How old is too old? How young is too young?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by jayinbaok, Apr 13, 2014.

  1. jayinbaok

    jayinbaok New Member

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    I finally found a proper fitting street style helmet for the kid.

    He got a ride home from pre-K on Friday. His feet reach the buddy pegs, and thanks to Craig down south, he has grab rails and me to hold on to. We only live about a mile from school, but his Mom and G'Ma have their reservations.

    I'm always on a casual lookout for an old wing with a sidecar so the dog or his nephew can come along.
     

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  2. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The AMA has a compendium of some of the basic laws concerning motorcycles here:

    http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/State-Laws.aspx?stateid=27

    Best to check with your own DMV on any changes in legislation.
     
  3. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    I guess it all depends on the legal rules where you live and what the parents are happy with.

    In most of the EU, no specific age is identified, instead the rules simply stipulate that a child cannot be legally carried on a motorbike without (1) the parent (or legal guardians) consent, (2) wearing a properly fitting approved helmet, and (3) the child being able to comfortably reach the rear pegs from the pillion seat, although there is nothing to stop the OEM pegs being replaced or raised if required to allow the child to reach them.

    Whilst this means that a kid could in theory be carried whilst wearing a T shirt and shorts - nowadays most parents seem to ensure that right from the start the kid is fully kitted out before they get to ride on a motorbike. Because kids tend to rapidly out-grow clothing, it may be worth checking local small ads websites like Gumtree which occasionally offer perfectly serviceable second user kit at a fraction of the cost of brand new - the key advantage of local sales is you get a chance to inspect the item and talk to the seller about what use it has had before committing to pay for it.

    I don't know what it is like in the US, but in Europe it is noticeable how that when a child is being carried the vast majority of parents are also fully kitted out, ensuring that right from the start, they also set the ATGATT example.

    Adding things like grab handles or a top box can also help keep a child happy and firmly planted on the pillion seat. After that, dry roads and considerate and smooth riding is perhaps the key to the child being keen on many further trips. :biggrin:

    Take care




    Hope that helps




    SkiMad
     
  4. nih

    nih New Member

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    allot of it depends on your kid and his behavior. my daughter id trust on the back but i know allot of kids that couldnt handle the responsibility. need to be clear with kid that its not a game and that there is danger riding on the bike and a maturity/responsibility with doing so
     
  5. Robclo

    Robclo New Member

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    I just took my oldest daughter out today for her first ride, she's 13 and fit perfectly into my wife's gear. She just started to show an interest this spring. Was a great experience for both of us, she really enjoyed the feeling of being free and I loved sharing in her new experience.
     
  6. zoom-zoom

    zoom-zoom Member

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    My son Liam rides with me quite frequently. His longest trip to date was near the end of last season and we did a total of about 150 km's I think. My local regs state that he must be wearing a helmet, shoes, and be able to reach the passenger foot pegs from the pillion portion of the seat.

    My wife and I bought him a Tourmaster Jett 3 jacket, a full face HJC helmet, gloves and riding pants. I definitely agree with nih in that your son needs to understand that as a passenger there is possibly danger with riding a bike and some serious responsibility as a passenger. Thankfully my wife and I are both biking enthusiasts and though my wife has not owned her own bike since just before my son was born, she has no issues with him being on the back of the bike.

    My my wife and I considered getting a belt type system that my son could hold on to, and we asked him what he thought since his comfort on the bike was as important IMHO as mine. He said he felt better holding on to me, and I was OK with that. The two of us have an agreement that I need to be able to FEEL him holding on to me, otherwise I will pull to the side safely and check to make sure that he is OK and not falling asleep, or something else. Also, if he wants to stop for any reason, he need only to squeeze me tightly twice, and I know to immediately slow down and pull over, NO QUESTIONS. We started slowly, just riding around in a school parking lot near where we live until he got used to how the bike moved and how it felt being a passenger. His first season was spent mainly riding to Kindergarten on the bike (his school is less than 6 blocks away) and the odd trip to one of our local parks with walking trails and a playground.

    Liam was almost 5 when he started riding (the regs changed slightly in our area and they added the rule about having to be able to reach the footrests while sitting on the pillion portion of the seat) an he turns 7 this year. My daughter also wants to be able to ride but she is still to small for a proper fitting full face helmet and other appropriate gear, and like my son has been told that they must be worn any time we go riding.

    As long as your son meets the local regs, and you are ALL comfortable with him riding, then have fun and enjoy the time spent riding together. My son and I immensely enjoy our time together on the bike and I for one really enjoy the bonding time as father and son.

    My mother-in-law is not a big fan of my son being on the bike and nor is my mother but as my wife's mom says, "He is YOUR son, and my feelings on him riding are irrelevant (generally speaking) and as long as we feel comfortable then that is what counts. We don't have to like the decision, but me MUST respect it."

    If your wife is not on board with the decision, then the two of you need to discuss it, and maybe the two of you can come to an agreement. The more comfortable she feels with your ability to ride safely and the more comfortable your son feels about riding with you, the better your wife may come to feel about the situation.
     
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