Carrying Children...

[inspiron]

My riding buddy, Daniela, asked if I wanted to go for a ride today. It's sunny and warm - perfect riding weather. Dani is a mother of two children - an 8-year-old boy, and 6-year-old girl. She has been taking her son on rides for the past two years, and now she felt that her daughter was also old enough (and tall enough) to ride too.

So, she asked me if I would mind taking her son as a passenger, so her daughter could ride with her.

We first went up to Basel (there was an open house at the Suzuki dealership), then headed over into Germany to ride some twisties. There is a really great road (about 8 miles of curves) that I wanted to show her. So we headed that way.

The ride was fantastic. The kids were both excellent passengers - the held on and paid attention. We rode something like 150 miles in 7 hours (we made lots of stops so that the kids don't get tired).

I am, however, absolutely beat. Riding alone (as I do, 99.9% of the time), I am responsible for myself. But carrying a passenger - a child - is a whole new level of responsibility. Dani trusted me with the life of her children. Wow. Throughout the ride, my concentration was at 120% - I just couldn't take any chance that something could happen to this child sitting behind me.

For those of you who carry passengers, especially children ... how do you deal with the burdon of this responsibility?

(And before anyone asks - YES, both children were wearing proper gear. Children's motorcycle helmets, riding jackets, kidney belts, knee protectors and hiking boots.)

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

First, Congrats on what's sounds like a great ride.
It must be a good feeling to have a friend like Dani who trusts you with what must be her most precious possessions.

Your timing with this post is incredible.

I rode 2-up for the first time today (a short ride with my wife and a bit longer ride with my 7yr old son).

The rides were very unexpected, it was just something we decided to do.
My wife had been adamant about 2 things when it comes to my motorcycling:
1. She will not ride with me until the kids are no longer financially dependent of us.
2. The children can not ride with me until they have turned 10 yrs old.

Well, both of those went out the window today and BOY! am I surprised.

My wife enjoyed it and I think we might sneak another ride or two without having to wait 15yrs for the kids to move out.

Now regarding my son. For being his 1st time on the bike and my 1st time riding 2-up, I think all went perfectly.
I gave him a good lesson about being a good passenger and he practiced getting on/off the bike a few times before we even started the engine. I hope today was the first of many more rides with my wife or son.

But I digress. More to your question inspiron.

I have been very worried about riding 2-up with my son ever since buying the bike. Upon seeing the bike for the 1st time, he immediately asked for a ride.

I was willing to wait until he was 10 up until recently.
I work with families who've lost loved ones as part of my profession.
That's all I do 8 hrs a day, and, unfortunately, I recently noticed that lots of those loved ones who've died are younger than me (I'm 37).
So, I've been thinking a lot about riding with my son now, cuz I may not have a chance later. I think that the rewards are much greater than the risks.

So long as the kid knows how to be a good passenger and can stay vigilent while riding be happy at the opportunity to share this wonderful sport/hobby.

I'm glad my son and I rode today. Sure I would have felt terrible if something would have happenned, but guess what? I would feel worse if I lost him before he turned 10 and we'd never ridden together. I also hate to think that I might have died before he's 10 and he'd never been given a chance to ride with dad.

From what you said, your passenger was well schooled on how to be a good 2-up rider. Enjoy the ride like you enjoy life.....in otherwords: Don't worry too much, relax, and be happy, cuz it can all be taken from us in a second. Trust those skills you have worked hard to develop while on 2 wheels. You and Dani have probably given those children a ride today that they will remember the rest of their life.

[NHMarauder]

I remember riding as a passenger when I was 10 years old. We lived in Germany at the time and my friend’s father had a bike. After getting my parents permission, he showed me the bike, explained to me what I needed to do to be safe and he had me practice getting on and off the bike as well as leaning it with me on it (the engine was off). Then we went for a ride up and down the mountain. It was a wonderful experience. I can still remember the thrill of the ride. Looking back I am glad that he was willing to take the burden of responsibility that he did. It was a great first ride.

[Sandman]

Sounds like you had a great ride!

I understand how you feel. I don’t often ride 2-up either, maybe a dozen times in the past year with either the wife or one of my 2 boys (age 11, 13). Though I do enjoy having them along immensely, I also find it mentally exhausting at the same time. Like you said, concentration is at 120% at all time because you want to do all you can to protect/keep your precious cargo safe, and in your case, I would venture to say higher as you were in the twisties.

Ultimately for me it’s a balancing act, the risk of taking my family members for the ride and the reward of the two of us sharing in the experience the ride has to offer.

[Clint]

Wow. I'd never have thought you could take kids that young on such a long ride! I'm glad it went well.

[New_rider417]

On a similar note...
I don't personally remember my very first ride, but I've seen the pictures and I remember spending a fair amound of time on one when I was little. From looking at the pictures and what my mom tells me I was probably about three when I got my first bike ride. My uncle would put a pillow on the tank of his Harley and then wrap anywhere from 2-4 leather belts around the two of us to strap us together and we'd be off and free. My uncle now lives about four hours away so I don't get to see him all that often anymore. The last time I went to see him when it was actually riding weather we woke up early and decided to go on a short sunrise ride around town. We walked out to the shop where his now 10+ Harleys sit and he offered me choice for the morning. For some reason or another I chose one of his 59 Hardtails and he got on his 04 Road King. The ride was so peaceful at that time of morning cruising along with no one else on the road. After about 30 minutes we got back to his house and he snapped a couple pics of me on the bike with a little tear in his eye. Its when we went back in the house and he showed me the picture of my first ride that he told me I had picked the very same Harley from my first ride 20 years earlier. Although riding at the age of 3 with little or no gear strapped onto my uncle wasn't the smartest choice either of us has made. Its something that I won't ever forget and I'm sure it's something that neither my uncle or myself would ever change.

[Fishpart]

New_rider417 Man what a great story! We should all have been so lucky!

[Philly Rider]

My oldest daughter is in high school and in the nice weather I give her a ride to school - just about every day. I have been doing so for the past two years. At this point she is 17 and really an adult rider rather than a child rider. We have also gone on few longer (100 miles or so) rides in the summer. That said I am more "on-guard" if you will, when riding two-up. I am relate to Inspiron about being "beat" after the ride.

I also have an 11 year old daughter who I have not yet had on the bike. I am simply reluctant to take her on the bike at age 11. I feel that is still too young.

[blkronin]

I have five children. The oldest is turning 15 and the youngest wll be turning 5. I have taken the 15, the 13, and 11 year olds on rides, but limit the 6 and 4 year olds to parking lot rides. I just think that they are still too you for the open road. the parking lots and dead end roads give them a feel of being on the motorcycle and help them learn how to be pssengers. I also do this with adult passengers who have never been on a motorcycle before. They tend to want to lean away from the turn so I have to train them not to fight me when I am leaning into the turns.

[themeatmanlandry]

After high-siding and doing so much damage to the new bike, I don't think I'll ever ride a passenger again. The thought of someone else getting tossed like that . . . and it being MY fault . . . doesn't appeal to me. Especially if it were a kid.

Glad you had a good time.

[Apertureguy]

Personnally, I'm waiting for mine to get a good job so they can start carrying me for a while.

Oh wait...that's probably not what you meant.



Yeah, that would be nice...but the wife would never allow the kids to ride on the "real" road. Our neighborhood street is OK...but no further.

[mcgill]

don't know what the law is every where else but here in Arkansas they have to be 8 and up to be a passenger...I let my little 6yo girl set on the back in the garage but she's so short that she cant hardly touch the foot pegs...

[SKTR]

All kinds of life lessons mentioned here guys. Personally with my 3 sons, we had the good fortune to live on 3 1/2 acres, had started them all on regular bikes at about age 4, and multispeed bikes after a couple years. That all done with safety headgear and usually elbow pads and some kind of gloves. Couple that with this old man harping about riding safely etc, I felt was a good pre-lim to buying an 80cc dirt bike for use in my yard. That all went well. Truthfully I didn't own a bike during those years, so didn't face the choices you are speaking of. In judgement now, I would have any rider have some experience on 2 wheels, then secondly have their physical stature be sufficient to sit the motorcycle and fit it. I agree that it really increases the level of responsibility at least it does for me. Since acquiring my bike, have had only adult riders going 2-up with me. Most importantly, I think it is critical, to be very explicit to them about your expectations of them as passengers. Then some parking lot practices with critiques before doing any road ride. I believe it helps both the driver and passenger to experience the short practice rides first.

[Atlas68]

My wife and 3 daughters (17, 15, 12) love to ride. In fact, there is usually a lineup on sunny days LOL. We don't stress about the 'what if's'. I pay more than the usual attention when carrying a passenger, which takes a little more effort, but still find great pleasure sharing the experience.

[rugerguy45]

My kids (9yo & 7yo) love to ride. I have never taken them on a busy street and not above 25mph. Maybe when they get a little older I will do some longer rides. They don't care about how fast, or how far, so why push it.

[introriff]

If they can reach the pegs, they are old enough to ride IMO. Training them and mentoring them to "do as I do", quickly builds their trust in my riding skills. If I did not trust my riding skills, I wouldn't even entertain the thought of passengering anyone.

My 9 year old LOVES to ride. Lots of "wows" when I took her through downtown Nashville during off peak hours. The buildings towering above, the people walking around, smells of restaurants, and being in the open air is pretty spectacular. She also likes to ride in a group. The only place that I have not taken her is on the freeway.

My four year old cries when her sissy gets to ride and she doesn't. There are several more inches in the height department before she qualifies.

I tend to focus on my shifting and braking to keep everything at peak smoothness whenever I have a passenger (size and age doesn't really matter). I want them to enjoy it, and want them to look forward to riding (with me) again.

=ike=

[Trapper]

Anyone use the Child Riding Belt? A friend of mine used it with great success and only used it if he thought his daughter was sleepy in the last couple of years. I am hoping he'll sell it to me this year. As of yet , my girls (7&9) have not been on the bike.

[Wuby The Wabbit]

When I used to ride with smurf.......I would stear the bike(figuratively speaking of course) lol I was about 3 inches tall and 25lbs. heavier. We dont ride together that much anymore. He has a good story to tell Ill let him tell it if he ever looks at this thread.

[RiderzRagzGuy]

Hey Trapper, I think I can help with the Child Riding Belt idea for you if you are interested.

I operate a Motorcycle Riding clothing & accessories business called "Riderz Ragz", one of the companies that sell the "Child Riding Belts".

My wife and I bought one for our son 6 years ago and have gotten many fun rides out of it over the years and my son totally loved it and always wants a "Ride on Dad's or Mom's Harley". Then when our daughter was born we "shared" the belt between the two of them and "gave turns riding on Harley" but that didn't last long as they would fight over who should go first, who had a longer turn etc.

So we decided to buy another one so my wife and I can each take our Harley's and both of our kids on the same ride at the same time! Only I loved the belt so much I decided to become a "Dealer" of the Child Riding Belts because we were always getting other bikers asking us where we got them and that they too wanted one! Needless to say they sell really well and I can honestly tell my customers (from personal experience) that they are a very safe and secure way to share your Motorcycle riding experience with your kids. My son (and daughter too) quite often fall asleep after about 10 or 15 minutes of riding but they never fall off or when we sometimes hit a pot hole or bump in the road they don't go "bouncing off". Of course I drive a lot slower and safer when they are on the back (when I'm by myself that's a different story).

So although taking a child on the back of motorcycle may not appeal to everyone, I encourage those that would consider it to check out the Child Riding Belt, as it is a very safe and secure way of enjoying the Motorcycle Riding Experience with your kid(s). I've even sold them to Cops who ride Motorcycles and they say they are a very secure product.

Thanks for letting me add to this forum and I invite anyone interested in a child riding belt to visit our web site Zen Cart! , eventually I will be having our own line of rough, ragged looking biker clothing offered on the site as well but I need more funds to get that goal up and running. I’m only running this newly started up business on a part-time basis at present.

And if anyone one is reading this and happens to live in or near Calgary Alberta Canada and they purchase a Child Riding Belt, I'll personally deliver the belt to them with no shipping charges at all (just the cost of the belt and applicable G.S.T. taxes). I believe in good products and equally good service!

Also if anyone is interested, I have one "Brand New" Child-Riding-Belt[/color]_W0QQitemZ160106770873QQihZ006QQcategoryZ34355QQss PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]Child Riding Belt on auction right now on E-Bay that ends around 4pm (Mountian Standard Time) Saturday April 21st. I think the highest bid (when I last checked) was $ 145 (Canadian Currency) and they are retailing now for $165 (Canadian Currency).

I have included an attached picture with a collage of images, one of which is of my wife with her bike and our son using his Child Riding Belt when he was about 2 years old.

If you have any questions, comments and/or concerns with this regard I'd be happy to hear them so please send them via my e-mail brian@riderzragz.com


Ride Safe,
RiderzRagzGuy

[DragonRider]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Anyone use the Child Riding Belt? A friend of mine used it with great success and only used it if he thought his daughter was sleepy in the last couple of years. I am hoping he'll sell it to me this year. As of yet , my girls (7&9) have not been on the bike.

Wow, Trapper. I have not seen this product before. Never knew there was such a thing,and it looks like it's very well engineered. I especially like the neck brace kind of like the Hans-like device used in NASCAR on the harness.

I have three grandkids and have so far not had the confidence to even think about taking them with me,if my daughter would even let me. I just could not bear to think of them falling off in my care. It sincerely would kill me to have anything happen to them.
I on the other hand I could see me using this to take them out and feel pretty secure in them not falling off(my biggest fear). I would love to take them with me. I think they would love to go. My grandkids are grandson 12,granddaughters 10 and 7. Also grandson 1 yr old(long way before he goes anywhere). My grandson is kind of small for his age so I would feel better with the belt,I think he would be OK with it just to go out riding.
I am thinking about this very hard,and may have to give it a try.

I think riding with them would form a special bond.

Thanks,Michael