Giving my kids a ride on the back....

[jwm2k3]

Ok, so Im contemplating giving my two daughters a ride. Ive got an 848, my daughters are aged 11 & 14. The younger one is just about 5 feet tall and the 14yr old is taller. Ive seen some devices (straps and such) for holding on but Im not sure those are necessary. My real question is if they are ok with it and so am I, its no big deal, right? I rode on the back as a kid with my father a few times, younger than my kids now.

I know there will be opinions on both sides, but I also know they would love it...

What say you?

[nhbubba]

Some of my fondest memories are from riding with my old man. I say suit 'em up and do it.

[AVI8_636]

I don't have kids so my opinion may not mean much, but I think it all depends on the ride. Are we talking long rides? Short rides around town? I think 11 is too young for anything more than a few minutes of riding. Again that's just my opinion. I rode on the back of my uncles bike at 14, which was fine, and is what really got me into bikes, but that was only a few rides.

Honestly, the idea of kids on the back of bikes scares me. It only takes one idiot out there to ruin your life, and while you can't just live in fear everyday that someone may take you out (we'd never ride if that was the case), putting your children on the back changes the game a bit. I don't think I could ever live with myself if I laid a bike down with a kid on the back, and they were the ones that end up injured.

I totally understand both sides of the argument, but that's just how I personally feel about it.

[drinkingmymilk]

Kids are made of rubber. So long as they can pay attention and are geared up. Have at it! It's one thing I look forward too with my kids.

A two way com. system might be a good thing to invest in though. My wife and I love the SENA SMH-10 set up.

[nhbubba]

It only takes one idiot out there to ruin your life, and while you can't just live in fear everyday that someone may take you out...

Current events should make it clear that this is universally true, not just with regards to motorcycling. Get busy living, that's my opinion.

Kids have self preservation skills too. Teach them to hang on and they will. At least I did.

The issue I would see are sport-bike related. When I was a kid dad and I were on a standard. There was a big, flat seat and plenty to hang onto.

Apply common sense: Keep the pace down and no sudden blasts of acceleration.

Long rides are an issue too. I pretty much fell asleep on the back once. Dad commented many times how that scared the crap out of him.

[Falko]

I see my neighbor on his Wing take his 10yo down the street all the time. I plan to take my kid (8 yo) to get ice cream a couple miles away this summer. He's expressed interest in riding and I don't want that to go away.

[DucDave]

Take me, take me.....

[fineout]

get the kids some gear and I see no problem with it.

[Falko]

Take me, take me.....

get your own ice cream

[G21forme]

It probably doesn't need to be said but get their helmets fitted by a professional and go for it.

[Trajiks9]

First time I took my oldest daughter on a ride. I thought I heard her crying. I pulled over to see what was wrong. The face shield on her helmet was all foggy, as I helped her open the shield I could see that she had tears in her eyes. She said she was having a blast and can't stop laughing. I say gear them up and hit those roads that are less traveled!

[ZX-12R]

Every kid is different and you know yours better than anyone else. If you feel they are ready, go for it! Mine are 4 and 2 and I can't wait until they are bigger to take them for a ride.

[stoinkythepig]

I have a Power Madd belt with passenger handles if anyone wants to borrow it to take kids for a spin. Gives them a lot more confidence. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...old-Tight.aspx

[Sheppo]

If they can reach the pegs, can hold on, understand to lean with the bike, not fight it and understand if they are not comfortable all they have to do is tell you and you'll stop go for it. My oldest loves it, my youngest never liked and I never made a big deal out of it. I also told them if they needed to stop for any reason, two taps on my right side. Have fun. Some of my fondest memories are riding with my daughter.

[Karate.Snoopy]

I rode with my dad since I was 3 years of age, some of the most memorable times of my life. Suit them up and let it loose

[phishguy]

I don't see any problem with it as long as safety is number 1... I would like to take my daughter for a ride (12 yr old) but she thinks putzing around the neighborhood is like motogp... She doesn't want her knees dragging on the ground... Haha.. It is true that any one little thing can happen and ruin our life but that's the same as those of us who have kids and ride.. If something happened to us dad's or mom's while riding, our kids lives are changed forever... Ride safe everyone but especially parents of children..

[TheIglu]

That's the good thing about kids, you can always make more.

[Falko]

yeah, but it is like fighter pilots. you can make more but it is a long arduous and expensive process. And you still may end up with a crappy one.

[gadget]

The only problems I had when giving my kids rides were

sudden motion (they saw something and jerked around to look at it)

not leaning with me when I took a turn

while changing lanes or merging, I will look over my shoulder (left or right)...they would mistake this as me wanting to talk to them so they would move their head in front of my line of site...this only happened on the first ride but it was a bit of a scare

[SVRACER01]

check the laws. in NH i think they have to be a minimum of 12 and have to wear a helmet up to age 18 IIRC.
i cant remember when i started riding on the back of my dads bike but it was a cruiser not a sport bike.
i would say that on a sportbike, having the belt/strap thing with handles on it isnt a bad idea.

[stoinkythepig]

check the laws. in NH i think they have to be a minimum of 12 and have to wear a helmet up to age 18 IIRC.
i cant remember when i started riding on the back of my dads bike but it was a cruiser not a sport bike.
i would say that on a sportbike, having the belt/strap thing with handles on it isnt a bad idea.

I could not find any law about age limits for passengers.

[RandyO]

I could not find any law about age limits for passengers.

there isn't in NH, I took my son for his first ride when he was 4 sitting on tank in front of me, I had my first ride on my uncle's harley at about the same age

[Garandman]

About 500 yards for the first time. But a lot more room to hang on and his feet could reach the passenger pegs.

[stoinkythepig]

there isn't in NH, I took my son for his first ride when he was 4 sitting on tank in front of me

I did find laws prohibiting that...

[jasnmar]

Not me, but a guy in NH.