Is motorcyle racing okay for kids?

Question

One of the topics I might right about for class is motorcycle sports and racing. This question is for my position paper.

So far I haven't found much information on this so I hope you can help me. It would be very much appreciated if you could elaborate a little on your opinion and maybe even provide some links to websites (or even books) that may help.

Opinions from adults, parents and even kids who race (or don't race) are welcome. :)

Thank you! :)

Answer 1

Motorcyles are pretty dangerous for anyone, not just kids.  My husband has raced years ago and rides recreationally now.  Recently he had an accident because a bird flew into his field of vision.  He is very experienced and we thought he would NEVER have an accident.

Racing seems more dangerous than riding recreationally, especially for kids. The gist is that, obviously, on a motorcycle, one is exposed to the elements (and dangers) in a way that they would not be inside more traditional transportation.

After what happened to my hubby recently, I would not ever allow my son to ride, much less race.

Hope it helps!

Answer 2

My son's first dirt bike was at 4 years old at 5 he started racing and he has been racing ever since. He is 10 now. The thing about kid's racing dirt bikes is the Parents, 95% of them are very supportive but they are always have that fear of their child getting hurt, that's just the nature of the sport. Dirt Bike Racing teaches alot, "hand eye cordnation, focus, mechanics, competition, making new friends and fun".

My son has an advantage to his training, I'm a retired Motocross Racer(13 years of racing), Now i do Freestyle Motocross(past 8 years) and I just started Supermoto Racing(Year and half ago).

People want to say "Dirt Bikes/ATV's/Motorcycles are Dangerous", They only thing that makes the machines dangerous is a untrained rider not wearing proper safety equipment. Yes, you will get hurt racing thats going to happen because that's part of racing.

Personally, I would rather my son race dirt bikes, He has seen I don't care for "Football, Baseball, Basketball" those players are over paid babies that do not deserve the money they get paid for. Oh, and they are really great roll models(sarcasim)..... Animal Cruelty(dog fighting), Steroid Abuse, Cocaine Possesion, Ecastasy Possesion, Drunk Driving, Spouse Abuse, Gun Possesion, Assault with intent to Murder, Gambling Addiction, Bribes, Hit and Run(auto accident), My list can go on forever. My point is, Parents will let their kids play school sports and the injury stat's are the same if not more than dirt bike/atv/motorcycle.

Answer 3

Motorcycle racing is not even safe for adults much less kids who don't have the driving experience that an adult does.  When the bike goes down there's very little protection or cushion between the body and the pavement.  

You might try searching for "kids on motorcycles" statistics on the web.  Try to find out the ratio of kid motorcycle rider accidents versus adult riders having accidents.

Answer 4

motorcross isnt a safe sport but not any sports are that safe. if you are racing at a track there is things uou have to wear for safety..helment,chest protector,boots,and googles . it a very fun sport but you can be serisouly hurt espically if your out there wiith a bunch of people that are better than you. when i have kids when i get older i will want them to race dirtbikes you are put into groups with the same bikes and that are the same age group as you

Answer 5

Follow Barry M details.

He is a " goodfella " .

Answer 6

Of course. It is same like chess. But I advice motorcycle over 100 HP.

Answer 7

I worked for two years in Australia as a road racing Instructor.

Every friday nite we had a kids class from 4pm-7pm. We had 12 race prepped yamaha ysr50s and a couple of ysr 80s for the hot shots.

I have to say the kids where magic !

Ages ranged from 8yrs to 12yrs and the kids where absolutely fanatical.

Of course we had 3 very good instructors guiding the kids and giving them the necessary tuition to understand their  input into the m/cycle and how the m/cycle would react to their input.

Everybodies worst nightmare who doesnt ride and to 95% of the m/cycle industry that does ride is crashing.

Its inevitable , you are going to crash at some stage !

So for all of our courses including Big Kids{adults} and the real kids we dedicated part of the course to getting riders to deliberately run off the track.

How can you react" if you had,nt experienced it" was our approach.

So i would like to compliment you on your  question !

Part of the reason why there are "so many" fantastic young riders coming onto the international scene from Australia is coz  most people we trained or,met at race tracks or simply met whilst out riding had been on some form of "Advanced Riding Course"



To all of the m/cycle riders around the world that dont think they need rider training, I say stop thinking and go do one today.

Answer 8

i've been on a four-wheeler on my own when i was 3, on a motorcyle on my own at 4. i was actually riding inbetween my mom and dad on his streetbike before i could talk. i started racing at 5. (wouldve been sooner but it is the minimum age limit). i felt that it was safer riding on a track rather than out in the woods because if something does happen, there is an ambulance right there to help. so i do think it is safe

Answer 9

life is fatal. you can sit on the couch and never do anything riskier than order Pizza..... or you can take a few calculated risks and actually enjoy being alive. I know my kid loves riding/racing and she is better for it crashes and all. it is not likely that this will ever be anything but a hobby for her and I am just fine with that. if you walk through a school you can pick the racers out. they are the ones with confidance  and smiles even if they have a few scars and a pair of crutches. because they know how to pick up and go on even when things dont exactly go the way they want. the kids that race are some of the best kids around. besides we know where our kids are saturday night before a race.......

Answer 10

I am a mother of two sons who race motocross and supercross the youngest of which races at an A grade level and rides Nationally all over Australia.

It all started innocently enough with friends encouraging us to join the local bike club.  The next thing I knew my youngest at that stage 5 was racing and riding his broken down pee wee 50 so hard that it was dangerous.  My husband in his wisdom said that we should purchase a racing 50 so he would be safer.  Then he started racing bigger events and before I knew it I had two boys on 65cc, both doing quite well but my youngest keep beating his older brother.  Eventually my youngest made A grade and his brother moved on to 85cc and then seniors.  My youngest is now at a high level and has in the last few years broken his collarbone, his arm, his leg, both arms at once, dislocated his entire leg which he was in traction for a month with and has just got a cast off from having some idiot run over his foot shattering it.

Motorbike racing is fun and starts out innocent enough but I wish my youngest had taken up bowling or tennis instead as I have had more stress with him since he started racing and I try and discourage anyone who is just getting into the sport thinking its just innocent fun.  My youngest is a high achiever at school but the teachers must hate us as I have sent him to school with so many injuries it is ridiculous.  Will he give it up?  No way! But I wish he would.

I know so many mothers who cannot watch their kids race as they worry so much and I don't like to watch myself.  I have sat at National titles in the trailer with my fingers in my ears trying not to listen as a full grid of bikes go off and head for that first corner, as when they all hit that corner together you are just hoping yours comes out the other side in one piece.

I also love the waiver that they make parents sign here.  'Motorcycling is dangerous and you do so at your own risk.  Death can occur'  Try signing one of those every week or so without thinking 'what the h**l am i doing'  

I hold my officials licence here in Australia but that doesnt make me like the sport any more when my own kids are out their on the start line.

Answer 11

i ride myself and i've been riding for years.my kids are 6 and 8 and have been riding for a couple of years on atv's and dirt  bikes.my son 8,my daughter 6.the best advice i can give you is to stick with recreational motocross  or atv riding.it's great comroddery with other riders and you meet other kids who have the same interests.aiso it's an excellent way to bond with your kids,my wife rides also.racing can get expensive for entry fees and repairs and you are more prone to get injured because it's very competetive.my kids love it.

Answer 12

better to ride in a circuit  than on the road...and also at a circuit someone will find more protection from his\her uniform ....also if a kid rides for races no need to race on the road.. what i mean with all these? better a kid to ride and race on a circuit than on road with friends and bet money or whatever teens do

Answer 13

first of all, im pretty sure kids dont race street bikes so the first few answers are useless. but dirtbikes is a different story. just like any sport there is a risk of injury, it is going to happen. as long as they wear the proper gear, they should be fine. motocross is one of the most physically demanding sports. controlling a heavy motorcycle around a track lap after lap takes a lot of strength. i agree 110% with barry m. motorcycle racing is absolutly okay for kids.