Anyone ride with their Children?

I've got and 11 1/2 year old son who is dieing to hop on the back of my XJ for a ride longer than taking him down our quite 25 mph street and back but i'm very uncertian on this.

I need to get him a helmet and I have a backrest, but suburban chicago driving can be sacry at times when I'm alone. I've had to lay my XJ down once becaue I got cut off badly and had no escape route, luckly I got it down to about 15 MPH first and both myself and the bike were relativly unharmed.

Just wanted to get the communitys thoughts, how old do you think is old enough to start riding with Mom or Dad?

 

My dad rode us around from about 5-6yrs old and up, by the time I was 10 we were taking turns on the ride up north 4hrs+. I myself have not rode with my son on the bike as of yet he is 9 and his mother is dead set against it. The bigest thing out there is other drivers i would love to take my son out for a cruise but it would be on the back roads and a slower pace than normal to try and minimize the chances of a traffic caused issue. I am also interested in the views of others and maybe help to pursuade his mother into at least giving it a try.

 

if feet touch pegs...
if pillon can stay still when needed...
and can lean when needed...
and has proper riding gear...

I dont see why not, BUT there is consiterably more risk involved with a bike than a cage for example.
My suggestion is to become as safe as possible, take a MSF Motorcycle safety class for your and his benifit.
When you brush up on techniques you SHOULD be a better rider

 

Just this week I took my 10 year old daughter to the local dealer and bought a helmet for her. We went for a short ride around our small town. She loved it. When we got back, my 12 yo, who had been dead set against getting on a m/c, was in jeans and leather boots and she put on the helmet and jacket and I took HER for a ride. She loved it as well.

As I said, we live in a small town where we didn't go much more than 35mph. I explained what they needed to do before they got on the m/c and after about 1/2 a mile I stopped to make sure they were doing ok. Yesterday I took my 10yo to school which was a bout a 20 minute ride getting up to 50mph.

I agree that the m/c is not as safe as a cage but if yo're not a cautious driver, it doesn't matter what you're driving!

mieg

 

I remember riding tankside with my dad when I was quite small... No idea how old but would guess 5 or 6. I grew up in the country with many nicely paved back roads and when I saw that little red helmet come out it was the highlight of my day. I didn't ride back seat untill I was 10 or so and then it was on... guess what... a 1982 Seca 650.

 

I know my daughter would love it but until I can provide as much protection to her as in a cage, no way. Not until she can make an informed choice for herself (16 years to go).

 

I am a father of four : 11, 8, 3, and then 17 months. Both the 11 yr old and 8 yr old are quite tall and strong for their ages, and I have had them on the back of my bike starting just last month. We practiced sitting/riding/hanging on & turns with the bike stationary in the driveway before we ever went near the road. I will say that I live in a little rural village (one set of stop lights), and the country roads are certainly quiet. Both have gone with me for short 5 minute rides, but nothing further (at this point, I don't trust their attention span for any longer). I don't even go into parking lots where an innattentive cager could come close...

I am highly suspicious of other vehicles normally (ie: ride like they ARE out to get you), but I am extremely cautious if they are with me. Quiet, empty roads, never very far, and never fast speed or acceleration.

Some people may think I am crazy and/or irresponsible, but I had a dirtbike when I was 8. With some good instruction and a heightened sense of caution, I think it is relatively safe on the roads in my area. If I still lived in a city ??? No way.

 

My first kid is still on the way (my wife's due in August), but for what it's worth, I rode around on the back of my dad's old XJ 550 when I was 11-12 years old. And yes, it's the same bike I'm working on now....
I figure, as soon as their legs are long enough to rest firmly on the pegs and they're strong enough to hold on, go for it!
--Ethan

 

bottom line is the safety factor from the person at the controls. if you ride like an idiot (not saying you do) then put your own life at risk but leave the offspring at home. all of my kids have been with me on some big runs and always want more. ride defensive give good clear instructions as to what you want and expect from your kids when being a pillion and you shouldn't have any problems.
no amount of top quality riding gear will ever give you 100% protection.
it's like driving a volvo (shudder) you can have all the wrap around protection that money can buy but if a tree falls on it while you're in it, it still won't save your butt.
if the wife isn't fussed on the idea maybe you should convince her to do a few short trips to gain her confidence

 

My kids sled with me and ride with me, my daughter is six and my son (not yet on bike) it is funny my wife puts on her helmet and barbie elbow and knee pads. She always says look at my muscles. it makes me smile every time I think of it. I just try to ride safe and stay out of everyones way.

 

When I lived in Portugal, it was quite normal to see a family of 4 + shopping on 1 bike :!:

 

Just last night, I picked up my 16-yr old daughter. She had shorts, tank top & flip flops on, I brought sweat pants, armored mesh jacket, boots, gloves, helmet. She didn't want to wear all that, but too bad!! She was worried her boyfriend was going to take a picture of her...too bad!!

 

I've taken all my kids at sometime or another my 8yr old son had his first run a couple of weeks ago,never done much time on the bike simply because they dont have the right gear.
Like a lot of us I just wanted to share with them something I love to do.Mind you I now understand why my mother was always so worried about me and motorcycles.
But as was said earlier I ride very carefully and traffic is assumed to be drunken psychopaths at least until proven different[hasn't happened yet].
And the 16 yr old daughter doesnt like it when I insist on her wearing jeans and jacket heavy shoes and gloves,to be fair it is uncomfortable in summer here.
When I was young it was cool to ride a bike when did the world change?
BUT I've got 2 daughters and if a boyfriend turns up to take her on his bike and thinks she's getting on the back of his R6 or whatever in a tiny little top and short shorts she already knows better and he will be getting some instruction as well!
Gravel rash is instructive in its own right but is best avoided.