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allangee · 10-16-2007, 12:25 PM

I think confidence is a bigger issue than age.

I have a 10-year old who started when he was 8, thanks to my brother who lent us a CR-50. The first thing we taught him was how to stop. That gave him the confidence to ride. We just moved him up to a CR-100 this summer, but he still tears around on the 50.

My 5-year old is dying to ride, but a little short in the inseam to hold the 50 up wiht both legs on the ground -- so he gets nervous and dumps the bike right away. We'll wait til next year when gains that critical inch. In the meantime, I sit him on the seat in front of me when we ride. If the trail's not too rough, I get him to put his hands on top of mine so he gets an idea of what the clutch and throttle are doing. He thoroughly loves the tougher trails though. When I stand on the pegs (not as often as I should since it's harder with him on the seat) he stands on top of my feet.

I can't ride as aggressively as I'd like with the little guy on the bike, but the smile on his face when he talks about the ride is well worth it.

10-16-2007, 12:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
allangee C Rider Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 28 iTrader: (0)	Confidence I think confidence is a bigger issue than age. I have a 10-year old who started when he was 8, thanks to my brother who lent us a CR-50. The first thing we taught him was how to stop. That gave him the confidence to ride. We just moved him up to a CR-100 this summer, but he still tears around on the 50. My 5-year old is dying to ride, but a little short in the inseam to hold the 50 up wiht both legs on the ground -- so he gets nervous and dumps the bike right away. We'll wait til next year when gains that critical inch. In the meantime, I sit him on the seat in front of me when we ride. If the trail's not too rough, I get him to put his hands on top of mine so he gets an idea of what the clutch and throttle are doing. He thoroughly loves the tougher trails though. When I stand on the pegs (not as often as I should since it's harder with him on the seat) he stands on top of my feet. I can't ride as aggressively as I'd like with the little guy on the bike, but the smile on his face when he talks about the ride is well worth it. __________________ On our way to becoming the Internet's biggest collection of dirt bike and motocross shirts (and stuff). Wear it like you ride it!