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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Parents, help me out here.
My wife and I disagree on what age kids should be to ride along.
When did you start riding along with your parent?
What age did you let your kids ride with?
How far did you take them?
My 7 year old daughter loves riding, but I am limited to only local streets. I'm sure having or not having a backrest makes a difference. Let me hear you advise, although my wife knows this will be pretty biased.
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | From what I've heard of other people's opinions in the past, a safe rule of thumb is when they can reach the footpegs while sitting down. Backrest certainly helps, and they make these little things that attach to your waist and then around the kid (sorta like a motorcycle safety belt?).
I mean, it's your opinion, but I figure if they can reach the footpegs, it's another point of contact they have to steady themselves should they start to slip or lean one way or the other.
Alexi |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
| The advice we gave students was;
a) they must have a helmet that fits properly,
b) their feet must be on the pegs or floorboards,
c) they must be able to hang on to you all the time, and
d) never ever put them in front of you.
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I don't let an adult ride on the back without a back rest so....
Ask yourself a simple question, could you live with yourself if something happened to her because she was young to ride? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 228
| My daughter started riding in front of me when she was 3(she is now 27) Her son took his first ride this summer in front of me at age 3, just a short ride around our subdivision. My other two grandkids, age 6 & 10 ride on the back. I started riding with my uncle when I was 5 and my wife didn't take her first ride until she was 40. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Very tough question to answer. I think you just want to settle an arguement between you and your wife though. If I was in your shoes, personally I would not ride anyone without a backrest, young or old. Then it is dependant upon my skills and the ability for the other person to pay attention. Then you have to weigh the risk and consequences. I know parents who got their 4 year old their own motorcycle and they ride with training wheels, but both parents agreed. The question is, what can you live with? |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn | Just my humble opinion. If they can't reach the floor boards or foot pegs they have no business on the back of a motorcycle. And never ever put a child in front of you that is just courting disaster. But it really gets down to what you can live with.
Edited by Blackjack 2010-12-17 11:50 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Here in minnesota you have to touch the foot pegs.
Now go look at your self in the mirror. Take a good long look. You like what you see?
Cause if she falls off or you get hit or wind up in accident the look you saw in the mirror will change and you'll never be the same. You know in a split second something can go wrong.
Why chance it? Shes all you have so keep her safe. |
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Tourer
Posts: 348
Sturbridge, Mass | john frey - 2010-12-17 1:33 PM
Here in minnesota you have to touch the foot pegs.
Now go look at your self in the mirror. Take a good long look. You like what you see?
Cause if she falls off or you get hit or wind up in accident the look you saw in the mirror will change and you'll never be the same. You know in a split second something can go wrong.
Why chance it? Shes all you have so keep her safe.
This....
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Age 2 she rode in front of me on our 4x4 ATV in the yard. Last year she rode while I plowed snow (see pic) - IN VIRGINIA BEACH - unheard of. Also took her on a snowmobile last year (see pic) when I visited my hometown friends.
First time on the street was at the age of 3 I had her in front of me on our Spyder, doing the crawl. I was going so slow I needed to clutch it so it wouldn't stall at idle. She loved it, but being a passenger on that thing is more difficult than a normal bike.
One of the big reasons for getting the Vision was so we could get our daughter on the back - relativly safe.
I tried one short slow ride with her at age 4 (she is now 5), and she did great - with a few issues. So before I got her back on I built a set of arm rests (see pic) to keep her tucked in behind me.
After the arm rests were done I took a little longer rider with her up to 35mph, but that is where I drew the line for now.
The less control I have over the situation the less likely I will take her out for a ride. I will not take her out onto the highway until she can reach the pegs, and she learns to be a good passenger.
Could I look at myself in the mirror if she ever got hurt, don't know, but I do know I would regret not doing things that we love to do as a family.
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | john frey - 2010-12-17 10:33 AM
Here in minnesota you have to touch the foot pegs.
Now go look at your self in the mirror. Take a good long look. You like what you see?
Cause if she falls off or you get hit or wind up in accident the look you saw in the mirror will change and you'll never be the same. You know in a split second something can go wrong.
Why chance it? Shes all you have so keep her safe.
So, never let her ride a motorcycle? Never let her get in a car?
Things can go wrong in a split second no matter what we do in life, the question is how to balance that so that we have a life. I look in the mirror anyway and think, what If I don't come home from a ride, how will my family take it? That doesn't stop me or anyone here from getting on our bikes and riding. We just try to do it in a safe manner and hope for the best.
As a firefighter and paramedic, I see what damage accidents can cause. I have pulled dead kids out Houses, swimming pools and SUV's. Accidents happen everywhere. You hope never to be in ANY accident, but you still swim in pools, buy flammable christmas trees for in your house, run into the burning buildings and ride motorcycles for fun.
I NEVER want to see my daughter hurt! I'm not going to lock her away in a castle either.
I started this post bcause I want what's best for my daughter, and I know the opinions run from - as soon as they can hold on, to NEVER! I wanted to get a idea of what was standard.
I had not known that some states had requirements that they must touch the floorboards. This is a very reasonable standard, one that both my wife and I can agree on and will adopt it.
How high are those floorboard risers Vic makes?
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Nozzledog - 2010-12-17 2:59 PM
john frey - 2010-12-17 10:33 AM
Here in minnesota you have to touch the foot pegs.
Now go look at your self in the mirror. Take a good long look. You like what you see?
Cause if she falls off or you get hit or wind up in accident the look you saw in the mirror will change and you'll never be the same. You know in a split second something can go wrong.
Why chance it? Shes all you have so keep her safe.
So, never let her ride a motorcycle? Never let her get in a car?
Things can go wrong in a split second no matter what we do in life, the question is how to balance that so that we have a life. I look in the mirror anyway and think, what If I don't come home from a ride, how will my family take it? That doesn't stop me or anyone here from getting on our bikes and riding. We just try to do it in a safe manner and hope for the best.
As a firefighter and paramedic, I see what damage accidents can cause. I have pulled dead kids out Houses, swimming pools and SUV's. Accidents happen everywhere. You hope never to be in ANY accident, but you still swim in pools, buy flammable christmas trees for in your house, run into the burning buildings and ride motorcycles for fun.
I NEVER want to see my daughter hurt! I'm not going to lock her away in a castle either.
I started this post bcause I want what's best for my daughter, and I know the opinions run from - as soon as they can hold on, to NEVER! I wanted to get a idea of what was standard.
I had not known that some states had requirements that they must touch the floorboards. This is a very reasonable standard, one that both my wife and I can agree on and will adopt it.
How high are those floorboard risers Vic makes?
Easy dude, you knew someone was going to make that statement. The risers are only 1 1/2" higher, so your kid is going to need to be close to 5' before they do any good. That is why I canned the "wait til the feet touch the pegs" thing and got started on training her to be a good passenger. (In our state there are only 2 laws - helmet and the passenger must be behind the driver.) If you think about it, pegs provide a level of vomfort and control for the passenger, but so can the Vision's saddle bags. I have been teaching her to adjust herself buy using the back of her legs against the saddle bags and the arm rests instead of her feet. Long rides would be out of the question, because the poor kids feet would fall asleep dangling there. Arm rests, and a backrest make riding easier for any seasoned passenger, so it is safe to say it also makes it easier for the novice passenger too. I already got the DOT helmet that has replaceable padding (kids grow fast), and next thing I need to get her is a good mesh riding jacket for hot weather. Teaching your kid to be a good passenger is likely to be one of best safety measures you can do outside of bolting on parts to your bike.
Edited by sgiacci 2010-12-17 3:24 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | In my opinion, there is no outside guidelines. It is based on you. It is based on when you believe you have control of the situation. How well you have trained, and how much confidence you have in yourself and your 'student'.
Remember last winter all the uproar about the sixteen year old sailing around the world by herself. Some say the parents were wrong in letting her go, some say they were right. Ultimately, they knew their daughter and her capabilities and made a judgment based on that.
To me it is very wrong to tell you 'what if', 'how would you feel', etc. Chances are you would feel no different than id you left the child behind while you rode and something happened to the child while you were gone. Anything can happen to anyone at any time and to live in fear the the possibilities is fruitless. You must follow your own feeling and belief for only you know the circumstances. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | Hmmm.... I would imagine that, if a passenger could not reach the passenger foot rests, they may be too small to be capable of being safely on board, and you would not want your saddlebags scratched by them little shoes rubbing against 'em. Perhaps custom footrests... and if you cannot find a properly fitting helmet, the passenger may be too small. I was told the basic law is that anything goes, as long as the passenger is carried safely, with the proper safety gear. |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | I believe it is a personal choice. There isn't any rule of thumb for this. If you are comfortable and your wife is comfortable, then do it at the age you feel that they would be safe.
My son and wife both ride their own motorcycles, but when they are riding behind me, most of my attention is in my mirror. So if they are on their own bike or riding on mine, you will never be comfortable, and I like it that way.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Here is some info on some products that might be helpful for doing this........
http://www.childridingbelt.com/enghome.htm
http://www.bikerbuddyinc.com/index.html
http://www.ultimateplusonline.com/crb/ |
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Cruiser
Posts: 196
| My son started riding with me @ 4 yrs. old. I had a back rest then and he would lock his fingers in my belt loops. He continued to ride with me until he graduated from high school, when I sold both my Hondas (a CB750 & CB900) so hew couls go to college.
My grandson rode in front of me @ 3 yrs. old, just to see if he enjoyed riding (DUH), now he is 13 and has been riding with me for the last 6 or 7 years either on the old '99 or my VV, and now he also rides with my son on his VTX1100. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
Duanesburg N.Y. | Well for the good or the bad my first daughter started riding when she was 2 years old in front of me, one foot on the air cleaner and the other on the horn assy of my sportster. We kept it simple, up and down the street 10 to 15 mph which probally felt like 100 to her. When she was bigger she rode on the back and my youngest took her place on the front and the three of us would stick to the back roads and rode for miles. That was 28 years ago and they still ride today with me but only one at a time.
Your wife has a genuine concern, one accident and her husband and daughter could be just a memory and I understand this Motorcycling is dangerous no matter how you look at it young or old. If she got hurt at a young age you would feel just as bad as if she was 20 years old so age really has nothing to do with it. Times are different now with so much politically correct crap stuff getting thrown in our faces but I think a happy medium could be reached with your wife so your daughter can still ride.
No riding on the tank like I did, Get a back rest, full riding gear, full face helmet, real boots, gloves, long pants with at least a jean jacket, low speeds, certain times of the day with low traffic volume and maybe an agreement to secondary roads. This is a special time that you can spend with your kids doing something that you love.
This is going to sound real cold but try to under stand, if its her time to go its her time to go no matter if your riding safely with every precaution in place or your at disney land having a family vacation and a ride malfunctions. sounds real cold but lets face it this is reality.
My point is this can done with out divorce and driving your wife to the brink if insanity thinking of bad things, (gotta stick up for the wife here.) Always try to put daughters safety first, show your wife your a good dad and I'm sure you are and ride safe. Happy Holidays Eric |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Edmonton AB, Canada | I went through this with my kids as well. My son was 5 when he first rode infront of me in the alley crawling along. He told me it was the best day of his life! ha!
I really didn't take him very far until he could touch the pegs and then I had a backrest and made a set of arm rests to keep him from rolling off he fell asleep. My two biggest fears were him falling asleep and rolling off and of course getting smacked by a cager.
This summer after buying the Vision I took him on a much longer ride. Now that he is 12 he fits just fine, but get this, we were in the mountains battling traffic deer and twisties and he fell asleep!!! his helmet clunking into mine!! I was worried he would slip off so I cranked up some classic rock in the rear speakers! woke him right up! ha!
My advice is similar to what everyone else says. Make sure she reaches the pegs. make sure to pick known routes that are safe. make sure she has proper riding gear and the right clothes for the weather.
As a Canadian Safety Council instructor though, I would recommend that any parent who plans to take precious passengers be fully trained in safe riding.
Maybe your wife would feel better about the whole thing if you agreed to take a refresher course. Sounds like you don't need it but it might give her some peace of mind and ultimately it's the rider who determines the passengers safety.
Ride safe! |
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | It was late afternoon in Miami; darkness was approaching; and I was standing on a street corner crying. Where is the pink house? I know I live in the pink house, but I can't find it. Miami City Motorcycle Police show up and ask what's wrong. I can't find the pink house,sob. The cop says hop on the back; we'll go look for it. This was my first ride on a Harley, 1946. I was five. |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | Blue Sky Guy - 2010-12-19 6:09 PM
It was late afternoon in Miami; darkness was approaching; and I was standing on a street corner crying. Where is the pink house? I know I live in the pink house, but I can't find it. Miami City Motorcycle Police show up and ask what's wrong. I can't find the pink house,sob. The cop says hop on the back; we'll go look for it. This was my first ride on a Harley, 1946. I was five.By far the COOLEST first ride story ever. Awesome! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
hudson, IL United States | i know i was on my dads bike when i was still in diapers. i have seen the pics. i was in front of him and i think he olny went down the block. i know i have been on bikes evers since. when i was young i could only ride if he had the back rest on and i HAD to hold on to him the hole time or i got in trouble. i dont think when i was young i could touch the pegs but he had soft bags on the bike so it never became a problem with my or my sisters legs untill she jumped off on the wrong side and burnt her leg on the pipe. they way i see if when i have a kid they will be infront of me when they are really little around the block but when i know i can trust them and have a backrest on the bike i think it is fine. |
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How young is to young?
