I mentioned in a previous post that I was 5 years old when I received and learned to ride my first dirt bike. Parents may wonder about the following questions when deciding if a kid is ready for a dirt bike and how to choose a first dirt bike:
- How old for first dirt bike?
- How to choose first dirt bike?
How Old for First Dirt Bike
The answer to this question varies by kid and depends on how well you listen to parents and follow instructions. My Dad finally felt I was ready to be a good listener to learn.
How To Choose a First Dirt Bike
You want to make sure that feet can touch the ground when sitting on the bike and depending on a kids age, a 50 CC or a 70 4 stroke. Since I was five years old, my Dad felt the 50CC was perfect for my size and it didn’t have too much power to overwhelm me when starting to ride. Once I mastered the 50cc, my Dad moved me up to a 70 4 stroke which is what I ride today.
Bike Models
An important lesson that my Dad learned was to not waste your money on the Chinese model bikes and buy the Japanese models like Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki since they are built with better durability. My 50cc was the perfect size for me, but it was made in China and it broke down quickly. It ended up being a waste of money. My Dad wishes he would have bought a Japanese brand instead. We purchase the Honda XR 70 4 stroke from my cousin. He grew out of this bike, so it was the perfect next step up for me and has been running great with no problems.
Here’s a video of my Christmas morning surprise and my first dirt bike ride:
