Minimum age for pillion

**KATWYN** · 6th August 2007, 15:44

Hi People,
Does anyone know what the minimum age is for a
motorcycle pillion? Is there a legal age or just a common sense age?

How young is too young?

On the road that is....

**nodrog:Me** · 6th August 2007, 15:49

Originally Posted by KATWYN

Hi People,
Does anyone know what the minimum age is for a
motorcycle pillion? Is there a legal age or just a common sense age?

How young is too young?

i just use the common sense rule, that if they cant reach the pegs with their legs, or hold on properly, they cant come.

i dont know if there is a legal minimum age or not.

**ManDownUnder** · 6th August 2007, 15:50

There's no age limit by law - they need to be big enough to be securely seated with their feet on the pegs (that's the requirement by law...)

For me that meant Ruben (my son) was 5, although I didn't take him on the open road till I was comfotable with his abilities (about 18 months later)

Edit - one tip I found... MotorX gloves with leather palms are ideal. They stretch as the little one grows, they're not so hard to find, and not too pricey.

**Sanx** · 6th August 2007, 15:54

WHAT? There's something in this country left to common sense? Not possible. Must legislate immediately!

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 6th August 2007, 15:54

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

There's no age limit by law - they need to be big enough to be securely seated with their feet on the pegs (that's the requirement by law...)

For me that meant Ruben (my son) was 5, although I didn't take him on the open road till I was comfotable with his abilities (about 18 months later)

Edit - one tip I found... MotorX gloves with leather palms are ideal. They stretch as the little one grows, they're not so hard to find, and not too pricey.

what he said

**MyGSXF:Me** · 6th August 2007, 16:01

My oldest son first came with me on the open road, a week after his 5th birthday!!

I checked with the Police if there were any laws about age & was told that there was no minimum age limit. The only requirements were: had to be facing forwards, wearing a fitting helmet & feet reaching the footpegs (we securely taped wooden blocks onto the footpegs, to make it more comfortable & for him to reach easier)

My son was well used to riding on the trail bike with me down the river, before we went on the road bike.. so this probably helped a lot with his confidence ! :spudbooge

I had my old XV back then, which also had a bloody great packrack on it, so that also made things a bit safer, as he couldn't just 'fall off' backwards.

I'd say just go by how the child (?) feels about the whole deal. Our first trip was from ChCh out to the Hororata Rally, so not far in distance.. as little ones can't sit that still for very long..

Jen

**inlinefour** · 6th August 2007, 16:09

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

There's no age limit by law - they need to be big enough to be securely seated with their feet on the pegs (that's the requirement by law...)

For me that meant Ruben (my son) was 5, although I didn't take him on the open road till I was comfotable with his abilities (about 18 months later)

Edit - one tip I found... MotorX gloves with leather palms are ideal. They stretch as the little one grows, they're not so hard to find, and not too pricey.

I can remember as a very small chid going to work on my father's bike. I'd sit in frount of him, not being able to get my feet on the footpegs at all and hold onto the cross bar of the handle bars of the bike. Was never a problem and I think its a case of utilising common sense. I was allways well dressed with gloves, boots and a helmet. We was never pulled up by the law and I do not think that in this day and age one would be either. As long as your riding safely, you should be sweet. But in saying this, there was no emphasis on political correctness, someone these days is likely to make a big deal about it. I can't see the problem with it and I cannot see why someone else should/has the right to have a problem with it either.

**ManDownUnder** · 6th August 2007, 16:13

Originally Posted by inlinefour

I can remember as a very small chid going to work on my father's bike. I'd sit in frount of him, not being able to get my feet on the footpegs at all and hold onto the cross bar of the handle bars of the bike. Was never a problem and I think its a case of utilising common sense. I was allways well dressed with gloves, boots and a helmet. We was never pulled up by the law and I do not think that in this day and age one would be either. As long as your riding safely, you should be sweet. But in saying this, there was no emphasis on political correctness, someone these days is likely to make a big deal about it. I can't see the problem with it and I cannot see why someone else should/has the right to have a problem with it either.

Edit - I think I see what you're saying. I must admit I interpreted the original post to be "how old till the can go on the road" but beyond that I agree with your post entirely. My little road has seen all three kids on the bike doing age appropriate stuff...

Mr 7 helmet, glaoves etc ont he back going to school
Miss 4 riding on the front up and down (from the age of 3)
Little miss 1 1/2 sitting on the bike starting it and slowly edging forward up the drive.

All loved it... and all perfectly safe

**KATWYN** · 6th August 2007, 16:27

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

. I must admit I interpreted the original post to be "how old till the can go on the road"

Yes, sorry you had to interpret. I should have mentioned "pillion on the motorcycle on the road" - that is indeed what I was asking

helpful answers thanks guys and girls

**McJim** · 6th August 2007, 16:34

Hmmm - had this discussion in a bike shop not too long ago. Chap with a Gixxer had his 7 year old daughter on the back.

Tried my son on the Ducati when I got home and the synopsis is that modern Sportsbikes have their pillion pegs nice and high for little legs whereas the Italians in their infinite wisdom placed the pillion pegs further from the seat in order to accommodate leggy supermodels rather than short legged offspring.

So either I buy a modern Sprotbike or I wait until my oldest is...well...older.

**banditrider** · 6th August 2007, 20:25

Got dropped off at kindy by my old man on his mach III. Sat on the tank - don't think you'd get away with it now...

Mind you I was experienced - had my own green plastic motorbike which went really fast downhill (couldn't keep feet on pedals). Even doubed my little sister on it.

**sunhuntin** · 6th August 2007, 20:41

aint nothing that says you cant move the pegs up so they can reach.

i remember having to clean melted boot off my mates exhaust that was left by his son, lol.

also, i used to go around with dad sitting on the tank, but only within our property. cant remember how old i was when i first went on the open road... 6 or 7 i guess? maybe a bit older.

**cynna** · 7th August 2007, 03:57

my daughter wont even go near my harley let alone ride on it, but she has taken a shine to the trial bike - which she cant go for a ride on since it has no passenger footpegs

**civil** · 7th August 2007, 08:05

I got pull over a few years back with my 4yo son on the back wearing his own MX helmet, boots, jacket, gloves. Cap said he had to be in an 'approved safety device'. So I asked the cop what that is?????

He had no answer!!!! so left

At 4yo my son had been riding his own crf50 for 6mths at that stage and had been going on the bikes around the yard with me since he was able to sit up so was very confident on the back of the bike.