Children as pillion?

[acydbyrn]

Just want to get your views on kids as pillion. I know the law says if they can touch the pegs and the lid fits then all is good, but what about moral issues.

Me and the missus are expecting in July and I cant wait to take her for a ride on the bike when she's old enough! (Apparently fixing a car seat to the bike is not an option )

Do any of you lot take your kids on the bike?

[McGee]

I hate seeing kids on the back of bikes.

Because dad is always full geared while the kid has a helmet on and that's it.
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[Mr Hammers]

I'd love to take my boy about (he's 10), but his mum goes apoplectic if we even try to discuss it. She was hit by a car on her moped years ago, and is very, very anti-bike.
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[Tonka]

The people I ride out with take their kids along. One is now 15 but she's been out on her Dad's bike for years. The other two are 11 and the girl loves coming out with her Dad, the boy is less fussed. Getting gear seems to be the biggest issue as they keep outgrowing it!

If they are keen and you are sensible I see no reason why not. You'd take them kayaking, climbing or horse riding without expecting other people's criticism, so I don't really see why going out on the bike is any more dangerous.

BTW I don't have kids, so can't speak from experience, but I was allowed to be as dangerous as I chose as a kid and I'm still alive and kicking!
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[yuri2085]

I try and pursuade my pillions to wear my textile trousers especially if they are wearing less than jeans. Although I have only once let them wear my precious jacket.
I have had people on in t-shirts but only after they insist they are appy with it.


On topic I think its fine as long as you keep your child in at least as much gear as you are happy wearing, i'm gonna say more.

[Louise]

Josh is 5 and has been able to touch the pegs for months but I just wont allow him on the back.
Takes one idiot to pull out on you and that child wont have the strength to try and at least hold on.
Josh will go on the back but not for a while longer

[Paulington]

I'm pretty sure the youngest I went on the back of Dad's was when I was 11/12 on his GSF1200 Bandit, anything below 10 in my opinion is a bit young.
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[map]

[sagalout]

Both my kids come for rideouts with me (ages 10 and 11 but both been on the bike since they were about 7)

I bought them the proper kit and ride very very carefully (obviously). They both love it, and kids need a bit of adventure in their lives these days. My mrs wasnt overly happy at the prospect, but my daughter has horse riding lessons, so once I pointed out that that was a lot more dangerous she relented.
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[Jayd]

I'll take the other half's kids on the back one day. That day being when I've sorted a bigger bike, got them a lid apiece, a jacket and gloves. I only wear jeans on the bike, and I'll wear exactly the same as what the kids wear. They're both 11 or over.

[mooserx]

[thewildblue]

My 5 yr old son is fully kitted out with proper textile jacket and trousers, proper bike boots, kids fullf ace helmet and gloves, dropped close to 400 notes kitting him up. He loves it, holds on very tight and does as he is told. He knows to tap me twice is there is something bothering bothering him.

Ive taken him on the 10r (he fits in the seat with me and has his foot on the pegs properlly) and I take him on the versys as well. You ride so defensively and it really keeps you on your toes as like whats said above its precious cargo. Stick to the limits everywhere, slow lane on motorways and dual carriage ways, minimal filtering. I try and avoid motorways to be honest but seeing as he lives within the m25 and Im up the a1 sometimes you dont have a choice.

You get a mixture of strange looks from ppl, most smile and wave but occasionally you get a dirty look.

The way I look on it is, look at all the parents that put their children on horses....far more are injured that way and although most are tame they are still animals and so can be flighty.

My son is a car/bike addict and is very aware of the road it appears, when out in the car he will comment on other drivers habits and if they are good or not. When cycling his bike, stops at every junction, look ahead etc. But then again Ive had him riding his LT50 quad since he was 3 on and off, so he is learning alot.

Funniest thing is watchign him play on the xbox, he can wheelie bikes in PGR4 and counter steer in forza 2 with the wheel.

Wish I had been that good at his age.

[neil.]

Just checked to see if my 6 year old step daughter can reach the pegs yet and she can, so I asked her if she'd like the idea of having a ride on the back and she said "YES! Can I have a pink helmet please, and can we go up to the shops for a special treat one day, and to the park?" Up until now she and her younger brother have both liked sitting on the back as I paddle the bike back into the garage. Time to get her kitted up...
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[Moonie]

Should be fine once they're 14, just keep it under 122mph.
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[mad4it028]

i take my 12 yo daughter on the back she has full leathers that i bought 2nd hand for £50 boots and gloves helmit ect
i ride extra carefull shes never been over 80mph (on a motorway)
although she tells everyone shes been 150mph lol i let her get on with it local kids think shes cool...lmao

my twins are 8 i wouldnt trust them to hold on
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[KevTM]

I remember being in primary school getting picked up by my dad on this KLR250, oh I remember the spider-man waterproofs (mine, not my dads )... so that would make me around 9 or 10.

I can't see a problem with it really, as long as they're sensible (both the kid & rider) and know what to do/not to do.

Kids probably have more chance getting knocked down whilst out playing on the road, or riding their bike down a hill at 30mph.

[kawakid]

[ncrn]

When I was 2 my dad took my up and down the street sat in front of him on his bike , think it might have something to do with why I'm so obsessed with them..

Anyway, personally I wouldn't be happy with anyone under about 12, maybe even 14, just because I feel the kid has got to be strong enough to hold on properly and sensible enough not to try anything stupid. But then tbh I tend to be really picky about who I will and won't take on the back so I might just be a bit picky.
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[Bofh5]

My sons been pillion for a year now (he's 14) and has boots jacket gloves etc and even fits my 1 piece !

Agree that intercoms are good so you let them know if anything dodgy is about to happen.
Also ride like a saint and am very protective and have had a few rants and cagers which i wouldnt have done if i was on my own.

He wants a bike when he's 16 but god only knows what the test will be like by the time he's 17.
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[AilleantSian]

my husband brings his son on his bike, he is 10, we have fitted him out with complete kit and also got 'love handles' for ease of him holding on.

We weren't sure to start with if he would be ok or like it on the back but had to plan for the event if I was not well (which happens are fair bit ) and i am unable to drive him back to his mums on the sunday evening, that we have a way to get him home.

We took him out on an industrial estate first to see how he would go, and he love it . We have since taken him on some ride outs and now every time we pick him up he keeps asking if we can go for a ride.

yes there is risk factors, but there is risk factors in every day happenings . As long as all precautions are taken and they are kitted out, I dont see a problem with it at all.

There has been rides out we have done, where we have taken some food in my panniers and a camping stove and stopped at some lovely sites and had our breakfast and then lunch. Seeing we don't have him all the time it is so good to see them enjoying the day doing something they love together and seeing some lovely countryside.

[Moonie]

[acydbyrn]

Thanks for the great response everybody.

I think you have all made excellent points.

imho kids generally love bikes. I go past a school each morning and if the 'lollipop man' stops there is always a couple of kids (age 5/6) that wave and if you give em a little wave back they go trotting off into school with a grin like the cheshire cat on their faces!

[steppen22]

Think it depends on the kid.

And the ride.

A trip to the shops, mostly 30's, 2 miles down the road is okay I think for a 8yo+ kid.

But I think for proper riding, anything under say, 13, is not wise.

If you have the gear
And if you're riding sensibly.

Doing 150 mph whhelies with a 3 year old on the back, obviously not cool. A sedate, ultra sensible ride within legal speeed limits with a kitted out 12+ kid who has some experience as a pillion, why not?

Obviously, though, you're always going to get work colleages, etc, who think you're an irresponsible father however sfe you're riding.
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[sagalout]

[Rottweiler]

started going on the back of my dads bike when i was about 8 was fine i could hold on fine even when accelerating fair hard. Dont think i would of been strong enough for the pillon grab rail but round the waist was fine.
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