Riding with a child on board?


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nlpyle

New Member
So I was curious what you think about haveing a child on your back seat?
The reason I ask is the state of Washington it is a law the children under 5 are not allowed to ride on bikes. And children between 5-12 be able to reach the pegs, wear a DOT helmet and have either a back rest or something to hold on to( arms around the adult) While I agree with that I don't feel as though that is enough.
It is interesting that in cars you have to ride in a booster seat until I think something like you are at least eighty pounds and You can't ride in the front seat until you are at least 13 but also have to be over 4 feet something. Just seems be a lot more laws for children in cars rather than on bikes. With this summer coming up I can only remember last summer where a father was riding with a child on the back and the child had on shorts, t-shirt, tennie shoes, and a helmet that didn't really seem to fit all that well. I don't have kids of my own but I really think you would want to take better care of them. I ride only with gear on and have had my fare share of close calls. I can only imagine having a close call with a child on the back.

Maybe I am over reacting. I just think there should be a little more seriousness with children on motorcycles like there are with children in automobiles. So I would like to know how you all feel about that. Thanks for your time.
 
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arkkornkid

New Member
I remember riding on the back of my dad's Goldwing when I was 10 or younger, basically just held on to him. Granted it had back support so I wouldn't just fly off the back....

and this is what developed my love for motorcycles and so I can't help but smile on the rare occasion that I see a kid on the back of a bike.

Personally, I wouldn't ride a kid on a sportbike. Having said that, I think a reasonably sensible rider knows his own child and whether or not they have the common sense to be a good passenger. I tend not to judge other riders (except for the dumba$$es that stunt on the highways).... car drivers: that's a whole other discussion.
 
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ME_with_a_B

New Member
I've seen riders on the expressways with kids on the back... usually the rider has on gear and helmet, kid is in street clothes - no additional protection.

It really disappoints me that certain riders don't have more sense to protect their passengers.

Personally, I don't think kids belong on a bike.

(And if I had kids of my own, they would be forbidden to ride 2up until they were tall enough to touch the ground from the riders seat. "because I said so")
 
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dbw727

New Member
Having 2 younger boys, 5 and 7yo, I wanted to chime in. I had a scooter priot to the 6R and would take my 7yo (then 6) on it in the neighborhood every now and then, full face helmet. With the 6R, I have only taken him out once on neighborhood roads (<30mph) in winter, where he had a helmet and was bundled up in jeans and a thick jacket (even had hime wear my old gloves). I am torn between taking him out occasionally now that it is hot (and he doesn't really have hot weather gear other than jeans and a helmet) and telling him no. If he continues to express and interest, and enjoy his few trips, perhaps I invest in better gear for him tafg along from time to time. I don't think I could ever get comfortable with him on longer rides, in heavy traffic, or at higher speeds. Just not something I want to chance.
 
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joloy133

New Member
Anybody who doesn't protect their child on a motorcycle is a MORON. Repeat a MORON. I have been to motorcycle accidents where I had to literally pick up the pieces of drivers and passengers, as well as do life support and later prepare/preserve the bodies for the coroners office, too many times. It is a selfish, lazy, MORON that gambles and takes this risk with someone else's life, and a child no less! Have people been reading the accidents that just happened on this forum? (Add the child as a passenger in these accidents!) We assume the risk to ride for ourselves, but its a fact of life, some of us are MORONS. FWIW (Sorry for the name calling if it applies to you.)
 
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JonKerr

Senior Member
Elite Member
Personally I don't think kids belong on the back of a streetbike until they've learned to ride a small dirtbike on their own. And even then, they better be able to stand the bike their riding pillion on up by them selves in the rider position. And FULLY GEARED. I won't let my wife ride with me without her gear on, why would you let a child who's not going to think about the consequences of an accident?
 
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DjOrchie

New Member
Bad idea IMO. I am willing to take my life in my own hands getting on a bike, no way would I let someone else no matter how old they are get on the back. You want to get on a bike and risk your life, you better have your own bike and be old enough to ride it. Till then the kids want kicks riding a bike, get a down hill mountain bike and hit the slopes. But hey, what other people do is up to them, this is just how I feel.
 

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