How Young

S

SPOOKY#1

New Member
I was just given custody of my 6 year old granddaughter and was wondering if she is old enough to ride with me once it warms up? I would place her in front of me with a good helmet and riding clothes of course. Moderator: Maybe I placed this in the wrong forum section, please feel free to move it to the correct one.
 
I mean thats completely up to you. I rode with my dad when I was that age.

Personally I wouldn't ride around with a 6 yr old, at least not really riding.
Down the street or on some deserted roads sure, but if there are any other people around its too much risk in my eyes.
 
It is a personal decision and/or a legal one. I rode with my son from 4 years old, AGATT, full face (on his 3rd now) Rules in my Province was Helmet and passengers feet must reach the foot pegs and cannot ride in front. I did take him around the block in my subdivision sitting in front but anything longer I had a childs riding harness and he sat behind. He could fall asleep, and did, but could not fall off. Google it. As for reaching the pegs, I added a higher set for him and when he hit 7 he could reach the factory pegs on both my hondas. I wouldn't ride hard but my commute to and from work taking him to school and daycare (Small city) and weekend rides on the country roads were and still are great. he is a natural on 2 wheels now.
 
I know that Maritime rode with his youngster at around that age. There are actually straps that can hold the wee-one to your back, in case they fall asleep.

Ha, beat me by forty seconds.
 
I agree, being retired I usually ride during work hours and stick to urban areas anyway and have some kid friendly routes all set. I have plenty of family to watch her for those days when a long cruise is the best medicine. Any suggestions for riding apparel for children? Feels odd being a single parent again..........still trying to get myself around it. One thing is for sure, she won't be glued to a TV or computer screen all the time and will know all about camping and the beauty of nature by this time next year.
Thanks for the response.
 
Just to let you know as well. A lot of people will give you grief over this. My personal feeling is, I can ride, and be as safe as I can, and put proper gear on him and that risk is as minimal as it can be, and I can accept it, he knows it and knows at 9 it is dangerous but really likes riding, his mother knows it, knows I am not an asshole and rides with me all the time and has been in holy shit situations in traffic and knows I can avoid everything but a drunk red light running driver (they tend not to be on the road the time of day I ride with my son) and I usually can avoid them too. Motorcycles are dangerous and some people will think you are a horrible person for taking her on a ride. I just ingnore those people and politley go on my way.
 
Thanks for the information, I wasn't aware of harnesses and will be looking into that. I still haven't decided for sure if I want to take the risk of having a kid on board but in case I do the information I'm receiving will certainly help. I should probablyn check the laws for my state also, they may have a minimum age for this.
 
AS for gear, The more bike freindly UK has gear sized for kids and I got pants from Ebay UK. He just got a new jacket, full armour textile this year at Whitehorse gear. had to buy a ladys X-small and the sleeves are a bit long but all the armour is in the right places. DOT helmets are available in Canada USA for kids for reasonable prices, his first came from bikebandit and I reccomend finding one with a kids size shell as some are full adult shells with xtra padding and hard on kids necks. Pants and Jackets are the hard part but a good leather, and minimun denim pants. I used MX gloves and you can get good boots too. Cheers and enjoy the ride. I know my son and I enjoy it.
 
I had a talk with her today on the way home from school and rather than hearing a goody she made it clear that she wasn't riding any motorcycles so we'll see. I won't force it on her but will get out my little 350 Four and talk her into a quick ride around the neighborhood. I would rather she decide anything she encounters in life from a position of knowledge rather than blind fear.
 
good plan. I am sure someone close to her has said the old line "Motorcycles will kill you" or any one of its variations. My dads favorite was "you are lucky to die in a motorcycle crash, otherwise you're a cripple or a vegitable". I still ride every chance I get cause those who have never ridden do not knoweth what they miss.
 
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