[Daviebread]

Hey guys, wanted to get some opinions.
How do u feel about letting your child ride on the passenger seat? With full helmet, gloves, jacket, etc?
One of my sons keeps asking me to give him a short ride, but I'm just not sure that I feel ok with that.
My wife is one thing, but my child is another.
How do u guys feel about taking your kids for a short ride? He's only 9 btw.


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

 

[6fOOt6]

Its important for both of the childs feet to be able to comfortably reach BOTH passenger footpegs, this will give them stability in cornering and braking. My son is only 6years old and he has a pretty good understanding of motorcycles just being around them all his life and he is just now to the point where both his feet comfortably reach the passenger footpegs. I take him out in full gear ONLY around the neighborhood at slow speeds so he can get the feel for the bike and being a passenger. I started doing this with my daughter at 5years old, we did the neighborhood thing for about 3years, she is now 10years old. We ride all over town together and she is now experienced and one of the safest passengers I ride with!

 

[TheAOP]

I won't do it.

 

[ERrunner]

If his feet reach the passenger pegs, he's wearing gear, and you trust him as a pillion, take him around the block. Heck, take him cross-country!

Teach him how to ride, though. Even as a pillion, riding is a skill. At the very least, hammer 2 things into his head: No sudden movements, and look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn.

 

[Daviebread]

Great advice 6f00t6. ERrunner, what do u mean by having him look over my shoulder in the direction of the turn?


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

 

[Daviebread]

6f00t6, by full gear are u referring to leather pants as well as helmet, gloves, and ankle boots?
Or do your kids wear jeans?


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

 

[ERrunner]

For example, when you turn right, you want his head off your right shoulder, looking through the turn, just like you are. You want his weight to be predictable and consistent, not moving the bike around when you need it to be stable.

Start out in a slow (but fast enough to be stable) straight line, and have him look/move back and forth, showing you both how big an effect that can have on what the bike wants to do.

 

[pricelister]

Neighborhood only.

 

[6fOOt6]

6f00t6, by full gear are u referring to leather pants as well as helmet, gloves, and ankle boots?
Or do your kids wear jeans?


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

No leather.... By full gear I mean jeans, long sleeves, hi-viz vest, over the ankle boots, and gloves. I think the **MOST IMPORTANT** thing is finding a D.O.T. youth size full face helmet that fits properly!

 

[FlipKickz]

I think with proper guidance and full gear, a ride in a less traveled area is fine and can be quite enjoyable. However, we as riders know that we are taking responsibility for our lives the second we mount our bikes. Your kids on the bike and now you are exposing your children to those same risks we accept.

I've taken my 12 year son for a short spirited ride in low traffic country roads. But I actively choose not to, especially for the factors that I can not control on the road.

Me is one thing... my kids... whole diff ballgame.

 

[Daviebread]

I hear u there FlipKickz...very tough decision. Perhaps just a short rude around the neighborhood every now and then.
Thanks 6f00t6 and ERrunner, great advice. I just bought him a youth full face on clearance for 20 bucks. I'll give him some short spins around our neighborhood...should really enjoy it.


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

 

[Matao87]

I'm 25 and take my 10 year old sister on rides pretty often. She always wears jeans, jacket, gloves and a DOT helmet but she does really well as a passenger. I started off just around the block, not going over 20mph (after very detailed instructions on what to do). She holds on well and has learned to lean as I do. I don't take her on any major highways, but to the store for ice cream or to her friends house when she wants to show off. If you can ride an adult, then a kid is no problem at all if they know what they are doing. Start slow and go from there, if you crash at 10mph, it will be the same as if they fell off their bike, and what kid hasn't had at least one spill before?

 

[GoBigRed]

I have to say I am torn on this. This is my first bike since I've had kids. My 17 year old really enjoys is and I have taken her several times. She has a jacket, helmet and chest and back protector. I have taken my other daughter who is 14 around the neighborhood, where we have very little traffic (only 35 houses, 1 way in). And I have taken a few of their friends around the neighborhood also, if their parents agree. I do kinda cringe when I see younger kids on the back of a bike. It's dangerous, but we do it because the road calls to us.
The big problem now is my oldest wants to take the MSF course to learn to ride! I told her she has to wait until she is on her own!

 

[SDM]

Now is a good time to teach them, explain to them how you want them to be on the back of the bike, to hold on tight, but not too tight as their arms will tire fast. Lean when they need to lean, make sure you have some sort of way for them letting you know that something is wrong, or they need to move a little, maybe like a tap on your left thigh or shoulder, No sudden movements or waving to friends as they pass by. Start out slowly, GEAR IS A MUST!!! After a few months it will feel like they are part of the bike....

One thing to think about, if they do end up doing something wrong or that you dont like, you need to pull over then and there and explain to them, not in a yelling or loud tone of voice, but calmly explain to them what the have done and the way they need to correct it so it doesnt happen again.

Dont make the mistake I did, had my wife on the back of the bike, had talked with her time and time again about leaning with me and not against me, we where out on a ride, going through an hairpin switch back U-turn corner she got an uneasy feeling and went from leaning with me to leaning against me, upsetting the motion of the bike in the middle of the turn, I over compensated and almost dropped the bike. I ended up scraping the peg on the ground, put my left leg out to keep us from falling over nearly throwing us both off the bike, and hurting the crap out of my hip.

Read this forum topic about ridding with your girl on the bike look for the post from "AzizaVFR" very informative. Page #3 Post #23, the whole thing has some good comments, but by far his post is the best.

http://www.cbr250.net/forum/honda-c...there-such-thing-experienced-passenger-3.html

 

[Redline]

Nope. Won't do it.

I do however find their little hands are great for getting in by the front sprocket with a rag whilst cleaning the chain as I engage 1st gear with the rear wheel off the ground.

 

[arobk]

Nope. Won't do it.

I do however find their little hands are great for getting in by the front sprocket with a rag whilst cleaning the chain as I engage 1st gear with the rear wheel off the ground.

Oh my god! Please check out this post from another forum How NOT to clean your chain. **GRAPHIC PICS*** : Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums: Gixxer.com

 

[Redline]

 

[snick8467]

I took my daughter riding with me when i had my 650. she loved it (helmet and all) and when i got this one she was sad it was smaller. she was 10 or so when i took her, she's turning 17 now and wants to ride with me still.

creating good memories is always valuable.