How Old Should They Be?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
How Old Should They Be?
My soon-to-be 5 year old daughter LOVES riding with me on the bike to the end of the driveway before I leave on it. She always wants me to get enough speed (zoom) to make her hair blow in the wind. I would love to take her on a longer ride, but I'm scared to death that she might fall off (I have a tour pack), or God forbid we'd get in a crash. Obviously I wouldn't be taking her on the highway or heavy traffic routes, only low speed back roads. How old were your kids before you took them for a ride on the streets? What kind of protective gear is available for small children? If I take her on a ride, I'd probably have her looking like Ralphie's little brother from "A Christmas Story". Would love to hear some input on this.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 92
From: Michigan
Law says the rider must be able to reach the foot boards.
My grandson will have to be able to sit with his back against the backrest and feet planted on the foot boards before he rides with me, cant wait!
My grandson will have to be able to sit with his back against the backrest and feet planted on the foot boards before he rides with me, cant wait!
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 937
Likes: 22
From: Ontario, Canada
My soon-to-be 5 year old daughter LOVES riding with me on the bike to the end of the driveway before I leave on it. She always wants me to get enough speed (zoom) to make her hair blow in the wind. I would love to take her on a longer ride, but I'm scared to death that she might fall off (I have a tour pack), or God forbid we'd get in a crash. Obviously I wouldn't be taking her on the highway or heavy traffic routes, only low speed back roads. How old were your kids before you took them for a ride on the streets? What kind of protective gear is available for small children? If I take her on a ride, I'd probably have her looking like Ralphie's little brother from "A Christmas Story". Would love to hear some input on this.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: North East Florida
Reference this link to verify your state laws: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...spx?stateid=14
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 6
From: New Hampshire
For me it wasn't an age...it was when they "fit" on the back: feet planted on the pegs, able to manage their own handholds, be it me, the sissy bar, whatever. That also coincided with them being old enough to understand the concept of not fighting against the lean of the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
That defies any common sense. Better yet let's just call that what it is. F*ckin' stupid. Either one.
To the question: My daughter rode with me as soon as her feet could reach the floorboards / pegs, maybe 6 years old.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 338
Likes: 23
From: Wisconsin
Cut up a set of Heritage rear passenger pegs and put them on the saddle bag guards with lid bra. Won't work with a knew model :-( Had the kids on early.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 242
Likes: 9
From: Gibbsboro NJ
I 'm kinda older. One kid was in front of Me on My XLCH By 3 yo. She wanted so bad to ride with daddy. Side roads no traffic. Other kid, not so interested. Maybe 8 for her on the back. Had 6 Yo grand baby on back with Tour pac, feet bouncing on bags last summer.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 22
Likes: 14
From: Tennessee
Carried my oldest to 1 st grade everyday on a old xs1100 yammhammer (only transportation at that point in life) wife got to drive the cager the teachers and other parents thought i was crazy offered to drive the car they wanted to buy couldn't get any takers that was 30 something years ago.