. On the typical slower rides with the kids and newbies, what gear should she be running in most of the time? Will she be doing a lot of shifting? Any other tips? 
Full Version: Tips For New Rider
Picking up a 300ex for my daughter this weekend. Up until now, she's been riding an LT80 in the little dunes. Need advice on things I need to teach her. I know she will have to learn how to use a clutch and shift, but as far as riding tips I'm clueless. I've never ridden a quad before . On the typical slower rides with the kids and newbies, what gear should she be running in most of the time? Will she be doing a lot of shifting? Any other tips?
. On the typical slower rides with the kids and newbies, what gear should she be running in most of the time? Will she be doing a lot of shifting? Any other tips?
#1 TIP - STOPPING THE BIKE under what ever cercumstances.. This seems to be one of the biggest problems when you toss in the clutch.. I see them always smash in to stuff cause they get confused with feet and hands all trying to do something.
Most of the time I am sure she will be in second or third gear. When duning always stay out of in front of dad.
My best advice is to alllllwwwaaayyysss look out for others. Most of the time they arn't looking for you..... 
WHATEVER SHE DOES ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT! 
THE HARDEST PART AS A NEW CLUTCH RIDER IS LEARNING WHEN AND HOW TO DOWN SHIFT TO GET MORE POWER WHILE HILL CLIMBING. MOST OF THE TIME THEY TAKE WAY TO LONG TO DOWN SHIFT AND LOSE ALL THEIR POWER IN TRYIN TO GET UP THE HILL.
GOOD LUCK AND HOPE SHE LIKES IT
RICH
THE HARDEST PART AS A NEW CLUTCH RIDER IS LEARNING WHEN AND HOW TO DOWN SHIFT TO GET MORE POWER WHILE HILL CLIMBING. MOST OF THE TIME THEY TAKE WAY TO LONG TO DOWN SHIFT AND LOSE ALL THEIR POWER IN TRYIN TO GET UP THE HILL.
GOOD LUCK AND HOPE SHE LIKES IT
RICH
Stopping and starting...obviously essential, but practice practice practice until these things are second nature.
Don't put your foot down until the bike is stopped.
You will go wherever you look. So, if you see a bush in your way, look away from it, and you'll miss it.
Never, ever let someone pressure you into riding something you don't want to.
What worked for me as a kid, and worked for my kids, and is starting to work for my wife is to set up a little track and go around and around it. Include terrain that they are uncomfortable with...say side hill riding for example.... in the little track. Start small, and work larger. After a few laps, turn them around and go the other way so they learn how to tackle the obstacles in either direction, and don't get too attached to any one turn direction, cause there's times you need both.
I would also teach the value of watching out for others. Not to cross into other groups, etc. Teach her to follow the leaders lines, because as you know, sometimes just a little to the wrong side is not a good place to go.
Learning how to fall is a good idea too....if the bike is going over, push away from the bike.
Another good thing is to have her follow someone who knows how to ride..and try to copy what they do.
Teach her how to stand up! There are times when the last thing you want to be doing is sitting on the seat..
There may seem to be a lot of things to remember all at once for her. So just go slow, and adjust your pace based on how fast she picks it up. It's not hard, and kids learn really fast.
Don't put your foot down until the bike is stopped.
You will go wherever you look. So, if you see a bush in your way, look away from it, and you'll miss it.
Never, ever let someone pressure you into riding something you don't want to.
What worked for me as a kid, and worked for my kids, and is starting to work for my wife is to set up a little track and go around and around it. Include terrain that they are uncomfortable with...say side hill riding for example.... in the little track. Start small, and work larger. After a few laps, turn them around and go the other way so they learn how to tackle the obstacles in either direction, and don't get too attached to any one turn direction, cause there's times you need both.
I would also teach the value of watching out for others. Not to cross into other groups, etc. Teach her to follow the leaders lines, because as you know, sometimes just a little to the wrong side is not a good place to go.
Learning how to fall is a good idea too....if the bike is going over, push away from the bike.
Another good thing is to have her follow someone who knows how to ride..and try to copy what they do.
Teach her how to stand up! There are times when the last thing you want to be doing is sitting on the seat..
There may seem to be a lot of things to remember all at once for her. So just go slow, and adjust your pace based on how fast she picks it up. It's not hard, and kids learn really fast.
There's a thread just started on this in the noob forum as well, have you checked it out? Not kid-specific, but some useful stuff...
All of the above are correct, make sure she knows how to stop and find neutral, she'll probably be 2nd-3rd gear 90% of the time. She's already had a starter bike, so I assume she has all the proper safety gear, boots included, right?
If she'll be out with you guys in buggies I think she'll be able to follow most of your lines, just keep her out in front of you so she doesn't have trouble when you're not looking. And get her in the habit of carving the top of dunes sideways, makes it a lot easier transitioning in case there's something nasty waiting. Good luck, I'm sure she'll love the bigger bike once she gets the hang of things!
DAVe
All of the above are correct, make sure she knows how to stop and find neutral, she'll probably be 2nd-3rd gear 90% of the time. She's already had a starter bike, so I assume she has all the proper safety gear, boots included, right?
If she'll be out with you guys in buggies I think she'll be able to follow most of your lines, just keep her out in front of you so she doesn't have trouble when you're not looking. And get her in the habit of carving the top of dunes sideways, makes it a lot easier transitioning in case there's something nasty waiting. Good luck, I'm sure she'll love the bigger bike once she gets the hang of things!
DAVe
tell her:
never, never follow chummin.
You'll either get lost, get hurt, or break your ride
never, never follow chummin.
You'll either get lost, get hurt, or break your ride
| QUOTE (BeachHead @ Mar 3 2004, 01:45 PM) |
| Teach her how to stand up! There are times when the last thing you want to be doing is sitting on the seat.. |
Wiser words seldom spoken. Completely forgot that one...
never wuss out when in the process of hill climbing or jumping, it can result in a crash or getting stuck,
all keep your eyes open for other riders,
teach hre the hand signals of the leaders like if they go down a steep dune and they raise their hand to let the followers know there is a steep part coming up
all keep your eyes open for other riders,
teach hre the hand signals of the leaders like if they go down a steep dune and they raise their hand to let the followers know there is a steep part coming up
dont fall off
Tuck and roll 
Whatever you do, do not do the Heisman pose when you fall off. Collar bones go crack
Whatever you do, do not do the Heisman pose when you fall off. Collar bones go crack
just pin it!!!
pick an experienced rider and follow right in that persons tracks (not to close though)
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