Today was an exciting day as we introduced our boys to their new dirt bikes, gifts from Christmas. We brought out both a Honda 50 and a Honda 70 Dirt Bike to see how they would handle their first proper rides. It was a mixed experience, highlighting the differences and suitability of each bike for different ages and skill levels.
Our almost four-year-old started on the Honda 50, complete with training wheels. He’s already a confident bicycle rider, even tackling skate park ramps, so we thought he’d adapt quickly. However, the size of the Honda 50 dirt bike proved to be a challenge. His legs barely reached past the foot pegs, making it a bit awkward for him. An early throttle mishap, even with the limiter on, led to a minor tumble into the bushes. It was a classic beginner moment – a handful of throttle and a sudden stop he wasn’t expecting. Despite a few tears and a comforting hug, he was back on the 50 later, and we know with more time, his confidence will grow on the smaller bike. The Honda 50 is definitely more about building confidence at this stage.
Then we moved on to comparing the Honda 50 versus the 70 directly with our seven-year-old. He began his day on the 50 and did remarkably well. He had a few falls and tip-overs, even a couple of near endo moments hitting bumps a bit fast, but he controlled the bike well and was able to pick it up each time. Starting the 50 was no problem for him, and he quickly settled into riding in second or third gear, mostly leaving it there. Gear shifting and rear brake lessons are next on the agenda. For now, he’s all about the front brake – effective, if not always smooth!
Later, we introduced him to the Honda 70 dirt bike to gauge his reaction. He immediately took to the Honda 70. He felt more comfortable on the larger bike physically. However, the increased height of the 70 presented a new challenge. Barely being able to touch the ground meant he couldn’t quite master the stop-and-go as easily. He hasn’t yet learned the technique of leaning to one side to get a foot down for balance when stopping. I showed him my “short guy trick” – finding a slight slope to put a foot down – something I use on my own 250R. He grasped this quickly, which was a great step forward.
By the end of the day, he had ridden both bikes effectively. Interestingly, he prefers the Honda 50 at the moment because of the control it offers and the ease of stopping and starting whenever he wants. However, we’ll keep the Honda 70 dirt bike in rotation, allowing him to experience riding at a faster pace when he’s ready. He’s already hitting full throttle on the 50 in every gear, suggesting he’s outgrowing it in terms of speed and bike size.
Overall, having both the Honda 50 and 70 dirt bikes is proving invaluable. The 50 is excellent for building initial confidence and fundamental bike control. The Honda 70 dirt bike, while slightly more challenging initially due to its size, is clearly the bike he will grow into quickly. Seeing the huge grins on their faces, even after a few spills, makes it all worthwhile. Despite the cold weather, occasional snow flurries, and mud, it was a fantastic day of dirt bike introductions.
