Legal age for pillions in NZ?

**Oakie** · 11th April 2011, 17:38

God. When I get home I'm usually met by little Miss four and a half running down the drive demanding "ride on the road, ride on the road". Fortunately we live at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac so I'm usually able to give her a couple of loops on the road before motoring up into the garage. She'd love to go for a proper ride but that's a wee way away yet.

**Eyegasm** · 12th April 2011, 08:43

Hi Maki

Sent you a PM but found an image on the net.

Should be available in NZ stores, added safety if you are worried about them falling off...

Belt works with the riders weight, So as long as you are on the bike, so will they.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Veector%20Spyder%20Belt.jpg
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Not in English but give you an idea

Cheers

**gale_wolf** · 12th April 2011, 09:11

That rider/pillion belt looks interesting. I've been wondering when I should take my 8 yr old for her first ride, she's certainly big enough and responsible enough. Her mother's not so keen on the idea though, too many careless idiots on our roads.

**Grubber** · 12th April 2011, 09:30

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Take my 12 year old on the back regular. She's been riding pillion for about 4 years now. Started off with doing the Wellington Toy Run and progressed from there.
She loves the street cred she gets when she turns up for school on the bike now.

Recently got a set of THESE .

It now means I can chat to her and if she is doing something wrong, I can tell her instantly. Also great for the one on one time when we are riding.

The other bonus is I can go out riding even when on call as I can now answer the phone. Some prefer to turn the phone off. But when I'm on call, at least I can now

which is better than the other option

I can relate to this. This is where mine started also. Local toy run at age 7 then didn't want to hop off. Biggest thrill was dropping them off at school on the bike. Only time i have ever seen them skite.

Yup had to get one of these too. Kids ended up singing to me all day. Pretty cool really.

Originally Posted by Oakie

God. When I get home I'm usually met by little Miss four and a half running down the drive demanding "ride on the road, ride on the road". Fortunately we live at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac so I'm usually able to give her a couple of loops on the road before motoring up into the garage. She'd love to go for a proper ride but that's a wee way away yet.

Very cool to see all the enthusiasm at this age.

Originally Posted by gale_wolf

That rider/pillion belt looks interesting. I've been wondering when I should take my 8 yr old for her first ride, she's certainly big enough and responsible enough. Her mother's not so keen on the idea though, too many careless idiots on our roads.

I was lucky with my, now ex wife, she was a great rider and trusted me with them. After all they are my kids i guess too. Always helps with that support and the best part is she still supports them riding, even though she is ex.

**wysper** · 12th April 2011, 09:32

Originally Posted by slofox

I pillioned both my kids from about 7 years old onwards...(all those years ago...)

My little girl got her first helmet and boots at 6. Finding gear is much harder. She is pretty small. We have been on a few rides. No more than 30 min so far.
I think she is a bit small so we have stopped for now.

Originally Posted by diablo

they should make some sort of strap (or velcro) to attach kids to ya back..
i would worry bout losing one off the back (and not noticing

)

They do... I see someone has already posted something about them.

Originally Posted by 4AGE

Maybe chuck pack rack on. For a bit of peace of mind about them coming off the back.

Yeah that is the reason I am gettting a sissy bar for my bike. I will get a removable one so I can take it off when she is not on the bike with me.

9-10 is probably a better age for road riding. But alot will depend on your child.
And if you can find them some decent gear.

**gale_wolf** · 12th April 2011, 10:06

Originally Posted by Grubber

I was lucky with my, now ex wife, she was a great rider and trusted me with them. After all they are my kids i guess too. Always helps with that support and the best part is she still supports them riding, even though she is ex.

True that, good to have her support and understanding. My wife has ridden pillion with me for many years so she trusts me, it's every other mad bugger on our roads that she doesn't trust. She's slowly coming round though, she knows I'll be extra careful with precious cargo on board.

**Banditbandit** · 12th April 2011, 11:30

Originally Posted by Maki

Well, my 7 year old is finally big enough to sit on the back of my R6. Not big enough to go out on rides, but big enough for a taste. I took her for a little first gear ride up and down the dead en street we live in and when we got back home and I took her off the bike she insisted on one more ride and would NOT take no for an answer. I had to oblige and she was very happy. Seems like she would like to go out on some real rides one day, fairly short ones since the R6 is not very comfortable for pillions...

Now, I wonder, at what age would you give a kid a helmet and gear so they can go out with you on a real ride? Something like 10?

No set age .. but big enough to hang on and not fall off ... and sensible enough not to fall off.

Originally Posted by allycatz

My 11 year olds first ride on the back of a Busa.....wearing my gear and yes she did put gloves on as well.....she is now nagging me for a dirt bike

That's always the risk you take, putting a kid on a bike .. suddenly you get "I want one!"

**allycatz** · 12th April 2011, 11:36

That's always the risk you take, putting a kid on a bike .. suddenly you get "I want one!"[/QUOTE]

She has had a go on an 80cc bike and was totally fearless. Her 11 year old twin brother on the other hand loves bikes but won't go near one

**R1madness** · 12th April 2011, 14:31

I used to take my daughter to kindy on the back of my FZR1000 when she was 4. Full riding gear was impossable to buy here so i got a jacket from USA which has been passed onto friends now. It was cheap enough at about $100. A proper youth helmet (dont buy an XS adults one) in XXS (fullface) has done the rounds as well. The gloves were a problem but ended up buying kids xxs MX gloves and stitching extra leather panels on them. Sturdy jeans and boots that cover the ankles completed the job.
I hear people say .... but what about when you crash???? Are you mad??? Well the only answer is that kids are killed in car crashes all the time but i bet you still put them in the car. Riding with your kids requires a total "ride safe" attitude but can be very rewarding.
My Daughter is now 16 and still loves to come on my bike, she has all the good riding gear and is the best pillion i have ever had.
Ride safe, be smart and dont scare them and they will be the future of motorcycling..

**wysper** · 12th April 2011, 15:20

Originally Posted by R1madness

I used to take my daughter to kindy on the back of my FZR1000 when she was 4. Full riding gear was impossable to buy here so i got a jacket from USA which has been passed onto friends now. It was cheap enough at about $100. A proper youth helmet (dont buy an XS adults one) in XXS (fullface) has done the rounds as well. The gloves were a problem but ended up buying kids xxs MX gloves and stitching extra leather panels on them. Sturdy jeans and boots that cover the ankles completed the job.
I hear people say .... but what about when you crash???? Are you mad??? Well the only answer is that kids are killed in car crashes all the time but i bet you still put them in the car. Riding with your kids requires a total "ride safe" attitude but can be very rewarding.
My Daughter is now 16 and still loves to come on my bike, she has all the good riding gear and is the best pillion i have ever had.
Ride safe, be smart and dont scare them and they will be the future of motorcycling..

Good post this, borders on being to sensible for KB.

**Blackshear** · 13th April 2011, 06:14

Personally, when they are of age to know the full risk associated with riding a motorbike, or when they know what SIT THE FUCK STILL means.

And when the pillion is hawt...

**terbang** · 13th April 2011, 06:27

My daughter Geo has ridden on the back of my bike since she was seven. And we've done some kays as well. We rode across Australia and across France and Germany on a 1200 Bandit and did the South Island on a Hayabusa. Though she hasn't got a licence, she can ride real well on her trail bike.

Even after flying down the road after we impacted a car recently, she still gawks at motorcycles and reckons that they are the coolest way to travel. She's 19 now.

**trustme** · 13th April 2011, 09:22

Started taking my daughter when she turned 9.She turned 10 while we were on a tour around the SI
Rules I use
1/ Take it easy, ride carefully
2/ Stop often
3/ Don't try to cover big distances, you will turn the kid off
4/ Don't get them too cold or wet
5/ Make some of your stops centred around kids stuff. the novelty of pubs & cafe's soon wears off
6/ ATGATT, no if's but's or exceptions. I got jacket pants & gloves from these guys.
www.starider.com.au

**Mystic13** · 13th April 2011, 09:24

I took my son for his first long ride at 11. He loves being on the back. He dos ride a dirt bike for fun. The reason I waited so long is in the event we do bounce down the road I wanted his body to be a little bigger for that experience.

Rode Auckland to Raglan and back. He's a natural as a pillion. When we got back he told me he's getting a bike licence first and as soon as he can. He'll be good on a bike. We'll do more longer rides together.