Teens and Dirt Bikes

I have not got to read the other comments yet but dirt bikes and atv's are all for off road so shouldnt get in a accident with on road cars.My kids started riding dirtbikes at age 4 and one of them started motocross racing at age 5. I make them wear helments and full body gear! And my husband who also rides dirtbikes have taught them very well how to ride with safty. I do understand why it would worry you though,I started riding with my friends around 16 and have seen lots of off road accidents (mostly minor) and my husband has landed him self in the ER and OR more then once!

Here's some food for thought on the dirt bike issue. My brother had a few when he was a kid and went riding often. Well, okay, he broke his femur at 15 and has a metal plate in his leg to this day. He later became a fireman but was having major problems w/ his back. Long story, he had to medically retire from the fire department and had to have a metal plate put in his back (he almost died from the rejection of the plate, but that's a whole other scary story). Having had no other injuries, etc., his doctor directly attributes his spinal issues with dirt bike jumping -- flying high and then coming down hard, compressing your vertebrae.

Just something to think about. Of course this isn't going to happen to everyone that rides dirt bikes and my brother did ride often, but just a cautionary tale.

He needs to learn to respect things like that, before going ahead and doing it. If he's seriously interested, he's going to do it whether you like it or not. Why not have him sign up for motorcycle lessons, and take it from there? If he's going to do it anyway, you'd rather him be prepared and take those preventative measures so he doesn't end up sitting next to his buddy in the ER. Who knows, once he learns how much it really takes to learn how to do it, maybe he'll lose interest.

ETA: My baby brother bought his first motorcycle when he was 16. Now, 10 years later, he's only been in 1 accident on a bike, and that's because some psycho in a Tahoe ran a red light and hit him. He only broke his wrist... but the bike was totaled. Don't use the 'he might get hurt' excuse... everyone gets hurt, hell, I've broken my ankle WALKING before!! ;)

I would explain to him why you are afraid of them and then go together and take the courses so that you are both properly trained. I'm with you - it scares me that my son is out on the road on a bike (he's 26 now) but he really wanted it & was mature enough to handle it and take care of it. He always wears a helmet. As a teen some of his friends had dirt bikes and ATV's and he rode them with his friends. Now my daughter has one and her kids ride it with her - her 10 year old can ride by himself. They still scare me though.

I'm with you and personally, if it were me, I would probably put my foot down and make the consequences for unauthorized use of the dirt bike severe. However, I like the other poster's response to sign him up for lessons or safety classes. Also, set some rules or guidelines--location for where and when he can ride, helmet useage, who he can ride with, etc. That is probably a more practical and realistic approach than the one I would want to take.

Here's my background on the situation--my husband is a product liability attorney for a firm representing manufacturers of ATVs, motorcyles, boats, etc. We hear the worst stories about those type of vehicles. However, the majority of accidents involve misuse or innappropriate use. That said, to my family's dismay, we don't allow our children to ride ATVs at the family cabin. Under the manufacturer's rules they are too young, but most people don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines and that's when tragedy happens. Our kids are allowed to drive golf carts.

My brother was also involved in a dirt bike accident as a kid. Somehow the bike slid out from under him and landed on top of him when he fell. The bike sliced through his calf, severing his tendon and requiring surgery. Fortunately, he was with a friend at the time who was able to quickly get help. My brother has also rescued people 2x from ATV accidents. As an adult, he is an avid ATV and snowmobile rider, but doesn't have anything to do with motorcycles.

The bottom line is they can be safe and fun if used properly, with proper equipment and proper training. I'm with you though--they are scary. Good luck.

The Moto Cross Grand Nationals are held in my state and this was a story ran by the news this Summer. It is dangerous but if he is going to do it anyway in 2 years when he is an adult I don't know how I would handle it, honestly, if he were younger I would put my foot down, no way no how, but he's almost an adult and needs experience making choices.

This is such a sad story, a 14 yrl old girl was killed at the beginning of her Moto.
http://www.koco.com/news/28691515/detail.html

Many manufacturerers of rec vehicles offer safety courses, so you and your son should take one together. When we bought our 4-wheelers, Yamaha sent us (and they still do) free coupons to take driver safely courses.

Dirt bikes and ATVs are meant to be ridden off-road, so the accidents you've experienced are irrelevant. Motorcycles are not the same as dirt bikes. Motorcycles can go extrememly fast on the road with cars; dirt bikes usually top out at 35 mph (unless they are super moto bikes or specially engineered). If your son already rides BMX, then he would have a natural transition to a dirt bike. He knows balance, handling, and stopping already.

You can listen to the horror stories and keep your son on a tight leash, or you can let him try it. (He's not going to be signing up for any races the first time he rides.) Be there and watch him. If he's not responsible with it, then stop him and say that's the end. What if he has a special knack for it? I'd hate to think that I never let my kids find their key talent or their great passion.

dirt bikes and atvs are safe IF operated RIGHT meaning if the person driving KNOWS how to work it. I was riding atvs from like 8/9 and driving them around that age too with someone on the back

Yeah, at 16 you can't hardly tell him exactly what to do or there wil be severe problems, not to say he should get to do everything he wants. I do understand where your fear comes from. I've lost close relatives in car wrecks, one was decapitated by a train. Things happen. It SUCKS!! You never get over it.

My kids have been riding dirt bikes since they were 4 & 8 yrs. They have respect for them & the road. They ride off-road but they learned quickly how to watch for others, an important task you need while driving. They know they only get on them with helmets. I prefer full pants, etc, but at the minimum they know they have to be clothed (no bare backs) & helmets. The youngest hits couple local races every summer. My youngest was literally born to ride. People often said, but what if somethng happens, & I responded if I take his bike away from him I will be killing his soul. No me nor his father ride. He just has had to be on a powerwheels, a pedal bike (took training wheels off before he was 3), or something moving since he could walk. My only regret is yes, now they (mainly the oldest, who's 16) want street bikes. I didn't think it would bother me, but it freaks me out to see these guys on crotch rockets flying up the road doing 85 mph on the interstate. I know I haven't really helped your question, but at 16 he learns supervised or eventually he's going to jump on one, especially since he is into BMX & that. If something happens, the blow will not be any less at 18/19 than at 16. You can hope he outgrows the desire, but until then??? Look into your local Parks Dept or DMV for motorcycle safety courses,the best you can do is give him knowledge. Good luck!!

The thing with dirt bikes is they are riding them on dirt, in fields, and away from cars. with the proper safety gear I would let my kids ride. But I may be more open to this than some. I live in Alaska where we use ATVs for hunting and other life stuff, not just for fun. My boys have known how to drive and control one since they were 5. And my nephews all got dirt bikes when they turned 7. None of us have ever been hurt, we always wear helmet and the right gear, but there have been crashes of course, so in the end you have to decide what you are comfortable with, you are the parent after all.