Legal age for pillions in NZ?

[MSTRS:Me]

There is no age, as such. The legalities are that the pillion must be wearing a helmet, and must be able to have both feet on the pegs.
Big responsibility taking a kid, tho. You'd have to be sure the kid was sensible, etc.

[Maki]

There is no age, as such. The legalities are that the pillion must be wearing a helmet, and must be able to have both feet on the pegs.
Big responsibility taking a kid, tho. You'd have to be sure the kid was sensible, etc.

Thanks. The kid is perfectly sensible. It's me I worry about.

[Grubber]

I have 2 girls and they started riding pillion at 8 years old.
started with smaller local rides for a while then up to a day out when they could be trusted to ride well.
This easter i am taking my now 14 year old away for a road trip round the East Cape.
both my girls ride pillion like a pro and i would take them anywhere with me.
I say as long as they can learn to sit still and eventually lean into corners, why not take them with you.
It's an awesome way to spend some quality time with them one on one.
I've done many miles with both my girls over the years. My 24 year old still hangs out on the back when she can.

[Maki]

Thanks, yes, sit still sounds like good advice. I have to admit I don't have much experience with pillions. Would it not be correct to tell them to relax and not try to lean one way or the other? They should just act as if they are part of the bike, and they should never try to pull you, the rider to one side or the other. Maybe lean a little into the corner, but never ever our of it. I have ridden with someone who tried to pull out of the corner and it was not a very nice feeling...

[MSTRS:Me]

Tell them to pretend they are a sack of potatoes...ie DO NOTHING.

[allycatz]

My 11 year olds first ride on the back of a Busa.....wearing my gear and yes she did put gloves on as well.....she is now nagging me for a dirt bike

[Grubber]

Thanks, yes, sit still sounds like good advice. I have to admit I don't have much experience with pillions. Would it not be correct to tell them to relax and not try to lean one way or the other? They should just act as if they are part of the bike, and they should never try to pull you, the rider to one side or the other. Maybe lean a little into the corner, but never ever our of it. I have ridden with someone who tried to pull out of the corner and it was not a very nice feeling...

Correct! I think i implied leaning into corner, but yea relax and go with the bike. Nothing worse than have them fidget around back there when you are trying to negotiate a corner though.
My kids are into the corner before i am now days. Awesome to ride with.
I think you will get it sorted. Just talk them lots and let them know what you need them to do to be safe.

[Grubber]

My 11 year olds first ride on the back of a Busa.....wearing my gear and yes she did put gloves on as well.....she is now nagging me for a dirt bike

Yea i can relate to that. Mine already has one and she rides it quite well. Trouble is she wants to ride a road bike now as the dirt bike just doesn't cut the mustard.

[allycatz]

Correct! I think i implied leaning into corner, but yea relax and go with the bike. Nothing worse than have them fidget around back there when you are trying to negotiate a corner though.
My kids are into the corner before i am now days. Awesome to ride with.
I think you will get it sorted. Just talk them lots and let them know what you need them to do to be safe.

I explained to my daughter....looking over L shoulder for L corners and R shoulder for R corners but if she found that confusing I showed her a spot to focus on on the riders helmet and that way she just naturally went with the rider and bike

[maggot]

Another thing I was told when I started pillioning was to bloody well SIT STILL at the lights or at a standstill. Apparently it's a right pain in the arse for the rider trying to keep the bike nice and still with some lout on the back shifting around. Probably won't make much difference with your wee one though, doubt she weighs enough to be too much of a burden.

[slofox]

I pillioned both my kids from about 7 years old onwards...(all those years ago...)

[Little Miss Trouble]

Another thing I was told when I started pillioning was to bloody well SIT STILL at the lights or at a standstill. Apparently it's a right pain in the arse for the rider trying to keep the bike nice and still with some lout on the back shifting around. Probably won't make much difference with your wee one though, doubt she weighs enough to be too much of a burden.

Bwahaha I slapped my little* brother for doing exactly that the first time I took him on the back.
*He's 6 foot tall and 70something kg to my 5'4" and 60something

[diablo]

they should make some sort of strap (or velcro) to attach kids to ya back..
i would worry bout losing one off the back (and not noticing )

[4AGE]

Maybe chuck pack rack on. For a bit of peace of mind about them coming off the back.

[Hawkeye]

Take my 12 year old on the back regular. She's been riding pillion for about 4 years now. Started off with doing the Wellington Toy Run and progressed from there.
She loves the street cred she gets when she turns up for school on the bike now.

Recently got a set of THESE .


It now means I can chat to her and if she is doing something wrong, I can tell her instantly. Also great for the one on one time when we are riding.

The other bonus is I can go out riding even when on call as I can now answer the phone. Some prefer to turn the phone off. But when I'm on call, at least I can now which is better than the other option