Asia D
I want to purchase a pocket bike, mini dirt bike, or mini quad for my nephew's graduation present. He is 6 years old, about 60 lbs, average Height. I want to know the best thing to get him, if there are any with speed lock-outs or remote shut offs. A few good name brands would be awesome. I also need something I can get training wheels for. I'm looking to spend no more than 500. Please no comments about how he doesn't need one or that he needs to be supervised he is well taken care and we understand this isn't a toy. I just need advice on what to buy. Thank you!
Answer
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.
With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.
Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.
If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.
The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.
When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.
If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.
This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.
Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.
If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.
Pocket bikes are Chinese made knock off's/clones of Japanese and European bikes. They are inferior to the bike they are cloned from. They do not have the reliability, dependability, quality or craftsmanship of the bikes they are cloned from.
With that said, I would recommend you look into a Japanese or European bike. He will fit on a 50cc to a 65cc bike. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM all make mini-bikes.
Since you do not have a lot to spend, you will have to look used. Check Ebay, Craigslist, CycleTrader and BikeFinds.
If you go with a used older bike, Honda used to make a MR 50 2-stroke and an XR75 4-stroke. The XR75 is built like iron and will last for your nephew's children.
The Yamaha PW50 has a restrictor that can be removed.
When it comes to training wheels, just Google mini-bike training wheels. There are a lot of different ones out there. Example: http://gokartsusa.com/EZ-Bike-Mini-Motorcycle-Training-Wheels.aspx
Training wheels are not cheap, they cost around $150. You can also look for used training wheels on Ebay and Craigslist.
If your nephew can ride a bicycle, he will be able to ride a dirt bike. I am not a fan of quads. When I taught my children to ride, I also let them ride my buddies quads. They all preferred dirt bikes to quads. Quads are super easy to learn to ride, but are very easy to tip over and if they do not keep their feet on the pegs can get run over by their own machine. Quads are also heavier than dirt bikes and if the child flips the quad, they may not be able to get our from underneath it without help.
This is the motorcycle racing section, so we mainly only recommend racing machines, but since he is just starting out a true mini-bike from say Sears or Pep Boys might fit the bill fine. These mini-bikes brand new cost under $400. Have large 4-stroke lawn mower engines on them and are perfect for trail riding and basic transportation. If your nephew likes riding though, he will outgrow the mini-bike within a summer.
Don't forget riding gear. Helmet, goggles and a pair of riding boots. Goggles, gloves, shoulder pads with chest protector, kidney belt, armored riding pants and racing jersey can come later. You can find used gear at Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales and flea markets. Does he need the protective gear for a mini-bike? Probably not, but a helmet and goggles are the minimum he should have.
If he ever needs tips on riding or maintenance, tell him to check Youtube. The amount of information on there is unbelievable. He can learn everything from fixing a flat to rebuilding an engine.
Be honest....Do you make your kid wear a helmet every time they ride their bike?
Mrs. Doe
I didn't even know what a helmet was when I was young, but I do agree they are safer than not wearing one. We went to toys r us and got my son a tricycle way back at xmas and they were trying to tell me I needed to buy a helmet for my son? He has been riding since then with no helmet, but idk... do you make your child wear one to ride a bike? My son is almost 2 and I don't make him wear one when riding his trike but I'm not sure yet if I will make him wear one when he is older.
Answer
yes my kids wear a helmet every time they ride a bike or a skateboard. I can't think of one good reason for to NOT wear one. Fact is it's safer so why would I take a risk like that?
My husband was hit by a car while riding his bike an old back road (a 16 yr old girl who just got her license hit him) when he was 15. He almost died and was in a coma for a couple weeks. He now has a metal plate in his head and had to relearn stuff. If he had a helmet on, his injuries would not have been as bad. Because my husband has actually been through an accident like this, we can't imagine sending them out to ride their bikes without one and honestly, they don't mind wearing it. If the rule is helmet or no riding from the start then it just becomes automatic for them rather than a battle each time.
EDIT: I don't understand the whole "we survived without them" thoughts. They didn't always have seat belts but that doesn't mean you don't buckle up your child. I guess people just never think anything bad will happen to them or their children....it happens.
I can understand if you just don't think a helmet is needed but to thumb people down because they take safety precautions with their kids...that's just ridiculous.
EDIT2: Jane Doe are you a male or female? Just curious because your profile says you are a male but I always thought you were a female because of your username.
yes my kids wear a helmet every time they ride a bike or a skateboard. I can't think of one good reason for to NOT wear one. Fact is it's safer so why would I take a risk like that?
My husband was hit by a car while riding his bike an old back road (a 16 yr old girl who just got her license hit him) when he was 15. He almost died and was in a coma for a couple weeks. He now has a metal plate in his head and had to relearn stuff. If he had a helmet on, his injuries would not have been as bad. Because my husband has actually been through an accident like this, we can't imagine sending them out to ride their bikes without one and honestly, they don't mind wearing it. If the rule is helmet or no riding from the start then it just becomes automatic for them rather than a battle each time.
EDIT: I don't understand the whole "we survived without them" thoughts. They didn't always have seat belts but that doesn't mean you don't buckle up your child. I guess people just never think anything bad will happen to them or their children....it happens.
I can understand if you just don't think a helmet is needed but to thumb people down because they take safety precautions with their kids...that's just ridiculous.
EDIT2: Jane Doe are you a male or female? Just curious because your profile says you are a male but I always thought you were a female because of your username.
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