This is just a general question that can be debated by whomever.

but I have been told many things, I would like to get some opinions of others on the subject.

The Kid is 9 years old. Never ridden anything before.

do you start them out on a Dirtbike or a Quad.

I have been told start on a dirtbike, cause you can always go from a dirtbike to a quad and they are safer. I have also heard start on the quad because its "easier" to learn on.

So please add your 2 cents on this subject thanks
GEEK

 

Well, you may go out, spend money for a quad, when he would want a bike, or the other way around, so then you'll haev to sell and buuy something else. What you should do is take him to a dealership, and ask if he can test ride both, too see which he likes better. Generally, a 9 year old will know how to operate either one of these machines fairly well.

 

Not shure if I should coment(don't have kids yet,but have watched them ride,up close ), but here's mine..

Bikes to me seem safer for a young beginer, especialy if they are of the type that get a little brave early on. A bike is a lot less likely to get "on top" of them, the weight is a little more manageable for them if it does. With the stiff and little travel the small quads have, they are very unfriendly when the ground becomes uneven, a medium size rut or hole and they want to roll over, they will put their foot down, and get a tire rub on the back of leg or get pinned under it, then dad has to set it off of them. Sounds scarry, but that's part of learning, kids heal faster than us mid aged ones do(HaHa). Bikes aren't fool proof either, when you make a mistake, you eat dirt.

If I crashed a quad as many times as I did a dirt bike as a kid, I would probably be carrying a few more scars, but would have had just as much fun.

If you can keep their speed down the small accidents become cheap lessons, cheap lessons are great experience builders...

Just my opinions, good luck

 

I noticed that you live in Seattle, where it is wet. My experiences with dirt bikes is that they just wallow all over the place in the mud. Quads float better because of the large tires. Something to consider. Ask other riders in your area about the trail conditions.

 

I bought my 10 year old son a xr100 for Christmas. I thought he would be a little small for it. First day I took him out on it, he had a little trouble getting used to turning on two wheels. By the time we got home he wanted something faster and better suspended. Everytime after that he would ride the xr100 for a half an hour then ride the 400ex the rest of the time. If we went to the desert, he wouldn't ride it at all. I told him if he didn't ride it more I was going to sell it, it's gone. He flies on the quad and hauls butt. I know many people with dirt bikes and alot of injuries. He has crashed on the 400ex a couple of times but nothing bad. He just seemed to learn faster on the 400ex and for him its more enjoyable.