I saw a blog about a UK couple and their two young lads going on a bike tour to France a couple of years ago. I'll see if I can search it out.
Took my laddie on the back of the gixer 750 when 14yo, got 8 miles up the road, and the thumping on my back said stop!!! He was in freakin tears hated it and I had never gone over 120mph!!!! He's now a professional nomadic, sheep shearer and as hard as nails.......
Protecting the kids is a bit easier now with the growth of good quality textile kit. And anyway, kids bounce...
Neither sons have been pillion However my ex took his 7 year old on the back of the KTM today - just a gentle potter and he's a big lad so foot pegs easily reached
Took my youngest out at about 10 yrs and the first couple of rides I found very difficult and rode SO carefully. Then as his and my confidence built up it became relaxed and he still really enjoys going out for a ride now he's 15. I still hold back a lot though. I always made sure he rides with proper boots, jacket, trousers, gloves, helmet, but he outgrew them so fast. easier now he's close to my size. My eldest son never wanted to go pillion apart from a few rides around the garden when really young. He's even passed over the opportunity to get a moped at 16. I remember the thrill and excitement of my 16th birthday approaching and the Gilera waiting in the garage to be ridden. But if I pushed him and he had an accident......
never really thought about what age to take my kids on the back more wether they can reach footrests or not knew a guy took his 10 year old on the back of his v max but he wore a belt with handles on for kid on pillion to hold onto instead of grabrail
Neither of mine have asked to pillion and I should imagine won't ever after they witnessed my return to home after my off. I have taken my ex as pillion and hated it and was glad to get him off. He let go of me a couple of times and that unnerved me For my I'm not experienced for taking anyone pillion I have been off as a pillion too and it hurts Emm I would say don't let Butch take your nipper
seems more of a case of nobody likes taking pillion passengers guess its just wether you feel comfy taking anybody pillion and wether they are comfy being pillion personaly i hate being pillion where as the wife doesnt mind but i am not really keen on taking pillion as cant play as good with pillion lol
I have some 'love handles for sale if anyone needs them. Used a couple of times when my kids were younger, they're fine holding on to dad now. I couldn't find an image of the ones I have, nicer than these, but thought I should post something up in case people don't know what they are!
I'm quite happy to take a pillion, and if they're inexperienced then I take it real easy and build as their confidence builds. I have Nicky on the back more often than not and she is so good I don't know she's there. I do ride quicker when I'm by myself but that's a sub-conscious thing because I have respect for my pillion. None of my kids had the chance when they were young as I was too skint to have a bike and a car, but they would have had proper gear on because I don't believe in taking that chance.
