How young is too young...

[FJRGuy]

At what age/size do people think it is safe to take children for a ride on the FJR?

Now I'm not talking about 80MPH through the twisties, I'm talking about sub-30MPH crawls through residential areas.

Any thoughts?

 

[fjrchik]

I was on the back of Dad's Gold wing as soon as my feet could reach the pegs. Good thing I was a tall kid! I've always thought that was a good way of judging.

 

[Rondo777]

I have always used the reach the pegs rule as my measuring tool. In most cased that puts them at at least 10 - 12 years old

 

[daddysbike]

I've been wondering the same thing since I have a 4yr old boy and 6yr old girl. I decided at minimum they must be able to reach pegs (floorboards on my wing) and trust not to fall asleep. My 6 yr old girl is likely a year or two away. I'll start with 30 minute rides around town and progress as they are willing and able to. Ultimately I plan to take them on 3 day rides along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Steve

 

[ynotride]

I would say until they can reach the pegs.

In the meantime you can buy him his own bike like I did. He started reacing at 4 on a jr50 with training wheels he is now 7 and rides the 65 :clapping:

 

[Wicked Webby]

Minnesota requires a Child (with a Helmet) to be large enough to reach the foot pegs and be mature enough to secure themselves to the M/C.

 

[wheatonFJR]

When they are old enough to safely stay on the bike and you do not have to worry about them falling off or dozing off...no matter what evasive maneuvers you might need to perform.

As an aside, everyone has to make their own decisions regarding riding with their children. Just don't be fooled into thinking that riding around in a subdivsion is going to guarantee that no harm or injury comes to your precious kids. There are certain variables in each riding setting that are out of the motorcycle operator's hands.

We can obviously attempt to mitigate or minimize the chances of serious injury by protective gear and motorcycle operating expertise. However, sometimes...**** happens.

BTW, I have given all my kids and wife rides on the bike at some point or another...so I'm not saying NOT to do it.

So to each their own.

 

[LDRydr]

It was 8 for my daughter. She rode with me all the time, until college and work took priority over spending time with her old man.

From a 2003 trip to Idaho

 

[tstaff]

I've taken my 4 year old around the block a few times.

I won't do much more than that until he can reach the pegs, at least that's what I tell my wife.

He's an old pro as well, just ask him.

 

[HaulinAshe]

I was riding my own motorcycle at age-3. I can't remember exactly when I had my first ride on the street as a passenger, but I'm sure it was somewhere around age-6 or 7. Probably could not reach the pegs since I was NOT an unusually "large" child. (Put all those thoughts aside and let's get on with the discussion...)

I've heard the "when they can reach the pegs" rule many times. I think it's a good one for all-around guidance. On a bike like the FJR I would say it's a must. On something like a GW with the armrests for support, IMO it has more to do with attention span than anything else.

How long will they sit and watch TV without getting up or moving around in the chair. That's about how long a ride you can expect on the bike.

Intercom system makes a huge difference for me. I started riding my youngest daughter at a much earlier age on the FJR, simply because I could talk to her, make sure she wasn't falling asleep and hear from her. You sure can't see them behind you when you are old and fat like me.

 

[Silent]

I started out sitting in the tank on my dads old Suzuki (think that's what it was, hell, I was only 4) I held onto the crossbar.

It's got to be your choice as to if they are old enough or not. As for ridding on the back, I'd have to agree that reaching the pegs is a must, and even then it's your decision as to if they are capable and to what degree.

 

[mdisher]

"When they can reach the pegs" is a good rule of thumb. My 8 year old can just reach now, she couldn't last year.

All my kids to do well, but the 8 year old is a bit 'brave' and a bit squirmy trying to see. We have a rule that she must keep at least one hand on me at all times. I'm constantly reaching back to tap her on the legs to make sure she's still there.

We don't go far... Out for lunch and back mostly, or to go shopping at the Dollar store if that's what she wants to do.

30 minutes is about all they can stand at that age attention wise.

 

[vandy]

My daughter wouldn't let my grandson ride till he was in preschool and he hasn't really been on the back of the bike for more than 10 minutes at a time.

The first ride I never took it out of first gear and he thought were really going fast but I doubt that I broke the 25 mph.

But in my younger days when there weren't any real laws or at least they weren't enforced where I lived it was a different story.

I bought the smallest helmet available with the extra padding for a small head.

Then I made a harness that went over my shoulders and around my daughters waist.

Next came a strap from my chest to the snaps on the face mask of her helmet because her neck muscles weren't really built up for holding a helmet yet.

We would go on rides of 5 to 15 minutes and she loved it..

She didn't say much yet because she hadn't turned 2 yet but the smiles and laughing while getting ready and what ever words she was able to say at that young age were priceless.

Would I do it again at that age?

Not a chance.

But I do think for short 5 to 10 minute rides in a non traffic area with a child of 4 to 5 years isn't a problem depending on the child

To go out on the highway or for 30 minutes that's where for me I would use the reach the pegs rule.

I think the lack of traffic so you control the circumstances is very important for the child's first rides.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

+1 on many of the responses so far. My youngest is 6 and can reach the pegs fine. He and I have setup nonverbal communication that works well, though I'd love to get the Autocomm to be able to chat with him. I tap on his left knee and he bounces his leg to let me know he's still awake which became vital as our last trip was 600 miles and didn't get home until much later than we had planned due to an unforeseen detour. I currently am waiting for new gear for him being custom built by Wayne over at Motoport. He's my most precious cargo! As said previously, there are no guarantees that no matter how slow or safe we try to be, there will always be the risk of the unforeseen. Common sense is always the best judge.

 

[tstaff]

Don't worry, there are people crazier than we are;

 

[Rondo777]

I'm constantly reaching back to tap her on the legs to make sure she's still there.

Make sure you do it often, you dont want to get too far only to find shes not there have to back track all that way

 

[mdisher]

I'm constantly reaching back to tap her on the legs to make sure she's still there.

Make sure you do it often, you dont want to get too far only to find shes not there have to back track all that way

She's fine, but they don't weigh anything, you don't know there back there unless you check Though I'd probalby feel it if she came off, cause probably wouldnt go gently

 

[Knifemaker]

I had a freind that had a Norton Commando that he had made a set of footpegs for that fit under the rear of the gas tank. He built a bar around the back of the tank too, so his 3 year old son could sit on the bike on the seat in front of him, and use the pegs for his feet and the bar around the back of the tank to hold on to.

This to me sounded like a much safer place for the child. No worries about him falling off as he was in front of the driver. If for some horrid reason the bike went down, it be easy to snatch the child in your arms and take him with you (hopefully in a low side slide on your back)

KM

 

[docsulivan]

At what age/size do people think it is safe to take children for a ride on the FJR?Now I'm not talking about 80MPH through the twisties, I'm talking about sub-30MPH crawls through residential areas.

Any thoughts?

Agree with the basic safety concept of reaching the foot pegs, as well as the "maturity" to follow and have the comprehension of why to adhere to rules set(usually around 7-10 years old...much later/never for others). I would say the ADHD kid that has problems listening and not running/jumping while on 2 legs may not do to well once on 2 wheels. Remember bored kids like to swing and move thier legs, poke at stuff with thier fingers, and can get things caught in moving parts.

Interesting also to note the recent posting of the NSTA report on fatal motorcycle accidents that stated they occur less on highway than rural road.

My 2 cents...

Doc