Child pillions?

[Daffyd]

I wouldn't pillion a child under about eight, and certainly not without the proper gear. Legally they must be able to put both feet on the pegs but I also make sure they understand about leaning into bends etc.
Funnily enough, the best pillion I have had was a neighbour's 9yo girl. She was so good I almost forgot she was there.

[civil]

I have been taking my children on the back since they were 4yo. By then they had their own bike so knew how to ride themselves and had a full set of their own gear.

I got stopped one day with my son on the back (4yo), with the cop saying my sone had to be in an "approved safety device". I just asked what that was? The cop had no reply, turned away, and drove off.

I have always taken the children on the bikes off road, with them in front of me until they could reach the pegs then on the open road with me. I often pick them up (7yo), from school on the bike and they love it.

[Renegade]

i was about ten when i started going on the back of my stepdads guzzi, i loved it but at times on the open road i would get a lil scared especially cos the helmet was to big and would flap around a bit, still it got me hooked on bikes and motorsport in general, what a fantastic influence he was.

[canarlee]

if you are that worried and you really want to take your kids on the back i think (i could be wrong?) you can get some straps/harnesses to keep the child firmly in place behind you. these i believe hold the child to you (the rider).

this type of device has been used for disabled (paraplegics (sp?)) people to go on rides without a problem so i cannot see a problem for adapting one to fit a child.


although what the law is i do not know.

[skidMark]

if you are that worried and you really want to take your kids on the back i think (i could be wrong?) you can get some straps/harnesses to keep the child firmly in place behind you. these i believe hold the child to you (the rider).

this type of device has been used for disabled (paraplegics (sp?)) people to go on rides without a problem so i cannot see a problem for adapting one to fit a child.


although what the law is i do not know.

u mean duct tape right?

[discotex]

I got stopped one day with my son on the back (4yo), with the cop saying my sone had to be in an "approved safety device". I just asked what that was? The cop had no reply, turned away, and drove off.

What the heck was he expecting?? Car seat on a pack rack?

[90s]

if you are that worried and you really want to take your kids on the back i think (i could be wrong?) you can get some straps/harnesses to keep the child firmly in place behind you. these i believe hold the child to you (the rider).

Theres are plenty of companies that make belts that goes around the rider with handles - they are meant to be pretty good. I am thinking about them for the missus. (they can be called love handles, but as the mrs. points out, I already have those ... )

See:
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/m...ps/pid/5944333

and

http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/fol...illion_straps/

[canarlee]

Theres are plenty of companies that make belts that goes around the rider with handles - they are meant to be pretty good. I am thinking about them for the missus. (they can be called love handles, but as the mrs. points out, I already have those ... )

See:
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/m...ps/pid/5944333

and

http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/fol...illion_straps/

yes there are those ones, the ones i am talking about go round both the pilot and pillion holding them together. not too dissimilar to double parachute harneses.

am trying to find the website i saw it on the other day........

[ManDownUnder]

My little boy was big enough, and expereinced enough to securely sit on the back of the RF at open road speed at 6.

My criteria were:
1) Must have good gear (MX gloves are good for little hands)
2) Must be secure on the bike at all times.
3) Must be legal.

[Angusdog]

I've taken our 6yo and 4yo sitting in front of me, but around the block as they can't reach the pegs. We borrowed a friend's 'child' helmet (HJC), but when our kids get a bit bit bigger, I'll get them open face helmets, glove and jackets. I really don't think a full face helmet is safe with small kids - it's equivalent to a 5kg helmet on an adult, in my view. With their little necks, they'd snap like celery with that weight on board. A lightweight helmet will give them a fighting chance, hopefully although it's not something I like imagining.

And it won't be open road riding until they're a bit bigger, mainly because it takes a bit of stamina and maturity to ride for a hour or so - unless She Who Must Be Obeyed is driving the support wagon.

[007XX]

My son got his first ride on his 9th birthday (and yes, he's been hooked ever since...)

Anyway, definitely a must for them to be able to reach the footpegs and be able to grasp such concept as not moving violently, be able to not fall asleep, ....

[discotex]

And it won't be open road riding until they're a bit bigger, mainly because it takes a bit of stamina and maturity to ride for a hour or so - unless She Who Must Be Obeyed is driving the support wagon.

And you can't see them falling asleep when they're behind you. Assuming small kids fall asleep on bikes the same way they do in cars.

[deanohit]

And boats. Used to be funny to watch meg when she was 5 sitting on her seat hanging on and moving with the boat all while asleep. She never fell off her seat either.

[MaxB]

My kids were on the back from 5 years old just going round and round the section. They were regular pillions on the road by the time they were 10.

If you take it gradually and don't force them onto the road too soon they will gain confidence over time. I just took my 12 yr old son to the Cold Kiwi, no worries.

As others have said, getting gear the right size is a problem especially when they are young. I used mostly MX gear and shopped around. You might have to get creative. For example UVEX made some really cool tiny sized safety boots I got from a health & safety book at work.

The only other thing I can think of is to take it easy and allow more travel time. Kids tend to add a couple of hours to every long trip. They need to to fed and watered regularly!

BTW your Ninja is a great pillion bike.

[BarBender]

IMHO the child, regardless of age, has to be able to take in and follow instructions...to the letter.

The other piece of advice Id suggest would be to the rider to control their own behaviour and curtail any tendency to ride the bike as though they were riding on their own.