When your baby swings their leg over

[Number One]

So ladies.

How many of you are mums of young motorcyclists...by young I mean 6 and taking first steps.

Sully one is going to be he proud owner of a two wheeler on Christmas day (shhhhhhhh) and with all safety gear bought and 'learner system' (engineered by dad) fitted to the bike we wait to see his little face light up on the day.

To be honest it could go the other way and he could be completely underwhelmed - that would make the grown man cry I think but chances are he will be more than keen to swing his leg over and get out there and do it.

So mothers - tell me your stories of what I am in for. I already envisage the broken bones, trips to a&e and other such stuff.

DO any of your families belong to Motorcross clubs in WGTN that run kiddie fun days etc and are really good for learner kids?

Anyway, if I am honest as much as I want this for him and look forward to the fun that I know it will bring him and his dad (...and the freedom it might offer me ;) you know Daddy and son off road days) I am a little nervy....not enough to stop it though!

[98tls]

Am no mother number one but can still recall at the age of 9 coming home to find an SL125 Honda parked in the driveway (remember there was no kids bikes in those days)Best xmas ive ever had and will never forget the feeling of actually understanding it was mine....all mine.:2thumbsupWideyed and gobsmacked.:2thumbsupEnjoy.

[gilly]

Enjoy a vehicle that has a 'learner system' in place.

Before you know it they'll be driving.

Now thats grey hair material.

[James Deuce]

Any of my kids get on a bike and I'll give them a thick ear.

[Number One]

Enjoy a vehicle that has a 'learner system' in place.

Before you know it they'll be driving.

Now thats grey hair material.
:rofl: true that!

[caseye]

Any of my kids get on a bike and I'll give them a thick ear.


LOL I'm with you there but heres my dilemma.
K , my daughter is going out with a young fella who recently got his full, I've ridden with him and I've had my daughter on the back with me.
Unbiased opinion, he rides well.
She pilions Ok.
Would you let her go on the back with him.Both 17. Oh did I mention that Mum has recently acquired her own bike and is currently pootling 26 K's into Auck city and back daily, albiet up gt Sth Road.
She is like me, tettering on the fence.

[Pedrostt500]

Well kids will do what they do, with or with out your knoledge or permission, Life is about the Choices you make not all of them are going to be the good ones, or that well thought out if at all, arming your kids with the best skills and education you can so they can make the best choices they can is the key.

Mini 1 will love the Bike, keeping him from taking it to bed will be the test for ya No1.

[Number One]

keeping him from taking it to bed will be the test for ya No1.
Actually I think the test will be making sure that DAD lets him on it!!! :lol:
Dad very kindly prepared a wee track in the backyard. Beaten into the grass on the big TT in excited preparation :rolleyes: :lol:

[James Deuce]

LOL I'm with you there but heres my dilemma.
K , my daughter is going out with a young fella who recently got his full, I've ridden with him and I've had my daughter on the back with me.
Unbiased opinion, he rides well.
She pilions Ok.
Would you let her go on the back with him.Both 17. No. But they aren't going to listen. If I caught them I'd help them move into a flat. Best revenge ever.

[caseye]

He ,He bloody ha, ha , that made my day cheers! I asked her God Father the other day, he said emphatically N O too.
I love the moving into the flat line thats something I would do, now I know.
They're both pretty good kids, sensible etc but I'm having trouble getting past what I can still remember of her mum on the back of my bike Way back Then.

[Mrs Cowboyz]

So ladies.

How many of you are mums of young motorcyclists...by young I mean 6 and taking first steps.

Sully one is going to be he proud owner of a two wheeler on Christmas day (shhhhhhhh) and with all safety gear bought and 'learner system' (engineered by dad) fitted to the bike we wait to see his little face light up on the day.

To be honest it could go the other way and he could be completely underwhelmed - that would make the grown man cry I think but chances are he will be more than keen to swing his leg over and get out there and do it.

So mothers - tell me your stories of what I am in for. I already envisage the broken bones, trips to a&e and other such stuff.

DO any of your families belong to Motorcross clubs in WGTN that run kiddie fun days etc and are really good for learner kids?

Anyway, if I am honest as much as I want this for him and look forward to the fun that I know it will bring him and his dad (...and the freedom it might offer me ;) you know Daddy and son off road days) I am a little nervy....not enough to stop it though!

To tell you the truth...i think it is great! Good on ya for letting him get out there and be a kid. They need the rough and tumble stuff...broken bones are good and make good stories as they get older. My now 9 yr old has refused to get on a bicycle without trainer wheels since he was four until just a few weeks ago! Now he gets bruises and scratches all over the place and I couldnt be more proud of him!! Must remember to stock up on more plasters and dettol!!

[Number One]

Ha ha...ditto on that last point! Ohh and ice pack thingames too :lol:

Honestly I have had my hands full with his dad, though actually I have been the biggest crasher this year so heck we are all buggered! :lol:

[James Deuce]

He ,He bloody ha, ha , that made my day cheers! I asked her God Father the other day, he said emphatically N O too.
I love the moving into the flat line thats something I would do, now I know.
They're both pretty good kids, sensible etc but I'm having trouble getting past what I can still remember of her mum on the back of my bike Way back Then.

Isn't that the thing though? Difficult to paint a rosy mental picture when you know how mental you and the missus were. :)

[Mom]

My kids grew up with bikes. We always had some sort of paddock hack. Too many stories of crashing into trees etc. Funniest story which I was reminded of recently, my eldest daughter had a friend staying and they decided to "teach" this friend how to ride a bike. Now we had a very bent and crabbed FA50 scooter that used to take a beating, but easy to ride. SO, said friend hops on it and after listening to the instructions on the hows of riding she proceeded to open the throttle and plow head first into the picnic table. I could see it happening but despite yelling at her to brake she paniced and hurtled right into the thing. The look on her face was priceless! The poor bike got wedged under the seat and took a bit of prizing to get out, the countersteering required to stay in a straight line was a bit more exagerated but apart from that all good.

[crazyhorse]

Any of my kids get on a bike and I'll give them a thick ear.

That's double standards isn't it?

I encouraged my kids to ride. Makes it a family thing, not to mention, at least you are teaching them correctly, instead of someone else allowing them to ride in jandals and shorts etc.

Nah, let them at 'em i say :done:

[James Deuce]

That's double standards isn't it?


No. It's positive proactive parenting. I'd rather they smoked Dak. I'm hoping that the uncool factor kicks in during the teenage years rendering Dad and motorcycles so uncool they wouldn't be seen with either.

[crazyhorse]

No. It's positive proactive parenting. I'd rather they smoked Dak. I'm hoping that the uncool factor kicks in during the teenage years rendering Dad and motorcycles so uncool they wouldn't be seen with either.

Good luck with that - doubt that will happen. Ain't nothing positive about wanting kids to smoke dak...............

oh that's right, you aren't a Mum.............. :rofl:

[James Deuce]

They'll get a thick ear if I catch them doing that too. Win-win situation.

[Trumpess]

Hiya #1

Both mine ride. Mr 14 has a Suzuki 250 farm bike hack, hes been riding for 3 years now and Mr 10 has a Yamaha 50, hes been riding for over a year.
It had to be expected really, well eventually anyway as both of us ride, same as you guys.

I was an anxious mum when it all came about for Mr 14 as hes rip shit and bust, knows it all ya know, 14 going on 25! But he was suprisingly easy!
Hes now into learning tricks on the bike, wheelies and such. I think he has motorcross in mind! Ha he can think again!
The only time he has my heart in my mouth is when his father gives him my bike to ride! THAT brings tears to my eyes! And a few choice words.

Mr 10 was very tentative, took alot of encouragement for him to get on and give it ago. He got a quad bike a few years back, just a small 49cc one ... he hated it! To this day he still wont climb on it.
Being my baby, he made me very nervous when he started. He would be looking every which way except where he was going. Looking at where his feet were, the brakes, the gear stick as he was moving through them. After drumming into him what he should be doing he now he winds through those gears like theres no tomorrow, breaking the speed barriers on the poor old 50. Rips around corners full throttle looking to where he wants to go.
I colour my hair for a reason ... thanks to my darling babies. Fortunately no one has had an "off", so no injuries here, but a few times have had to push their bikes home due to flat tyres.

We live semi-rural, so have a private road way and a farm track in which they go riding. They love it! Tho the neighbours on the other hand, I would imagine not so.
Drawback for me for this whole experience was the petrol pilfering. Everytime I went to get me bike out for a ride, it was conciderably lighter than when I parked it up. Can thank their dad for that one and have put a stop to it.
They now have jobs to do to earn petrol :lol:

A plus ... with their riding they are learning about their bikes. Always down in the garage pottering and maintaining their steads with their dad. Always something to do on one of the bikes. Im still waiting for my house extention to commence!
Plus also with starting so young, I reckon it sets them up good for the road when they get their licences. Now that will be a whole nother kettle of fish to go through! Being competent on a bike at a young age I think has its merits.

It is to be expected of a mum being nervous and anchious(sp) when their babies first start riding. Dad just wants them to get it right from the onset with a few scratches and bruises to be expected as medals.
Watching and cringing as they grow into their riding is all part and parcel.
It gets better tho, as they get better at it, you WILL become more relaxed.
Set good rules in place right from the start. Let Sully be primary trainer, so young Sully dosent get confused with all the orders in what he should be doing. Talk to your hubby, put your 2 cents worth in with him, voice your concerns. In no time at all you will all be out together on ya bikes riding.

How exciting for you all!

[yungatart]

Well, as a Mum, I can say with truth that your babies are always your babies...doesn't matter whether they are 6 or 15 (or 34, for that matter!), they are always your baby...and the fear and worries kick in just as much, when they are trying something new or potentially dangerous...

He'll be fine...you might need valium!

Just as a little aside, young hXc had a two wheeler pushbike, complete with trainer wheels when he was about 3...he got clever and confident and competent, training whels came off, he binned! Broke 2 teeth and his nose and had road rash from arsehole to breakfast time!

He's never had an off on his motorbike!

Have a great Christmas!

[avgas]

Nephew gets a racing bmx the christmas.

I'm so stoked as an uncle. Everyone put money in for it.
I remember when I raced my first mountainbike race.
His bike looks really solid and fast. I wish I had something like this when I was 5.

[Number One]

We live semi-rural...

We don't - so riding outings will not be available all day every day sadly....but then it will also be used as leverage at required times ;) We did get a kind offer of the use of some gentle and varied farm land paddocks though :2thumbsup.


Drawback for me for this whole experience was the petrol pilfering.....

I have seen my future! Heck I'm already there and then we add another petrol user to the fray *shudder*


A plus ... with their riding they are learning about their bikes. Always down in the garage pottering and maintaining their steads with their dad. Always something to do on one of the bikes. Im still waiting for my house extention to commence!
Plus also with starting so young, I reckon it sets them up good for the road when they get their licences. Being competent on a bike at a young age I think has its merits.

mmmmmmmmmm mummy alone time :2thumbsup AND I agree about the setting them up good thing. Shit if I had started when I was young I'd be heaps more confident and capable I reckon


Let Sully be primary trainer, so young Sully dosent get confused with all the orders in what he should be doing. Talk to your hubby, put your 2 cents worth in with him, voice your concerns. In no time at all you will all be out together on ya bikes riding.

Oh for sure - this is dads job I reckon...he is way better rider than me anyway - heck he's teaching me still :whistle:


How exciting for you all!

Yeah - I do hope the weather plays nice as we also have a month off together to play.


He'll be fine...you might need valium!
Have a great Christmas!

Ha ha I don't have Valium but I do have an almost endless supply of Margaritas :2thumbsup Merry howsyafather to you too :hug:

[Hanne]

I remember when I was the 16 year old daughter on the back of a 17 year old's rgv250.... Couldn't figure out why my parents insisted I wear jeans as minimum and not pink stockings :P

Reckon it is cool if your kids like riding too, but I can see why riders would get the jitters as they know the dangers their kids are getting into (like my dad did! But he has held up well so far)

[Tink]

I was in a sidecar at the age of two, dad had a norton (I think)... and from there jap bikes when we moved to NZ.

At the age of 15 I was banned from bikes, cause I used to jump on the back of a motorx bike and go beach riding over the dunes,, wicked fun...

Now my daughter is 12 and into motorbikes... all the gear, and in 3 years she could be on a 125 or 250... thats if she keeps her head screwed on... so far so good.

I will not let them on quad bikes, experience tells me they are not safe.

[Deano]

Isn't that the thing though? Difficult to paint a rosy mental picture when you know how mental you and the missus were. :)

If my boys take an interest in bikes (like they have a choice - "its in the blood"), then I will guide them toward racing I reckon.

Much safer than riding on the road.

[James Deuce]

If my boys take an interest in bikes (like they have a choice - "its in the blood"), then I will guide them toward racing I reckon.

Much safer than riding on the road.
Gosh yes.

THen when they do hit the road (not literally) they at least have handling skills sorted.

[Number One]

If this is to be your childs first motorbike be sure to turn the restrictor thingame back as far as you can get it to go to start with!!!!! NO they do not come like that and half a turn is NOT enough for a total beginner

Sully one got his first dirtbike yesterday. Sweet little machine Yamaha TTR50 (http://motocrossactionmag.com/Media/News/ttr50side.jpg) with race numbers 100 on it (as requested by little SUlly)

Anyway - dad had engineered an awesome learner brace which stops the thing toppling over (while he learns to do everything else including stay upright) and the numbers were on and the kid was wrapt!

First he opened his gloves, then his shin pads then his helmet (which got a wee squel of delight) then THE BIKE!

He smiled coyly and was keen to get out and have a go. We kitted him up and trundled across to the park over the road from nanas.

The bike was a bit cold so we had to crash start it several times before he was able to use the trottle and pull away.......unfortunately the bike leapt forward and screamed off on us with a scared little man still attached.

He tried to swing his leg over to get off but as he was doing that he pulled further on the trottle and got away from all the screaming and running adults! FUCK WHAT A SIGHT it must've been. Anyway little fella was careening straight towards a gravelly road and a hard wooden fence.

Thankfully he managed to get off the bike and just tumbled about a bit before it got caught up in the fence.

He had a wee scrape on his elbow little bit of blood and some scratches on his shoulders but mostly he had just had a big fright....as had us adults!

At this point he said "I want to go home" and didn't make any move and couldn't be coaxed to get back on it again that day. The handle bars got a bit bent and there is a flurry of scratches on the engine casing but meh - these bikes are made to be thrown about :headbang:

We have now wound the restrictor right in so the thing hardly moves - that coupled with our plan to take the bike down to see his little friend (who has spent a bit of time on two wheelers and is quite balzy) and she will I am sure get him keen to have another go again.

All looks good despite the initial hiccup - he has told me flatly that the bike is his and we are not to give it away...so that bodes well I reckon :2thumbsup

[Trudes]

Awww poor wee Sully One! Big fright for the first time, but I'm sure he'll pluck up the courage to jump back on and pootle about for a bit.... won't be long and he'll be giving us all the learn!! Hey, at least you know he's a chip off the old blocks with some mega crashing styles!!!:banana:

[Number One]

Awww poor wee Sully One! Big fright for the first time, but I'm sure he'll pluck up the courage to jump back on and pootle about for a bit.... won't be long and he'll be giving us all the learn!! Hey, at least you know he's a chip off the old blocks with some mega crashing styles!!!:banana:
I figure it will have taught him some healthy respect for the bike!

Should be easier to instruct him from now on as he should be quite motivated to listen and do as he is told on it ;)

As for following in big sully's crasher style footsteps - shoot me now! :lol:

BTW I didn't mention that Dad is most injured after all the shenanigans. Ever seen a grown man launch himself try line styles onto a gravel road...he was making a play to catch the boys foot to help him dismount before the very hard fence he was approaching. ANyway quite impressive to see a grown man make that kind of effort to save his boy :love: but a bit of skin lost unfortunately and a rough night sleep last night because of it!

[caseye]

Lesson learn't, by all concerned I'd say, glad the littel guy is Ok.he will get back on it , nothing surer.

[yungatart]

Glad that he is okay, and you guys too!
I'm surre he will be keen to get back on, once the fright has settled down...

[sleemanj]

I seem to recall on the Peewee 50 I had, some nearly 30 years ago, there was a tether line connected to a kill switch, so that if things got away on the rider, the watchful parent yanked on the tether strap and it just stopped.

[Number One]

I seem to recall on the Peewee 50 I had, some nearly 30 years ago, there was a tether line connected to a kill switch, so that if things got away on the rider, the watchful parent yanked on the tether strap and it just stopped.
Good suggestion it was under consideration apparently

[Gen]

well I got my first bike this year.I was all excited until my two year old son decided he did'nt like mummy being on this loud throbbing machine :)
Six months later I sold the bike as my son wouldnt stop screaming as soon as he saw the thing :(.
Loves the neighbours quad tho!.Guess I can only try again when he's older?

[FROSTY]

Number one--Ive got a bunch of kids--all riding and Ive helped a bunch more get into it.
If I could just make a suggestion. Get little sully onto an LT50 quad.They are a shit load easier FOR YOU to control and lil sully will build confidence.
Just to explain First off they LT has a short rope hangs out the back-its a kill switch so what you do is tie a 3.0m bit of clothesline rope to it if he gets outa control you pull the plug and the quad rolls to a stop.
Theyve got the throttle restricter so you can slow it down to walking pace, If he gets tired or just unsureof the situation he just stops and sits for awhile.
The thing is even if you buy one and he's over it in a couple of months (wants to be on the bike) you will NEVER loose money on it. They hold their price. 15 year old LT's are still fetching 450-700
I'd be happy to loan you one of mine with a battered set of plastics on so you wouldn't need to worry about damaging it.
I've actually currently got one here that would be apsolutely perfect for a beginner.
EVERY one of my clan has started out on a quad and as of a month ago they are all now competantly riding two wheelers. The youngest suprised me by just "getting it" one day when I was running in a JR50 engine.
Have a read back almost exactly 2 years ago at my thread about my daughter crash bandycute. she did EXACTLY the same as your lad except being my daughter she took 4 attempts before thinking "hmm this crashing shit hurts"
She did a year full timeon a LT then of n on on a two wheeler for 6 months. Now she rides a quad only if its a "its that or nothing" situation.

Edit--I wasin Colemans suzuki today. For some reason this thread came to mind. SomethingI noticed about the drz70 is how darn tall it is. The JR50 looks to be heaps lower.

[FROSTY]

well I got my first bike this year.I was all excited until my two year old son decided he did'nt like mummy being on this loud throbbing machine :)
Six months later I sold the bike as my son wouldnt stop screaming as soon as he saw the thing :(.
Loves the neighbours quad tho!.Guess I can only try again when he's older?
Gen probably a bit late but a lil 3 year old lad loved the quads and bikes but as soon as they were started he hated it.
Just this weekend I had a brainwave and put a set of my dads industrial earmuffs on him and fired up first a grasskart then a couple of quads. He was as happy as a pig in --er --he was happy.I took him for a ride very quietly on a quad then baby bikie took him for a right ol hoon in the grass cart.
later that day he still wanted muffs in the kart but on a quad he was fine

[scumdog]

Any of my kids get on a bike and I'll give them a thick ear.

You sound just like my dad!

Add to that "No tattoos, no loud rock music, no hot-rods"

I really listened to him.....;)

[White trash]

Glad to hear the little fella's alright S, scares the shit out of ya when the old governer screw miscalculation happens eh? I bought Eden a quad for her 2nd Christmas and did exactly the same thing, except she wound up with the quad on her. Took her 2 years to get back on it.

Taught the girls how to ride Keiran's PeeWee 2 days ago. Eden's real good, confident, smooth, analytical and probably a little cocky now. Lily on the other hand, thinks she's fricken Ben Townley already. Full noise everywhere, big slides, scares the shit outta me as soon as she gets on the thing.

[FROSTY]

Glad to hear the little fella's alright S, scares the shit out of ya when the old governer screw miscalculation happens eh? I bought Eden a quad for her 2nd Christmas and did exactly the same thing, except she wound up with the quad on her. Took her 2 years to get back on it.

Taught the girls how to ride Keiran's PeeWee 2 days ago. Eden's real good, confident, smooth, analytical and probably a little cocky now. Lily on the other hand, thinks she's fricken Ben Townley already. Full noise everywhere, big slides, scares the shit outta me as soon as she gets on the thing.
mate --tis about time you bought your clan over to my lil private track for kids--your lot will love it

[White trash]

mate --tis about time you bought your clan over to my lil private track for kids--your lot will love it
What are you doing this weekend :D

[FROSTY]

What are you doing this weekend :D
off to mangawhai --you lot are welcolm to come up.
the lil kids track is fantastic and the bigger kids trackis cool.
Otherwise imhere 24/7 and the track is right across the road

[Gen]

Gen probably a bit late but a lil 3 year old lad loved the quads and bikes but as soon as they were started he hated it.
Just this weekend I had a brainwave and put a set of my dads industrial earmuffs on him and fired up first a grasskart then a couple of quads. He was as happy as a pig in --er --he was happy.I took him for a ride very quietly on a quad then baby bikie took him for a right ol hoon in the grass cart.
later that day he still wanted muffs in the kart but on a quad he was fine

great idea.just wish I'd thought of that.:weep:
turns out he like ponies instead.:whistle: