[SKTR]

All kinds of life lessons mentioned here guys. Personally with my 3 sons, we had the good fortune to live on 3 1/2 acres, had started them all on regular bikes at about age 4, and multispeed bikes after a couple years. That all done with safety headgear and usually elbow pads and some kind of gloves. Couple that with this old man harping about riding safely etc, I felt was a good pre-lim to buying an 80cc dirt bike for use in my yard. That all went well. Truthfully I didn't own a bike during those years, so didn't face the choices you are speaking of. In judgement now, I would have any rider have some experience on 2 wheels, then secondly have their physical stature be sufficient to sit the motorcycle and fit it. I agree that it really increases the level of responsibility at least it does for me. Since acquiring my bike, have had only adult riders going 2-up with me. Most importantly, I think it is critical, to be very explicit to them about your expectations of them as passengers. Then some parking lot practices with critiques before doing any road ride. I believe it helps both the driver and passenger to experience the short practice rides first.