One more thing. If you do get him one, make sure to get all the gear... helmet of course but boots, knee pads, elbow pads, etc. It's not a matter of if you are going to take a spill, it's when. The fun factor goes way up, and the learning curve flattens, with the appropriate gear. More times that not you can jump up, get back on, and take off again when you do have the appropriate gear without worrying about busting your knee, shin, etc. on a foot peg or other hard metal.