Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126538
I r -· .. - . ,. patient, continued to take Hayley and her younger brother, Chris (age I) on rides. After about three months of intermittent weekend riding, Hayley suddenly dragged out her helmet one Saturday morning and announced that she wanted to ride the ATC by herself. She was ready to solo. Her lint ride, however, was not without incident. The plan was that Hayley would ride alone on the ATC with Dad walking next to her to assist in case of an emergency. Hayley made it about two feet before giving the Honda full throttle and flying off the back as the ATC lept forward. To restore her confidence, Hayley was quicltly picked up and set back on the three-wheeler, while Mom adjusted the throttle limiter to the point where the ATC would barely move with an adult and Hayley on board. Then, without the adult, the ATC would accelerate and cruise slowly, at a rate Hayley could control. After a few more trips around the backyard with Mom fim riding behind on the ATC, then walking next to the handleban, Hayley was ready for another solo. This time she was told to accelerate from a stop to where Mom was standing, about five feet away, then stop. If Hayley didn't - or couldn't - stop, the plan was for her mother to grab the brake lever and kill switch. The emergency plan didn't have to be used - Hayley did just fine. After about 15 minutes of practicing starts and stops headed directly at Mom, Hayley's right (throttle) thumb was sore and she was ready for a break. (The kid knew one throttle position full on - and pushed as hard as she could with her thumb, a fact which il· ". - ~ lustrates why it's important to set the throttle limiter). Hayley's next ride brought her face to face with the problem of turning. Her approach to a tum was to close the throttle and then try to turn the ban, andshe wasn't having much suc· cess. Her parents went back to the walk-alongside approach, telling her to tum while holding the throttle on and lending a helping hand on the ban when needed. It took a few more riding sessions before Hayley mastered turning, but suddenly she was making laps of the backyard without slowing down anymore. A few more riding sessions and sh~ took her younger hr~~her for a ride (wlth close adult SupervlSlon). Eight months after she fint saw her ATC. Hayley - now four yean old is a competent, safety-conscious young pilot. On family outings to open riding areas, however, she still has to be super· vised because, like most youngsten her age, she gets absorbed in what she is doing and doesn't keep a sharp enough lookout for other ATCs and ORV traffic. The best approach seems to be to stake out a small, easily·watched area and restrict her riding to that, or to have her slowly follow Mom (on another ATe) around on less-populated trails. When she's riding in her own backyard (Mom and Dad don't really like grass, anyway) Hayley often improvises, riding in an oval in one direction, then the other; turning figure eights; riding over the berm built up by Dad in one side of the yard. Mostly she's having fun, even if it's under the watchful eye of Mom. So far, she's done fine. and hasn't punched any new holes in the backyard fence. • ,. .. .. Make sure the child knowa how to UH the brake. HONDALlNE e ... ACCESSORI ES From Farm. to Finish Line Honda invented it Honda perfected it For over ten years Honda has been building ATC's and accessories. Whether you're racing, working, or just playing around, Hondaline accessories will add to your three-wheelin' pleasure. In that time Honda learned plenty about what counts most to the ATC owners. All that knowledge has led to the development of a rugged and versatile line of made-to-fit Hondaline accessories. And since the ATC's were designed to work for a living as well as for recreation, they have options like a carrying rack in the rear and front with a perforated sheet metal basket that fits right on the front rack. The racks and basket can be used to carry supplies you use around the farm, or take with you on the weekends. If the rack won't hold it there's even a trailer hitch with a pulling weight of 200 Ibs. • There are "Chevron" tires for great traction in loose soil around the farm or soft sand in the desert or the dunes. An Electric Power Kit that adapts an auxiliary charging source to direct operation of accessories such as lights or communications equipment is also available. For the enduro enthusiasts there's a headlight guard and a trip meter to keep you aware of your travel distance. ATC's and their Hondaline accessories are tough and durable - they're buill to take it Built for the things you want to do, and some you haven't thought of yet Down on the farm. Out on the trail. Over the dunes. Overthe finish line. Into the sunset.. The incredibly versatile, Honda-reliable, Hondaline accessories. I .