Riding with the Grandkid
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Riding with the Grandkid
ALrighty,
the 5 year old grandkid has worked up the nerve to say he wants to go for a ride with grandpa. I have an 05 FLHTC and not 100% confident he will stay planted in the rear seat. Anyone got a safe method to ride a youngin? In front of me or behind? Is it legal if his legs wont reach a peg/floorboard?
Anyone got some good info to share?
the 5 year old grandkid has worked up the nerve to say he wants to go for a ride with grandpa. I have an 05 FLHTC and not 100% confident he will stay planted in the rear seat. Anyone got a safe method to ride a youngin? In front of me or behind? Is it legal if his legs wont reach a peg/floorboard?
Anyone got some good info to share?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca.
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
ORIGINAL: 64duo
ALrighty,
the 5 year old grandkid has worked up the nerve to say he wants to go for a ride with grandpa. I have an 05 FLHTC and not 100% confident he will stay planted in the rear seat. Anyone got a safe method to ride a youngin? In front of me or behind? Is it legal if his legs wont reach a peg/floorboard?
Anyone got some good info to share?
ALrighty,
the 5 year old grandkid has worked up the nerve to say he wants to go for a ride with grandpa. I have an 05 FLHTC and not 100% confident he will stay planted in the rear seat. Anyone got a safe method to ride a youngin? In front of me or behind? Is it legal if his legs wont reach a peg/floorboard?
Anyone got some good info to share?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
If you pick up any issue of American Iron magazine there is always an advertisement for a safety system designed specifically for riding with kids 7 and younger. It consists of special little stirrups for their feet and hand loops that secure to the riders belt/belt loops. Unfortunately, I don't have an issue handy. Maybe someone else on the forum will know the name of the company.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 371
Likes: 2
From: Escondido, CA
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
My grandson was intimidated by the road king when i first got it last year. He was 3 and did not want to sit on it at first. He said that "Harley was sleeping". He has come to like it and we work on it and go for a ride every time he come over.
I have him sit behind me and hold on to my belt or shirt. I can monitor his strength of hold and tell him to hold on tighter if needed. I go very slow on my cul-de-sac, maybe 15 to 20 mph. I have not gone out on a bigger street yet. He wears his helmet and his head is on my back and I can feel him if his moves away. If needed, I reach back with left hand and pull him back to my back. After about 10 minutes he is ready to head back in and has had a great time. He loves to ride with me.
I think the law in CA says they must touch feet on pegs to be safe and legal, so we won't venture out very far until then.
I have him sit behind me and hold on to my belt or shirt. I can monitor his strength of hold and tell him to hold on tighter if needed. I go very slow on my cul-de-sac, maybe 15 to 20 mph. I have not gone out on a bigger street yet. He wears his helmet and his head is on my back and I can feel him if his moves away. If needed, I reach back with left hand and pull him back to my back. After about 10 minutes he is ready to head back in and has had a great time. He loves to ride with me.
I think the law in CA says they must touch feet on pegs to be safe and legal, so we won't venture out very far until then.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
My grandson is 4 and loves to ride. Fortunately he is a skinny little thing. My wife and I stick him between us and cruise around the neighborhood. I still hesitant about letting him ride with me alone. When he rides with us the one thing he repeats over and over is 'grandpa...go faster!!!
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
Bad news is I ride by myself nearly always. I agree, no highway rides at this point. Just a few swings thru the neighborhood. But, I still can't decide in front of or behind me. Certainly I'll be able to see him slip if he is up front.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
you can go in front or behind for little trips in the neighborhood, the big factor is making sure the little one is clear of those pipes.
My kids rode with me from the time they were old enough to understand what they had to do to be safe. My daughter went to kindergarten almost everyday on the back of my GPz... she hung her helmet on her coat hook in school.
proper gear is a must.
My kids rode with me from the time they were old enough to understand what they had to do to be safe. My daughter went to kindergarten almost everyday on the back of my GPz... she hung her helmet on her coat hook in school.
proper gear is a must.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
Sorry.... I have fought within my heart with this one, as I have a four year old grandduaghter who wants to ride. You can stick an oversize helmet on, think you take all the precautions, but in the end nothing made since except a safe and happy life for her....
A motorcycle is what it is, when we pretend it is anything else we should step off. Only an ADULT can understand the dangers... Love your little ones and protect them....that is what parents and grandparents do....
Hogback
A motorcycle is what it is, when we pretend it is anything else we should step off. Only an ADULT can understand the dangers... Love your little ones and protect them....that is what parents and grandparents do....
Hogback
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
RE: Riding with the Grandkid
As a gereral rule most kids to not have the motor skills to sit still long enough for a ride until they are 10 years old. Now of course most of us can't wait that long.
My 9 year old niece has ridden with me on several charity rides. She can't reach the floor boards. She puts her feet on the saddle bag crash bars and her knees up against my back holding on to the hand holds. This works great I know where she is all the time if she moves I know it. Her 12 year old sister is taller and likes to ride. However, on long rides she tends to fall asleep.
I spent much time explaining to them what not to touch how to be a passenger. Several short rides before they could go on a long ride. After each ride I asked them about the ride and if they had questions. That has helped make them feel more comfortable on future rides.
My 9 year old niece has ridden with me on several charity rides. She can't reach the floor boards. She puts her feet on the saddle bag crash bars and her knees up against my back holding on to the hand holds. This works great I know where she is all the time if she moves I know it. Her 12 year old sister is taller and likes to ride. However, on long rides she tends to fall asleep.
I spent much time explaining to them what not to touch how to be a passenger. Several short rides before they could go on a long ride. After each ride I asked them about the ride and if they had questions. That has helped make them feel more comfortable on future rides.