i took my 9 year old out today on the back of the BMW, he loved it, feet are on the pegs, box on the back with a rest and he holds on to me, what age do you think is safe, remember he was not on the back of a sports bike but a big tourer. just for reference this is what he was on Pete
My daughter loved going on the back of my CBR600 FV when she was 9. Her feet were flat on the pegs and she found it more comfortable to hold the grab rail than hold on to me. Only on dry warm sunny days and obviously I took it easy. I kept a check on her through the intercom, but we never had any issues. Shes 27 now and wants me to get insurance including pillion so she can go on the back of the blade, but she realises that it will have to wait until after shes had my granddaughter
I have a 9 year old who will happily sit on the back of my blade, I ware a strap with handles for him to hold on to, he is comfortable sitting on the seat and can place his feet firmly on the foot rests (which he could do from the age of 6). He has proper kids motorcycle protective clothing along with a snug fitting helmet and boots. It’s up to the individual to know and trust that the kid can safely travel on the back of a motorcycle, if in doubt give it a miss. It can be a bit disconcerting having someone that small and light on the back of your bike as you don’t feel like there’s anyone there. I always ride extremely conservatively and smooth not making any sudden moves and have a means of communication. He taps my leg twice to slow down and three times to stop. Above everything else stay safe especially with a child on board.
As long as they are big enough to sit securely and hold on tight then in my opinion it is more about attitude than age. So basically what @Blade runner 1 said.
My daughter was 10 when she first came out with me, that was on an Adventure style bike with a back box, she was/is a great pillion, and still comes out on the K1300s She went on my old Blade once, just down the road, but was not keen, and it is not a bike I liked a pillion on anyway
Everyone is free to make their own decision on taking pillion passengers of any age on any type of bike. But regardless of bike or rider skill levels, I would never take one of my children out on my bike. Yes it's a sports bike, but if I was on a tourer.......that wouldn't stop some one ramming me from behind or T boning me for the side! We put our limbs and lives on the line every time we go out, I wouldn't risk that for one of my kids. Sorry Too many idiots on the road, that's the only point I'm trying to make
One relevant point not raised here is that of insurance. Most policy applications have a check box for coverage relating to pillions. Something to be mindful of.
It’s true that the roads were quieter 18 years ago when my daughter came out with me for the first time and she stopped when I sold the CBR600 two years later. Its a different consideration now maybe.
True @nigelrb - I’ve not had pillion cover since I came back to riding 5 years ago, initially because of the expense but now I've got used to being solo I don’t consider it as being something I want to do (despite my daughters requests)
As said, they must be capable of sitting astride the machine with both feet firmly n the footrests. The silly part is that the law does not cover which way round they must face. They can face backwards if they wish and it remains perfectly legal so long as they are astride the machine. And before anyone says anything, the reason for this rule is to allow film camaramen and the like to film the bicycle races such as the Milk Race, Olympics and so on.
Ahem, I think you'll find it was allowed to accommodate women with larger breasts to ride pillion without the discomfort of compression against the rider's back. No complaints were ever received from the actual rider himself (or herself)
Took my daughter out at 8 on my r6, and she's now 12 and comes out on my blade with me. Got pillion handles for holding onto and intercom for talking to her. Luckily she's same size as the wife so just wears her kit, she wouldn't take no for an answer now if I tried not taking her
Had my wife on the back when she was pregnant I was practically sat on the tank roads are full of nobs now but if the they are up for it why not .... Just becareful trying to get ya knee down
The way I see it they could get hit in the car and killed, or crossing the road. Not gonna stop then walking or driving though are we? I go sped limit only with my daughter on the back. She's happy I'm happy.
We put our kids in a car as a necessity, to take them to school or wherever, it has to be done unless you use public transport. If an accident occurs they stand a chance, a very good chance especially with safety regulations cars have to have. Bikes have none, they're not safe! it's a choice, not a necessity to put a child on a bike as a passenger. If any of my kids ask to go on my bike I'd tell them no every time. If they want to go on a bike I'll buy them a little off road bike, and if they're still interested they can get a bike licence when they're 18. Then it's their choice. The way I see it is, I'm reducing their chance of injury, loss of limbs or even death by not putting them on my bike as a passenger! As I said before everyone is entitled to their own choice and to make decisions and I respect them, it's other road users I fear! Stay safe whatever you're doing
The other thing is.....I have 3 kids with a 4th on the way!! My bike is for me, it' the only thing I get to do on my own. I let them look at it......but not touch haha
And that is the key. We all have confidence in our own abilities; it's the scroat who comes belting out of a side street, or the inattention of a driver merging onto a motorway that collected a forum member recently that we just cannot foresee nor avoid. In saying this, I acknowledge most dads are taking the quieter, safer roads when taking their young ones. I think we have to remember that most kids are in awe of their dads and mums and yearn to experience those things that set us apart from the dads who pay frig all attention to their children.
Just playing devil's advocate here... The more exposure to safe riding and practices the better. Someone getting on the road for the 1st time at 18 should have built up lots of pillion hours prior for my mind, it can only help.
