A Beginner's Guide To, & How Youg Is Too Young For, MX

[DazedandConfused]

I was out running yesterday in some local woods and came across an organised group of guys doing a MX course - other than the fact than 2-stroke 'fug' makes it harder to breathe, it looked great!

I mentioned it to the other half when I got back and she said that I should look into it.

this came as quite a shock as she's been dead against me getting a bike for the last decade - apparently she doesn't mind the idea of broken limbs but doesn't want me to fall off and then get run over (if only I had known earlier).

So, the questions are:
What are your experiences of MX (for fun not competition)?
Where do I go to find out more / local clubs / taster days etc?
How old do you need to be to start (my 5 year old boy would love)?

Thanks in advance,

D&C

[Robb F]

forgive my stupidity, what is this mx run thing? I'm guessing mx means motocross?

[Wyvern971]

MX = Motocross (MotoX)

You could also give green laning a go

[DazedandConfused]

Sorry, yes meant motocross (thought MX was shorthand).

D&C

[DazedandConfused]

Wyvern971, I think I'll try both: wife has spend all our cash on a pony for her/daughter so now feel the need to takeup a motor based hobby that I can do with our son before we turn into stable-hands (nothing like a bit of gender-based stereotyping)!

D&C

[bob1179]

I was six months old when my dad wheeled in my first motorbike (Yamaha PW50).

I think my mum when apest, but she got over it. Bless her.

[bass gt3]

bob1179 said:

I was six months old when my dad wheeled in my first motorbike (Yamaha PW50).

I think my mum when apest, but she got over it. Bless her.

Sounds about right. If a child can walk, they can ride. 3 years old seems to tbe the favorite statrting time, but truly, the younger the better. I started mine at 4, and he's already power sliding his PW50 around like a mad thing.

[Fleegle]

My daughter was presented with a brand spanking Honda QR50 for christmas, 4 months before her 3rd birthday. It took me ages to wrap!

This was restricted in 2 ways, a washer at the top of the exhaust and a screw on th eback of the throttle, so I was able to increase her speed as she grew more confident.

She could balance on this bike within the second time out, something that couldn't be said for her pushbike, that took another 18 months.

[bob1179]

Fleegle said:

My daughter was presented with a brand spanking Honda QR50 for christmas, 4 months before her 3rd birthday. It took me ages to wrap!

This was restricted in 2 ways, a washer at the top of the exhaust and a screw on th eback of the throttle, so I was able to increase her speed as she grew more confident.

She could balance on this bike within the second time out, something that couldn't be said for her pushbike, that took another 18 months.

Good man.

Unfortunately for my parents, I was very interested in spanners and things and I had the manual for my PW50 in my room. It wasn't that long before I'd figured out how to take the engine to bits and remove those pesky restrictors.

I also got stopped by the police for the first time aged five after sneaking out of the gate and bombing up and down our road. My dad went spare but I think he was secretly proud.

[hman]

trailworld.co.uk

[EvoDelta]

I would love to get my lad (3 on Wednesday) something like a PW50. Do they still make them? What other alternatives are there?

To the OP - It sounds like a lot of fun, so get out there.

[srob]

I was four when I started riding, on a little Honda Monkeybike offroader thing.

In fact I did my first wheely aged four. Sadly I was going up a tree at the time and ended up on my arse about three seconds later

OP, I'd say that you just need to make a decision depending on whether you think they're old enough to be able to learn to control the bike, and strong enough to hold onto it. If so, go for it. Kids bounce well anyway

[bob1179]

EvoDelta said:

I would love to get my lad (3 on Wednesday) something like a PW50. Do they still make them? What other alternatives are there?

To the OP - It sounds like a lot of fun, so get out there.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/40/home.aspx

I'm pretty amazed they still make them! My dad got me mine 30 years ago!

[EvoDelta]

bob1179 said:

EvoDelta said:

I would love to get my lad (3 on Wednesday) something like a PW50. Do they still make them? What other alternatives are there?

To the OP - It sounds like a lot of fun, so get out there.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/40/home.aspx

I'm pretty amazed they still make them! My dad got me mine 30 years ago!

Cheers. I think this is still going to be a bit big for my lad, as like me, he's a little 'un. Are there helmets etc available for small kids too?