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Biker Build-Off

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Trevelen, Where to watch: Discovery Channel, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Tricked-out motorcycles make math cool.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Teaches the values of hard work, following your dreams and passions, caring about what you do, creativity, and good sportsmanship. White and Asian men are the primary characters. Women are almost entirely absent from the show.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Episodes occasionally include risky stunts (jumping over people on a bike, etc.).

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Frequent "ass," but harsher words are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Brands related to motorcycles are mentioned and sometimes displayed, especially Harley Davidson. Local craftsmen and artists are also mentioned. Most bikers have their own shops and their own brands, which obviously get publicity from the show.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Frequent smoking. Certain camera shots of bikers smoking cigarettes to be cool. Some alcohol in the background.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Biker Build-Off

Parents need to know that this well-produced reality show encourages an interest in engineering, math, design, and creativity. That said, some episodes include multiple shots of the main characters smoking cigarettes while looking cool. Frequent cursing and occasional drinking also appear. Some risk-taking -- like jumping over people with a minibike -- appears in some episodes.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about combining passions with work. How do parents bring their hobbies to their jobs? Kids, what are you interested in that you could turn into lucrative work? Do you know any people doing work you're interested in? What skills do you need to build in order to do the kind of work you aspire to? Do you ever get career ideas from watching people on TV?
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