So, it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts and you wonder if the ATV your kids keep asking for is really a good idea as a Christmas gift.
There has been a lot of bad press about kids and ATVs and some very tragic accidents, the saddest part of those reports is that with proper training, supervision, and safety equipment, most if not all of those accidents could have been prevented.
ATVs in the range of 70cc to 90cc are best for most kids ages 12-16. For children under the age of 12 the ATV should be under 70cc.
Shifting is hard for many children to get the hang of, consider getting an automatic ATV for them to learn to ride, so shifting gears is one less thing for them to worry about when they are learning to ride and be safe on their ATVs.
We are very big on fun and even bigger on safety. There is no reason to consider riding an ATV if you aren't going to ride safely. There are numerous ATV riding classes you can take with your kids and safety equipment should be a high priority.
If your kids are wanting an ATV for Christmas, make sure to obtain the best safety equipment. A DOT approved helmet is a must, do not try to safe money by purchasing a used helmet. A helmet is good for only one impact. If a used helmet has been in an impact or even dropped from a fair height, the integrity of the helmet has been compromised. There are other safety issues such as chest protections, goggles, long sleeves covering arms and high boots on the legs.
If your kids want an ATV for Christmas, congratulate them on their good taste but remember to get them up to speed on their safety equipment.
