What to Consider When Buying Your Child a Dirt Bike

Adults, teens and children alike can all enjoy the thrills produced by riding a dirt bike. Teaching younger children how to ride a dirt bike can infuse them with a sense of self-control and confidence, although there will definitely be a learning curve.

In order to teach your child to ride a dirt bike, you’re going to need a youth-sized model for them to ride. Heartland Honda in Springdale is your Arkansas dirt bike dealer. Below, you’ll find a buying guide to youth dirt bikes to help you find the perfect model for your child to ride.

Electric or Gas?

The choice is really up to you on this matter. Electric bikes have risen in popularity due to their sustainability, lower maintenance needs and quieter engines. However, gas bikes provide higher speeds and more torque, and it can be easier for a child to learn on a gas bike due to the improved stability. Remember that you’re going to have to trade in their old models as your child outgrows them anyway, so you could opt for a used gas model at first, then upgrade to a new electric model later if you so desire.

Check Seat Height

The seat height on your child’s dirt bike should not be too high or too low. The child should be able to sit on the bike and place the balls of their feet on the ground for stability. This will help them to bring the bike to a stop without crashing or falling over.

Throttle Limiters

One safety feature that manufacturers commonly install on youth dirt bikes is a throttle limiter, which prevents the engine from going past a specified operational limit. A dirt bike with a low engine capacity (measured in cc, or cubic centimeters) is best for children, since the engine won’t be as powerful and won’t be able to go at unsafe speeds.

Style

You can get your child excited about owning a dirt bike by involving them in the shopping process. While it’s up to you how fast or powerful the bike is, let the styling be up to your child. They should choose their favorite color and be able to apply decals or stickers to the bike to make it their own.

Safety Gear

It’s crucial to equip your child with the necessary safety gear when they start riding a dirt bike. The most important thing to obtain is a well-fitting helmet with a high crash-test rating. The helmet should fit snugly without being too tight and it should not wiggle around. If the helmet lacks a full face shield, invest in a pair of goggles for eye protection from flying debris. Padding can come in the form of chest plates, elbow pads, knee pads and gloves, and sturdy boots should be worn. Make sure that all the padding fits your child reasonably comfortably and that they can still easily maneuver the dirt bike while wearing it.

Practice Makes Perfect

When teaching your child to ride a dirt bike, you’ll want to start without an audience, since kids will want to impress their friends, cousins or siblings if they’re watching. You should also start on a flat, even expanse of ground like a dirt road that has no obstacles on it. Some children, especially younger kids, can benefit from training wheels on their dirt bike at first until they get the hang of balancing on it.

Start slow and guide your child through the control functions so that they can learn how to start the bike, stop it and move forward at a pace they’re comfortable with. Be patient while your child is learning and know when to put the dirt bike away for the day if they’re becoming too frustrated. Always supervise your child while they are riding a dirt bike, whether that means riding alongside them or standing to one side to monitor their ride.

You and your child can check out new and used youth dirt bike models for sale on our website before heading into our Springdale, AR, dealership location to make your purchase. Our staff will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about dirt bike riding and safety gear! Heartland Honda proudly serves the cities of Fayetteville and Rogers, AR.