Who Lets Their Kids Ride?

[RichLockyer]

3 is too young to put her on the back. Most states require that the passenger be big enough to properly use the pegs/floorboards.

And ya... IMHO, way too much risk for one so young.
Get her a pink bicycle and teach her to ride that. When she's old enough and good enough to take it around the block a few times, go ahead and let her "ride" with you... putt around the block a couple of times with her riding staggered formation off of your right shoulder. That'll get her comfortable with group riding as well!

By the time she's 16, she'll be kickin' your butt in the twisties

[sdbrit68]

Originally Posted by CTRider

At the age of 9, I was tearing around the woods on my friend's minibike. No helmet, no jacket, no gloves (occasionally no shirt) and I was in shorts and sneakers. I almost ran it into a ravine on one ride (about a 20 foot drop), but gave her a little power and scooted out of danger. The minibike needed a push start to get going and leaked more gas than it burned. It backfired enough that I'm surprised it didn't burn the gas that it leaked.

I don't know how I survived my childhood.

I'm thinking that if I have a kid, we'll follow my pattern of danger. I'll start him/her out on the wood burning kit, followed by the acid-filled chemistry set, then lawn darts, followed by model rockets, nitro-powered RC vehicles, THEN we'll talk motorcycles.

Oh, yeah. There also has to be an ample supply of toys with small choking hazards. I figure any kid of mine dumb enough to eat their toys is simply going to be non-productive in society later, anyway...and probably involved some sort of mix up at the hospital. Those wouldn't be my genes working there...

oh yeah

[jd533]

there's your in to get a mustang seat. I have 2 daughters myself and am a little over protective. I make them wear blue jeans and real shoes (no flip-flops) when they ride with me. They aren't to excited about it but they know I take their safety very serious. If you take your daughter with you at a young age and work with her through the years you can teach her to respect the bikes and get some good quality time and memories, as well as teaching safety and dangers. If she is a small 3 you could put her in front of you in a quiet neighborhood to start off with. Just don't miss the chance to spend time with her doing something you BOTH love. Mine are already 19 & 16. where did the years go.

Had to add that Rich had some great advise also about the bike and staggered.

[Broomrider]

Originally Posted by Man O Fire

I appreciate all the feedback. I never started riding anything but quads until I was 34. Late bloomer I guess! I know I definately have some time before this truly becomes an issue. My wife is one that has no interest to ever ride with someone due to trusting someone else with her well being even me! She would like to get a bike of her own at some point. Guess I will just have to cross that bridge when it gets here if ever. Over the years in my job I have seen and worked on many involved in bad wrecks. It almost was enough to make me decide against a bike myself but I am glad I pushed through that. I truly love to ride. I don't intend any bubble wrap for my daughter, but maybe just some starfoam peanuts glued all over her! Thanks all for the incouraging words!

I know exactly what you mean, back in the 80's I spent time in the army as a fire fighter and attended many a road smash... after that and up until I had my first child 16yrs ago I was on the road dealing with idiots and the mess idiots make... makes me cringe to think that my boys will want to do anything that will put them at risk...however my eldest is heading for the airforce in two years time, when I spent time in the army it was peace time, worst thing happening was Timor... but I can't say too much I have spent many a year in high risk situations and I'm still here to tell the story... doesn't help though ay? we will worry no matter what they do...

[edgecrusher74]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

3 is too young to put her on the back. Most states require that the passenger be big enough to properly use the pegs/floorboards.

And ya... IMHO, way too much risk for one so young.
Get her a pink bicycle and teach her to ride that. When she's old enough and good enough to take it around the block a few times, go ahead and let her "ride" with you... putt around the block a couple of times with her riding staggered formation off of your right shoulder. That'll get her comfortable with group riding as well!

By the time she's 16, she'll be kickin' your butt in the twisties

My daughter is 9 and this is the first year I have taken her for rides. The first thing I did, after I explained what she need to wear (jeans, boots, jacket, full face...) was to sit her on the seat behind me and show her how the bike leans and explain to her that it is going to happen every time we turn. She was ok with that so after showing her wear to keep her feet and hand, and letting her know how to communicate with me, off we went. Slow through the neighborhoods. We are lucky enough to be in an area wear the neighborhoods all kind of connect. We went about 20 miles and never hit a main road. Never went over 30mph. When we got home she told me she loved it. Now it's great. I can bribe her with a bike ride. "Wanna go for a ride? Then you need to clean your room." Works like a champ. I also help me to convince my wife that I need a bike with a backrest. So I took her for one ride on an 83 Yamaha XJ750...next thing I know the wife OK's a 2008 900LT and my daughter has a brand new leather.

Once YOU think your kid is old enough and YOU feel comfortable with them back there, take them out and enjoy. Stick to low traffic areas and road you know well if it helps. Also stopping once in a while for ice cream with the kids on the bike is a great treat for them.

[Scout67]

My 10 year old daughter rides with me all the time. I am strick about AGATT, but she doesn't complain. My 3 year old wants to ride but doesn't throw a fit when she is told that she isn't big enough. I definatly want to get them out in the dirt too, it was a great experiance when I was a kid. I know my oldest will ride on her own some day, so I want to get her trained into the correct and safe way to do things. I also like the idea that boys will be intimidated by a girl who rides and won't want to ride on the back.

[Man O Fire]

I think that aside from the idiot cagers out there, that is a pretty major concern. I would never want her on the back of a bike with someone else. They have the control over what happens to both riders. I would rather her ride her own and be the responsible one. Just the other day witnessed a guy on some type of sport bike wheelie it with his girl on back and flip it on top of both of them. Neither rider was wearing any gear and they were on a major street with lots of traffic. Stopped the fire truck and we worked on both of them. Neither was hurt bad but bad enough!

[rogertech1]

I feel your pain, Problem is my three year old just suddenly is turning thirteen. I see every aspect of her environment that affects me in unusual ways. She wants to ride also, I feel if she continues being a good student, helps around the house, and generally earns the privilege. I just might buy a small bike to putt around on. My son is 8 and will be untill at least he is 30. I dont feel I could allow him to ride responsibly. Both have ridden with me on short trips. All I can do is.....
a. lead by example
b. hope there is a god
c. hope he can here my desire for their safety among all the other pleading parents in the universe. lol

[Man O Fire]

+1 brother +1!

[jjflash]

[pb641]

Now, you gotta love that shot, terrific jjflash.

[Granny]

That is a great pic jjflash, he/she looks like they are having a great time.

[Granny]

My sons are 13 and 15 birthdays coming soon. My oldest can start to get his license/learners permit when he turns 16. If he was to ride he is only allowed to ride a 250cc or under for 2 years then he can go for a bigger bike.
As parents we all worry about their future be it car or bike.
Both my sons have been behind me and at highway speeds which over here is 68mph(legal). I have made sure they both are aware of the risk involved in riding and can only hope they have listened to what I have told them and pray that they use common sense when and if they are on the road on the pushbikes at the moment.
As Parents we can only teach them the right and smart thing to do and lead by example, we can't control/influence their lives once they are at the legal age (which is 18 here) only advise. So hopefully as responable parents we have done that.
Good luck to all of us.

[messer00]

I hope my kids don't want to ride... because they didn't grow-up with a dirt bike (I did) or riding a bicycle (I raced road bicycles for years). Without that any kind of experience like that, I think it's tough for a person to start riding a motorcycle later in their life because they have SO MUCH catching-up to do. It's a much bigger learning curve and too much of a risk in my opinion.

Not meaning to change the subject, but I think that's where people get in trouble. They pass the MSF course, buy a much bigger bike than the little 250 they learned on, and think they can immediately hit the roads. Having that previous two-wheel experience is PRICELESS.

[pb641]

Originally Posted by messer00

I hope my kids don't want to ride... because they didn't grow-up with a dirt bike (I did) or riding a bicycle (I raced road bicycles for years). Without that any kind of experience like that, I think it's tough for a person to start riding a motorcycle later in their life because they have SO MUCH catching-up to do. It's a much bigger learning curve and too much of a risk in my opinion.

Not meaning to change the subject, but I think that's where people get in trouble. They pass the MSF course, buy a much bigger bike than the little 250 they learned on, and think they can immediately hit the roads. Having that previous two-wheel experience is PRICELESS.

I think you are right on target. That is why I went to great lengths to give mine that experience. It won't be anywhere close to my own at the same age, but I just want them to have that slight edge to say, "wait a sec." I grew up in the sixties and seventies, and I probably gained more seat time by 18 than most people do in a lifetime. Hey, times have changed. All you can do is give them every edge of skill and expereice whenever you can. As stated above, I am disappointed that neither want to ride right now, but I hope that changes to teach them a little more before their out on their own.

[Bruce McCrary]

I started my son riding when he was 5 years old, on a Honda Z50 with training wheels. By the time he was 7 we were racing hare scrambles or trail riding almost every week-end. We raced and rode off-road for the next 10 years, we had some success and a ton of fun.

During that time he went from the Jr. Mini class to the 250 A (expert) class. When we first started riding I'd have to wait on him at trail heads so he could catch up, then it got to the point that I couldn't even keep his dust in sight! At his peak the boy was amazingly fast in the woods.

He got his motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license on his 16th birthday. Not a few days later, not when it was convenient, on his 16th birthday. He had never really ridden a street bike before, so we borrowed a DR400 Suzuki dual sport from a friend and co-worker and he took his riding test on it, passing with flying colors.

He rode the Nomad on many occasions, mostly just day rides around the county and usually short rides of around 100 miles or so. He told me that he enjoyed it, but it wasn't the same as riding off road and that the bike was (no offense meant) basically a pig.

One week-end last fall I brought home a 2005 Yamaha FZ6 that had been traded in at the shop and he, his mother and I all took off for the mountains for a ride. He loved the bike, and we enjoyed riding with him (again) so we bought it for him. He's been riding and enjoying it ever since, in fact he'll probably end up with over 10,000 miles this year.

Motorcycles and riding have been a huge part of my life, and my son has no memories of motorcycles not being around. I am quick to tell folks that no one loves to ride a motorcycle more than I do, but honestly, I'd rather ride with my son than eat when I'm hungry. The bond that they have given my son and I is priceless, as are the memories of all the rides and races we've done.

It's a dangerous sport/hobby and we literally take our lives in our hands every time we throw a leg over the saddle. He and I have both been hurt, more than once, while riding and racing and we have the scars to prove it. But we believe in gear, training and using the biggest and best safety device there is, our brains, every time we ride.

The good lord willing, we will continue to ride for many years to come and I'm looking forward to the day (waaay off in the future ) when I can teach my grand kids to ride.

Bruce

[messer00]

Bruce, you sound like a great dad