i was 8 when i started to ride our 250 honda fourtraxx

 

I did not start until I was 31, 2 years ago......man I did not know what I missed!!!!!!! If mom and dad would have bought me an atv, I would have probably spent more time chasing after the mud pits and riverbeds, than I did chasing the parties and girls!!!! I have 2 boys, 3 and 7 and I just purchased my 7 year old a suzuki lt50 which he will ride for a couple of years and then I will move him up, and hand down the lt to the younger brother!!!!! This has been one of the funnest family things we do together!!!!!

 

I agree with you Spike. Seems these days the cops would rather hastle a kid on a quad than catch the real dangerous criminals. You would think we are what teh original biker gangs used to be... outcasts from society. A lot of really good people are out here trying to change the public's perception on our "sport". I am a firm believer that if we could just get them out for a trail ride some time and see how families are enjoying time together doing something that the entire family can participate in, they would have a different view.

This is not to sa that we don't have our share of crazies out there.. heck we were all young once, and I think we all could say been there, done that at least once or twice... but we live is a different world now. Urban sprawl has changed the countryside into strip malls and housing developments. The riding areas are shrinking every day, and with the media fighting for bad stuff to report... we are fighting a losing battle.

It is amazing that when I was a kid, the "grown ups" used to call me crazy. All of a sudden, one day I woke up and found I was all grown up and saying the same thing about the young kids today. I have to catch myself and smile once in a while... I used to be that kid... so I try and fight for their rights to ride as much as I can... however I also try and explain the reasons they may want to act responsibly when they do, because the bad stuff hurts us all.

I see the sport heading in two directions. Racing, and trail riding... and I think you will see more tracks built to satisfy the one, and I see trail riding areas becoming popular as well. You are seeing riding areas like Windrock, Hatfield/McCoy, Paiute trails, glamis, etc becoming destination vacation spots, and whole industries being set up to service that customer... and help them spend their money while they are at it. The biggest problem is the costs.. but some how, people will prevail.

I actually set out to purchase a large parcel over in WV to do that... ended up trying to buy in VA, but it fell through. Ended up buying some property in WI. Not a lot, but big enough for my extended family to enjoy.. and maybe we can expand as time goes by.

 

Started at about 4 and a half on a little Briggs & Stratton powered mini-bike. I got a Honda 110 at around 9. When I turned 13 Dad bought a Honda 200S (supposed to be for him) that ended up being mine. My little brother got the 110. Dad got a Suzuki QuadSport when I was 16. I mostly rode it also. I then got a VW rail buggy when I was 20. I finally got back to quads at 26 when the wife bought me (and my daughters) a Trailblazer. It then progressed to what I have today.
I have never broken anything yet (knock on wood). No major crashes that I couldn't walk away from.

 

Did that 200s have the front suspension? Hard for me to remember that far back!

 

#1 1973 amf harley davidson 90
#2 1977 yz 80
#3 1979 yz 125
#4 1979 Hercules [enduro racer]
#5 1983 Tri Moto yt 125