Kids as pillions - What age?

**Streetwise** · 15th April 2006, 19:33

I have had my kids on the bike since they where about 2 years old, (Small rides of course) But once they started to hit the 4-6 year mark they where keen as to come on rides with me. Now i cant keep them off.

**sunhuntin** · 15th April 2006, 19:44

Originally Posted by Scorpygirl

Don't have kids so don't know stuff all on this one! However seeing some riders (not all) that have kids at the charity rides, I would say (the riders) have a lot to learn. Just cause the kid wants to come on a charity ride and it's a good cause. I have seen kids so ill-prepared that it's a joke - the Westpac ride is a classic for this!! We had an accident on this year's one that really illustrated the fact.

You guys that have been riding for years know best. Best policy - take care of your loved one always.

i agree with that....ride i was on earlier this year...one rider had a young girl as pillion, she was tall, so im guessing 12, but may have been younger. she had a thin jacket, no gloves, pathetic pants, open faced lid and nothing to protect her eyes....and this was going in excess of 100k at times....and most of the riders were all at least in their 30s, and been riding years. in saying that though, dad used to pillion me with no protective gear other than a full faced lid that was likely 30 years old!
ive also seen some female pillions dressed to distress.....high heel "boots", thin jeans, too small jacket, thin gloves and lid. amazing how some people dress, specially for highway rides.

**sugilite:Me** · 15th April 2006, 20:31

I've been taking my kids on bikes for 20 years (1st lot were the step kids)
I took them to school when I lived down Wellies, if they are to small for the back, I popped them in front of me, from 3 years old, as soon as they could get their feet on the rear foot pegs firmly, they were demoted to the back (not as good a view they all complained!)
I dress them all accordingly in multiple layers and decent helmet/gloves/boots etc
I rode past plenty of cops with the littlies on the front, and never got pulled.
I used to give them choices of routes to take home, I always called the twisty one "the motorcycle way" which of course they always picked

Since I got the 750 road bike, I've taken them on a few decent rides now.

**Insanity_rules** · 15th April 2006, 22:03

I've been taking my junior riders on the driveway at first since they were 2ish. My 13 Year old daughter wants me to take her on a decent ride and my mother reminded me that I have been riding since I was 8 and maybe I should take her out. Want to get Miss 13 a good jacket first (she has a helmet) but have caved to the pressure. Cant understand why people wouldn't properly gear up their kids though.
I used to see a slightly younger kid than me when I was at primary got dropped off every day on a bike wearing a helmet that was waaaayyyy to large, gumboots and shorts.

**Mental Trousers** · 15th April 2006, 22:26

Age isn't so much the problem as size. Anybody that can't reach the pegs comfortably or can't get their arms right around you waist easily (assuming you aren't a fat bugger of course) shouldn't be a passenger.

**Scorpygirl** · 15th April 2006, 22:45

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

ive also seen some female pillions dressed to distress.....high heel "boots", thin jeans, too small jacket, thin gloves and lid. amazing how some people dress, specially for highway rides.

I so much agree with you Sunhuntin... How many times have I seen dress to kill pillion on a sprotbike... Skirt up to her knickers, high heeled sandles, thin-strapless crop-top (AKA Bare-mid-rif). Oh she has a helmet!!!

They are doing 100 km on the motorway!!

**terbang** · 15th April 2006, 22:48

My oldest daughter fitted onto trusty Bandit at age 8. She rode with me (4600 KM) to the centre of australia (the rock) and back from Darwin at age 10. She is sold on bikes rides a trail bike on our property and now at 15 is wanting a licence..(Gulp). Her and I are planning a Wellington trip on Busa in the near future..

**T.I.E** · 15th April 2006, 22:53

you may be the greastest the best rider on the planet,
but what about the cages out there?
do you trust them?

its your child.

**T.I.E** · 15th April 2006, 22:58

cages, others.
if you had a country road without cages, witout obsitcles, hell i would no matter what age. if i was in control.
helmets, gear etc.
but on a public road shit it's bad enough with us riding it, with idiots, and it only takes one.
not to be a arty pooper, but put the bloody odds in your favour i say.

**terbang** · 16th April 2006, 08:07

So you don't take your kids in cars as well because cage drivers also take out other cages.

**babyB** · 16th April 2006, 08:40

my baby was on front of bike around 2months old (lol he was a proud dad). up until she was 3 when my arms got too short. she been on the back of a couple of very trusting experanced ppl since then.
at 5yrs she reaches pegs on cbr 1000 & has done a couple of good roadrides. but the scary thing is she falls asleep. but totaly loves it.
has own helmit, leather jacket & gloves but yet to find leather pants for them
i myself will not put pillion anyone especally my kids.

**ajturbo** · 16th April 2006, 08:58

i had "mud boy " on the back of my XJ900 at the age of 1!.. then when he turned 2 we had a side chair so all 3 of us could go for rides(his mum), then i got sick of that and luke wanted to go faster(?... the thing could do 200ks!!)but i missed the FREEDOM.. and so from about 3 years old to this day luke has been on the back.. one does take less risks, and you really kick yourself if you fuck up a corner..we havent' fallen off the turbo yet, ... the scooter yes...lol

he has his dt175 now and he will have his onw road bike as soon as he is old enough to get his licence..

what i'm saying here is.... get the little buggers out there on the back.. and have fun with them!!!!
tell em to hang on tight and when (not if!!) the fall asleep.......like a certain person on this site did on a ride back from rotovags one day..................
just know that they are relaxed and some how they shouldn't fall off....

**Sensei** · 16th April 2006, 09:27

My oldest boy has been on my Z50 since before 2 years old & has been on my xt 500 , klx 650 ,triumph , ducati , gsxr1000 ever since even my youngest boy nearlly 3 has been on the Z50 before he could walk , As long as you remember they are just kids then go to what makes you & them feel safe and Happy . No one wants to come of with one of your own or friends kid on the back . Make their ride something to remember not to FORGET !

**inlinefour** · 16th April 2006, 09:49

I was riding in frount of the old man at a very very young age, well before I was even aware of the footpegs down below. I used to just hold onto the cross bar on the handle bars, but not so tight to allow the old fella to steer. Now as for my son, thats a tough call. We have a public domain accross the road (the kind where people walk their dogs

) and I'd take him down there for a ride quite happily on the drz, otherwise he can ride the z50 by himself.

I trust him to do what I ask of him and he is very tall for his age (6, just) and should be able to get his feet on the pegs of the cbr easily. However, I do not trust the other road users one bit and my boy is way to prescious to me to risk it. Also, he is atm right into trucks, apparently the hilux counts as a truck. That suits him and me fine, however I know that will eventually change.