Have you ever dreamed about going motorbiking with your kid? Or maybe they’re excited about the prospect of riding after seeing you on your motorcycle. If you’re hoping to make motorcycling a family activity, here are a few questions to ask yourself and some things to consider to set your kid up for riding success.
1. Are they ready and interested?
Some kids might be clamouring to get on a motorcycle from the time they learn to walk, while others might take more time to demonstrate an interest, even well into their pre-teen or teenage years.
A couple important things to remember: don’t insist or force your kid to try something they’re not comfortable with or excited about; and getting your kid on their own motorbike is not the only place you can start. Let them hang out with you as you tune up your motorcycle, have them ride on the back as you ride around town, or bring them to a motorcycle show or race. Remember, it’s supposed to be fun for them!
Your kid’s age, maturity level, and level of physical coordination are also important considerations. Do they follow rules and can they physically handle the motorcycle safely? This will dictate the type of vehicle and riding you’ll want to start them out with.
2. What type of motorbike should they start with?
This is a bit of a trick question. If your kids are quite young, you might want to start them on a tricycle, bicycle, scooter, or age-appropriate motorized toy first to get them comfortable with balance and speed. Once they’re comfortable (and the training wheels have come off), they might be ready for something more. Many kids start by learning to ride dirt bikes, because you don’t need a motorcycle license or even a driver’s license to ride off-road, but you can also start them off on an electric motorcycle. Some are designed specifically for kids, with limited speeds, training modes, and parental controls, but overall, they tend to be easier because they don’t require manual gear shifting.
When it comes to motorcycle size, the bike should be proportionate to your child’s height and weight, meaning that it should not be too heavy for them to control, the seat height should allow them to put their feet flat on the ground while stopped, and they should be able to easily reach and maneuver the controls.
3. How and where can they learn to ride?
Taking your kid to an off-road riding school is a great place to start, particularly if you don’t want to invest in a motorbike and all the required equipment right off the bat. Learning the basics, like the parts of a motorcycle, and how the controls work, is an important first step before moving on to practicing basic skills, like balancing, starting, stopping, steering, and shifting gears. As your kid builds up stability and confidence in the saddle, they’ll be ready to practice on different terrain and pick up speed.
Off-road riding schools are great because they provide appropriate spaces to learn, whether it’s a dirt oval or a well-defined trail. It’s not legal for your child to ride in the street without a license, so a paved driveway, well-maintained backyard, or quiet parking lot without obstacles and traffic can also make for a good practice spot.
4. Who should teach them?
It goes without saying, but whoever teaches your child to motorbike should have a good enough grasp of motorcycling and safety themselves to be able to explain the required knowledge and demonstrate good habits and skills. If that’s you, then great, but don’t be afraid to bring in outside help from a friend, riding school, or other trusted riding role model. As they’re starting out, your kid needs patience, encouragement, and someone who understands and respects their learning style, as well as someone who can help build the confidence they need to get comfortable on a motorcycle.
5. What type of gear do they need?
Safety is paramount while learning to ride, so buy the best quality gear you can afford. You’ll need a properly fitted motorcycle or dirt biking helmet, gloves, knee pads or shin guards, elbow pads, chest protector, riding boots, long pants, and a riding jacket or jersey. If your kid is biking off-road, goggles, a neck brace and a hydration backpack are all great ideas as well. Here’s what to consider when picking out your gear.
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how to safely share your love of motorcycles with your family, and get your kid riding happily! Read up further on learning to ride or get some tips on choosing your first motorcycle.