It is time to buy my kids some safety equipment. They have always rode with helmets but after reading some of the accident posts, I really think they need more. We never ride very fast but I guess it doesn't take speed to get hurt. We live in a fairly rural area with no much in the way of dealers. The dealers we bought our ATV's from only carry adult gear. Is there a good on-line source for kids safety gear? Any help is appreciated.

 

For shoulder pads, neck braces, MX boots (or equivelant), etc. etc. you'll have to shop around. Some places have seasonal sales and others like buying used. If you visit the forums Buy/Sell sections, you might also be able to find a good deals. Google Search can also be used to find a list of companies.

In addition to the typical clothing & body shell protection, I'd also recommend wireless communications. This will allow the supervising parent to have more verbal command with their "young rider". For a few products to investigate, surf:

http://www.collett.mb.ca/
http://www.accessoryinternational.com/intercomnady.htm
http://www.hjc-chatterbox.com/


Hope this helps....

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www.rockymountainatv.com always has good deals. This time of the year more than others

 

ditto. tons of selection, great pricing.

 

Gear, Thor seems to have the best fitting gear out there for kids.

Helmet, Have them try them on. Make sure it is tight. If you can grab the front and they can turn their head with you holding it. Then it is too small. They will break in. Don't let your kid bully you into a helmet to big for them. Also the brands are almost all the same. Make sure the one you get is DOT and SNELL approved. The SNELL is mandatory in my opinion.. DOT will approve anything.

Boots, Alpinestars are the most comfortable. They are the most exspenive too. Don't aways go to the most exspenive for everything else but in this case I do recommend the Alpine stars.

Kidney belts are good. Football mouth piece is good. Neck roll on the chest protector is good. Chest Protector is a must. Kill switch on bike is a must not for your kid but for others around your kid if they come off.

Put them in racing. They will learn more faster than they ever will riding around the yard. Plus they will learn it safer.

 

I'll agree with everyone that long pants, long sleeve shirt, goggles, gloves, helmet, chest protector, and neck roll are minimum... but I am kinda wishy washy on teh boot deal. First off, they are too expensive, you don't get a long period of time wearing them, ans the kid's feet grow faster than bamboo... but my biggest problem with them is that for the most part, they are designed for MX riding.. and are not geared toward the ATV's needs. They are way too stiff, and give no ankle movement. I used to wear mine all the time, but lately, I have started using an over the ankle boot... High tops we used to call them... Not the lineman's boots that go to your knee. Something like a combat boot for you military guys.

They offer the required protection, but most importantly, the kids can move their ankles a bit and walk normally, instead of looking like they have broom sticks shoved up thier.... well you get the idea. Besides they are way cheaper than MX boots and I can drive with them.

The opinion pole is out on the MX pants too... I have them, but lately find a pair of jeans does just fine... except the rip stop is nice to have in the woods.

 

Try a pair of Alpinestars. You'll change your mind.

It is the padding in the pants that I look for. Koty wears a football girdle under his riding pants. I just we could do the sam eunder jeans but jeans do not fit well with boots.

 

Well that is true.. the padding is important... There are running shorts available that have padding built in, but I haven't seen them in kids sizes. For the cheap prices you can get hem for, MX pants are the way to go... only I am lazy sometimes, and just don't take the time to change... The MX pants and the rip stop material they are made of is far superior in most conditions. Besides they look cool.... at least on a skinny guy... Put them on Dragginbutt's more than adequate seating area, and it is not a pretty sight. Let's say I am not challenged in the circumference area OK? I can take a scale up to the 300 mark and make it cry for mercy..

I have a pair of alpinestars, althougha couple years old.. and a little scuffed up these days.. But I still end up feeling like I am wearing my ski boots around the yard in them. Also, although manufacturers are getting the hint on ATV boots these days, they are still way behind in development. Slick MX soles are not cool .. you need tracks so you don't slip around in the mud. You don't want to push an ATV with MX boots in the mud... you won't get very far. One other problem I have is in my calves. Since I had knee surgery, and they used my Hamstrings to re-construct my ACL, my calve on the right leg is almost twice the size of my left one. This is due to the cutting of muscles. and it isn't going to go down. The boots today will not handle larger than normal calves. I have adjusted my boots all the way out, and can't hook the tops. I've tried just about every brand my dealer carries, and have had no luck there either. So I have gone to the over boot skater style pant and live with it.

Remember also that we are talking kids on this thread, and at the prices that they get for alpinstars, it doesn't take long before you could have bought a new ATV. I am not cheap, just feel that due to the manner that kids grow, I just can't justify the cost, when a perfectly acceptable replacement is available. I have a pair of boots that my son virtually never wore. When we bought them for XMAS, he grew two sizes between then and the spring. I just can't keep up sometimes.

 

Thanks everybody for the input. I will be shopping soon!

 

KIDSMOM, go back to the dealer's parts department and ask to see their catalogs... he should be able to order anything you can find on the Internet. They should have every catelog from every manufacturer available... If not, find another dealer.

You will probably be so innundated with data that you won't be able to retain it all, so don't feel ashamed if you have to ask a question or two. that is what they are there for....let him know you are on a budget, he should be able to help....