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Getting Your Child Started In Motocross

28 July 2015

Ellen Sakala

Supercross -- these acrobatic riders can certainly entertain a crowd. Now, your child has fallen under the spell of these high-flying bikes and is asking you if they can try their hands at this wild and wooly sport. Your first inclination is probably to say no, but believe it or not, thousands of small children participate in the milder version of this sport -- motocross -- safely each year. If your child is expressing an interest in racing dirt bikes, you may be wondering what exactly you will need to purchase. 

The Bike

According to American Motorcyclist, most beginner children who are between four and eight years of age typically start on a 50cc-powered bike. A larger or older child may require a bike that has a 70cc or even 100cc engine. Your best bet is to have your child test drive several bikes to determine which would work best for them.

When choosing a bike, it's also important that you don't let your child choose a vehicle simply because they like the color or because it's the brand their favorite supercross rider owns. Instead, have your child try out several bikes for size, comfort and ease of use.  

You and your child will also have to decide whether they want to start with an automatic or manual clutch bike. Have your child try both and see how they do with each type of bike before making a final decision. 

Enclosed Trailer

While you could haul your child's bike to the track in the back of a pickup truck or on an open trailer, most weekend racers prefer to get an enclosed trailer. There are a number of reasons why an enclosed trailer tends to work best for the mini weekend warrior, including:

• Protection. Your gear, tools and bikes won't be left out in the open while you're watching your child race or when you stop at a hotel overnight on the way to a motocross event. Enclosed trailers will also protect your bikes from the elements.
• Ease of race preparation. Many racers leave their essential gear, such as tools, in their trailers between races, which means less scrambling and loading before each event. 
• Shelter. The elements can be harsh at some events -- extreme heat, wind, rain and bitter cold -- so it's always nice to have an enclosed trailer to hang out in. Some enclosed  trailers even have small bedroom and bathroom facilities where tired family members can rest and clean up between races.  
• Storage. You can typically carry more items with you if you have an enclosed trailer. Some of the items you may want to bring with you on a race weekend include pop-up canopy tents for shade while you're working on your child's bike between races, a barbecue pit and coolers. 

The size of the trailer you choose at an enclosed motorcycle trailer sale will depend on a number of factors. For example, if you go too small and your child shows a real interest and talent for racing, you may end up having to sell it quickly in order to purchase a larger trailer. On the other hand, you probably won't want to purchase a huge trailer with all the bells and whistles until you're sure that this is really the sport for your child. Otherwise, you could end up owning an expensive trailer that you will no longer need. 

Protective Gear

You will also need to purchase protective gear for your child. Some of the items your child will need to race include:

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Body armor
• Knee braces
• Motocross boots
• Long sleeve racing shirt

Motocross racing can be a great family sport, bonding parents with their children as they all work together on race day. So if your child is showing interest in this fun sport, don't be alarmed. Instead, embrace this adventure and see where it might take you. 

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