Kids as pillions. Who does it?

[MD]

That's a rhetorical question by the way just to kick off a thread (for those not so bright sparks out there that means I don't really care for a list of names...OK)
I've entered a new dimension of riding. Taking my Kids aged 10 and 12 for rides. You think commuting in heavy traffic jammed between 2 big rigs is scary, seeing your speedo max out at 299kpm at the sprints is scary, locking up both wheels entering a hairpin on a track.. nah, that's a walk in the park next to carrying your children on the back.
Now I've done heaps of primary school gala day motorbike rides carrying other folks kids from 4 yrs up. Easy stuff at walking pace around a school playground. I've given my Kids and their friends rides up and down our quiet street. You know the drill, a dozen houses down then back again before any cars come along.
But now that I've changed bikes my Kids really like sitting on this seat compared to the sportsbikes before, which had no where to hang on and an elevated bum pad (6 inches sq) perched high above the rider. The beemer seat is ideal with a scuptured one piece that separates and secures the pillion from the rider. So now they want to go out further in real traffic!'
Thanks to Kerry at TSS he got in a selection of childrens helmets so we could try out the sizes. Bought a beaut looking HJC Phantom no less. And cool mx gloves (it seeems there's no such thing as girls gloves apart from the smaller ladies sizes)
It's a buzz seeing how much they enjoy the rides but so stressful. My eyes are darting everywhere, every object is a threat, every texting Mum in her midlessly swerving 4x4 even more disliked than before . Every vehicle doing over 45kph is a bastard who should be shot with a ball of their own dried shit. Did I fight the local Council over their proposed 40kph limit..?
The whole time they are on the back my mind keeps going over how soft and easily damaged young childrens flesh is. THAT is the most scary part. Knowing how, even a small fall on seal, could cause so much damage and leave life long scars to young skin. Imagine how easily their flesh would burn compared to an adult if it touched the exhaust.
I know Frosty has carted his young baby biker for years but I can't see me being able to venture onto anything above a 70kph zone.
No bloody way would I let my Girls go out with a motorcyclist! Vicious dangerous scumbags the lot of them. What's involved in getting a gun licence?
So how have others found the experience of carting really young children? Any tips?

[Smorg]

Kids heal quick few grazes here and there will harden them up.....

[lb99]

Kids heal quick few grazes here and there will harden them up.....

dead right, I do it, I have two 9y olds who prefer the bike to the car, but I make sure they wear a leather jacket, jeans, gloves and tough shoes.
Both are rapidly becoming good pillions, and like nothing better than to be picked up from (ballet, soccer, netball......) on the bike, it impresses the hell out of their mates.

although I took my daughter for a lap on my mates KDX a while ago, I don't think she'll be keen to do that again- too scarey LOL

[Insanity_rules]

I have a 12 and a 14 and I havent taken them any great distance on the back. When I do take them on the road I'm EXTRA careful, eyes in the back of my head and the like.

I know how you feel but have no answer except to ride safe.

[TerminalAddict]

been for short rides with my 10 year old. but my 12 year old has been all over the north island

[Highlander]

I'm always extra alert and almost on edge when I have my Wife or kids on the back.

Our kids are a bit older now (13, 15, 17) but our youngest is quite small so I have been reluctant to take for a blat because I couldn't see her in the mirrors or feel her sitting behind me. Until I put the pack rack on I thought I had lost her over the back a couple of times.

If you could say there was any style to my riding, you would have to say it is quite a different style with any pillion.

I have reached the point where while I don't mind having someone on the back, but would rather be riding by myself.

[Hailwood]

Took my 14 yo to college on her birthday last year on the Harley...she loved it. My son came on the Wgtn HOG toy run last year and also had a ball.....they both now want to come on club runs.

They both wear full gear (helmet, boots, gloves, jacket) and I hope to keep doing this until it's no longer cool to be seen with Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nasty]

Friend of mine has taken his kid riding for years ... when she was 10 she was so relxed she fell asleep on the back and almost went sideways at a corner .. but being a great dad he caught her ...

[The Pastor]

Bro the extra weight at the back make wheelies easier!

[FROSTY:Me]

baby bikie has been on the back of my bike forever. We did a big tour of the north island a year or two back

[jtzzr]

As long as you don`t do what`s happening in your avatar ,just taking it easy should be fine , Iv`e taken my daughter on a couple of blats and she loved it . Be Safe

[ManDownUnder]

Yup - my little man (7) has his own kit, Helmet and Gloves. Got out and about - did 150 kms yesterday with him on board... he loved it, and so did I.

I unzip my jacket pockets and he reaches around and holds on to the fold of leather at the rear of the opening (1/2 the zip if that makes sense).

Happy to compare notes anytime

[riffer]

Frosty and Baby Bikie were the reason that Gini relented and as of a year ago, Timothy, now aged 7, was allowed to go on the back.

It's been a slow process, starting almost like a basic handling skills course, teaching him slowly how to get on, sit right, and hold on. Moving from then to moving with the bike, around obstacle courses so he got the idea of the bike leaning, and not trying to lean for the corners; just sitting there like a sack of potatoes.

Now we're doing Wallaceville Hill, 70-80 km/hr open roads, and I'm trying to make sure that its as safe as possible. I'm still concerned that, although he has a decent Shoei helmet (Baby Bikie's old one), he still doesn't have all the protective gear. I'd like him to have leathers and decent boots and gloves as he currently wears an old vinyl WWII fighter plane style jacket, jeans and McKinlay boots, but the budget just won't swing for it. Hell, I'd like leathers myself.

Personally, I think he's ready for open road speeds, and I've done them a few times with him on the back, but I'd like Gini to be happy about it, and until we can get him some decent gear she's still going to be a bit wary of me taking him over the Rimutakas.

Best advice I can give anyone wanting to take their kids on the bike is make sure their mother is comfortable with it first, and start slowly. Teach them the basics of bike handling first.

[kiwifruit]

i have fantastic memories of being pillion with my Dad.

the first time i was on a motorcycle with him was before i saw my first birthday, he would ride around the house etc with me perched infront... apon some sort of land and surveys issue machine...

it basically went from there.... its a trust thing..... my first time on the road was when i was bout 6 years old, aboard his rz350. what a blast!

i remember when i was 11ish being pissed off when he bought a 1988(?)ducati 750 sport,traded in the pop up katana.... we did did the south island (with home made saddlebags which went over the rear seat, made of slippery shit) remarkables rally etc..... best days of my life

poor old fella never got to ride alone..... "DAD, can i come??????"

now when im pillion with the old man i cant go 2km without falling asleep

you're kids trust you MD.
show them how it is.

[Lissa]

My daughter has just turned 6 and commented tonight that she wants to go for a ride on the back of my bike, wasnt sure what age is a good age, but if I do I would certainly get her some proper gear.