Dirt Bike Safety

A Kid’s Dirt Bike or Mini Dirt Bike has all the working parts and features of a normal Dirt Bike. It only weighs less, is much smaller and has a lot less power (about 49cc on average). Most kids Dirt Bikes are built with a two-stroke engine, so they are also designed to hold only half a gallon of gas on average.

Since there are no age requirements to ride these bikes, and with hundreds of models to choose from, the popularity of these little but considerably powerful machines is still growing. Thousands of Kids Dirt Bikes are sold every year around the world, with the number increasing each year.

Kid’s Dirt Bikes don’t always come cheap just because they are smaller in size. For example, the Pitster Pro 125cc can cost you around 2,095 dollars. However, Kid’s Dirt bikes with less engine power, normally less than 90cc, are quite affordable with price ranging from 200 to 600 dollars only.

Even though there are no age requirements to ride Kid’s Dirt Bikes, make sure that the child is old enough to be able to handle the machine physically. Also remember to give proper training and guidance before your kid starts operating the Bike on his/her own.

Since some of these Kid’s Dirt Bikes can run up to 75 mph or so, preliminary precautions should always be taken before letting kids ride them, especially for younger kids. Helmets should be made compulsory and children should not be allowed to ride these vehicles on a speed of more than 40 mph.

There are Dirt Bike Competitions held in many parts of the United States for Kids aged between 4 to 15. You can get information from websites such as www.dirtbikekids.com. There are also other numerous organizations, which support Kid’s Dirt Bike riding such as American Amateur Racer, Inc, American Motorcyclist Association, National Motosport Association, and World Sports etc.

Whether you are a veteran rider or a beginner, it is imperative that you take extreme safety precautions while riding high-speed motorcycles like dirt bikes since accident risks are higher with these powerful machines.

The most important thing to remember before riding a dirt bike is to get formal training and instructions. It is said that 90%-95% of motorcycle riders involved in accidents did not go through formal training. So to make your dirt bike riding experience safer, get yourself a formal training from a professional or a training school.

Protective gears like helmets, gloves, boots and jackets not only guard you from injuries sustained from crashes, they also provide comfort and shield you from conditions such as poor weather, the sun and other elements that may come in your way while riding. It is also advisable to wear bright-colored clothing so that other riders will see you better to avoid crashes.

Before mounting your dirt bike, always conduct a careful inspection of the parts like the wheels, bearings, brakes etc to make sure that they are in good condition. Repair or replace any faulty components because mechanical failure can also be one of the potential safety threats to dirt bike riding.

Decrease your speed while riding in bad weather conditions like rain or fog. Remember to turn on the headlights if your dirt bike is equipped with one. Bad weather conditions can be great safety threats so it’s best if you do not ride during these conditions.

Riding in groups can be real fun but if not coordinated properly, it can also be very dangerous and may lead to multiple collisions. The ride leader should preferably be a professional with a lot of experience and be able to maintain effective communication within the group while riding.

Since Dirt Bike riders spend most of their time doing stunts, racing, riding on steep hills, uneven ground and rough terrain, the Helmet becomes the most important component of a Dirt bike safety gear. Choosing the right Dirt Bike Helmet should not be based only on the style or graphic design but on the degree of protection, safety and comfort it can provide.

The Full Face Helmet, with its wrap around design, is the head-gear which offers the most protection for Dirt Bike riders because it guards the whole head. This type of helmet also shields the wearer from rain, wind, insects, dirt and cold. However, it can muffle external noises, and happens to be the most expensive type of Helmets.

The Half Helmet offers good protection for the top and the temple area of the head, including the ears. This type of Helmet is preferred by many Dirt Bikers because of its convenience in putting on and taking off, unlike the Full Face type. The Half Helmet is also designed to provide adequate peripheral views. However, it does not offer enough protection for the frontal part of the head.

An Open-Face Helmet offers good protection for the head, neck, ears, and eyes. It also has a face shield that opens up which can be very convenient. Though this type shields the wearer from rain, wind, insects, dirt, cold, etc, it a very good safeguard for injuries to the face, chin, teeth, and nose area.

Even if the chin strap is fastened, a loose Helmet can be uncomfortable and unsafe. Before buying any Helmet for your Dirt Bike, make sure you choose one that fits your head comfortably, which will not flop around while riding or making sharp turns. Lastly, always remember to check if your Dirt Bike Helmet is a SNELL or DOT certified or not.

“Since its introduction in the 1960s, the ATV has evolved to become not only a very effective farm tool but also a popular outdoor recreational vehicle. The thrill the sport brings plus the proliferation of stores that sell cheap dirt bikes and ATVs have meant that it is now common to see parents buy dirt bikes and ATVs for their young kids.

Despite the fact that we regularly see other seven or eight year olds riding them almost effortlessly, irresponsible riding of dirt bikes and ATVs could cause injuries to your child. In the U.S. for example, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 4 out of 10 people rushed to emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries are aged 16 and below.

Fortunately, parents can keep their children free from injuries stemming from the use of dirt bikes and ATVs by simply following simple safety rules. Here are some of them:

§ Before your child even goes near an ATV or a dirt bike, be sure to give him or her lessons on how to properly and safely handle the machines. When teaching them how to ride, be sure that they understand how driving a dirt bike is different from riding an ordinary bicycle and that however fun they are, dirt bikes and ATVs are not toys but machines to be handles with care.

§ Tell them how laws (e.g. no riding of ATVs on highways) were created for a reason and then emphasize how he needs to follow them strictly for his or her safety. Make sure you familiarize your kids with all the laws related to riding the vehicles.

§ Always check the condition of your kids’ ATV or dirt bike before you let him or her ride it. Make sure that there is enough gas on the tank, the brakes are working, the tires are filled with the proper amount of air and the lights are functioning.

§ Dirt bikes and ATVs were meant to be ridden by just one person at a time, so never let your child have somebody ride with him/her on the same ATV or dirt bike. This affects the vehicle’s balance and increases the risk of an accident happening.

§ Never let them ride on public roads—not only is this illegal in most areas, it is also very, very dangerous as well.

§ Always ensure that your kids wear all the proper protective gear like gloves, goggles, boots, jackets and most importantly, helmets. Also, remember that there are safety equipments designed especially for riding ATVs and dirt bikes and those used by your kids for other activities, most often than not, offer inadequate protection (e.g. the helmets used for bicycling for example, do not offer protection for the face).

§ Be sure that the size and speed of the ATV or dirt bike your kid rides on is appropriate for their age. It is recommended that those age 6-11 ride vehicles under 70cc while those aged 12-15 should ride 70-90 cc engines.

§ Never let the younger kids ride out alone. Always have an adult, riding on another vehicle of course, supervise them to ensure their safety.

Some question whether buying kids dirt bikes and ATVs is a wise idea. Yes, these vehicles are powerful machines whose misuse could lead to accidents and injuries, but as long as they are driven responsibly and precautionary measures are taken, ATVs and dirt bikes are safe to use.

Even though Dirt Bikes are designed to be sturdy and durable, like any other motorcycles, their body parts can also be vulnerable to wear and tear. So, don’t forget to conduct routine checks on them in order to make sure that your Dirt Bike is always in a good condition. Remember, every good motorcycle needs good maintenance.

In order to make sure that the bearings are in good condition, put your bike on a stand so that the front wheel does not touch the ground. Try to move the forks back and forth. If there is any movement other than suspension travel, it might be time you change the bearings. Good new head bearings may cost you $30 to $50.

Appearance can be deceiving when it comes to brake pads. Dirt, Soap and other chemicals can become embedded in the pad and deteriorate the friction material. Therefore, it is always a good idea to get periodical replacements even if the pad material seems to be in good condition.

To check the engine, start the bike from cold. If you have a Dirt Bike with a four stroke engine, watch out for any rhythmic noises from the top of the engine motor. There should not be any rumbling sounds from the bottom too. As for Dirt Bikes with two stroke engines, if you hear any slapping sounds, it’s probable that the piston has been worn out.

The tires of a Dirt Bike are the most easily worn-out body parts. They can lose their traction even after only one trip on a harsh, unforgiving terrain. Make sure you check the tread on the tires after every ride and see that they are not smooth. Pay closer attention to the front tire.

Apart from these, always remember to keep body parts such as the cables, chain and sprockets, linkage bearings, throttle, axles and engine clean and well-lubed.

A dirt bike handguard is vital for the extra protection it provides to the dirt bike riders. Dirt bikes have comparatively less engine power and are meant to run on rough and rugged terrains. Leading manufacturers of dirt bikes like Honda, Suzuki, Husqvarna, KTM, Kawasaki, Yamaha and others have specially designed handguard systems for extra safety and grip. Dirt bikes are meant to run in competitions and therefore an added handguard is a must criterion of this mechanism.

The best hand guards for dirt bikes

The Enduro engineering handguard is the strongest, the fittest and the most attractive looking handguard in the market. Enduro handguard comes in two anodized colors of silver and black. Moreover, these handguards have clamps to successfully fit themselves in standard and oversized bars. For any off-road motorcycle or ATV, these handguards serve to give the best.

You will generally come to see a handguard in four different clamp styles. These handguard varieties are aptly suited to 7/8” bars, for Pro-Taper 1 1/8” bar, Renthal 1 1/8” bars and Magura/TAG 1 1/8” bars. It is very simple to install an Enduro Engineering handguard. Apart from the fact that they are quite pleasing to look at, this particular brand of handguard can surely stand the test of severe and relentless dust and abrasion. Most of these handguards have plastic or metal covering which can be easily replaced.

Now let us talk about the Moose Competition Handguard Protectors. These are flexible compounds, which cannot crack or shatter so easily. This particular handguard protector is available in aerodynamic and stylish design and provides utmost protection to your hands while on the ride. They act as shields from brush, roost and elements. This particular handguard variety can be firmly installed to the bike. The handguards come in both large and standard sizes and are sold in pairs.

The dual black handguard is now becoming the most popular style. This handguard has a plastic mounting kit, which prevents it from interfering with the lever assembly. Just take notice that the mounting kit is made of plastic. This provides immense elasticity to the mechanism and thus the handguard is able to bend and come back to shape again as required.

The next comes the Rally Brand Handguard. These handguards have original nylon wrapping. And are perfectly suited to overweight rides. The handguard comes with superior coverage and impact resistance. They have inner ribs for an enhanced reinforcement. For outsized handlebars, there are optional spoilers, which are generally sold separately. This particular handguard variety is usually equipped with mounting kit to fit well within 7/8” steel and 7/8” aluminum handlebars.

A standard handguard is also available in PowerMadd modular design. Such handguards require more control lever and hand protection than wimpy plastic shields, which are generally offered. This particular form of mounting hardware is aptly curved to provide cable and brake hose clearance and offers a number of mounting positions to fit well with any motorcycle and ATV.

A handguard is extremely essential when it comes to dirt bikes. You can kick off the dirt if you have proper handguards to grip the bike tight.

There is nothing quite like dirt biking, it blows all the cobwebs away and gets work out of your head for awhile or hopefully a lot longer. But you need to make sure that you are getting the best gear for your money. Dirt bike gear does not come cheap and there is plenty of sub standard stuff out there that will give you very little bang for your buck. Then again, a lot of the original maker’s gear can be good, but it is just so much more expensive than the pattern parts and accessories that it seems a bit pointless paying that much more for it. Of course the quality’s there but just because some of the alternatives are made by other companies that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are going to be inferior. Even if they are not quite as good, then the difference in price might still make the pattern parts worth going for.

Of course, the trouble is that unless you know someone that has used them, how do you know which are the good parts and accessories that will give you great performance as well as a considerable cost savings over the original parts. Well, probably the best answer is too look at as many dirt bike reviews in biking magazines as you can. Dirt bike magazines very often have sections where they try out new and used pattern parts and give you the low down on which are the best for the price they cost.

Many Internet dirt bike review sites also have a section for parts and accessories and you can pick up some really good tips there. After all, what is the point in spending all your hard earned money without knowing if the items that you are buying are any good or not or if you could get the same thing cheaper and just as good?

However probably the best of all the dirt bike review mediums is the many different dirt bike forums and Internet chat rooms. These are really great because of the fact that they are interactive. You don’t have to go through piles of dirt bike reviews in magazines or sites to find what you are looking for, you just ask a question and then see if anyone else has used the parts that you are thinking of buying. That way you can not only get a review, but probably the best review around, someone that has actually used the things and can tell you what you need to know. If you are thinking of upgrading or getting some replacement items then it is worth trying to get some feed back to make sure that you are getting best that you can afford.