Riding w/ Kids

[BomberHead]

My Nephew is turning 6 soon. and he keeps talking about all he wants for his birthday is to ride with his uncle on his motorcycle. i bought him a helmet and once i get my bike back i think he and i will go for a cruise. any advice? stories?

[love2bike]

When I ride I have FULL protection even of I am just going 1 mile down the road. If I have kids on my bike they need to have FULL protection as well. Leather gloves, leather jacket, leather pants, full boots and a full face helmet.
I could not live with the fact that I cause some road rash on a young child's body.

[swampduc]

Full bubble wrap?
6 layers? 

[silentbob]

My son has been riding with me since he was 2.  By 6 years old it is much easier to find gear. 


http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/riding_with_kids/index.html

[RBX QB]

Had the same issue, as my sister's kids wanted a ride. For a one time thing occurrence, buying full gear is not logical. My "middle ground" was the helmet, jacket, jeans, gloves... and I never left the residential neighborhood.

It seemed enough to appease the kids' desire.

I'd feel weird going out into traffic with the kids on if they didn't have more appropriate road gear.

[scduc]

Get some sort of harness which ties him to you. Problem is if you go down injuries are bound to happen. Slow speeds, inform him on how to be a passenger. Kids are kinda wiggly. you don't wont him jump'n around. Protection-protection-protection. I do like the bubble wrap. 6 layers. That way if something does happen, he will just bounce.

[Danmack_98]

at that age, a child has no understanding of the risk he's taking.  if he gets hurt, or killed the responsibility is completely on you.  that's why no one rides on the back of my bike unless they're old enough to have there own.  there have been too many instances where the child has been hurt or killed going for a "quick ride" (I know personally)  Not trying to enforce anything, just giving my two cents.  I could NEVER live with that guilt.

[BomberHead]

  I could NEVER live with that guilt.

nor could i. and honestly i see your point.

when i was about 5 years old i rode on the back of my uncles motorcycle. and the impact that it made on my life was amazing. i hope to give the same to my own nephew.

thanks for the tips guys.

ps. why did i put this thread in the "Accessories & Mods" forum

[Teutonics]

Had the same issue, as my sister's kids wanted a ride. For a one time thing occurrence, buying full gear is not logical. My "middle ground" was the helmet, jacket, jeans, gloves... and I never left the residential neighborhood.

It seemed enough to appease the kids' desire.

I'd feel weird going out into traffic with the kids on if they didn't have more appropriate road gear.

Exact same here.  I took my eight and six year-old daughters around the neighborhood with helmet, heavy jacket, gloves, jeans, and boots.  We never got any faster than what they could ride on their bicycle (okay, downhill pedaling like crazy on their bicycle), but they still talk about it a year later (and want to do it again).   

[danaid]

when i was about 5 years old i rode on the back of my uncles motorcycle. and the impact that it made on my life was amazing. i hope to give the same to my own nephew.

Same story here.
My son who is four, would love a ride in the back of daddies motorcycle. Here in California I don't know if there are any minimum age or weight limits for child passengers. But as was written earlier, I could not live with the guilt of hurting or worse, one of my children. So for now, no rides in the immediate future.

[COWBOY]

Interesting read.    If you're considering this on a regular basis these 2 sites from the article would be worth checking out.

http://www.babybiker.com/usaenquiries.php
http://www.childridingbelt.com/

[Popeye the Sailor]

Get some sort of harness which ties him to you. Problem is if you go down injuries are bound to happen.

Yeah I would rather not have a kid tethered to me. If nothing else if we both go rolling down the street, it's far less likely I would smoosh him.


No, I don't have a better suggestion.



Sidecar 

[NAKID]

Deitrich rides with his daughter, maybe he has some tips for you...

[scduc]

Yeah I would rather not have a kid tethered to me. If nothing else if we both go rolling down the street, it's far less likely I would smoosh him.


No, I don't have a better suggestion.



Sidecar 

I would not suggest that either. I was just trying to make the point of making sure he hangs on and doesnt decide to goof around.

[pitbull]

I bought a top box set up so my 7 yr. old son has something behind him which makes me feel a little more secure. He also has a full face child's helmet, a motorcross chest protector, elbow pads, gloves, leather jacket, motocross pants and pads and fairly heavy hiking boots.
The idea of him on the bike still makes me a little apprehensive, but he loves the ride, so we do it and do it carefully.