We purchased a 70 cc Can-Am this past xmas for our 6 year old son. The dealer, and the sticker both said no children UNDER 6. Since our son is not UNDER six, this is what we bought for him. Also, it has a govenor to control how fast it can go. After we bought it, I went online to the ATV Safety Institute so we could sign him up for safety classes and I have been told that he is too young for a 70 cc. In fact, he will not be old enough for a 70 cc until he is 12! Therefore they say he CANNOT take the class unless he does it on a 50 cc. And they do no have a 50 cc for training. We live in South Carolina, and I understand there are not any regulations regarding age and cc. My husband is a risk taker and doesn't think our son needs lessons. I'm much more careful and really want him to take a safety class. Any advice?

 

As a LONG time ASI Instructor, they are correct. The AGE/CC guidelines are below,

Under 12 yrs old--must ride under 70cc ATV IN THE ASI safety course
12-15 yrs old-----must not ride anything over 90cc IN THE ASI safety course

The ASI instructors MUST follow the above guidelines when instructing ANY youth on an ATV, it is in our License agreement.. For the most part, these AGE/CC guidelines are absolutely REDICULES and actually impedes training our youth. Nobody that knows better, goes out an puts their 13-14 yr old kid on a 90cc ATV just to make the CPSC and the manufactures of ATVs happy,therefore, the kid does not receive free training and mom/dad cant get their 100 bucks from ASI.

In the State of Michigan,Instructors are allowed to go to a PROPER SIZE/FIT, meaning that if the youth properly fits the ATV that he/she will be operating, and show proper motors skills, we can train/certifiy them on any ATV.

The AGE/CC stickers on the ATVs were part of a CPSC Consent Decree Agreement that was signed way back around 1988. It FORCED the manufactures to sell ATVs within the sticker guidelines. It might have made some sense back in the 80s, but those guildlines are pretty much USELESS for todays bigger/more mature youth.

 

Geeze, go back and tell them that it's a 69.5 cc engine and let it go at that. The guidelines call for under 70 cc, that particular bike was designed for the 6 to 12 age group regulations. There is a similar issue for the older kids - most 90's are just under 90cc's to fit the regs. 50cc machines are 49.5cc's.

The safety classes are very, very basic. As such, your husband is correct in that a parent could do a better job of teaching your child to ride than the safety classes could ever hope to achieve. The thing is, you do need to take the time to do it. You can follow the basic riding guidelines in your owners manual and get most of the safety class instruction.

I've taught all three of my sons to ride. The "Dad" safety class lasts about six months (or longer depending on how fast they learn). There is no way to get anywhere near the level of training with a four hour safety course. That said, I'll be enrolling all my kids in a safety course this summer. Two reasons - 1. We finally have a certified course in our area and 2. We sometimes take out of state ATV riding trips. One of our favorite places is Wisconsin, which now requires a safety course certification for kids to ride.

Make no mistake, the safety guidelines are there for a reason, it's just sad that the guidelines are so unrealistic that they actually can cause accidents in addition to preventing them. Being realistic, the current guidelines allow 6 to 9 year olds to ride, do not allow 10 to 12 year olds to ride, do allow 13 year olds to ride and prohibit 14 to 16 year olds from riding. I say this just by going by the average size of these ages - the best example is the older teenagers. My just turned 16 year old is 6' - 1" tall. No problem now, he can ride whatever he wants. But a few months back he can only legally ride a 90??? Give me a break. Other than the fact that he doesn't physically fit on a 90 and if he tries the front wheels lift off the ground then the 90cc size is a 'perfect' fit. He's been too tall for that size bike since he was 13 so we choose to let him ride a correct size - a 250cc utility.

Basically, those of us who only let out children ride with a reasonable amount of training and under constatn supervision are penalized by the many idiot parents who choose to buy little jr a new sport bike and let him go out and ride.

Jaybee

 

The DS70 has a 69cc engine. I don't see why they should give you a problem as you are within the guidelines.

 

ASI goes by the cc sticker that is presented on the ATV, not the actual size of the engine itself.

The problem I have with PARENTS teaching their kids how to ride is that most parents dont know how to ride correctly themselves,and they are VERY uneducated with their States ORV/ATV laws and regulations.For the most part, it has been my experience that most parents make very bad ORV/ATV instructors.

I based this evalation on the 1000s of parents and kids that I have personally trained myself thru the years. I cant tell you how many fathers told me that they knew how to ride, only to have myself correct one or more of their techniques while observing them on my riding track. AND, even the fathers that did know how to ride correctly, many were VERY happy they took my safety course because they were astounded at how many ORV/ATV laws that they did'nt know until they heard them from me.

Im not trying to say that ALL parents make bad instructors, just ALOT of them.

 

if the machine bought is one that qualifies for ASI then send dad or mom to the course to help teach Jr .

 

An IMMEDIATE family member can take the free safety course from ASI, its just that the person who takes the ASI course, MUST meet the ASI guideleines to ride the ATV. Than, dad can receive his 100 bucks for taking the course.

 

if they went by engine size a lot more people would take the course ,I'm a ASI instructor also not as many years in as Mudd4life ,

 

Glad to hear many parents out there are concerned with safety. We are fortunate to have so many safety classes offered. Kids grow so fast, there is plenty of time for them to ride. Being patient and making sure their vehicle is the proper size shoud be the concern of any responsible parent.

Gokarts offer a safer alternative for off road fun. The center of gravity is much lower, making go karts more stable. The safety harness will assure young riders are protected. Visit us at FamilyGoKarts.com to see our great selection of US made Kenbar karts and many others at great prices. Sign up to win a free Go Kart. Drawing to be held the end of July.

Family Go Karts.com

 

As much as I appreciate your concern for safety, youth Go-Carts are NOT nearly as practical for off-road use as ATVs are. They have a longer wheel base and are much lower to the ground.BOTH of these can have a very negative impack for off-road use.

Now before you attempt to BLAST me for my remark, remember, im the safety specialist here and have also sold HUNDREDS of Off Road products, including Go-Carts.

Now for hard pack, even ground---yep, a Go-Cart can be a great experience.