The attached pic is all I have of my eldest son riding his first minibike. The snapshot is dated Nov.65. He was 5 years old. The minibike is a Frijole with a Lawson engine. As he was the only kid around that had a mini it was also necessary to show several youngsters how the ride. Twenty two years after he was born I acquired another son and the same routine was necessary. Numerous kids had to be taught to ride over the years including grand children [and soon a great grandchild].
This has been my method and I think it is a safe way.
First of all be sure that the child is ready mentally and physically to accomplish the feat. If the youngster fails he will only be set-back by the initial lack of success. The child must really show interest in riding it...otherwise he is not ready. Try the child out if they have interest but be ready to limit [for now] to being only a passenger if you or the parent begins to have second thoughts. Certainly a 7 year old would have a considerably greater learning curve than a child a year or two younger
First put the child in front of you on the minibike and ride around slowly in a small backyard sized oval. Do this until it is certain that any apprehension has evaporated. It's fun and it doesn't hurt. You can require that they put their hand on top your hand so they can get some idea about how the twist throttle works. Again, if the child shows apprehension don't go any further [for now] than them being a passenger.
With a rather tall gear ratio [bike won't accelerate very well] and a throttle that is 'set' for minimum rpm the child can then be put on the bike and the two controls explained. But you can be sure the child is not listening too well about the throttle and the brake. I think they learn by doing a lot better than by verbal instruction.
Then fire the motor and, standing beside the bike with your hand firmly holding the rear of the mini, ask the child to advance the throttle. Usually they [nowadays] think it is like a video game controller and whack it wide open. No problem. You have a firm hold on the bike above the rear tire and it is easy to slightly lift the machine so that there is no traction. The bike can't fall over ether. Around and around you go until the rider internalizes [or you are exhausted!] the fact that the speed of the engine is governed by twisting the grip on the right. It may be necessary to do a bunch of this if the child is quite young; but if the child is never given reason to be frightened they learn pretty fast. Especially if they are praised by a nearby parent and everyone is smiling and nothing is grim and mysterious.
Then, perhaps the next day, the same thing except that the hand brake is lesson to be learned [if the throttle does not first need a lot of brushing-up on]. Say stop and they try the brake [at very low speed]. After a full stop and then throttle application to get to walking speed and again command to apply the brake.
I found that it was best to never get serious about the program with kids. It is suppose to be fun. If a child is getting apprehensive, or whatever, simply let some other sidelined child take a turn. They always want to get back in the swim if they watch a peer do it.
I am convinced that a mini is easier to learn to ride than a bicycle.
Can truthfully say that not one child has ever been injured under my supervision during the learning stage and their first solos. Ya, when they get a bit older and are left unattended they [just like you did] get a bit braver and a skinned knee can be a result even on a soft lawn.
Consider liability. It must be firmly understood by the legal guardian [and they must be present during the training] that they agree to the process. They can also do a bunch of the trotting around in a circle with a hand gripped on the minibike.
Chain guards to fully cover every pinch point are necessary. As is a muffler that is guarded so a child cannot get burned.
I never had any luck using 'training wheels'. A child's toes [bare minimum] must be able to touch the ground. A minibike is heavier than a child's bicycle so that is necessary.
Does anyone have some suggestions as to a better or safer method? I'm all ears.
This has been my method and I think it is a safe way.
First of all be sure that the child is ready mentally and physically to accomplish the feat. If the youngster fails he will only be set-back by the initial lack of success. The child must really show interest in riding it...otherwise he is not ready. Try the child out if they have interest but be ready to limit [for now] to being only a passenger if you or the parent begins to have second thoughts. Certainly a 7 year old would have a considerably greater learning curve than a child a year or two younger
First put the child in front of you on the minibike and ride around slowly in a small backyard sized oval. Do this until it is certain that any apprehension has evaporated. It's fun and it doesn't hurt. You can require that they put their hand on top your hand so they can get some idea about how the twist throttle works. Again, if the child shows apprehension don't go any further [for now] than them being a passenger.
With a rather tall gear ratio [bike won't accelerate very well] and a throttle that is 'set' for minimum rpm the child can then be put on the bike and the two controls explained. But you can be sure the child is not listening too well about the throttle and the brake. I think they learn by doing a lot better than by verbal instruction.
Then fire the motor and, standing beside the bike with your hand firmly holding the rear of the mini, ask the child to advance the throttle. Usually they [nowadays] think it is like a video game controller and whack it wide open. No problem. You have a firm hold on the bike above the rear tire and it is easy to slightly lift the machine so that there is no traction. The bike can't fall over ether. Around and around you go until the rider internalizes [or you are exhausted!] the fact that the speed of the engine is governed by twisting the grip on the right. It may be necessary to do a bunch of this if the child is quite young; but if the child is never given reason to be frightened they learn pretty fast. Especially if they are praised by a nearby parent and everyone is smiling and nothing is grim and mysterious.
Then, perhaps the next day, the same thing except that the hand brake is lesson to be learned [if the throttle does not first need a lot of brushing-up on]. Say stop and they try the brake [at very low speed]. After a full stop and then throttle application to get to walking speed and again command to apply the brake.
I found that it was best to never get serious about the program with kids. It is suppose to be fun. If a child is getting apprehensive, or whatever, simply let some other sidelined child take a turn. They always want to get back in the swim if they watch a peer do it.
I am convinced that a mini is easier to learn to ride than a bicycle.
Can truthfully say that not one child has ever been injured under my supervision during the learning stage and their first solos. Ya, when they get a bit older and are left unattended they [just like you did] get a bit braver and a skinned knee can be a result even on a soft lawn.
Consider liability. It must be firmly understood by the legal guardian [and they must be present during the training] that they agree to the process. They can also do a bunch of the trotting around in a circle with a hand gripped on the minibike.
Chain guards to fully cover every pinch point are necessary. As is a muffler that is guarded so a child cannot get burned.
I never had any luck using 'training wheels'. A child's toes [bare minimum] must be able to touch the ground. A minibike is heavier than a child's bicycle so that is necessary.
Does anyone have some suggestions as to a better or safer method? I'm all ears.
