Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Kids - Pillion

[Herb]

I took my son out for a spin at the weekend for the first time. (borrowed a bike as mine has a single seat) He is 8.

I got a bollocking from the wife when she found out.

Do any of you take your kids out? Do you think it is irresponsible?

Do any of you have older kids who ride? How do you feel about it?

[jeff st4s]

My son was 7 and a half when he first went on my BMW, he went to Donnington on it last year, this year we went to Mugello (I did trailor the bike to Italy) and Donnington on my Ducati.
I use one of those buddy belt things for him to hold onto when I need him to and he's got a topbox to rest against.
He wears all the right clothing and is aware of his responsibilities on the bike and how to behave (bit grown up, but safety first).
We both love it, maybe me more than him.

[philthy]

I think there are several issues over this.

A child has no real concept of danger. We know the risks and can make a judgement. That child trusts us to keep them safe. Taking a child as pillion is in my opinion putting them at risk.

I don't think I've ever seen a child riding pillion who was wearing a correctly sized helmet. Would you wear a helmet that would fall off if you crashed?

Ditto with leathers / boots /gloves.

Having said that, I appreciate that just living poses a risk and each one of my children has been with me several times on our local egg run, which tends to be at low speeds. Personally I think that poses an acceptable risk, but I wince when I see someone riding at 60+ wlth a child as pillion.

For me it's a once a year occassion which the kids enjoy, but I wouldn't do it regularly.

[jeff st4s]

Originally Posted by philthy

I don't think I've ever seen a child riding pillion who was wearing a correctly sized helmet. Would you wear a helmet that would fall off if you crashed?

Ditto with leathers / boots /gloves.

I can only speak for myself with the kit issue, I know he will grow out or it before he wears it out and good stuff is expensive, but I will not buy the cheap badly made stuff for him.
BMW kids clothing is well made and could get 2 kids use out of it easily, at about £200 for jacket trousers it sounds a lot to spend on a kid, but when my Rukka stuff cost 5 times a much I have no right to be tight with my money.
I have the correct size helmet for him and have it checked regularily at the shop I bought it from for when he need to go up a size he will do, his boots are Moto X ones and gloves he got from babybiker.com

[gary-g]

My daughter started coming for rides with me when she was 7.

We sourced the right gear from the bike shows; a lid from a bargain bin, because all bargain lids are either xxxs or xxxl.

A type B is also a good bet, as they are lighter than an A.

Leathers were bought from a company called Baby Biker, based in Leamington Spa.They operate a part ex deal against new gear, when junior has grown out of it (except lids) and go to all the shows.

I made a pillion belt long before you could buy them and the only difference was that the handles were closer together. that way, under braking he/she can just lean forward and push against the rider for support.

This was the most essential bit of kit, as they lean with you.

The bikes grab handles are useless and passengers are more likely to sit up in corners.

The shop ones have handles at the side, which is a long reach for folk with short arms.

I recently took my 11 year-old nephew out for his first ride and he had no problems with it.

The only legal requirement apart from wearing a lid, is that a passenger must be able to reach the footrests, the rest is down to common sense.

I never went over speed limits or took chances with her on the back.

Other than that, kids enjoy it loads and it's good to have another member of the family on your side !

My daughter has since ditched the biking thing as it ruins her hair - teenagers, pah !!

[Ian]

I started taking my 7 year old son out this summer, - he loves it. "love handles" is the brand name for those pillion handle thingies, - Lizzie put me onto them along time ago, - they give confidence to the pillion, - I made it a rule that he was not allowed to let go, if he wanted me to stop he had to bang me whilst still holding them. It was great to see his happy face peering over my shoulder in the mirror. I would love to bring him out to a DSC meeting as riding in a group of Ducs is the best experience in the world, - and I know from being a youngster (many years ago) on the back of my brothers Triumph bonnie chop it makes you feel like the most important person in the world!

Perhaps we could have a DSC meeting with kids on the back?

[jeff st4s]

Originally Posted by Ian

Perhaps we could have a DSC meeting with kids on the back?

We should, I've already had Oliver out once with the DSC and I think he liked it, bit of a quiet boy at times, but then the noise the Surrey lot make it's hard to get a word in some days.

[phoenix n max]

Hmmm well my experience yesterday.

I ride a monster - My son Jase 19 rides a monster - My daughter Tiff 16 is mad about Ducatis - Both monsters were used in DD this year so I no longer have pillion pegs but Jasons has been put back to standard hangers so yesterdays ride out saw myself on Max - Jason on his with Tiff pillion.

I can say I wasn't a happy mummy really - If they were behind I was constantly watching his overtakes, if he was in front I was watching everymove - He did one overtake I would have considered 'slightly dodgy' and as soon as we got back his first words were ''yes i know'' but Tiff confirmed it was the only one and he only seems to make any mistakes at all when i'm following.

I also have a 9 yr old - legally she can also go pillion now - will she ? Not a hope in hell as far as i'm concerned just yet - to me she's too young - but so is my 19 and 16 yr old !!

In some ways it was nice us all out together enjoying a shared hobby - but I have to confess it's a major worry for me despite Jases excellent abilities.

Tis not right having 2 of my kids hooning around the countryside on 2 wheeled death machines

On the other hand - i'm a riding instructor but couldn't bring myself to let my daughter off the leadrein to teach her how to canter so had to send her to a riding school and leave her there !

Tis not easy at all !

[doogalman]

It's the problem that other road users pose all the time thats the problem. Wait till you get tail-gated by some knob. I did once so pulled away for safety sake , right into a speed trap. The Ex was not too pleased when she saw it all over the front page.
Carried my kids on bikes from the age of about 3. Also used to ferry the dog about on the bike (no not the EX). But did that as well.

[YMFB]

Too young in my opinion, dont know exactly what the law states but guess the child needs to be wearing the right gear (but so does everyone) and be large/strong enough to hold on securely.

Kids vary so much in size you cant go by age alone, also a quick ride around the block has got to be different to riding along a motorway for a prolonged journey.

Its an interesting thread though as my nephew is ten and Im sure he is going to be asking soon.

Personally my first experience was riding a C90 aged 12, which of course I rode on the road !!!