How to buy a Motorcycle -Dirt Bike for a Child
What’s the best dirt bike for my child? We get this question a lot. At Christmas time it’s the number one gift our campers dream about. How to buy a motorcycle dirt bike for a child…? ( Not much has changed since 2011 over the years except the models -I have updated this article in 2021 and now in 11/2025) It all starts with , where can you ride? This sometimes ends the whole conversation. There are places, but you may have to drive an hour plus to get to them . But if that’s no obstacle to you, the whole riding experience can (and I think should) be a family adventure! It will be one of the most rewarding things you do with your child and it can be done safely. In this article I will share what I know of on how to buy a motorcycle dirt bike for a child. What Dirt Bike you buy is based on the size of land to ride and what your abilities are on the bike for trail or racing. Experience counts – you must buy the motorcycle that fits the rider today not the one to grow into… that’s dangerous. You will find that dirt bikes are like cash: you can buy and sell them easily . (UPDATED: during COVID, 10 /2021, it is very hard to find a motorcycle for sale and prices are twice as high as when this article was written years ago… good luck on your hunting . Finding the right one, I think, is harder than selling them for now.) Now in 2025 all the below models have been updated. New fuel injection and ebikes on the horizon) We Love Honda’s We are partial to Honda’s. They are the best , most durable motorcycle , always running! They are tanks. Everyone is always happy if their bike is running . Iron Horse Country Summer Camp has gone through hundreds of bikes over the years and the Honda’s are still here. Doesn’t matter if it’s the fastest model – if it’s broken, no one is having fun. How to buy a motorcycle dirt bike for a child Get Trained to Ride a Motorcycle First! The FIRST thing to know about how to buy a motorcycle dirt bike for a child is that – everyone should know how to ride a bicycle…THEN you start with the motorcycle that fits you . At Iron Horse we start at 8 years of age with our motocross camps for kids. Many a parent has called us asking about their 5 year old. We know they are probably awesome, but you have to watch that age ALOT. It is far too early for your average 5 year old to be in control of a motorized vehicle without supervision. Once hurt, your child will be gun shy the rest of his or her years and may never ride again. You will feel really bad. At age 8, childrens’ brains start developing to make better decisions than just memorizing what you tell them to do on the track or trail. The Role of the BicycleIn the beginning of a young rider’s journey into learning to ride, the bicycle is king to learning safely. We use them at camp to get kids started with balance drills and progress to “motorcycle calisthenics” drills that help kids learn the position of foot pegs , throttle control with hands , and the most important, squeezing legs to the tank. Gone are the days of trial and error learning to ride…just hopping on and making it go like some of us parents did as children. There aren’t enough empty lots to do that anymore, or grandparents’ farms and ranches to ride around on. Lack of space plus the rising cost of medical treatment should there be an accident make it difficult for today’s parents to allow their children to learn this way. Attending one of our summer camps will help your child or grandchild learn how to ride in a safe, supervised and trained environment. Nowhere else will they get so much “time in the saddle” to learn as they will at Iron Horse Country Ranch. For more info on this site with regard to our motorcycle summer camps go to:https://ironhorsecountry.com/ How to buy a motorcycle dirt bike for a childLearn The Sizes (NOTE/UPDATE 2021 AND BEYOND: All prices below were quoted from 2019 sources, pre-COVID days. Since 2020, all prices have gone up dramatically.) Dirt bikes are classed by motor size and start with the best little motorcycle ever made: the Honda CRF 50. The photo above shows from this smallest of Honda’s to the 70, 80 100 and 150 in back. Honda CRF 50( Ages 8 and first time riders)Price $1549 used from $800-$1200 The Beginner rider should be able to touch feet to ground (flat footed) when starting out riding. After a year or so of riding the fit is not based on feet touching ground but rather, do they have 6 inches between the crotch and seat while standing on pegs… Some Pros can’t touch their toes to ground on their bikes which keeps them from being bucked off the bike. NextHonda CRF70 or newer model CRF110Price $2,999 Used 110 $1500 – $2600 Used 70 $900-$1200 These bikes are for ages 9 and up to Adult to learn on … they’re the largest bikes made without a clutch but you still have to shift. (50’s and 70’s/110’s are clutchless) Both bikes are a blast….weight limit of about 160lbs. Families keep these forever. Note: the 70 is no longer made by Honda and was replaced by the 110 model. NextHonda CRF 80 , 100 and 125 New 125’s – $3990, Used $1900-$2500Used 80’s – $1200-$1800& Used 100’s – $1400 – $2000 These bikes are for riders that have ridden the smaller bikes and are ready for the clutch . Age 12 is the normal age for children to gain wrist strength to pull the
Halloween Family Ride- Lesson Day Oct 18th
Motocross Lessons: Halloween Ride & Lesson Day Highlights Unforgettable Motocross Fun and Learning for All Ages On October 18th, our summer camp was buzzing with excitement as we hosted our annual Halloween Ride & Lesson Day. This event was a perfect chance for motocross enthusiasts and beginners alike to experience thrilling lessons in a festive atmosphere. As families arrived from near and far, the day quickly filled with dirt bike riding, laughter, and Halloween fun. Motocross Lessons for All Ages & Skill Levels From the moment the gates opened, the energy was contagious. Our expert instructors greeted riders, ranging from eager first-timers as young as 7 to seasoned adults. Moreover, lessons were tailored to every skill level. Participants learned essential safety tips, riding techniques, and advanced skills. As a result, everyone enjoyed a safe and memorable experience. Diverse Fleet for Every Rider Throughout the morning, riders explored our new fleet of Honda and Kawasaki bikes. Whether you preferred beginner-friendly lessons on a Honda 70 or 110, or craved the power of a 250 or the rugged enduro 300L, our bikes were ready for you. Furthermore, hands-on lessons helped riders build confidence and skill on each bike. Festive Lunch & Halloween Celebrations Midday brought a well-deserved break. Riders and families gathered in costume to enjoy treats and share stories from their motocross adventures. Additionally, the Halloween-themed lunch and creative costumes made the event extra special. The fun and community spirit truly defined our motocross camp. Thank You & Upcoming Motocross Lesson Events As the day wrapped up, we want to thank everyone who joined this year’s Halloween Ride & Lesson Day. Watching families learn, ride, and celebrate together is what our summer camp is all about. If you missed this event, be sure to stay tuned for upcoming lesson days and special ride events. Next year, don’t forget your best costume! Ready to try motocross lessons for yourself? Join us at our next event and discover the excitement and
Summer Camp Types
Where do Motocross/Motorcycle Camps Fit…(and do they fit my child)? Where do motocross/motorcycle camps fit in among all the various types of camps offered these days and, more importantly, are they for my child? The answers to these questions are not as simple as they may appear. Take the first question. Once you read the categories below you may wonder, is there even a category for this kind of camp? The second question tends to provoke much thought and some emotion on the part of many parents. Both questions are worth addressing and we do so in this article. The Inevitable Search Try bringing up “summer camp” in your Google search. You’ll most likely find that motocross/motorcycle (or even “MX”) won’t appear at all. Enter a search for “sport camps in my area” and you’ll get all the ball sports but no wheel sport camps. If you’re a parent or child who knows they want to ride motorcycles or motocross, then you’ll hit the jackpot. You’ll pull up a camp that provides just that…because the words you use in your search will be in the name of the motorcycle/motocross camp…like “Iron horse Country Motocross Summer Camp”. Motorcycle/Motocross Camps – The Perfect Hidden Experience What if you’re a parent looking for a summer camp that doesn’t fit the mold? Something that sounds exciting, gets kids outdoors and teaches a new skill. Something cool and safe. If you don’t find camps like ours in normal listings or searches, would you assume this means they aren’t for your child? The reason for these questions (and the premise of this article) is this: It is because this kind of camp does not come up with general searches that it is invisible to the majority of internet surfers looking for a great camp. A camp that provides children with outdoor engagement, major growth opportunities, fun, excitement, new skills, friendship, and community. These qualities are the same things touted by so many of the other camps that come up easily in searches . And, because it’s invisible, many parents don’t realize the joy and value that a motorcycle/motocross camp can give a child. One parent described discovering us as “. . . finding a diamond in the rough.” Thoughts on What Does Come Up Here’s a short list of some very common summer camp categories you will find: Traditional Performing/Visual Arts Sports Faith-Based Scouting Arts & Crafts These are but a few easy to find types of kids camps that come up in a plethora of listings. Add to that Travel & Expedition Camps, Military/Police Camps, camps for Special Needs children, camps for Foster Kids. There are even easy to find camps for kids who love to play with Legos! Some camps cross-over in categories of what they provide. Scouting camps for example focus on leadership but they, like Traditional camps, are usually based in the outdoors and can involve some of the same types of activities. Other camps offer a variety of activities within one type, such as Performing/Visual Arts where acting, singing, dancing and painting are all offered for campers to experience. Nostalgia For many parents who attended camp as children, their own memories may come from a Traditional camp setting. Some of these camps have long histories with generations of families attending and are steeped in, yes, traditions. Others are newer, but regardless of the founding date, all Traditional camps have certain things in common: Beautiful Natural Settings Challenging or Thrilling Programs Overnight Sessions, Bunk Houses & Dining Halls Outdoor Activities Water-related Recreation Promoting Camper Growth Emphasis on Friendship & Fun Campfires & S’mores Motorcycle/Motocross Camps With all these categories and types, why is it so hard then to find motorcycle or motocross camps described or listed, unless you enter those words? We’re guessing that the exact answer is hidden in an algorithm somewhere. What we know without a doubt is that, even though motorcycle/motocross riding may not be a UIL sport in our public schools, it can be done both as a SPORT and as a RECREATIONAL activity, individually and with groups. Even whole families. Safety Learning to ride can be done safely, just like with learning other sports, with protective gear and lessons given from an early age on up. The earlier a child learns, the better he or she will be able to ride and the more fun and thrilling it can be. And just like with other sports, children who learn to ride motorcycles learn valuable lessons and develop awesome skills (Stay tuned, that last statement sounds like another article in the making…). There are two categories that motorcycle/motocross camps should fall under: SPORT and TRADITIONAL SPORT A motocross camp that leans more toward being a sport camp will offer programming that focuses solely on taking the campers performance “to the next competitive level”, as stated above. Instead of balls, gloves, or parallel bars, a rider’s equipment is his or her motorcycle and using this machine to compete in MX races takes an enormous amount of core body strength, balance, coordination, muscle memory and endurance. There are definitely camps for motocross riders to do just that. They train young riders to race in the same way a youth football camp trains players to compete better on school teams. If you’re looking for a non-traditional sport for your child, definitely look up motocross camps. There are camps that provide the bikes and gear so that there is no investment other than the camp fee for beginners. TRADITIONAL A motorcycle camp can also provide a Traditional experience along with the sporting activity of learning to ride. Iron Horse Country is such a camp. We teach beginners on up with a well thought-out program based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s drills and exercises and emphasize having fun riding and making friends. Our camp is not a race camp. There are other activities that campers engage in, including swimming, games, campfires & s’mores and the great outdoors of the Texas Hill Country. . . just like a classic traditional camp, complete with
What makes the best summer camp for kids?
The best summer camps offer: An exciting, dream activity. 2. Lots of friends. 3. Great staff who teach you and take care of you. 4. FOOD! 5. A beautiful setting with great facilities. 6. Ease of Transportation.