It is not about physical it is about mental. A 15 year old can forget that they are not invincible. My 15 year old grandson does great on my Banshee but I would never turn him loose in the dunes on his own. He stays behind me on my 400EX.

 

if i remember right the first gear up from neutral is a reaaaaally low gear, great for pulling, which i culd see why you'd never use it, i never did unless i was in thick sloppy mud because i had 22" bearclaws on it, 1st on a ds is much diff., i bet me wide open in 1st is like ur 3rd with my tall gearing i have now