My boys new fourwheeler

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 10:08 AM

These pics were taken when he first got it Friday and I had him put his feet up there while I rode with him. By Saturday night he was riding it by himself (speed limited of course) with his feet on the pegs. He won't be three until the end of December, think I'm pushing a little too fast?

He takes Grandma and Grandpa and the neigbor kids for rides, it's hillarious

FWIW, it's a 110cc three speed that does about 35 or so ungoverned. I have it limited to maybe 5mph. He wants to go faster, but not until I know he's got it down.

Gettin' over the bars for the holeshot

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Looks too small to me.

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhoward
Looks too small to me.

He's definitely too small. He can't reach the pegs with both feet or operate the handbrake without letting go of the bar, his hands are just too small. But he has all of the concepts down and has not even come close to falling off yet (yes, I know he will). He is never without supervision and his speeds are about a jog at best. I like the idea of him losing fear of this kind of stuff early and he loves it.

My hope is that he gets comfortable this year and is more physically able next spring.

deanp · 09-07-2006, 11:23 AM

I don't want to preach, but you asked for an opinion... and I 'll preface my comment with the fact that I rode dirtbikes and ATV's for a long time and I don't agree with the CPSC's 'recommendations' on age. I think the machine should be matched to size and ability.

I think that just under three on a 110cc ATV is too much too soon.

It's hard to see from the pic, but my guess is the height and width of the seat causes him to stand, barely reaching the pegs. Not good ergonomics.

He's most likely only in the yard, but those shoes with no socks? Put some boots on him.

Don't happen to agree with 2 up rides either, especially since he is so small and the machine is new to him.

We started my nephew on a 50cc 2 stroke when he was about 4, he out grew it phyically in a couple years, but the market for small used ATV commands almost new prices so you don't lose much.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by lendaddy
He's definitely too small. He can't reach the pegs with both feet or operate the handbrake without letting go of the bar, his hands are just too small. But he has all of the concepts down and has not even come close to falling off yet (yes, I know he will). He is never without supervision and his speeds are about a jog at best. I like the idea of him losing fear of this kind of stuff early and he loves it.

My hope is that he gets comfortable this year and is more physically able next spring.

NO NO NO!!
I meant the 4-wheeler....

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by deanp
I don't want to preach, but you asked for an opinion... and I 'll preface my comment with the fact that I rode dirtbikes and ATV's for a long time and I don't agree with the CPSC's 'recommendations' on age. I think the machine should be matched to size and ability.

I think that just under three on a 110cc ATV is too much too soon.

It's hard to see from the pic, but my guess is the height and width of the seat causes him to stand, barely reaching the pegs. Not good ergonomics.

He's most likely only in the yard, but those shoes with no socks? Put some boots on him.

Don't happen to agree with 2 up rides either, especially since he is so small and the machine is new to him.

We started my nephew on a 50cc 2 stroke when he was about 4, he out grew it phyically in a couple years, but the market for small used ATV commands almost new prices so you don't lose much.

Good points,

The engine size is really irrelevant as I have it governed down to a speed I am comfortible with and it's certainly no faster than a 50cc two stroker.

He cannot reach both pegs, but he does sit with one foot on a peg and the other on the case. I know it's too big, but I just want him to get familair with the concepts....and they don't really make them any smaller.

Already addressed the boots and I agree entirely. Which is why his feet are up in that first pic for just puttin' around with me.

Two up is only with older folks, he is not taking anyone under teen age for rides even though they are barely moving.

So I agree with most of your points. Again, it's not like I let him tear it up at full speed. It's set up only slightly faster than his electric jeep. If you saw it in action you would probably not be worried.

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 11:45 AM

Actually, you've got me thinking about a higher foot peg setup. Best for him to learn with proper ergos even if it's at 5mph, it may prevent some bad habits.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Long sleeves, socks at least - boots better.

Looks mighty high and scary to me.

Protection from hot parts is important.

Jim Richards · 09-07-2006, 12:06 PM

his helmet needs some flames on it.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Looks like a really bad idea to me, but he's your son. I had my son on bicycles at a young age, and he was stoker on a tandem at about age 5. I think 3 is too young (and for god's sake, at least put him in long pants, long sleeves and gloves), but ymmv.

Also, what about helmet fit and weight? With bike helmets they are very light and fit is critical. I would think a motorcycle helmet is too heavy for their neck muscles. Have you asked he pediatrician?

85eurocarrera · 85eurocarrera's Garage

Wow. I cant wait till I can get this stuff for my daughter, but wait I will. How much does that thing weigh? No preaching here either, but to many stories of little ones getting hurt on this stuff.

Rot 911 · 09-07-2006, 12:19 PM

Just a bad idea. Wait until he is older and really understands what is going on.

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
Looks like a really bad idea to me, but he's your son. I had my son on bicycles at a young age, and he was stoker on a tandem at about age 5. I think 3 is too young (and for god's sake, at least put him in long pants, long sleeves and gloves), but ymmv.

Also, what about helmet fit and weight? With bike helmets they are very light and fit is critical. I would think a motorcycle helmet is too heavy for their neck muscles. Have you asked he pediatrician?

City folk

The helmet is a good fit and is not heavy. I'm sure no pediatrician in the world would OK me putting him on a fourwheeler even if they thought it was safe.

I appreciate the concern, but this is not any more unsafe than pushing him on a swing or letting him ride an electric jeep type toy. We are talking fast-walk speeds here.

BTW, those are long pants and he doesn't need gloves to ride in the 5 inch long grass in papas back yard. The boots again have been addressed.

I think this is the difference between those raised in the country and those in the city. I don't think my father would have put a governor in it for me

Reading this back I sound attacking, I am not so don't take it that way. I really think if you saw it live you wouldn't worry. He's extremely stable and barely moving.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

no worries. Like i said, he's your son. And you'll have to deal with mom when he gets hurt. And he will get hurt. That's what boys do

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Just be sure to tell him to watch out for coyotes

lendaddy · 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
no worries. Like i said, he's your son. And you'll have to deal with mom when he gets hurt. And he will get hurt. That's what boys do

Indeed, but I think I am not getting the situation accross properly. He is under adult supervison that is never more than a few feet away. Picture it as a wagon being pulled behind a garden tractor or something, he is less likely to fall off this. Infact, don't you guys let your kid ride "two-up" on the garden tractor with you? Do you even make him wear a helmet for that?

I do appreciate the comments though, if it makes me more careful all the better.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

yeah, but mom won't care. Even if she's watching you'll still get blamed

lendaddy · 09-07-2006, 12:47 PM

I just remembered something interesting. Last week we took him to the fair and he wanted to ride a couple of the kiddie coasters. These things are meant for the little kids and my son was six inches over the height requirement.

I sat there and watched 10 rides and had to force myslef to let him ride it for fear of his safety (wghich I knew was irrational from watching the others). Even then I had my wife go to one side and I went to the other to watch and make sure he was secure and holding on. He rode it four times after that.

My point is.....we fear what we do not know.

IROC · IROC's Garage

I have a daughter that will be three in February. There is no way in the world she is ready for a 4 wheeler. I don't care how safe you think it is, I cannot believe that a 2 year old is ready for something like that. I think you're asking for trouble.

Mike

bleucamaro · 09-07-2006, 04:29 PM

I think that quad is too big for him. Even with it governed down, the controls on it are alot bigger and heavier than on a 50. I used to work at an ATV sales/rental place and we sold the hell out of the little Dinli 50cc ATV's. They had electric start and remote control kill along with a teather kill and speed governer. Plus the controls were small enough that little kids can get their hands all the way around the hand grip to use the brake and the throttle is alot lighter so they have more control (and learn to control it). My boss bought his son a Dinli 50 when he was 3 and the kid was big enough to fully control it and within a couple months was off the governor.

The problem with the size of that quad is that if you reduce the governer on it after "he's got it down" is that he's not physically big enough to control it if things get out of hand a bit. Plus a 110cc ATV rolled over ontop of him is going to hurt alot more than a 50cc rolled over.

I think you ought to pickle the engine on the 110 and get him a 50 for a couple years. Until he's able to shift his weight around on the 110..

Thats just my $.02