Honor roll kid deserves gift

[AFMEDIC]

Hi all. I'm looking for a present for my kid and i'm back and forth between a dirtbike, 4 wheeler and a pocketbike. As it stands now i'm really thinking 4 wheeler, then dirtbike so i'll just browse and get as much info as possible before asking to many ?'s. Feel free to throw out any suggestions you may have. He is 8 y/o. Thanks and this looks like a great site
AFMEDIC

 

[Okiewan]

If you have a choice, please don't create another quad rider!!!
Dirtbike man, get him a dirtbike!

 

[AFMEDIC]

^^ Lol, What's wrong with Quads? Just curious. Again, looking for any and all info. Inside joke or something?

AFMEDIC

 

[jerry and sons]

I have a quad and a dirt bike, both are alot of fun, but to me the bike feels safer than the four wheeler. I seem to respect the power of the bike alot more. Plus it takes skill to ride and conquer a dirtbike. A bike also weights alot less than a quad it you happen to get caught underneath in a wreck, just my .02 :ohmy:

 

[ChopperDave]

If he learns to ride a dirt bike at this age he will be an excellent rider for the rest of his life. Much better than if he learned later! IMHO.

 

[Okiewan]

Quads instill a certain sense of FALSE security. You DO NOT want one landing on you, happens all the time.

Quads are limited as to where they can be ridden, many tracks/trail systems do not allow them, or they are simply to wide.

They make too damn much dust.

They are great for pulling donuts in the pits, thereby covering everyone with dust and hitting all painted vehicles with rocks.

They can carry a 6-pac on the luggage rack.

They destroy moto tracks.

The Quad Helmet is cheap, a baseball cap turned backwards.

Quad riders are known to say "Hey ya'll, watch this", shortly after, dorky boy has a quad laying on his helmetless head.

A good point? Just put a dork on a quad, show him a mud hole and he's good for hours.

Anyone care to continue?

The only good "quad" is a working ATV. End of story.

 

[Masterphil]

If you choose the dirtbike, do be aware that there is a good chance that you'll be sucked in too. I wish my parents bought me a dirtbike when I was 8.

 

[jerry and sons]

ditto that Masterphil! :aj:

 

[SpDyKen]

Dirtbikes teach personal responsibility. If you make a mistake (screw up or make a bad choice) you fall down, maybe even get hurt a little bit. Lessons you WANT your kid to learn about life and especially before driving a car (one day).
On a 4-wheeler, it's easy, until you CRASH! Whatever you buy, have your child lay down, put the vehicle on top of them, and see if they can get it off of them. They will NEED TO do this someday! I am serious. Your perspective will be different then. :ride:

 

[ellandoh]

a quad will double your maintenance cost as well as time, double the amount of tires, brakes, suspension, etc..............take up double the space in your garage...........etc.

if you do go quad , first of all get some nerf bars or your son will run himself over in a matter of minutes , the back tires have a habit of reaching up and grabbing ya............stepbrother had rod in leg from first quad experience 15yo.
next is stock up on front bumpers and tie rods, ruts, roots, and trees tend to be magnets for destroying these on quads as my cousin can attest to

 

[Haycock Kid]

Compare it to all the other outdoor sports - what's your lifestyle ?
raft vs kayak
tubing vs snowboarding
slide vs diving board
personal water craft vs jet ski
quad vs dirt bike

My 8YO has ridden quads w/ his grandparents and uncles and he described it as "...boring, you just sit there..." He personally requested the family get dirt bikes, much more manuverable, much more fun, and he feels safe on his PW50.

 

[jerry and sons]

Haycock Kid,
How is the bike maintenance coming. Still looking to go ride with you.

 

[AFMEDIC]

Thanks for all the responses guys. You all bring out some very good points that I hadn't considered. It looks like it'll be a dirtbike. Now all I need to do is read all I can between now and Christmas. I knew I was in the right place!!

AFMEDIC

 

[AFMEDIC]

a quad will double your maintenance cost as well as time, double the amount of tires, brakes, suspension, etc..............take up double the space in your garage...........etc.

if you do go quad , first of all get some nerf bars or your son will run himself over in a matter of minutes , the back tires have a habit of reaching up and grabbing ya............stepbrother had rod in leg from first quad experience 15yo.
next is stock up on front bumpers and tie rods, ruts, roots, and trees tend to be magnets for destroying these on quads as my cousin can attest to

Excellent points!!

AFMEDIC

 

[rickyd]

FInd him some good gear, helmet, goggles, gloves, boots and knee gaurds/protection and a chest protector, it all adds up, but money well spent..
Rick

 

[ellandoh]

kids bikes are great , in the respect that they seem to hold their value well, i wouldnt be afraid to get a good learner bike to start on and mid season . if he really takes to it you can almost always get the majority of your cash back to go towards the next bike. just dont buy new

 

[AFMEDIC]

FInd him some good gear, helmet, goggles, gloves, boots and knee gaurds/protection and a chest protector, it all adds up, but money well spent..
Rick

:nod:
Wouldn't have it any other way. I ride sportbikes and I NEVER ride without my gear.

 

[AFMEDIC]

kids bikes are great , in the respect that they seem to hold their value well, i wouldnt be afraid to get a good learner bike to start on and mid season . if he really takes to it you can almost always get the majority of your cash back to go towards the next bike. just dont buy new

Very good point, should I be concerned whether the bike has been beat up pretty bad or not. I know I won't find one that probably hasn't hit the dirt a few times but how concerned should I be with this? Also I know sometimes us big guys will jump on the kid's toy and hammer it...

AFMEDIC

 

[ellandoh]

just keep in mind the amount of time your going to keep him on it and how hard you want to work to get your cash back for the next one . i bought a decent little LEM 50 , 2 stroke from a guy here for 400$ . its beat up pretty good, suspension leaks, etc. but it runs great, both nephews learned on it this summer, the younger one will still be on it next year, with a little work. and after that i have no doubt i will be getting the full 400$ back. look on the egay site and you will see 03crf 50 for 900$ when theyre about 1200 new ......................just some ideas :blah: keep your eyes peeled, you will know a decent deal when you see it

 

[AFMEDIC]

Cool, you guys have been VERY helpful thus far

Thanks

AFMEDIC

 

[Haycock Kid]

AFMEDIC -
Timing is important - demand is higher around Xmas and Spring, so are the prices - think buy low, sell high - Safety gear is important - quad or bike - no exceptions.

 

[Haycock Kid]

Jerry -
Starting to have some issues w/ my mechanic - KDX80 still not fixed - I received my manual for the KDX200 this week - planning to start reading this wkend - planning to do the suggested once over for a used bike this Winter, but I run it around the property once a week.

New personal development - my carpal tunnel puts my hands into a tingling, stinging, mess w/in 30 min - forced to do surgery this Winter if I plan to ride - my grip is too weak to safely ride.

 

[jerry and sons]

Haycock Kid,
My brother had the suregery and came out great. He was a little scared since he is a chef and really needs his wrist and hands, but went under the knife and can do everything he use to with out any pain or tingleing. Best wishes.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

If he's 8, I'd look at a CRF70.

I'll be driving by your way the weekend of Nov 19-20 if you want me to join you while you look at one. It helps toi have someone experience to look at a used one, if you're going used.

 

[xsnrg]

:nod:
Wouldn't have it any other way. I ride sportbikes and I NEVER ride without my gear.

If you're an Air Force medic, that doesn't surprise me that you wear your gear based on what you've probably seen. When my brother was in the neuro ward at the AF hospital in TX, he was about the only one there that wasn't a trauma case from a sportbike accident.

So you're in Fayetteville? I'm up in Durham, but come through Fayetteville about once a week on business.

Question: What dirtbike are you going to buy for yourself?