a pile and burn it..lol j/k
Seriously now though: Just doing a survey. Wondering how old your (pro
)kids were when you started them riding and what bikes you started them on. BMX first? And any other tips you might wanna offer up would be great. I plan on having a works 50 together for him by the time he's four so... times' a wastin'!Thanks
I would suggest considering other sports that are safer and easier.
Professional fishing comes to mind. All you have to do is know stinky bait is a waste of time.
The Shop
Started pro career in 2001 at the age of 23 and has earned $11,4863,135 in 200 events, including 21 top tens and 3 wins.
That does not include sponsorship money either
Much better career path than moto....
don't.
like everyone else is saying, go after Golf and at the very least get college paid for in scholarships.
Zach Blair grew up a few miles from me. he got his PGA card in 2015. his earnings for 2015 were $1.2m and so far in 2016 is sitting at $650k. he's sitting 46th in the FedEx and 139th in the World. he's not a big name in the golf world yet, but is on his way to having a great career of it.
oh, and look at Rickie, he hasn't done too horribly for himself...
PW50, maybe three hours on it from new, garage ornament. TTR50 , maybe two hours on it from new.
KTM 50, did not show enough interest to gain the skills to ride it well.
It all just sits. Been wanting to sell it all, but Grandma gets all sentimental about it.
He has more interest in a pair of roller blades and a hockey stick.
Save your money.
Pit Row
I got a mini bmx bike at 3 and my old man told me once I mastered it I would get a dirt bike. Less than a year later for my 4th birthday we were rolling an '88 pw50 off the showroom.
1-home school
2-drop him off at Colleens
3-pick him up in 5 years
4-do two Ricky races
5-drop him off at Mitch's
6-BOOM
with any luck you might not have to waste money on a 450 cause some guys like to do a career on the tiddler, like Jiffy and Devildog
Mike
I'll ask his mom
PW50: 3
PW80: 5 1/2
60KX: 6 1/2
80CR small wheels: 8 1/2
80 YZ big wheels: 10 1/2 to 14 1/2
125 CR: 11 1/2
250 YZ: 13 1/2
500 KX: 16
But it is important to get the priority first, and to know where it is going as it is expensive and risky for the kid (so the parents must be ok), if he likes the sport really much:
the kid love it
school, no A or B or bad behavior = no training
bmx at a good level for technique
some sports to learn how to fall (judo, etc)
some sports to help the back (swim)
other sport (climbing, etc)
training not to make 1000 laps on the same lines, but experiencing new lines
training always with a few faster riders (and some slower)
a track & bulldozer & water is key to make it pro
I think minimum 6 new or reconditioned fast bikes per year from 8 to 14 to make it pro
a trailer to ride in different tracks during holidays all over the place (and for racing later)
the luck to have good tracks nearby
so once it is started a mechanic 2 hours a day
a a lot of time during the week and week end
fitness / streching / diet
and of course luck
To be honest, moto parents are awesome, going through lot of sacrifices, and the time spent between family members is awesome ; kids spend much more time with moto parents and I think tend to stay away more from troubles unless they want to make the tough kids ...
Last but not least: although people will keep telling you it is the rider, not the bike, a stock mini bike & a fast mod mini bike is comparing apple to orange, close to 10 seconds a lap. It is a motor sport, a "cheaper" one but it is still one. For me the bike/team is about 35 to 50% of the results (i.e. how many times we keep hearing 50% of the race is the start, for example; although what it is important for an engine is to be docile and elastic).
Good luck, but for fun, it is up to the kids if they want to make it pro
If you have any pull with his parents, have them beat him from time to time and put gunpowder in his food. That will help make him mean and maybe he'll have the aggression and self confidence to be a great motocross racer someday.
Anyway, we've had "moto-dads" in the sport, maybe it is time for a "scary great uncle" in the sport too?
There is this saying ''like taking candy from a baby'', well i'm sure that giving a bike to a kid and then having his parents say you cannot ride it will have a bit deeper impact on the kid... And i expect your relationship with his parents will take a hit as well when the kid refuses to talk to his parents for the next 3 months....
As for what age to get the kid a bike, i have no clue. The only thing that i can say is that at most local/regional races in my area there is always only like 1 or 2 kids on a 50cc, while in 65cc there are a lot more. Not sure if the kids simply don't race on 50cc and only practice or that most kids start later.
Post a reply to: Q: Getting Kids Started on the road to Multiple National and World Championships