Because Christmas is coming up pretty fast, I was wondering whether or not I should get my 14 year old son a pocket bike. Money's not an issue here. He's mature, and I know he'd try to be as safe as possible, but we do live in New Jersey. It will probably be the x18-r which is about the size of a real motorcycle. I'm still debating this because I dont want to get in trouble with the police or anything. What do you think?
2007-11-16 12:40:40 · 9 answers · asked by Ian 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Is your son, I do not know him, so I can not advise you on this one. Sorry bud. Use your best judgment.
2007-11-16 12:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by spammer 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
hmm
ill be straight up with you
pocket bikes are pices of ****
they are chines and the suck
if you want to get him somethin that will last forever and that is about the some size get him an xr50 its a honda
its a great bike
he can lear to do wheelies and stunts with it right around youhouse so thers rilly not as mutch of a problem with the cops
with anything he wilol get aliitle banged up so if he is tought there is nuthing to wory about
You can get a used xr50 for aout 700 for a goos used new is about 1000 if u shop around you could get one for around 500 probly.
i dont know how mutch the poket bikes are but i do know they are bad and will end up in the dump in a few months.
i have a 30 year old xr75 and it still runs strong
hope it helps all he may need is a helmet and maby some neepads and gloves.
2007-11-16 22:26:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
NO
They are dangerous.
For their size & weight, they are extremly fast and one can loose control very easily, because of the wheel size and wheel base.
Buy your son an 80-150cc dirt bike.
A popular brand name machine Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha.
With the proper training and proctive riding gear, they are safe, versitile and fun.
Put a brochure of a Honda XR80 in a big box.
When he opens the box and sees the picture, tell him he can pick out the bike of his choice.
Bring him to some shops and let him sit on the bikes to see what he feels comfortable on.
Then haggle with the salesman for riding gear (at the minimum, you should get a free helmet, goggles and gloves).
Don't forget boots and a chest protector.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/riderresc/Kids_index.asp
2007-11-17 13:17:15 · answer #3 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
how much money are u willing to lose? when the cops pick him up from riding on the streets or sidewalks, they will confiscate this toy, and haul him and u into court. it wont take long for the cops to zero in on him either once they start getting complaints.
once he gets bagged, ur lookin at multiple tickets: no mc license, no insurance, no registration, failure to display license plates, riding an unlicensed vehicle on public roads.......just for starters. by the time the courts are done with u, u'd burn up enough for a decent used street legal bike. hey....it's ur cash. do what ya want.
2007-11-16 23:58:06 · answer #4 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i'm 16 and had a pocket bike i rode it for about a year when i got it and got bored with it. you would be better off getting on craigslist and getting a small dirtbike 50s are the size of pockets bike. you could get him an xr80 as well they have a clutch and he can learn how to ride an actual bike. they are more fun as well.
2007-11-16 22:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by gregg 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Too bad yall are yankees...new jersey... so no room for a four wheeler? terrible...its a ton more fun than a motorcycle....but in yalls case go for the real motorcycle...police will never catch him...i was driving a car down here in SC when i was 13...driving daily actually...never got caught.
2007-11-16 21:46:39 · answer #6 · answered by Jake 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The issue I have with pocket bikes is their short wheelbases and small diameter wheels. I believe that they are not as stable as a conventional bike.
Your first concern is- where is your son going to ride the bike. If he is going to be ripping up and down the neighbourhood, well, we all know where that goes.
2007-11-16 21:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by Deckard2020 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As with most (if not all) pocketbikes, they are not street-legal. I have one myself and just ride it within my subdivsion even though legally you're only allowed to remain within your property like your driveway. Of course you'll expand your limitations and venture beyond your driveway (its expected).
After 14 years, I'm sure you know your son well enough to predict his maturity so yeah, go ahead and get him the bike. However set boundries such as no street riding outside home parameters (within a subdivsion if you live in one). Get him proper protection as well. Even though its a pocketbike (the one you mentioned isn't a slouch in the HP range), it'll hurt him just as badly as a real bike; so be careful.
Hope this helps.
2007-11-16 22:01:53 · answer #8 · answered by jaxgsxr 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
because you life i new jersey i'm gonna say no cuz the cop's are a holes down there and they impound it, get him a crudy car that has potentiacl that you and him cold fiz up and have it ready by the ti he gets his license
2007-11-16 21:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by staples_92 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋