Kids as pillions. Who does it?

[mstriumph]

carried the daughter pillion from very young - to and from school [South Africa] ........ she loved it

it sure makes you ride CAREFUL though

[FROSTY:Me]

yea- thanks to quazi BB has a full set of body armour he wears under his gear
actually thinking about it--short people will love sprotsbikes pefg positions

[Fub@r]

This is the next hurdle I face in a few months time once I get my full............my 9yr old son is busting to get on my bike. He is costantly counting the weeks until I can legally take him.

For starters I would never consider it unless I got him all the proper protective gear. I would love to take him on the back but it worries me given the state of cagers driving these days. Then of course there is the ex to deal with when she finds out

I'm still in two minds

[jim.cox]

So how have others found the experience of carting really young children?

I'm looking forward to the day when my son - age six - can reach the pillion pegs.

To be fair his big sister - age 8 - does not get a go until then either

But both enjoy being carted around on our four wheeler - although on that I have them in front of me.

=mjc=
.

[slimjim]

gee's like a lot of dad's ,most of my kids were riding with me by the time they could hold on, mind you not all could touch the pegs but now most are in their older teen's, and they are better for reading and giving way when in cages, youngest one 10yr travells some real long distances with me, and she loves the riding, so safety first, their enjoyment second, and dad's smiles lasting,

[riffer]

So -

how many of us who are pillioning our children, started out as pillions ourselves?

My father pillioned me from the age of about 8 upwards, starting out on a GS550E, then to a GT750 Kwakka.

After that, once I hit 14 I was riding his spare bike.

Oh, the good old days, when you could actually ride a bike on the road with no licence and never get stopped...

Wouldn't do it now. Oh no. I'm far to responsible to let my children do that. Naughty dad.

[PuppetMaster]

Personally, I would not pillion a child under 13. Id be scared they would fall off. Possibly on a Cruiser, with a pussy bar.


This subject did remind me of some neighbours we have down the road a bit. I reguarly see their 13-14 yr old boy riding a bike (SUZUKI BOULEVARD M50 I think) without a helmet, up and down the street. Im very tempted to call the cops just to teach the parents a lesson. Its going to end in tears at some stage.

[Wolf]

My boys are 3 and 4 so they're still at the slow ride 'round the section stage (as they can't reach the pegs) but they're being taught the basics of how the bike moves, how to hold on etc so that when they're big enough to reach the pegs and go on longer rides the "learning curve" won't be so great.
The moment they're tall enough to put their feet securely on the pillion pegs, they'll be ready to go for more serious rides - they should already have helmets by that stage as I'm planning on getting them a minibike to learn on.

[jim.cox]

as I'm planning on getting them a minibike to learn on.

I've told Josh (6) he has to buy his own bikes.

Its bad enough feeding my habit - let alone someone else's

=mjc=
.

[Wolf]

I've told Josh (6) he has to buy his own bikes.

Its bad enough feeding my habit - let alone someone else's

=mjc=
.

C'mon, you know how it goes: The first one is free, then you have to buy your own...

[MD]

when they're big enough to reach the pegs and go on longer rides the "learning curve" won't be so great.
The moment they're tall enough to put their feet securely on the pillion pegs...

Yeah I think that's essential Wolf- when they can reach the pegs so their legs aren't swinging about (imagine going into the spokes..horry or burnt on the muffler)
They need to be able to secure themselves with their legs if they are too big to sit in front of the rider.

[Guitana]

Kids bounce extremely well they heal quicker and are lighter,best type of Pillion as far as I'm concerned the misus just moans and whinges about the speed but the kids love the throttle!!!!
As my son would say go hard or go home!!!!
Danger is the spice of life!!!

[Guitana]

This is the next hurdle I face in a few months time once I get my full............my 9yr old son is busting to get on my bike. He is costantly counting the weeks until I can legally take him.

For starters I would never consider it unless I got him all the proper protective gear. I would love to take him on the back but it worries me given the state of cagers driving these days. Then of course there is the ex to deal with when she finds out

I'm still in two minds

Get him suited up then live a little!!! Tell him it's your little father son secret and not to tell mum cos we all know mums are wet blankets when it comes to having fun!!!
You will find you are more aware of the dangers when you have the little tacker on the back as long as you keep your eyes moving around looking for cagers she'll be right!!!!!!

[HDTboy]

I took my baby brother out on the track for a thrash, the weekend after his 13th birthday, and have taken 3 others of a similar age out on the track as well.
I've only ridden with a pillion on the road once, so can't really comment on that

[davereid]

So - how many of us who are pillioning our children, started out as pillions ourselves?

When I was a kid, we couldn't afford a car, so my Mum got a scooter - a little Benelli. No speedo, no indicators, no helmets, but me and my brother learned to ride it, round and round the back yard, and down at the park.

When I turned 15, I got my licence on my birthday, and started riding my own scooter. My mates all got cars, and were always broke, but my scooter cost nothing to run, so I could go where ever I wanted, when ever I wanted, and I always had some spare change for the movies or whatever.

And I still go to work, 200km a week on a scooter some 30 (ish dont be cheeky) years later !