Do you take your kid's out for ride's?

[R69S]

My Dad had bikes before he had me and I remember being on the back of the bike at an early age. I now have a kid of my own and am looking forward to taking her on rides. She is only 4 months old so this is a bit early but, when is an appropriate age to take the kids out for a spin?

thx,
Mike.

[DSchaffnit]

Old enough to pee, old enough for me, at least.

Seriously, I think the will let you know when she is ready. And, I assure you that she will - just take it easy at first and make sure that she is comfortable. And, make sure she has the right equipment to ride in - and, that she is comfortable in the outfit. She will love to show it off to her friends, too.

BTW - I am sort of wife shopping these days!

Dave

[feisty]

Good question!
The law here in my state used to be when their legs can reach the foot pegs. It changed last year to 8 years old.

My daughter is now 11 and has been on the back since she was 7. The last couple of years she has been doing about 140 km of commuting a week with me no matter what the weather. She doesn't mind the rain but hates the really hot days (as i do too) because all the gear still has to be worn. I put a rack on the back to boost her and my confidence. She has more bike gear than I do. Most of it is better than mine too. BMW jacket, hein gericke leather pants and boots. BMW helmet. I have had to scour the world for this gear because you cannot get kids road bike gear here at all. Most of it has come from Germany via eBay. It seems that kids on bikes must be more accepted there as there is a lot of great gear in small sizes available.
I see it as a great lesson on risk management for her. As for me, well it takes defensive riding to a whole new level when you have your only child on the back.

I cop a bit of grief from her mum over it.....

[SergioK]

I think there's no age limit in California.... old enough to hang on?

[R12]

I got my young girl on the back as soon as her legs could reach the pegs, but as said, the law here in Oz has changed recently so that the youngins have to be 8 yo now. Having your prodigy on the back does give you new insight on riding safely. That said, my girl loves going for a ride, especially through the twisites. She tells me she likes it when we 'flip flop through the corners'. We go out riding with a couple of friends who also take their girls for a ride and they love it. You should see the way they handle themselves when they get off the back at a pit stop and get the nod of respect from other riders. Full of confidence and that big beeming smile. New recruits in the making!

[jaytee]

I have riden my eldest son since he could reach the pegs, and take his weight off his butt by standign on them. He was 7. He is now 9 and he rides in jeans and a Jett 2 Tourmaster jacket. He wears Fox gloves and an HJC helmet.

The next son in line for motorcycle rides is 6 years old but he is not big enough to pass my weight-off-your-butt peg test yet.

JT

[R69S]

Seems the feet on the pegs is a good rule to go by. I remember as a kid when my Dad had a sissy bar on his bikes it made a HUGE difference for me. It kept me from sliding off the back of the bike when I wasn't paying attention to the traffic lights. It's difficult to see in front of you when you have tall shoulders in your face.

R12, thats a great pic of you and your little one. I like how the girl in the background is claiming her seat as well.

[feisty]

My daughter in her summer riding gear last year.



The kids at school tell her she that she rocks in her bike gear

[bikerfish1100]

yeah, feet on the pegs. kid was so excited when he could finally reach. at least until i told him it was "both feet.... at the same time." man, what dejected look on his face.
first ride for him, probably 7 or 8.

his first big tour (CT to NC via the BRP0 was at 10, first extended trip (CT to MI & Wisc) was at 13.
his first bike

he graduated HS in Ct on Wed, flew here Thursday, MSF class over the wekend, got his license on a Monday, we were on the road to CT on Tuesday. That first ride together with him, on his own bike, was emotionally a very powerful experience. Told him "it was the moment i had been waiting 18 years for."
now he rides a Speed3.

[Guest24]

My youngest is 28. They can buy their own rides if they want to go riding.

[Markus from Oz]

R12 and Feisty, great photos of your girls...

My little guy just turned 8 (that's him on the left - the masked man) but he is really small for his age (still can't reach the pegs).

That hasn't stopped me taking him for a few short rides, he just hangs on tight and my Ventura rack provides rear security. But I will wait until he can put his weight on the pegs before taking him for longer, faster rides...

Feisty, the gear you bought for your daughter from Deutschland sounds awesome. Good to hear you stayed geared up even when hot. I'm always amazed when I see squids riding their R1's in shorts and singlets - mate, even a low speed off will result in loss of flesh not just gravel rash!

[throttlemeister]

My dad took me to Kindergarten on the back of his bike on his way to work. I was a big kid and had no problems reaching the pegs of his brand new RD200 when I was 4. At 16 I got my first bike, which we together fully restored and overhauled. I couldn't wait to finally get my license at 18. Same summer, he and I were out on a trip together, first time on different bikes. And we still go on big trips together, 22 years later.

If there is the interest to go on the back, and they can reach the pegs, don't hold out on em. It'll plant a seed that will last both of you the rest of your lives.

[feisty]

Thanks markus for your comments

Pretty big on bike gear myself and even more strict when it comes to Emma.

She has a full length mars jacket, BMW savanah2 jacket and two of the race jackets pictured in different sizes. A wet weather pair of pants and two leather pairs. Gloves that fitted her were a pain in the backside to find. All too big. I bought about 4 pairs till I found a pair that fitted.

When she first started on the back I put a large old belt around my waist for her to hang on to. Made her feel better and me too.

If you like markus I will get in touch with you when she grows out of the gear. Which is happening already. Kids and clothes - a constant battle.....

[feisty]

I forgot to add. I bought a non- slip pillion seat cover off eBay as well. Works a treat. Highly recommended.

[AZ-J]

You guys are so lucky. I've had bikes all the while my girls were growing up, but now 23 and 18, and neither have ever been on with me. That must be why my R12S has no back seat and no rear foot pegs.

[Markus from Oz]

Feisty PM sent re kids bike gear...

[roadrash666]

I started putting my youngest daughter in front of me and taking her for rides when she was about 2. My grand son took his first ride at about one and a half, on his grandmas bike with me. I let them ride in front on a 'sit up' bike until they can reach the passenger pegs then they get to go out on the sporty bike. Bottom line is whatever you and the kid are comfortable with and the laws in your state are. Your kids will remember the experience forever.

[EenyBear]

Yes, I take my 11 year old out every once in a while.

If you click on the link below in my signature block you can see the butt-stop modification I made to a second pillion seat to give him a bit of confidence.

The other thing I can highly recommend is "love handles". These ensure that the child can get (and keep) a good grip and inspires confidence for both pilot and passenger.

Motorcycle/Jet Ski Passenger Pillion Belt Love Handles Deluxe: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Cheers,
Ian

[sgoodwin]

My daughter now 15 has been riding with me since she was 7. When she first started riding I got a communication set up so we could talk, bad idea, she would be singing & babbling all the time, drove me nuts. Being the age of insanity she is not so thrilled anymore to ride with me, it messes her hair up & is embarrasing and dad is an idiot so if I like it she doesn't. I'm hoping to live long enough that she may once again like me & enjoy riding. For now I just make her ride cause it bugs her and gives me joy to see her in misery. How life changes.

[bradzdotcom]

cageyear could probably tell you about the first generation gold wing intercom systems, and all the guys who went back to the dealership to see if it could be disabled. apparently wives caught on pretty quickly to that volume/mute button and the guys were looking for a...ahem...alternative cure/voluntary breakage.
like a vasectomy, one little snip and they never had to worry about it again.
(the more cautious owners installed a discrete switch...on the intercom, not their...)