Kids Riding Shotgun?

[Adams99]

I have two daughters, one is 6 1/2 and the other is 4. How old should they be to ride as a passenger? I'm thinking at least 8 years old. What is your food for thought on this topic?

 

On the other hand, part of me says never. If something were to happen to them on the back of my motorcycle, I could never live with myself.

[loehring]

My kids are 19, 14 and 12. They have been riding with me for a while now. I used the same guage as I would for sitting in the front seat of my car. It would be based on size more than age. If they are big enough to sit correctly with their feet on the boards and they're strong enough to hold themselves on the seat if you hit a bump then I would say it's ok. I will say that the intercom is invaluable for teaching your kids to be good passengers. You can coach them until they have enough experience to anticipate the situation.

 

Just my .02.

[rod]

I use the same gauge that my dad did. When you can sit on the seat with your feet firmly on the pegs it is time to ride. My Grandson started riding when he was 8yrs. He sat on the bikes every time he came over to check it out and when he was close we went helmet shopping so he was ready to ride next visit. Rod

[Condor]

I'd give 'm a couple more years unless you have a system to secure them safely in the saddle. Basically side rails. My youngest started when she was 8, and boy did she have a death grip on me..... The oldest at 12 lays back in the 'lookin cool' pose......

[sarges46]

My little girl (almost 11) has been riding for a couple years now. On my first gen I put on arm rests because she is notorious for falling asleep just as we get to the end of the street! She loves to be with us on the bikes but armrests are a must with her. I got Marilyn a set of armrests for her vstar that come off very easy when the kids arent riding.

 

Our son (almost 15) thinks its ok to ride but is not near as excited about it as his sister. He never falls asleep but does get bored.

 

Intercom is nice.

 

If we can make it to Kitchner/Waterloo this summer we plan on bringing the kids. This may be interesting!

[pegscraper]

Here's a device I've seen available. A harness goes around the child and you wrap the main belt around yourself. There's also a small handlebar in between for the child to hang on to. I have no experience with it.

 

http://www.childridingbelt.com/

[loehring]

I have to be honest, I wouldn't wear any kind of belt to hold me on a bike. I like my chances rolling on my own rather than strapped to an 800lb piece of metal. I may be completely wrong here but I feel the same about my kids. I admitt I don't have the issue with falling asleep and I'm not sure how I'd deal with that. I think the armrests are a good idea.

 

I totalled two bikes when I was young and foolish and in both cases the fact that I was thrown helped me turn out much better than the bike. I would hate to think what would have happened if I couldn't separate.

[pegscraper]

This doesn't strap the kid to the bike. It straps the kid to you.

[Guest Popeye]

My rule for any passengers has always been, they have to be able to reach foot-pegs/floorboards easily.

 

Also, they must understand the words, "Don't lean or move."

 

Then, is to ride only where there very little traffic.

 

My rules are for passengers with no regard for age.

 

However, my concern is keeping wife on scoot, since she often nods off.

[Snarley Bill]

I have two daughters, one is 6 1/2 and the other is 4. How old should they be to ride as a passenger? I'm thinking at least 8 years old. What is your food for thought on this topic?

 

On the other hand, part of me says never. If something were to happen to them on the back of my motorcycle, I could never live with myself.

i think you answered your own question.you obviously care an awful lot about them and if you have bad feelings about riding them on your bike then don't. if i had kids i would'nt ride them on the back of my bike.in fact if i had a son or daughter still living at home i would have a hard time letting them own a motorcycle ,knowing how dangerous it is out there. from my experience if you ride a bike long enough your gonna crash.and a fender bender in a car can kill you on a bike.just my opinion.

[mark72]

My little girl is six and not realy able to understand what could happen. I think I'll let her get a little older to make her own mind up. At that age they put all the trust in you, but its not you who might tern into your lane and run you down.

[RedRider]

My understanding is to wait until at least 8 yo. Before that time, children lose their ability to balance when they fall asleep. Hence, young children falling out of bed, when older children do not. Once over 8 or so, they can sleep sitting up and not pitch over.

 

This may be a bunch of bs, but it sounds logical.

 

RR

[midnightventure]

I took my son for his first ride when he turned two. He loved it so much that I took my daughter when she turned one. I had a Kawasaki 440 and their Mom worked nights. We would all three sometimes ride together. On long rides my son sat in front of me and would fall asleep. The kids are now 28 and 25. If had to do it now I would probably rethink it. With age comes wisdom.

[Guest KitCarson]

I think if any one of us.......contributed to the harm or death of our wife or one of our kids.....it would be a heavy burden to deal with. My father knew I loved motorcycles......would not let me ride one on the street at all.......ever!! Only when I escaped did I start to ride on the street.......it is very dangerous..young.....full of energy.......not a care in the world, do not really realize at that age....hey it can happen to me. Well it can and did.......several times....but I was one of the lucky ones and survived it all. So now I am the hopefully one of the safest and most defensive riders experience can make.

I have three children.....and now three grand kids. My wife loves to go for a ride...absolutely......we know the risks and just accept it....not going to live in a glass bubble......so many other things in life can take us out....there are no sure things....so we just accept it.

When it comes to the kids though........gee.......this is different.....I now know how my father felt. Having all this experience......and knowing what can happen........yes it is a real concern to put a child on one of these bikes.

So I let the kids tell me what to do......first off none of them get to ride on the street under the age of 12. I will load all the grandkids up on a bike all at once.....in the yard(six acres) and let them have a time riding grand-pa's bike. But they do not ride on the street. They simply have to be old enough to understand......to know......and I let them tell me which one actually likes to ride a bike.......all of them are different......some enjoy it and want to.........the others it might just be me forcing it unto them........

Both my sons have had bikes........only one of them really likes them. To the other......he has other interests.......Just like one of them likes to go fishing.....the other does not care for that at all.

My daughter likes a bike ride......I used to go to Charleston and get her at the college and bring her home for the weekend....on a bike.......then I quit that....new rule......no kids on the interstates........they have became so full of traffic......bumper to bumper........running at 75 just to stay with the flow........at those speeds....when something happens.....it usually results in death....so just do not do it!! I will go get her in a car....then take her for a nice half day ride on lazy backroads........survival chances if something goes wrong are pretty good.

Those posts of kids going to sleep........so young.......do worry me.....maybe I have just rode one of these things so long......I know what can happen........do not really worry about myself......I have had a good life, but when it comes to those kids..........I do try my best to look out for them.........Mean old Dad!! They will understand....just like I do.....when they get older.........respectfully Kit:bighug:

[BEER30]

3 1/2 months old !

They do not have to understand , nor speak or listen . They can move in any motion that will allow them . They do not have to reach the floorboards or pegs . You do not have to strap them down to the bike or the rider .....As long as you keep them in the trunk !

BEER30

[Rolling Barcalounger]

I had a Yamaha 650 special and I gave my 6 month old boy a "PUT AROUND THE YARD" in 1st gear well under 5 mph . He rode on the gastank. and when the ride was over (just a few minutes) Mom tried to pull him off the tank and did not want to let go. He cried and cried for another ride.

 

 

In another story I had seen a family of 5 with 2 very young childern going down the road on a tiny 125 Yamaha motorcycle One child on the Handlebars. one younger child on the tank and dad driving mom behind him and another older child on the rear fender.

[Cinderella]

I too was really nervous about putting our young on the bike. After many begs to ride......we first put her on and Dale took her around the block.......slowly......she kept yelling to go faster....go faster.

 

Well when we went to Fort Collins this summer.....she got her first official ride....she was 5 1/2.....she loved it ! and what a place for your first big ride.....the beautiful mountains !!!She did need to be reminded that it is not ok to lean way over with her arms stretched out and sway back and forth.....I think she thought she was flying ! She rode a cpl hundred miles that day......in rain, sleet and snow!

We also let her hop on the back on the long ride back home to Missouri, but of course I was driving the van right behind them and kept a close eye on her and what she was doing. The open highway made me very nervous. She was very tired and we could tell she was starting to fall alseep as her head would be against her dads back.......so off she came and rode in the van ! The falling alseep thing worried me a lot.

All I can suggest is to go over the rules with them several (hundred!! )times and remind them each and every time they get on for a ride...use your own judgement as to what they are ready for. Get them used to riding on quiet slow streets first or a leisurely ride on some back country rodes.

Haylie loves to ride altho she doesnt get to go that often.

[Guest KitCarson]

3 1/2 months old !

They do not have to understand , nor speak or listen . They can move in any motion that will allow them . They do not have to reach the floorboards or pegs . You do not have to strap them down to the bike or the rider .....As long as you keep them in the trunk !

BEER30

Nice photo....Gene.......hey used to put my oldest son in the storage locker in bad weather coming back in from fishing.........your leather on your bike looks great.....did you put a finish on it? Oh the baby is cute too!!

[BradT]

Our youngest was in front of me on the gas tank at about 3 yrs old. We never went fast or far. The other two were a little older.

 

They all love riding and respect the bikes. They know how to be a passenger and do not touch the bikes, when we are not around.

 

They are Very good around the bikes and I believe it is because they were young.

 

 

Brad