In your opinion, what is the earliest age a kid can get on your bike for a ride with Dad (or Mom)??? My daughter will be 10 by the time I get back from Afghanistan, and I want to take her out for her first ride. Also, how would you "brief" your son or daughter before they ride for thier first time?
Ten is plenty old enough in my book. Advice? I would tell any first time rider to "lean against my back and move with me when I lean" Otherwise some gals try to lean the wrong way 'cause they're intimidated by the sensation. Also would tell her "keep your feet on the pegs ALWAYS; even when we stop at a stop sign". It helps if you can get them to wear a boot with a heel, so there is something to hold their foot in position.
I'm a big proponent of ATGATT so my advice, in addition to the excellent comments above, would be to get her in a jacket, gloves, boots, and a helmet. It may be overkill, it may be hot, but she's a special one and there's no sense in taking a chance with her.
My younger daughter is 10 and I wouldn't hesitate to take her for a ride, but she just isn't in to it, the 13 year old, can't get enough... The only other thing I would suggest is to work out a signal your daughter can use to quickly signal you if she starts to get nervous or scared.
My older daughter (16) can't get enough riding on the VFR. I bought her a decent helmet and textile jacket and make her wear jeans and sturdy shoes. I agree with flameface- Lean with the driver and keep feet on pegs. Since I have an extra set of eyes on the bike, I ask my daughter to help me spot trouble and have her poke me in the side that she is looking towards. My younger daughter (12) will not go near the VFR and I have no intentions of making her try it. The biggest fear I have is if we get into an accident and survive, my wife will kill me anyways.
All great advice. Now how do I convince my wife??...... I broached the subject with her, and now I have little smoke strands coming off blackened areas above my eyes where brows used to be, and I am coughing up blood and soot twinged sputum from my lungs.
With kids, as long as they can comfortably touch the pegs with bent legs AAANNNDDD listen to & closely follow directions, go for it. One of my first memories from childhood is riding on the GAS TANK of my fathers 1974 Honda CB550 Four. As far as the wife goes, do what I did. Buy a beginner type bike (one that you wouldn't mind riding) & present it to her with a date for the MSF BRC. If she says no, at least you have another bike to play with. I think the biggest reason most people don't like riding on the back of a bike is the whole "not having any control over events that are unfolding" thing. Stay safe & happy "hunting" on your upcoming all expenses paid US Army vacation.:usa2: KC-10 FE out... lane:
I think I was about 10 when I first rode on a motorcycle. A cb360t with an older cousin at the controls as he did countless wheelies on a gravel road. Why I'm alive today is a small miracle as neither of us had gear. The passenger should lean with the motorcycle (stay on the same axis) NOT lean with the rider. If they lean with the rider, they will be adding their own steering input.
I, like KC10, was on the gas tank pretty much as soon as I could sit up. I grew up riding with Dad and it got in my blood. I remember when my little sister started riding, too. Dad would put here on the tank, then me behind him, then my step-mom behind me leaning on the sissy bar. My sister likes to joke around and say we all had to look the same direction all the time. Anyway, we are probably not the safest examples, but as everyone else said, I think 10 is plenty old enough.
My daughter turns 5 next month. By the time she was about 3 1/2, she would sit on her rocking horse while I watched MotoGP etc on TV, and hang off and lean left/right with her knee out to match the riders on screen! She's a natural! My wife has allowed that when she's 5, she can ride with me! We're already X-Mas shopping for a helmet & other gear. My daughter simply can't wait; she talks about "riding daddy's motorcycle" almost daily. I want to move to a more rural area asap, as she will also get mini-quads, dirtbikes, pocketbikes etc as soon as she's physically large enough to handle one (she's extremely petite). There's a device available that is essentially a wide belt for the driver, with a foam block behind, with a strap harness to restrain a child to the driver. The block even has little handlebars poking out the sides to give the kid something to hold on to! I can't remember what it's called, but a friend used to take his 8 y/o son with him on some of our rides using one. We've already taught her to not touch any part of the motorcycle that doesn't have red paint (lotsa hot stuff), and will teach her the "feet on pegs at all times" etc when we actually ride. * Short story: My FIRST fiance (H.S. sweetheart) said, in the planning days for our wedding shortly after my military discharge, "I do hope you realize you'll have to give up those motorcycles". She meant it. Notice I said "first" fiance... When I met the girl who became my wife, I only owned a bike (FJ1200), and no car, so we dated and lived on the FJ for several years. In fact, she let me go out and buy a brand new R1 as celebration when I knocked her up, and now she's encouraging our daughter to become the first female MotoGP star! It's usually the other way around - Wives declare "get rid of the bikes" when they get pregnant. She's a keeper! :biggrin:
I've been riding my oldest 2 years now. He is 9. I am of the same mind as fotomoto, passengers ride, I'll do the stearing. The other bit advice that I would like to contribute is that I tell my son that if I brake really hard, grab me around the middle, and hold on. If they can keep they're feet on the pegs, and follow directions, then take it easy and have fun. Mac
Your waiting until she's ten!??!?!?!?!? your depriving your child of a head start in life- learning about freedom! oh remember this next sentence when you start to think about giving your daughter a ride- "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask for permission" If you never allow the opportunity to say no, she can't be mad at you for doing it anyway. This might be the reason why I'm still single though....
SFPA: This is why they make those metallic lenses for your helmet, it blocks most effects of "the look". I found a deal on an extra-small helmet, :biggrin: let my daughter pick the color ordered it *before* reporting operation fun.4.kid to CINCHOUSE. Problem is she's so petite, I've not invested in a jacket, maybe Santa will get her something. Until then, it is just slow around the neighborhood. Note: The top case not only gives her a backrest, but holds additional ammunition. Guns don't kill people, Dads with pretty daughters do. :wink:
