How young is too young?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
Likes: 29
From: Green Country,Oklahoma
Nothing wrong to me.My youngest daughter started at 7 years old,she still rides with me sometimes and she is 19 now.We are closer than my oldest daughter that does not like to ride.I try to do things with just me and her but it is not the same.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
My dad used to take my young nephew with him all the time when riding. He put a seatbelt around my nephew so he would to fall off while riding. I've been riding with my daughter since she was about 8 years old. I never strapped her in, but I gave her a lengthy class on how to be a great passenger.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
Heck yeah, I would have taken her. I started my boy off riding when he was 7 or 8 now he's 22.
Last year my wife and I rode from Kansas City to upstate NY (Americade) 1300 miles each way. She rode her Heritage and I rode my EG Classic with my 9 year old step son on the back. He loved it.
Last year my wife and I rode from Kansas City to upstate NY (Americade) 1300 miles each way. She rode her Heritage and I rode my EG Classic with my 9 year old step son on the back. He loved it.
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Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Thunder Bay, ON Canada
Interesting post, since a buddy and I were just having this conversation. We were at a coffee shop and a man pulled up on his bike with a small child (I would say no more than 4) sitting on the tank with his legs dangling over the engine (and wearing shorts no less!!!). He was obviously too small to sit on the back and hold on.
While I can understand giving a child this small a ride around the back yard / dirt road or even a short trip up and down the street... but this was too much.
If the child can't sit behind you and hold on, then they shouldn't be on the bike.
As for an eight year old on a day trip... if you feel they are safe and secure to stay on the bike and they are comfortable with the speed and distance then I'd say let them enjoy.
While I can understand giving a child this small a ride around the back yard / dirt road or even a short trip up and down the street... but this was too much.
If the child can't sit behind you and hold on, then they shouldn't be on the bike.
As for an eight year old on a day trip... if you feel they are safe and secure to stay on the bike and they are comfortable with the speed and distance then I'd say let them enjoy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 12
From: North Texas
All 5 of my kids (4 girls and 1 boy) started riding with me around the age of 6. By 8 they were taking longer rides (100+ miles). They are all grown now and 3 of them (2 girls and the boy) have bikes of their own. The other 2, well they say they are waiting til their kids are grown.
Now I have 6 grandkids ranging from 7 to 10. They all started riding with Pawpaw at around 6. Now the out of town kids ride with Pawpaw, Grandmaw, Uncle Danny and/or Aunt Sissy whenever they are in town. As for the two that live here, if one of us is on the bike and they are around, they are on it too.
Installed additional pegs on my son's and daughters bike so they could reach and installed adjustable floorboards on mine.
They all have their own helments, riding goggles and leathers (growing out of them quickly) and a place at the house to keep them.
These are times I will remember in my antiquated years (already old).
So go for it. you will have memories to last a life time.
Now I have 6 grandkids ranging from 7 to 10. They all started riding with Pawpaw at around 6. Now the out of town kids ride with Pawpaw, Grandmaw, Uncle Danny and/or Aunt Sissy whenever they are in town. As for the two that live here, if one of us is on the bike and they are around, they are on it too.
Installed additional pegs on my son's and daughters bike so they could reach and installed adjustable floorboards on mine.
They all have their own helments, riding goggles and leathers (growing out of them quickly) and a place at the house to keep them.
These are times I will remember in my antiquated years (already old).
So go for it. you will have memories to last a life time.