Evening All, As the title might hint at. My 13 year old wants to get into biking. Usual teenage desperation and keeps biting everyone’s ear about the whole thing. We’ve had a round of pit bikes, quad bikes, mini motors and now he’s looking at track bikes on eBay... As a leveller, Mrs J is far from impressed, so the slowest, most wrapped in bubble wrap version is the best..... I’m maybe not the best to answer this as I only got my license at 40. Mini motos are only a monthly meet up here and I work a lot of weekends. I was actually thinking of taking him to speedway as there is a place not too far from here. Any ideas?
despite the odd broken bone, its still healthier than sitting on a play station. a few ideas. https://www.google.com/search?q=youth+motorcycle+racing+scotland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b
Enduro is becoming more popular less frantic than mx. Got a couple of mates that do it and it's a right laugh.
A: Lucky you, my lad wants to do nothing apart from PlayStation. B: Trials, as above. You get to go very close and can talk them through and grab the bike if it topples. Also, don't have other faster riders flying past which can put kids off. The electric bikes are really good these days, Trials and M-cross. They are also quiet which is less intimidating for some kids and you can use them in public places you can't use a petrol bike. https://osetbikes.com/gb I think the biggest thing to get going is finding somewhere they can actually practice. I'm lucky we have a trials ground and a dirt track very close by so the lad will have the choice, just need to throw the PlayStation in the bin.
Not saying your lad would do this or your good lady and you would allow it. We are near a common and the amount of teens on crossers their parents bought for them, that ride on the roads to then get on the common, some ride with no helmets and some with passengers. The 6 week school holiday break is coming and it's very difficult within a peer group not to go out illegally if "your mates" are doing it. I'm sure some are the kids of perfectly reasonable parents but if both go to work leaving the teens with a bike they are desperate to ride, it's a difficult place for a teen boy.
"Taking him to speedway"??? There might only be four bikes in a race; all supposedly going in the same direction.......... ...........but no brakes and no gear change................Hmmm.... I preferred grasstrack - more or less the same type of bike; but it hurts a bit less when you come off.
No fun riding around a field on your own, join a club, get a bike, stick him in a race. Best to go to an event so he can see if it appeals to him. A lot of those teenagers are quick and already been riding for several years. But don’t let that put you off. Everyone is at different levels of ability. At least at club events it’s controlled and safe.
Get him racing mini bikes, thats really cool and very close to real bikes. They run the small supermoto type bikes, a lot of fun and pretty safe as the although they feel quick on the twisty go kart tracks , they are not high terminal speeds so probably no more likely to cause injuries than a skateboard if you have decent gear. Rutter is supporting a lad in their team that comes from the British Mini Bike championship so it's the real deal.
Those little bikes are ace and damage is limited. A few mates and I were a bit pissed and larking around. One went up the inside of me and in my drunken state I just thought I’d stay on max throttle and ride around the outside. Ended up in the Armco at speed. Got up, laughed it off and carried on. Such fun.
Here's some (not very heroic) vid from when we had a go last year. Massive amount of fun even in wet slippery conditions. First time I've properly slid the front wheel, I'd really like to do more to get on top of that more. The bikes are hired from one of the teams at the event so it's a cheap two wheeled day out.
Depends what dad sees them being world champion in Enduro would be a good call, find a friendly farmer or fields and they can practice and the racing side is quite long so good vfm. Teaches great technique
