How old to ride?

[Savage]

How old does a little kid have to be in order to ride on a cycle?
Can they ride in front of me instead of behind?
Thanks

[safiri]

KS statutes specify that to carry a passenger on a motorcycle, the mc must be equipped with footpegs and seat for that passenger. My assumption would be that the child's feet had better reach the footpegs. My second assumption would be that the passenger is required to actually use said pegs and seat. I know that KS statute specifies that a mc driver sits astride the seat, straddling, facing forward.

The problem with a child riding in front of you is that if you do crash, their head runs the risk of going right into the handlebar mount and the risk of you increasing the force of the crash on them as you push into them. A full face helmet might reduce this risk, but probably not eliminate it.

I guess my reasoning would be the child is old enough when you can find gear that fits AND they understand directions (hold on, lean with me, etc) AND follow directions AND remember directions. I teach high school and the latter parts about following and remembering directions trip up quite a few 17yo.

[MoRidin]

My son just turned 10 and to be honest, I believe he is just now at the age that I would feel comfortable with him as a passenger...not that I will do it. Before 10, they are just too easily distracted to really understand the enormity of being a cycle passenger.

[xr-nut]

Wheels: A Story About Growing Up #5781 from http://www.aerostich.com talks in depth about riding with kids. he used a harness the boy wore, that attached to a special belt he wore. the boy couldnt fall off even if he fell asleep. personally, i think as long as a helmet fits well they should be riding. i bought extra small hjc helmet and both my boys were riding as soon as they could hold themselves upright! (once they were strong enough to hold their heads still with the helmet on) both of my boys have riden their own motorcycles from 4 years old. honda xr50. they both understand what it takes to ride, from piloting themselves, so they make better passengers for it. my current street ride is a r12rt and we use a trunk for them to lean on. ive found that we dont need the harness, they are 10 and 7 now. short trips to town and back on the xr(without a backrest) are no problem either. i wouldnt want for them to have to ride for longer than 10-20 minutes without a place to lean back and relax. what sucks for me is i have two boys, and its hard to get them an equal amount of seat time~!

whatever you do, get them riding. of all the crap we try to instill in our kids-riding is something they will be able to use(as daily trans) and enjoy for the rest of their lives.


btw-while i still have the xr50, they have moved on-one is on a cr80 and the other a sx65. we race the FMHSC series together!