Dominic traces his love of riding and his eagerness to join the motorcycle community back to the Razor electric dirt bike he got from a scooter shop when he was 8 years old. One vehicle at a time, he progressed from electric to gas, revving up the power with each trade.

Note that we didn’t say revving up the “speed,” because for Dominic it’s not about the speed, but about the freedom and joy of riding, the pleasure of exploration. Read on to see how one teen got started and hear how his non-riding dad feels about it.

How a Love of Riding Started Early

That electric dirt bike of Dominic’s went 17mph. It was 17mph of pure fun. When he was 10, his parents upgraded him to an SSR-110 gas-powered dirt bike for his birthday. Dominic explains, “Dirt bikes and trails to ride on are common in Arizona where we lived. I really loved being able to go exploring on my own. There was a massive construction site down the road and it was sandy and hilly and fun to ride around on.”

While Dominic did have one friend who rode a Kawasaki 110, he mostly rode alone. For each birthday and holiday, he’d ask for cash to save for his next ride. Every dime he made along the way went straight to two wheels. 

Dirt Bikes Became Street Bikes Became Motorcycles

During quarantine, he had more time to ride and felt that it was time to upgrade. He and his dad drove to Oklahoma to pick up a Yamaha TW 200.

Dominic says, “It was a much different ride. It’s a dual-sport bike, not just for off-road riding.” With his new street legal bike, Dominic’s riding became a more daily activity. In fact, he went through three bikes during the pandemic. 

He wanted more “power and sophistication” so he traded in his Yamaha for a KTM-390 single-cylinder ride. “It was excellent–with 48-horsepower at the crank, dual-channel ABS, cruise traction control, and it looked beautiful,” Dominic says. Alas it had one fatal flaw: reliability.

And when you have a teen out on the road, after safety, your next goal is reliability. Ultimately its starting and stalling issues led Dominic to his next bike. Enter the Kawasaki Vulcan. It was a big upgrade, from a 390 single to a 650 twin-cylinder ride. 

To prepare to ride the Vulcan, Dominic went through motorcycle training. Because of his experience on two wheels, he passed with ease–showing a comfort much greater than new riders twice his age. However, it is never too late to get your motorcycle license or even the motorcycle of your dreams.

Dominic says of the Vulcan, “It sat differently and rode differently. It weighs 500 pounds [as opposed to his previous 380-pound bike] but the handling is surprisingly good.” He notes that its stopping power is adequate with a single disc (but also wishes it was a double). 

When asked what his next bike will be, Dominic says that the Vulcan is a good “pausing point – it has power and torque.” He pauses, then adds, “Yamaha did just release their Ténéré 700…” 

Teen Riding Safety

Of Dominic’s recent Vulcan purchase, Dad Joel says, “We looked at other models but went with the one that has ABS brakes.” Other safety measures that Dominic takes include: an Alpinestars padded riding jacket with armor and, of course, a helmet. 

Ironically, it’s Dominic’s riding experience that has made his parents comfortable with his continued riding. He has spent years taking tiny steps and learning and growing into a better, safer rider with each. 

“It’s the theory of incrementality,” Joel says. “He started with a battery-powered Razor then graduated to slightly more power again and again.” Plus, Dominic did well in the motorcycle training course. Joel shares, “He was really comfortable and confident–not cocky or defensive. He puts safety first.” 

Dominic shares that in the first grade he built a makeshift ramp consisting of a wood plank and some bricks. He had a pretty bad fall and says, “I learned my lesson.” His love for riding has nothing to do with risk-taking, but rather the simple pleasures.

He says, “What appeals to me is seeing new places and the freedom you feel on two wheels. It feels almost ecstatic.”

Life Lessons Learned Along the Way

Responsibility

Joel says that they love seeing how riding has taught Dominic how to be more responsible. “He has to maintain his bike, fill it with gas, and keep it in working order. Plus, riding is a privilege that gets taken away for undone school work or chores. He has to earn it.” 

Maintenance Skills

Dominic has learned the basics of bike maintenance along the way. He says, “I learned how to rebuild a CB/V carburetor, make oil changes, and do basic electrical modifications.” 

Money-Management

Dominic fully paid for his first three or four bikes, saving up every dollar until he met his goal. He traded each in for his next one when he’d saved enough money to make it happen. Joel says, “He makes good trades at the Cycle Center in Denton, Texas. If you go, tell them that ‘Carlo sent me.’”

Independence

Joel says that riding has given Dominic a certain amount of independence. There is more he can do on his own because of his experience on two wheels–from exploring to picking up milk at the store. “It has offered him self-sufficiency,” Joel says.

Future Motorcycle Riding Adventures

“For my senior year spring break, my friend group is driving to Las Vegas. I’m looking forward to riding my motorcycle there alongside them,” Dominic shares. He also wants to ride to Scottsdale. 

Another ride that Dominic is excited about is one with his dad. But, Joel doesn’t ride–yet. “We have a pact that after he graduates, I’ll learn and get a bike so that we can ride together.”

Dominic is also eager to be part of the motorcycle community. “I want to connect with fellow teen riders. I’m hopeful that I’ll find a group of people who want to ride together.” 

Luckily for Dominic, there’s a global riding community waiting to welcome him with open arms and a big, wide world to explore.